p6 II1S ■ A5(o Lig-Frer» wm Book THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, CONTAI2TINS EASY AND FAMILIAR LESSONS FOR THB INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH, OF BOTH SEXES, IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND TH3 PATHS OF TRUE RELIGION AND VIRTUE. TWELVTH MONTREAL EDITION, CORRECTED. PART 1. Tabie3 of words, of one, two, three, four, five, six and seven syllables ; also Easy Reading Lesson3 taken from the Holy Scrip- ture?, with a moral to each Lesson. PART II. Lessons on the End for which Man was created ; on what it is to be a Christian; on the necessity of being virtuons in tli8 time of Yonth : on Prayer and Instruction; on the Fear and Love of God ; on the Love of Parents, &c. ; on the Vices of Swearing and Lying, &c, &c. PART III. The Principal Festivals of the Church expounded. Necessary Rules for a Christian to follow. Prayers to be used on different occasions ; and a Summary of the Christian Doctrine. MONTREAL. PUBLISHED BY ROBERT MILLER AND FOR SALE AT THE BOOKSTORES. 1864. y 5 *s?*f*%ju $Zt£< A/937 THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. o THE rapid sale w hick the first edition of xbis book experience d, the whole impression having been sold in ten months, and the high encomiums which have been passed upon it by the most eminent of the Clergy, induces the Editor to offer a second to the patron- age of the Catholic public, which he has enlarged, and he trusts, in some measure, improved. The spelling lessons will, on exam- ination, be found better arranged, and some hundred words have been added to those which are similar in sound and different in spelling and sense. In the second part two chapters are introduced, on the Devotion due to the Blessed Virgin, and to our Guardian-Angel and Patron Saint. Objections have been made to this work, because it does not contain seme grammatical exercises ; and also that the spelling lessons are not sufficiently prolix. To the fiist, the Editor begs to observe, that he never found such exercises to be of any service to children at the age when they use this book ; and when they arrive at the proper period to study grammar, it i3 better for them to have a separate work on the subject, many of which are to be had. To the second it may be observed, that most of the reading lessons in the first part being divided into syllables by hyphens they must be considered as adapted to the purpose of spelling as well as of reading. The Editor's chief aim, in compiling this work, was to implant the seeds of Virtue and true Religion in the minds of the rising generation, at the time of imparting to them knowledge of letters ; convinced, as he is, that nothing is so ne- cessary to insure the happiness of mankind, as to train up a child in the way he should go, for when he is old he will not depart from it. If the divine precepts of a Christian life, and the neces- sary means of fulfilling them, are but firmly rooted in the minds of youth of both sexes, they will not fail to become virtuous ornaments of the Catholic Church, worthy members of society here, and hap- py citizens of heaven hereafter. The following pages may be found useful in attaining these desirable blessings is the sincere and fervent prayer of W. E. ANDREWS. a2 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. THE ALPHABET. ROMAN. ABC DEFGHIJ K L M NOPQ RSTU V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k 1 m nop qrst u v w x y z ITALIC. JIB € D E F GHIJK L M JX 9 O P Q R 8 T IT V WX YZ a h c d e f g h i j k I m n o p qrstuvwxyz. THE ALPHABET OBOSSED- ADGKMLCBJRO ETFN Q V P WYIS H U Z X akjvoenqhpidglrtm y bxcfuw.zs THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK VOWELS. a e i o u CONSONANTS. b c d fg h j k 1 m n p q r s t v w x z DOUBLE AND TREBLE LETTERS ff fi fl ffi ffl TABLE I. LESSON I. LESSON ii. ba ee di fo ku ab lb oc urn eb ka fe ci do bu im af ud ob ec fo de ko bi ca if om ub ac ed du ke be CO fi od ef ib us ad cu da bo fu ki uf am of em ec LESSON III. LESSON IV. ma ri DO ti se en at in an OS ta su re mu ni ax es ix or un ru mi to sa ne it ur ex on ar te si me na ro ox ut as er in ra tu mo nu so et is us an ot LESSON v. LESSON VI. bla pie flo clu bra pre tro cm ffl ble c)a plu tri bre era pru cle fla pli b!o ere tra pri bro pla fie bli do pra tre bri cro LESSON \ ru. fra fru fi 'i frc fre phra pbru Pi hri pbro phre THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Tx\BLE IJ. Lesson 1 Words of three Letters. A!! trj and are bed yet don for sup the JOU her not thy two off men l sin low tie pod fun hap pig dun nag sod kid red mud tun fag nip gun hod did cud wed sip rod bee oil tea dot nut act sea bun fit mad Lesson If, Words of four Letters. Cake hare mark make cart dart bark span fali dark wake tail mart knot mare pass writ clod wink lock shut fail such dock boil hook blot them sand drub Lesson III. Mope hail sake book mace pail look mock pace band nail hope Sand race that term glut knit name wise your gave then whom bare what bird mind ha?e walk beau suit hail grim knob smut L&SSON VI. Words of five Letters. Faith reign pease cause chief fruit daunt stood brawl pause couch joint might voice teach vouch thief moist knack eight bench small brass . track faint quick stack knead poach drawn saith craft frame pouch taste clock shaft check right pride guild crown THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. TABLE III. Lesson I. Names of Birds, Beasts, fyc. Cat mare cock ant dog colt hen snipe cow bear hawk bug calf crane kite * lark hog crow flea owl horse dove frog rook Lesson I [. Terms used at play, fyc . Ball gig top bat leap trap skip jump taw cards throw whip dice kite lose chuck spin win L ESSON III. Apparel. Cap frock hoop shirt hap fan knot shift coif gown scarf cloth hood gloves stays stuff coat lace shoes plush cloak muff* clogs silk Lesson IV. Eatables. Ale crust beef beans beer buns lamb peas tea crumb pork milk wine cakes veal cream bread pies fish curds cheese tarts flesh whey Lesson V . Trees,) Plants* Fruits, <$»< •. Ash fir broom hops oats plums hay- lime hemp reeds rye pears beech oak flax rose wheat grapes birch pine fern rue crabs leaf box vine grass sage figs TOOtS elm yew herbs shrub nuts trees 8 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Lesson VI. Titles and Names, King duke peer wife aunt Mark queen earl knight child niece Luke prince lord page son bride John Lesson VII. Number, Weights, fyc • One five nine inch drop drachm two six ten foot dram ounce three seven once ell pint pound four eight twice yard quart score Lesson VIII. Parts of th e Body. Head £air face eyes nose mouth scull brain tongue lips teeth chin arms hands cheeks throat breast ears back bones thumb shins fist wrist toes nails knees ribs legs feet Lesson IX. The World. - Sun east cape clay brook frost moon west rock dirt pool snow stars north land bank pond mist air south hill sand rain dew wind earth isles chalk hail ice Lesson X. Things belonging to a House. Cup door chest stool quilt thatch cock box chair coach slate mug bench brush plate bed tiles key pot stone broom spoon lock spit paint lime fork latch jack stairs brick knife bolt gate glass sheet THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. TABLE IV. Easy Lessons of One Syllable, by which a child mil sooner know both the Sound and use of e fined. AI ale dot dote mod mode rud rude ar are Fam fame mol mole Sal sale at ate fan fane mop mope sam same Bab babe far fare mor more sid side bal bale fat fate Nam name sin sine ban bane iil file nap nape sit site bar bare fin fine nil Bile sol sole bas base for fore nod node sur sure bid bide Gal gale nor nore Tal tale bil bile gam game not note tarn tame bit bite g a P gape Od ode tap tape Can cane gat gate or ore tar tare cam came gor gore Pan paoe tid tide car care Hal hale pat pate til tile eap cape bat hate pin pine tim time col cofe her here pol pole tin tine cop cope bid hide por 1 pore ton tone cor core hop hope P ii pile top tope Dal dale Kin kine rat rate tub tube dam dame kit kite rid ride tun tune dan dane Lad lade rip ripe ,Val vale dar dare Mad made rit rite van vane dat date man mane rob robe vil vile din dine mar mare rod rode vot vote dol dole mat mate rop rope Wad wade dom dome mil mile rot rote win wine Do all that is just, and God will love you. Call on him, and He will help you. Seek the Lord, and you will find Him. I will pray to the Lord all the day long. a3 1* THE 0ATHOLK5 SCHOOL B*6K« TABLE V. Lessons of One Syllable. Who made you and gave you life ! God, who made the world and all things in it. And was there a time when there was not a God ? No; there was no time when God was not. Who is God ? He, my child, who made the world ; made you, and gave you life, and your soul. He, the same who made the sun, the moon, the stars, the birds that fly in the air, the fish that swim in the sea, the beasts that walk and feed in the fields ; in a word, all the things which you see, and which give you joy. Did God make the world all at once ? No. He made it in thejspace of six days. Could he not have made it at once ? Yes, if such had been his will. What ought you to do at the sight and use of things which God hath made 1 1 ought to raise up my mind and heart to him, and to praise hira. Why do we name him by that word for name of God 1 What doth that name mean ? This is He, my child, the Great One, the Good One, and the Wise One, God. Of whom all things, as it were, cry out unto us with one voice : Know ye, Men, that the Lord He is God, it is he that hath made THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK IT Raise up then your mind, yoar heart, and yaut voice to him, and say ; O God, Thou art great, and good, and wise s Thou art the one God and Lord of all things. All men and all things that have been made, and that now are, were made by God ; but God, was not made. For there was a time when there was no man nor bird, nor fish ; but there was not a time when there was no God, or when God was not. He is the Lord and God of all men, and things that have been, and that are, and that will be. — All are made by him, and all live and move by Him. God is, and was, and will be. The eye of God is on all men. I will mind the way of the Lord, my God, that I may not sin. If sin be in us we are in a bad way. Let us go out of it, as it is not good for us to be in it. In God do I put my joy, and to Him will I cry all day. Keep me, O Lord, from such as love not thy law, and walk not in thy ways. I see thy way, God, and I }oj in it, 12 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, TABLE \L Words of Two Syllables, accented on the first, [The single accent (') denotes the right emphasis of the syllables and the double accent^") shews that the following consonant is to be pronounced double ; thus, ba"nish is pronounced bannish.J Ab' ba an vil bor row cam phire Ab bot ar bor boun Xy can eel ab bess arch er brack et can cer ab bey arc tic brand ish can did ab ject ar dent bra zen can dour ac cent art ful brit tie can vass a' cid art ist bro ker cap tive a ere as pect bru mal car bine ac live at las buck ler car C3S9 ac tor au dit buck ram car go a" dage a zure bud get car nage ad der Bai liff bulb ous cart ridge ad verse ba" lance bul wark carv ing a gent baf fie bun gler. cas tie ail ing bal lot bur then can die am ble bane ful bur den ca" vern am bush bank er bur gess cause way am pie ba" nish bur nish caus tic an chor barb ed but ter ce rate an gel bar rea but tress ceil ing an gle ba sis Ca' ble chair man an guish bea con cal lous cha" lice an nals bi as cal low chal lenge an them bil low ca" lid cban eel Cba os Co gent cos tire de ist cha" pel coin age co" Tert de" luge THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 13 chap let com pact cur rent drea ry char ter com pass cus torn driz zle chat tels com plex cut ler drop sy cheer ful com rade cy" nic dro ver cheer less con cave cy press drow sey che" rish con cord Dab ble drug gist chief tain con course dain ty due tile chi" sel con flict da" mage du el cho rus con flux da" mask duke dom chris ten con gress dan ger Ea ger chur lish con quest dar nel eagle cby"mist con serve das tard ear less ci pher con sort dea con ear nest cir cle con strue debt or earth en cir cuit con tact de cent east ward cis tern con trive des pot e" cho ci" tron con vent de" sert e diet ci" Til con vex die tate ef fort claim ant cor net di et e gress cla" mour cor nice di' git em b!em clas sic cor sair dis cord em pire clea ver co" vet dis mal en dive cle 1 ' mant cou" rage dis tick en gine cli mate count ess district en trails cli ent coun try dole ful en vy clus ter coun ty do" lour . e pic coffer ere" dit dol phin e qual col league crim son do nor e ra col lege cri sis dor mant es sence co" luran cri" tic do tage e" tic com bat crys tal do" zen eu rope co" met cul ture dra ma ex ile com ment cu rate dra per ex it n THE OATHjQLlG SCHOOL BOOK. ex taat Fa" brie fable fee tor faith fill fa" misfe fa mous fan cy fa" thorn fa vour flo"rid fee ble fe" Ion fer tile fer vour fi bre fie kle fi" gure final fi nis fi nite fla grant flat ter fla vour fledg ed fleet nes^ flex ure flo" rist fluid flu ent flut ter fod der foi ble fo" rage fo" reign for feit for g er for mal for tress fur, Come hi us make brick, and bake them with fire ; aad let us build a town, and a tower, the top of which may reach a? high as Hea- ven \ and let us make our mme great be-fore we dis-perse into all lands 32 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK* But God, who laughs at the attempts of men, when they think to op-pose His will, soon shew-ed them how vain, and void of force, they were in their scheme. He knew they would not cease to work while they all spoke one and the same tongue. He then so con-fus ed their speech, and they no long-er knew the one what an-o-ther said or call-ed for. They were then for-ced to de-sist from their work. And that tow-er was cali-ed, and is known by the name of Ba-bel, that is, of coa-fu-sion ; be-cause there the tongue or speech of the whole earth was con.fu-sed, and of one it was chang-ed into many. Thence the Lord dis-pers ed them up-on the face of all the countries. MORAL. By this act and deed, you may see, my chi!d ; how vain it is for man to strive a gainst God: He is great, and of such might, that no man can op-pose what He will, or will not, have done. By the flood, and the change of speech, and by dis- persing man-kind through out the whole earth, He shew-ed that He is Lord of all, and that He can do what He pleas- eth, also, that He is wise and good ; and does all for the good of man. What love and praise then do we not owe Him ? Be- ware not to op.pose His will, but seek and pray to know it, and when you know it, beg Him to grant you His grace to com ply with it. And in all things that he-fall you, say, from your heart, O Lordj great and good, and wise and just ! Thy will be done. This done by the will and the hand of God, so be it, and may He be prais-ed. Lesson VII. A bra-ham. Gen. xxv. Jn a short time af-ter the de-luge, men lost all thought and fear of God. They e-ven did not own Him, who had hy such great works made Him-self known to them to be Qod ; but they set up for gods . the very works of God. Such were the sun, fire, moon, and stars: to these they prayed ; and they fell down THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 33 before stocks and stones, which were the works of their own hands. These they ca!l-ed and held for gods. Their whole mind, and thought, and care, was for this life and the body ; like unto brutes, they were led and rul ed by their sen-ses. Hence they did not mind their souls, nor the things of God nor of the next life. Such, my child, was the state of man-kind, at that time ; they liv-ed more like brutes, that know not God, than like men, whom God had made to know and to love him in this life, and af-ter this life to be hap-py with Him, in Hea-ven. In this sad state would most men hare been at this day, had not the good God by his grace pre- vented it. God then to call men from their evil ways, and to keep tbem firm in the love and fear of Him, calls forth a man who was good and just. His name was A-bra-ham. God promised him, if he would obey Him, that He would be a God to him, that is, he would bless him, and raise up a people from him, who should be His own peo-ple. He would take care of them, and pre-serve in them, and by them, the know-ledge, love, and fear of Him, who was the on-ly one and true God. A-bra-ham, be-liev- ed, and he did what-e-ver God bid him do. God also pro -mis-ed A-bra-ham, that of his seed or race, He should be born who should save the world. MORAL. Ee-ware, my child, not so to mind the things of this world and life, as to bend to them your whole or chief care. If you do, you "will lose the grace of God, and soon give in to the way of vicej and when you have lost the love and fear of God, then will jour life be more the life of a brute than a man. See in A-bra-ham what love and care God hath of those who love and serve Him. Hence, though you may chance to live with them that- live as if they knew not God, nor love, nor fear Him, do you a-bide firm in your faith of Him, and in good life. De-part not by sin from God and then He will be to you a God : he will bless you in this life, and b3 34 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. in the nest life He will make 70a happy with him for- ever. Lesson Vllf. The Faith and G-be-dience of Abraham, Isaac Esau, o.nd Jacob* God mide t e choice of A -bra- ham, before all men of this time, that by him, lie, the tsue God, nr'ght still be known and served, though most men had lost all sense of Him, A-bra-ham had a son whom he much loved. His name was I~sa-ac. When I-sa-ac was grown up in years, God, to try the faith of A-bra-ham, or his be-iief of what be had pro-mis-ed him, viz,, that he who was to save the world should be born of his seed, God called to him, A-bra-ham ! A-bra-ham ! to whom A-bra-ham said, Here 1 am. God then bid him to put to death his son I-sa-ac, whom he loved ; for God, my child, is tbe Lord of man and of his life, A-bra-ham would have done it as soon as God bade him 5 but just as he was up-on the point of slaying his son 1 sa-ac, an angel, or good spi-rit. sent on the part of God, stopped his hand, and thus the life of his son was spared. I-sa-ac, like his father, was a good man. He had two sons : their names were E-sau and Jacob, and they were twins, that is both born at one and the same birth ; E-sau was first born, but at the time Ja-cob came forth of the womb, he held in his hand the plaint, or the sole of E-sau's foot. By this was meant, what sf-ter- wards came to pass, when E-sau sold bis birth-right for a mess of broth. It was thus Jacob sup-plan-ted, or, as it where, trip-ped up the heel of his brother E-sau and got from him his birth right. Jacob was a good man and when his father was on his death bed be bless-ed him. But E-sau turned out bad. Ja-cob had twelve sons. They are kisown by the names of the twelve Pa-tri archs, or chief of twelve tribes. And God gave to Ja-cob the name of Is-ra-el, whence his race, or they that sprang from him, were called fs-ra-el-ites. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 35 Moral. — Great and firm you see my child, was the faith and trust of A-bra-ham in God ; and prompt was his o be-di-ence wheu Le could have slaia his- son Isaac ; God wants not our goods, nor snjfiiing we can give, for all is His. and all comes from Him, What he most seeks is our prompt will and heart tc do His will, as soon as He makes it known to us : and He 1 ooks up-on that as done which we would hare done if such had been His will, Hence A-bra-ham is stjl-ed the Fa-ther of the Faith-fuL or of those who be-Heve in God. That jou may be a true child of God, by faith be-Iieve in Him, by hope trust ia Him, and through love o bey Him. thea will He bless you. From E-sau lean: my ctiid, kcw sad a thing it is to be too fond of. aad to set our heart too much on-, the things of this world. Such fond-ness blinds us, so that we no' long er know not what we love, nor what we lose. That which we long for, and seek to have, is of-ten of so more val-ue than a mess of broth if ccm-par-ed to the good things of the next life, that Trill have no end, which vet we lose with so much ease. Observe. — When my child you read that God, or the Lord, call ed to A-dam, or spoke to x\-bra-hara, or to Mo-ses or that they heard his voice, or saw Him, you are not to think that G-od did call or speak, or was heard, or seen in the same way as we speak, call. &c. No. not so i but as God can do what He pleas-eth and use such means as he may choose, to make known His will, or things, to us;«He by some . voice cr sound, brought to their ears and minds T ^hat He would have them to know, hear or do. And if they saw any thing which they thought to be God, it was not God whom they saw, for no man hath seen, or can see Him, but it was same-thing in the shape of mai which they saw : and by these means God re -veal - ed to their minds, and re-pre-sent-ed to them, things as ful-ly and clear \y } as if they re ai-ly sa"w Him, or heard His voice. 36 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, Lesson IX. Joseph and his Brothers. Gen. xxxvii. Of the twelve sons of Ja-cob, Jo-seph was dear-er to liim than a-ny of the rest. His bro-thers were griev-ed at it, and they ha-ted him. One day their fa-tber sent him to them, when they were in the fields with their flocks^ to see if all things were well with them. When he came to them, they said, Let us kill him. But one of them, by name Reu-ben, said, do not take his life from him, nor shed his blood, but cast him into this pit. They then strip-ped him of his coat, and cast him in. to the pit or well, which was dry. And when some merchants pass-ed by that way, his bro-thers drew him out of the well, and they sold him to them. They brought him in-to E gypt, and there they sold him to a prince, to be his slave. Jo-seph was a man that in all things did so well, that his master made him dwell in the house, and he was in great favour with him ) so far, that he was charg-ed with the care of all things, and he ruled in the house. When he had been there a while, his master's wife wish-ed and pressed him to do a great crime y but Jo-seph was good, and fear-ed God, and he would by no means con- sent to do it. How can I com-mit a wick-ed thing, said he, and sin a-gainst my God ! No. He then rush-ed from her. She then char-ged him falsely with the crime, and he was cast into pri-son. When he had been there two years, the King sent for him to 1 ex-plain him his dreams, Jo seph ex-plain-ed them. Then the King took his ring from his own hand, and gave it in4o the hand of Jo-seph ; he cloth ed him with a silk robe, and put a chain of gold a-bout his neck : he dade all bow their knee to him, and told them he was to rule the whole land of Egypt. Not long after there was a dearth, or great want of corn, and Jo-seph had the care of all the corn, Ja-cob the .fa-lher of Jo-seph, then sent his brothers to buy corn of him. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 37 At first they did not know Jo-seph ; and though he knew them, yet he feign-ed as if he did cot know them, and he dealt with them as if they were spies. This he did to bring them by de-grees to a sense of their fault, when through en-vy they sold him \ yet did Jo-seph love them. He soon made him-self known to them. He wept through joy, kiss ed them, and for-gave them. He then sent for bis old father, who came to him. Jo-seph took care of him and his brothers. They lived in those parts ; and when Ja-cob was dead, Jo-seph buried him in the place ^here he had de-si-red to be bu-ri-ed. MORAL, Thus you see 5 rny child, tbat God doth not for-get nor fbr-sake them that fear and love Him. Though he some- times seems not to be mind-ful of them in their dis-tress, yet in due time He comes to their aid and corn-fort, and He makes all that be-falls them to turn to their good. Be chaste, my child, like Jo-seph ; do not stain your soul and life by an un-clean act, or thought, or look. Keep a guard upon your eyes and heart, and flee those per-sons who would lead you to sin ; ra-ther die than of-fend God. Like Jo-seph for-get and for-give the wrongs done to you by an-other. Re-vere your parents, take care of them, and help them all that you can in their old age, and in time of want, and at all times. Lesson X Mo-ses. Ex-o-dus ii. Mo-ses was an other great and good man. Soon after he was born, his mother hid him for the space of three months. This she did to save him from being put to death with o-ther cbil dren whom the King had or-der-ed to be killed. When she could no longer keep him hid, she made a basket of bul.rush-es and daub-ed it with pitch. — She then laid him in it, and set the bas-ket near the wa-ter's side. When the king's daugh-ter came down to wash her self, she es-pi-ed the basket, and the child in it. — 38 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. She took him out of it and gave him to his own mother, though she was not known to be such, and she said to her, Take this child and nurse him for me. When be was grown up the King's daughter a-dopt-ed him for her son, and she gave him the name of Mo-ses, saying, Because from water did I take him. And sha brought him up. MORAL. 1 All this, my child, did not come to pass by chance ; no, such was the will of God, and his hand or power brought all that about. Thus God, by ways and means that seem strange to men, rules all things, and brings them to pass as He pleas-eth, to the glory of his name aad to our. good. Thus you must think, and judge of all the events in life. Lesson XI. The Plagues of E-gypt. Ex. iii. vii, viii, ix. God made use of Mo-ses to free his peo-ple from the slavery un-der which Pharaoh the King of Egypt held A-bra-ham, !-sa-ac, and Jacob, and were cail-ed Js-ra-el ites. God shewed him-self to Mo-ses, or the glory of God ap-pear-ed to hiai in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush. The bush burn ed, yet did not waste. And God, from the midst of the bush, called to bim, Mo-ses ! Mo-ses ! Mo-ses. Then said he, Here I am. And he went to see the bush ; but God said to him, Do not come near ; loo*e off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place on which thou dost stand is ho-ly ground. Then God said, i am the God of thy father, the God of A-bra-ham, the God of I-sa-ac, snd the God of Ja-cob- Mo-ses then hid his face, for he durst not look at God. ' Then God said to him, The cry of the children of Israel is come up to ire. Come and I will send the un-to Pha-ra-oh, that thou may-est bring forth my peo-ple. I will be with thee, and 1 will stretch out my hand, asd I will smi f e E-gypt with my won-ders. These won-ders God did by Mo-ses to make the king submit to his will, and let his peo-ple go thence. — They are cali-ed the Plagues of E-gypt. Mo-ses struck, THE_CATH0LIC SCHOOL BOOK. 39 with a rod that he held in hU band, the water in the . and in-stant-ly it was cbang-ed in-to blood. He made frogs come and leap a-bout in all parts, ever. in their bouses. He brought a-rnong them flies and gnats that bit them sore-ly. He brought a plague on the cafe-tie, sores on men, a storm of hail, thick dark-ness that lasted three days. Last of all, God sent an angel who kill-ed all the iirst- bcrn of the E gyp-ti-ans. from the son of the king to the son of the mean-est slave. This last plague so fright-en-ei the King, that in the same hour he press-ed the Is-ra-el-ites to go forth and leave the coua-try ; and they drove them out of the land of Egypt, and they load-ed them with rich-es. MORAL. Thus yen >ee, my child, God can do, and doth, what Ke pleas eth. and no one can with-stand Him. See a-gaia, how dread-iul it is to bar-den our hearts, and to shut our ears to the call and grace of God. For, though God be good, yet He is just, and strong to strike, to punish us when we pro-yoke Hiua by our ob-sti- nacy ia sin-ing against Him. Love God, fear God, and do His will, that He may bless you. Lesson XII. The Is-ra-el-ites pais dry shod through the Red Sea, Ex-o-dus. xiv. No sooner were the Is ra-el-ites gone, than Pba ra-ok was vex-ed that he had let them depart. He then with his ar-my set out after them, to stop them. He came up to them on the banks of the Red Sea ; and then they gave them-selves up for lost. But Moses stretcb-ed out his ban 1 o-ver the sea, and in-stan-tly God made the sea o-pen. and the wa-ter re-tir-ed to each side, and stood like a wall on the right and the left, leav ing a large and dry space ia the midst through which the Is-ra-el-ites pass-ed dry-shod. The E-gyp-tl-ans would fain have fol-low-ed them ; but Mo-ses a-gain stretch-ed out his hand, and God. made 40 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. the sea join its wa-ters, in which they were all drown-ed ? with Pha-ra-oh their king \ and they saw ths E-gyp-ti-ans dead on the shore. Then Mo-ses and the Is-ra-el-ites sang to the Lord, and said, Let us sing to the Lord. My strength and my praise is the Lord. This is my God. He hath drown-ed Pha-ra-oh and his army in (he Red Sea. Who is like to Thee O God. MOBAL. Thus, my child, God took care of his peo-ple and sav-ed them. He shew-ed that he was Lord of all. So will he have care of you if you love and serve Him. Put then, your whole trust in Him, call upon him, pray to Him, and he will save you from harm, and when He thus shews Him-self kind and care-ful of you, do you praise and thank Him from your heart. Lesson XIII. The Jour-ney through the Desert. The Ten Command- ments. Ex. xvi, xix, xx. When the Is-ra-el-ites had pass-ed the Red Sea, God led them through a vast de-sert, or a wild and vast part of land in which no one dwelt. This He did, to try if they would be faith-ful to him, and to let them see that they could not live with-out his care and kind-ness. A cloud led them the way by day, and it screen-ed them from the beat of the sun. At night it was chang-ed in-to a pil-lar of fire, that serv-ed to light them: For their food, God gave them Man-na. It was a kind of dew that fell from the hea-vens ; and it was so thick that they made bread of it. When they were in want of drink, Mo-ses struck with his rod a rock, out of which in-stantly there gush-ed forth wa'er. TLeir clothes were not worn out, though their jour-ney last-ed forty years. Such care did God take of them ; yet they were un-grate- ful to Him ; tliey long-ed to be again in E-gypt, and they were for kiil-ing Mo-ses. In the third month after they left E-gypt they came to Mount Si-na-i. There God made them halt a while, that He might give them his law. When the day was come on which they were to re-ceive it, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 41 they beheld the top of the moun-tain all on fire. Then a thick cloud co-ver-ed it, and out of it broke forth dread-ful thunder and light-ning. They heard a sound of trum-pets, and a great noise, but they saw no one. Then a loud and dread-ful voice broke forth out of the cloud, and spoke these words : J am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of E-gypt, and out of the house of bond-age. Thou shalt not have strange Gods be-fore me. Thou shalt not make to thy«self a gra-ven thing, nor the likeness of any-thing that is in hea-ven a-bove, or in the earth be-neath, or in the wa-ters un-der the earth. Thou shalt not adore nor serve them. I am the Lord thy God, strong and jea-Ious, vi-sit-ing the sins of the fa-thers up-on their chil-dren, to the third and forth ge-ne-ra-tion, of them that hate me ; and shew- ing mer cy to thou-sands of those that love me, and keep my com-mand-ments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guilt-less that shall take the name of the Lord his God in vain. Re mera-ber that thou keep ho-Iy the Sab-bath day. — Six days shalt thou work, and shalt do all thy works. — But on the sev-enth day is the Sab-bath of the Lord thy God : thou shalt do no work on it, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-ser-vant, nor thy wo-man-ser- vant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rest ed on the sev-enth: there fore the Lord bless-ed the Sab-bath day and sanc-ti-fi-ed it. Ho nour thy fa-ther and tby mo-ther that thou may-est live long up-on the earth which the Lord thy God will give thee. Thou shalt not mur-der. Thou shalt not com- mit a-dul-te-ry. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not speak a-gainst thy neigh-bour false tes- timony. Thou shalt not co-vet thy neigh-bour's house,- nei-ther shalt thou desire his wife, nor ser-vant, nor hand- maid, nor ox, nor ass, nor a-ny-thing that is his, 42 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. These are the Ten Com -rnand-ments which God pub-fish- ed to his people ; and he gave them writ-ten on two ta- bles of stone to Mo-ses, who was at that time on the Mount in the clouds. Though by the thun-der and light-ning God would move them and us to care-fu! keeping of them, yet His will fa rather that we grave them in our hearts, and keep them not so much through our fear, as through our love of Him. Keep them, my child all the days of your life, and you will please God, and He will bless you here, and after this life you will see him in all His glo-ry, and en-joy Him for- ever. Lesson XIV. Da-vid and Go-li-ah, 1 Kings, xvii. The peo-ple of God had for a long time been rul-ed by Judg-es. At length, th?y desired to have Kings. Their first king was Saul. In his reign he fought raa-ny bat- tles. And in his time there came forth from the camp of the Phi!-i3-tines, who were e-ne-mies to the Is-ra-el-ites, a man whose name was Go-li-ah. He was six cu-bits, that is, three yards, or nine feet, and a span high. He had on his head a hel-raet of brass, and he was arm-ed with a coat of mail of ve-ry great weight ; he had greaves of brass on his leg ; and a staff in his hand which was like a large beam. This huge man stood day after day and crieti to the Is- ra-el-ites. Choose out a man of you, and let him come down to me. If he be a-ble to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants ; but if I kill him, thea shall ye be our ser-vaats, and serve us. Now there was a man whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. The youngest of them was call-ed Da- vid. He used to tend his fa-thers sheep. One morn ing he rose up ear-ly and went to the camp. At the same time came Go-li-ah. When the men cf Is-ra-el saw the man, they were a-fraid and fled from him. And tbey said to Da-vid, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 43 Have you seen this man that is come to defy us ? David said to the men who stood by him, What shall be dGne to the man that shall kill Go-li-ah ? And they said to him, To the man who kill-eth Go-li-ah the king will give great rich-es and his daugh-ter, and he will make his father's house free. Da-vid then went to Saul, and said to him, Let no man's heart fail bs-cause of Go-li-ah : thy servant will go and fight with him, Saul said to Da-vid, Thou art not ab-le to fight with him, for thou art but a s'rip ling, but he is a man trained to war from his youth. Da-vid said to Saul, I kept my fa-ther's sheep, and there came a li-on and the bear, that took a lamb out of the flock 5 and I went out and I smote them. I slew both the li-on and the bear 5 and this man shall be as one of them. David al-sosaid, the Lord, who sa-ved me out ef the paw of the li-on, and cut of the paw of the bear, He wilt save me out of tbe hand of this man. And Saul said to Da-vid ? Go, and the Lord be with thee. Then Saul cloth-ed Ba-vid with a coat of mail, and put a hel-met of brass up-on his head. When Da-vid was thus cloth ed ; and gird-ed with a sword, he tried if he could go thus armed ; but he said to Saul, I cannot go so ; and he put them off. He then took his staff, and he choose five smooth bright stones out oi the brook, and he cast them into his scrip. Then he took a sling in his hand, and went forth a-gainat Go-li-ah. When Go-li-ah saw Da-vid, he said to him, Am I a dog, that thou com-est to me with a staff? come to me, and"! will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth. Then Da-vid said to him, Thou com-est to me with a spear, and a sword, and a shield ; but I come to thee in the name oj the Lord of Hosts. The Lord of the bands of Is-rael, whom thou hast this day de-fied, He, the Lord, shall give thee in-to my hands, and I shall strike thee 5 and take a- way thy head from thee. 44 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOR. And I shall give the car-cas-ses of the camp of the Phil- is-tines to the fowls of the air and to the beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know there is a God in Is-ra-el. And all here shall know that not in the sword, nor io the spear, doth the Lord save ; for it is His bat-tie, and He will give thee into our bands. Then Go-li-ah rose up, and earae a-gainst David. Da-vid then put his hand in-to his scrip, and took one stone, and cast it with a sling, and struck Go-li-ah on the fore-head, who fell on his face upon the ground. And where-as Da-vid had no sword, he run and stood upon Go-li-ah, and he took his sword, and with it he slew him and cut of his head. Da-vid then took Go-li-ah's head and he brought it in-to Je-ru-sa-lem. Then Ab-ner, the prince of the army, took Da-vid and he brought him to Saul, having in his hand the head of Go-ii ah. Saul took Da-vid that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. And David went out whi-ther-so-e-ver Saul sent him : and he be-hav-ed wise-Jy : and Saul placed him over the men of war, and he wasac-cept-ed in the eyes of the peo-ple. MORAL. Thus a-gain you see, my child, that God doth what He pleas-etb. The weak he makes strong, and the strong He renders weak. Da-Tid fights, and acts in the name, and by the strength of God, and not in his own. If we trust in God, and not in our own strength, He will be for us, and help us ; and if He be for us, and with us 5 who or what can hurt us ? what have we to fear ! But as with-out Him we are nothing, so with-out Him we can do no-thing. He hates the proud and ar-ro-gant ; but He looks down on the humble, and to them He gives His grace, by which they might do great things. Lesson XV. Bacid made King. 2 Kings, ii. * After the death of Saul, Da-vid was cho-sen King. He was a great man, as you have seen : and was al- THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 45 so a good man. He in-deed sin ned against God by two great crimes, murder and a-dul-te-ry ; but he re-pent-ed of them, su-ed to God to par-don him, and God did pardon him. He then lov-ed, fear-ed, and serv-ed God all the days of his life, with his whole heart. David was al-so a man of bright parts, and well skill-ed in mu-sic and po-e-sy. He eom-pos-ed a great number of can-ti-cles, or songs, in praise of God. These are the Psalms which are sung to this day in the Church. God made known to him, that He who was to save the world should be born of his race, and that he should be a king, and reign, not only over the house of Ts-ra-el, but o-ver all the na-tions of the Earth and that of his king-dom there should be no end ; that He (the Sa-vi-our of the World) should be the Son of God, and God him-self. All this was re-veal-ed by God to Da-vid. The Is ra-el-ites nam-ed the Re-deem-er, whom tbey ex- pect-ed, as the Jews do to this day, the Messiah, or the Christ. By the name is meant a noint-ed, because it was u«su-al to a-noint with oil those who were made Kings, Priests and Prophets ; and Christ was a King, a Priest and a Pro-phet. They like- wise call-ed him the Son of Da-vid. Moral. — Thus, my child, those who seem, in the eyes of men, to be mean, poor, and low, and of no ac-count, are made use of bj God to bring a-bout the great ends of His love, good-ness, and mer-cy, to sin-fui men. The fool-ish things of the world hath God cho-sen to con- found the wise ; and the weak things of the world that he may con-found the strong ; and the base things of the world hath God cho-sen, and things that are not, that he might bring to naught things that are, that no flesh should glo-ry in His sight. If a-ny time, my child, you of-fend God by sin, de-lay not to re-turn to Him : be sorry, crave his mercy, and beg his par-don, and re -solve not to sin a-gain. Lesson XVI. The In-car-na-tion and Birth of Jesus. You have read, my child, that our first pa-rents 46 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK.. A-dam and Eve, lost, by their sin, the grace and fa-vour of God, and were driven out of Pa-ra-dise. They more-o-ver were not, after this life, to have been hap-py with God in heaven : and, as we all sin-ned in them, we were to have been in the like sad state, had not God shew-ed mer-cy to them and to us. He there-fore took pi-ty on mankind, and sent His Son to re-deem us from sin, and to save us from hell. This Son was he whom God had pro mis ed to A-dam, A-bra- iiam, Ja-cob and Da-vid: but he did not come till four thou- sand years af-ter the fall of A-dam and Eve. Now his birth was after this manner: When the time ap-point-ed by God was come, God sent from hea-ven an an-gel, whose name was Ga-bri-el, to a young vir-gin, whose name was Ma-ry. She was of the race of Da-vid. The an-gel in-form ed her from God that she should bring forth, and be the mother of. the Messiah, Christ, or Re- deemer. Thou shalt have a Son, said the an-gel to Mary, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. She gave her con- sent, and in-stant-Iy she con-ceiv-ed in her womb Christ* He that was God, took flesh, and our na-ture, and be-came like to us, though not with sin and ig-no-rance. And he was born of her in Beth-le-hem, a small town, where Da-vid bad his birth. His rno-ther, the b!e?s-ed Vir-gin Ma-ry, and his fos-ter or re-put ed fa-ther, Saint Jo-seph, at that time were on the^r jour-ney, and as tkere was no room for them in the inns, they were con-strain-ed to lodge in a sta-ble. In that poor place, she brought forth in-to the world, her son Christ, who was to save the world. She wrapped Him in gwad-dling clothes, and laid him in a man-ger. And there were in the same country, shepherds, watch- ing, and keep-ing the night watch-es o-ver their flocks. And, be- hold, an an-gel of the Lord stood by them and the bright-ness of God shone round a-bout them, and they fear- ed with a great fear. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 4? And an an-gel said to them, Fear not for be-bold I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the peo- ple 3 for this day is born to you a Sa-vi-our who is Christ the Lord, in the city of Da-vid ; and this shall be a sign to ycu, you shall find the in-fant wrap-ped in swad- dling clothes, and laid in a manger. And sud-den-ly there was with the ao-gel a mul-ti-tude of the hea-ven-ly host praising God, and say-ing Glory be to God in the bigh-est, and on earth peace to men and goodwill. And it came to pass af-ter the an-gel de-part- ed from them in-to hea-ren, the shep-herds said one to an-o-tber, Let us go o-ver to Beth-le-henr and let us see this Word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shew-ed us. And they came with haste, and they found Ma-ry and Jo-seph and the in-fant ly-ing in the man.ger ; and seeing they un-der-stood of the Word that had been spo ken to them con-cer-ning this child. And the shep-herds re-turn- ed glori-fy-ing and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen ; as it was told unto them. MORAL. This my child is the great work of God, out of His pure lore to us. The word was made flesh, the Son of God be-carne man, and he dwelt a-mong us. A-dore and praise him, and give him thanks. In bis birth he is poor and as the out-cast of men. If then jou be poor, re-pine not at your state, since Christ was poor for your sake. Lesson XVII. Of Christ after his Birth. On the eighth day af-ter Christ was born, he was called Je-sus, or Sa-vi-our. At this name we bow our heads, to give him a mark of our res-pect, as our Lord ; and of our lore and thanks as our Re-deem-er. At. the name of JE-SUS let every knee boio. Short- ly af-ter, three kings, or wise men came out of the east to a-dore Him, They were guid-ed on their way by a bright star on- til it came and stood o-rer where the child Jes-us 48 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK was. And enter ing in-to the house, they found the chi'd with Ma-ry his mo-ther ; and fall-ing down, they a-dor-ed him ; and opening their trea-sures, they offer-ed him gifts — gold, frank-in-cense, and myrrh. ITp-on this, King Her-od, through jea-lousy, would have put him to death : and to that end he gave or-ders that all the male chil-dren in and about Beth-le-hem, of the age of two years, should be slain; and they were killed. These are call-ed the Ho-ly In-no-cents. But Christ was saved j for an angel of the Lord ap- pealed to Joseph, while a-sleep, and said, a-rise, and take the child and his mo-ther, and flee in-to Egypt, and there be un-til I .shall tell thee : for it will come to pass that He rod will seek the child to destroy him. And they did not re-turn to the land of Js-ra-el till after the death of He-rod. At the age of twelve years, Je sus went with his pa- rents to Je-ru-sa-Jem ; for the feast of the Pas-so-ver; there they lost him ; and on the third day they found him in the Tern-pie seat-ed a-midst the doc-tors, hearing them, and asking them questions, He then re-turn-ed with them to Na-za-reth, and liv-ed sub-ject to them ; and lie ad-van-ced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace be-fore God and man. MORAL. Af-ter the ex-am-ple of Je-sus, you must en-dea-vour, as you ad-vance in age, also to ad-vance in vir-tue and piety. To that end, be di-li-gent at school ; there hear your teach-ers, be subject to them, and to your pa-rents, and let no day pass with-out pray-ing to God $ beg of Him to give you His grace to know Him more and more ; to love Him more and more, and to serve Him more and more faithfully. Lsson XVIII. The Mi-ra-cles of Jesus Christ. Af-ter Je-sus re-turned to Na-za-reth with his pa- rents, we read little more of him \ but he lived un-known to the age of thir-ty years. At that age he was bap tiz-ed by Saint John, who is there-fore call-ed the Bap-tist. He then went into a de-sert, and there he fast-ed for-ty days, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 49 Af-ter that, he came forth,, and he ehose twelve poor men ; these are ca!!-ed the A-pas-tles ; that is to say, en- tojs^ or per-s:ns sent, be-cause be sent them to preach and teach the Gos-peU Je-sus, in the course of three years, wrought a great ma-Dy mi-ra-cles ; that is, he did those things which uo man can do, But as he was God as well as man, he could do all what-e-ver he pleased, h 3 cur-ed ail sorts of (jis-eas-es, the fe-ver, the flux of blood, the drop-sy, the-pal-sy, the le-pro-sy, of- ten by a word, and when he was not near the sick per- son. He gave sight to the blind ; he made the dumb speak, the deaf tear, the lams walk 5 he brought to life those who were dead ; a-mong these we read in par-ti-cu-lar of a young girl who was just dead ; a young man who his mo- ther was con-vey-ing to the grave ] and La-za-rus, who had been bu-ri-ed four days. He was seen to walk on the sea ; and he made Saint Peter do the like. Oae day he fed five thousand per-sons with five loaves of bread and two fish-es, an-o-ther time he fed four thousand with seven loaves. He knew the thoughts of men. All these won-ders prov-ed that he was, as he said of him-self, the Christ, and the Son of God. And three of his dis-ci-ples heard a voice from hea-ven that said of him, this is my be-lo-ved Son, in whom lam well pleas-ed \ hear ye him. MORAL. You must, ray child, hear him when he speaks to you, and makes his wi'l known to you by the voice of your pa- rents and teach-srs, for if you hear and obey them, you hear and obey him. It is by them God will shew you what you must do to please Him, and to save your soul. If you do these things, he will be pleased with you, and ble-s you, and af-ter your death, He will make you happy with Him in hea-ven. Lesson XIX. The Vir-tues of Jesus Christ. At the same time Je-sus did all those mi-ra cles c 50 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, He gave an ex-ample of all sorts of virtues. He was humble, meek, kind and good to all. He went a-bout doing good to all. He was not vain nor proud. He said, I seek not my own glory . I do the things that are pleasing to my Father. I do the will of Him who sent me. Though he was the Son of God, yet He call-ed himself the Son of Man. He de-part-ed from those who would fain have made him their King. One day some chil-dren were pre-sent-ed to him ; he em brac-ed them, and bless-ed them. He pass-ed his life in po-ver-ty and want, not hav-ing land nor house, nor so much as a place where to rest his head. He suf-fer-ed heat, cold, hua-ger, thirst, and fa-tigue. He of-ten pass-ed the whole night in prayer. My meat he said, is to do the will of Him who stent me. When re- vil-ed, called an im-pos-ter, se da-oer, glut-ton, he did not re-vtle again, but bore all in sil ence. MORAL Endeavour, my child, to co-py in you the life and vir- tues of Je-sus ; shun pride and vain glory. In all your thoughts, words, and ac-tions, seek only the glo-ry of God not the es-teem of men. Be meek, and ready to serve and do good to e-ve-ry one, e-ven to the poor-est wretch on earth. Love God, and serve God, because such is the vu'l of God, and he hath made you for that end. Lesson XX. The doc-trim of Jesus Christ. Learn now, my child, the truths which Jesus taught, and which you must be-lieve if you would please God, and save your soul. God has made you and placed you in this world, to know, love, and serve Him. Itisthenby faith you must know Him, and be-lieve all that He teach- es 5 by hope you must re-ly on Him, for his grace and help, to live well, and by tha-ri-ty, you are to love him above all things. These are the three chief virtues. Je-sus teach eth that life e-ver-last-ing, or the way to gain it, is to know God, the on-ly true God, and him-self, Jesus THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 51 Christ, whom God hath sent to re-deem us, and teach us. He teach-#th that He and ' the Fa-ther are but oee 5 hence that he is God, as his Fa-ther is God: and he tells his A-pos-tles that he will send them the Spirit, who pro-ceeds from the Fa-th&r ; ajid he adds he shall receive of mine, to teach it you ; because all that is the Father's is mine. This shews, that the Holy-Ghost or Spir-it pro-ceeds from the Father and from the Son, and yet that all three, the Fa-ther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are but one and the same God. And as Je-sus is God, it fol-lows that He is both God and Man, since he took to himself the na-ture of man. And He shows it clear-ly, when He saith, No one hath as-cend-ed in-to hea-ven, but He who is come down from hea-ven, the Son of Man who is in hea-ven. ^hese truths, my child, are the ground-work of your faith, or be-lief. They are called the My-ste^tes of the U-ni-ty, or of One Gcd, and of the Trini-ty, or of Three per-sons in One God, and of God the Son tekiog flesh, and be-ing made man. They are call -^ Mysteries, that i-, s'e-cret truths, hid-den from us, or what are a-bove our know-ledge, or com pre-hen-sion ; yet must we be-lieve them, be-cause God, who is truth it-self, hath revealed them, and Je-sus-Christ hath taught them. And as God is all-wise and good, He there-fore can-not be de-ceiv-ed, nor de- ceive us. That your faith of these truths may in-crease and be firm, of-ten make this, or the like act of faith. O God, I be-lieve Thou art the only true God ! O Jesus Christ; I be-lieve Thou art the Son of the liv-ing God, who cam-est down from hea-ven and wast made Man for us and our sal-va-tion. O Holy Ghost, I believe Thou art the Divine Spi-rit pro-ceed-ing from the Father aind the Son ; and with them, One and the same God. O bless-ed Trinity, One God. ITejbson XXI. The maxims of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ teach-eth us, that of oue-selfe3, and 52 THE CATHOLIC SCHOL BOOK V with-out Him, we can do no-thiog. As it is in God, and by God, that we live, move* and are, so it is on-ly by His grace and help that we can do good un-to our e-ter-nal sal- va tion. As the branch can-not bear fruit if it do not a-bide on the tree, so nei-ther can we bring forth the fruit of good works, if we do not a-bide in God by faith, hope, and love, and He give us not His grace. Christ, saiih, speak-ing of him-self, I am the way, the t?u h, and the life. He is the way, in what he teach-es by His word and by His life which we must copy. He is tin tiuth, by what he pro-rnis-es; and He is the life by the grace which we re-ceive through Him, and we 4i nvo nte i of this grace ; for he saith, No man can come to me,un-less the Fa-ther who hath sent me, draw him. This gi ace is, His free gift ; hence we must beg it of God. Ask, saith he, and it shall he giv en to you ;"*seek, and you bha.il find. And it is He who must teach us how- to pray, and what to ask. Thus he teach-eth us. When you pray, say, Our Fa-ther, who art in Heaven, &c. Tliis pray-cr is call-ed the Lord's Prayer. He more-o-ver teaches us not to con-fine our hope to the earth and to this life; for we are here but for a short time ; for aiew years or days, as it may please God, who is the Lord of the life of man. We are not then to heap up rich-es here, but to lay up a treasure in hea-ven by a life of good works. He tells us, there are two ways, and two gates : but that we must strive to enter at the nar-row gate, and walk in the straight way; for this leads ^to life, but is found by few, be-cause there are few who choose it ; the greaf-er part of men pre-fer the broad way that leads to death and ruin. To fol-low Je-sus in the straight and narrow way to hea-ven, we must, my child, re-nounce the de-vil, and his and its pomps : the flesh and its the cross by the prac-tice of God, and keep his com-mand- we shall af-ter our death en-ter and be happy for e-ver with works of sin ; the worM car-ry Ibaits. We must virtue. We must love aients. If we do this, into life e-ver-last-ing, ^od. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 53" For my child, there will come a day and an hour when you must die, and leave this world and all that is in it ; for since A-dam sin-ned we are all doomed to die ; and when we are dead, our bo-dies will be laid un-der ground, and they will mould-er in-to dirt and dust. But our souls will be judg-ed by God, and ac cord-ing as we have liv-ed'well or ill in this life, we shall live for e-ver ei-ther in hap-pi-ness or mi-se-ry, be-yond what can be en- joy-ed or en-dur-ed in this life, or what we are a-ble to con- ceive. The souls of some who have not been very good dur-ing part of their life time and yet have had par-don of their sins, will go in-to a pri-son call-ed Pur-ga-to-ry, for a while. And at the last day, all that are in the graves will hear the voice of the Son of God, and they will come from their graves to be judged by him pub-li-cly, of all their thoughts, words and deeds, done in this life, good and bad. And they who have done good, will then go bo-dy and soul to a life of hap-pi-ness that will ne-ver end, of such joy andof such good things as no man ev-er saw, or can con-ceive ; and they who have done e-vil will be cast bc-dy and soul in-to hell fire. To one of these ends, you my child must one day come. Live well, then, that you may die well ; for as you live, so you will die, and be hap-py or mi-ser-a-hle for ev-er after death. This is the sum of what Je-sus taught, arid of what you must be-lieve and prac-tice till death. Be wise then, now in time ; for when the hour of your death is come it will be too late to set a-bout it ; you may then wish to do, and to have done well \ but wish-es then will be in vain. Lesson XXII. The Sufferings and Death of Jesus Christ. Though Je-sus was much fol-low-ed and ad-mir-ed, for peo-ple came from all parts to see and hear Him, yet there were some who hated Him so far as to seek His death. And, though in the whole course of His life He * c 2 54 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. did no harm, but was good and kind to all, yet He was ill— treat-ed. More than once the Jews took up stones to stone Him, They re-proach-ed Him, say-tog, He hath a de-vil, and was mad. If then Je-sus was so ill-treated, learn from Him to bear pa-ti-ent-ly what ill-treat-ment may be-fall you, and for-give them that hate you^ or do you any wrong. At length the Jews were re-sol-ved to take a-way his life. It was at the time of the Pass-over, a great feast ob-serv-ed by them, they con-triv-ed to do it. But be-fore . they did it, Je-sus, when he was at his last sup-per with his dis-ci-ples, the night be-fore He di-ed, gave them his bo-dy and blood in this man-ner : He took bread in-to his hands ; He bless-ed it, and broke it. He then gave his bo-dy to them, and said, Take and eat ; This is my bo-dy. He then gave them his blood thus : He took the cup with some wine and wa-ter in it, and said to them, Take and drink 5 This is my blood. When he did this, He in-sti-tut-ed the Sa-cra-ment of the Holy Eu-cha-rist, and the Sa-cri-fice of the Mass. After he had done this, He went forth in-to a gar- den, and there He pray-ed to his Fa-ther. Father! if it be pos-si-ble, let pass from me this cha-lice (by which He meant his pas-sion and death,) yet, not as I will, but as Thou wilt ; Thy will be done. Whilst He was thus pray-ing, Ju-das, one of his dis-ci- ples, brought with him arm-ed men to seize Je-sus.— They seiz-ed Him, and thus led Him to Cai-phas, the High Priest. From Cai-phas they led Him to Pi-late; from Pi-late to He-rod and again to Pi-late. They blind-fold-ed Him, scoffed at Him, spit in his face, strip-ped off his clothes, and ti-ed Him to a pil- lar ; there they scourg-ed Him ; they then cloth-ed Him with an old pur-ple gar-ment, put a reed in-to his hand, and a crown of thorns on his head ; set Him on a stool, and then a-dor-ed Him as a mock king. Af-ter all this cru-el treat-ment, they nailed Him by his hands and his feet to a cross. This was done at noon day. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. DO He bung on the cros3 in great pain and a-go-ny un-til three o'clock in the af-ter-noon, when He ex-pir-ed. Thus di-ed Je-sus to save the world. At His death the sun was dark-en-ed, rocks were split, and the dead rose from their graves. Oh! my child, how great must have been the ev-il cf the sin of our first pa-rents ! since to re-deem us from it, to re-con-cile man-kind to God, and to set hea-ven o-pen. to us, Christ, the Sen of God, made man. suf-fer-ed so much and at last died on the cross ! Great was his love for us. Love him then, and through love of Him see you do not com-mit sin. Hate and de- test it as the worst thing that can be-fall you in this life. Of-ten think on what Je-sus hath done and suf-fer-ed for you; praise and fhank Him; and beg you may reap the fruit of it by his grace here, and by e-ter-nal hap-pi-ness here-af-ter. Lesson XXIII. The Bu-ri-al, Re-sur-rec-tion, and As-cen-sion of Je-sus Christ, and the Ge-?ie~ral Judgement rf Man-kind, When Je-sus was dead, they laid his bo-dy in a se- pul-cbre. or grave $ and on the third day af-ter his death, He raised Him-self from death to Life. He ap-pear-ed often to his dis-ci-ples for the space of for-ty days. The last time He ap-pear-ed to them was on Mount O-li-vet : there af-ter He had spo-ken to them, He lift-ed up His hands; and bless-ed them. Then He as-cend-ed up to hea-ven in their pre-sence, till a cloud took Him out of their sight. Then two an- gels in the form of men, cloth-ed in white robes, told them, that He should one day come a-gain in like man-ner as they had seen Him go up to hea-ven. Then it was that Je-sus Christ took pos-ses-sion of His king-dom, of which there will be no end. And there He sit-eth at the right hand of God the Fa-ther ; not that God hath hands, for he is a pure spir-it with-out mat-ter, form, or fi gure ; by this is meant, Christ is rais-ed, as Man, a-bove all that is in hea-ven ; and to the high-est glo ry and dig-ni-ty ; for, as God, He is one and the same G:>d w ith the Fa-ther. 00 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. There He will con-ti-nue in that state till He come at the last day, when an end will be put to this world, to judge the living and the dead; those who are now dead, we who are now liv-ing, but shall die ; and those who will be li-ving at the last day, but al-so will first die ; for it is ap-point-ed un-to all men once to die, and then the judg-ment. For the hour will come, when all that are in the graves shall hear the VGice of the Son of God and they shall come forth ; they that have done good un-to the re-sur- rec-tion of the, life, and they that have done e-vil un-to the re-sur-rec-tion of the judgment. For God bath ap-point-ed a day, in which He will judge the world in jus-tice by that man, the Son of God, Je-sus Christ, whom He hath cr-dain-ed, where of He hath given as-su-rance to all men, in that He rais-ed Him frcm the dead ; and af-ter that the judgment, all things will be per-fect-Iy sub-ject-ed to Him, and the de-signs of God from all e-ter-ni-ty will be en-tire-ly ac- com-plish-ed. Lesson XXIV. The Es-tab-lish-ment of the Church. But. af-ter Je-sus was as-cen-ded in-to Hea-ven, He thence sent down, ac-cord-ing to his pro-mise be-fore He was put to death, the Pa-ra-clete or Com-fort-er, the Di-vine Spi-rit or the Ho-ly Ghost, to en-light-en the minds of His A-pos-tles and Dis-ci-ples, that they might un-der-stand all that which He, when li-ving with them on earth, had taught them, and would then briag to their minds. Al-so to con-firm them in the faith or be-lief of such truths, and to en-ab!e them to teach them, and to preach the Gos-pel through-out the whole world ; and more-over to con-firm the same by the mi-ra-cles which they should work in his name, and by his pow-er. This came to pass thus : When the days of Pen te-cost were ac-com-plish-ed, the A-pos-tles and Dis-ci-ples of Christ were all to-gether in one place ; and sud-den-Iy there came* a sound from Hea-ven as of a migh-ty wind com-ing, and it fill-ed the whole house where they were THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 57 sitting; and there ap-pear-ed to them part-ed tongues, as it were of fire, and it sat o-ver e-ve-ry one of them ; and they were all filled with*the Ho-ly Ghost. Acts ii. It was thus Je-sus Christ es-tab-lish-ed his Church. — And Glltkey that be liev-ed tvere to ge-ther— they con-tin-u- ed dai-ly with one accord in the Temple — And the Lord add-ed dai-ly to them such as should be sav-ed. Acts ii. — And then was fu!-fill-ed what Je-sus had said, that they who be-liev-ed on Him should do still great-er works than He him-seif had done. With this his Church He pro-mis-ed the same Divine Spi-rit shoufcl al-ways a-bide ; and teach and guide her [the Church] in all truths un-to the end of the world : in such sort that the gates of Hell, or Satan, should ne-ver pre-vaii a-gainst her, in-duce her to be-lieve, or to teach the least er-ror. The truth and fact of this were de-mon-strat-ed be-yond all doubt, by the many mi-ra-cles ; and signs and won- ders which the i'ol-low-ers of Je-sus did e-ve-ry where through his pow-er 5 and in his name ; be- cause to him was giv-en all pow-er in hea-ven and on earth, un-to the e-ter> nal sal-va-tion of all them that should be-lieve in Him, and be-lieve in the Ho-ly Ca-tho-lic Church, which He had es-tab-lish-ed. In this man-ner, and by the tes-ti-mo-ny which th& A-pos-tles and Dis-ci-ples of Je-sus Christ, and the in-nu- me-ra-ble Mar-tyrs gave of the truths of the Gos-pel and of the Church of Je-sus Christ, by the blood which they shed, and by their lives which they vo-lun-ta-ri-ly laid down un-der the most cruel torments, God set, as it were, his seal to the tes-ti mo-ny, that all which Je-sus had taught was true and di-vine. And this held, and still holds, and will hold un-to the end of the world, the fol-low-ers of Je-sus Christ. Chris- tians and Ca-tho-lics. the members of his Church, firm and stea-dy in the faith and com mu-ni-on of One, Ho-ly, Ca-tho-iic, and A-pos-to-lic Church ; in which Church a- lone are to be ob-tain-ed for-give-ness of sins here, and here-af-ter a glo-ri-ous re-sur-rec-tion, and e-ver-last-ing, c 3 58 •THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. by means of the Ho-ly Sa-cri-fice, Sa-cra-ment ; &c, &c, in-sti-tu-ted and or-dain-ed by Christ him-self. TABLE IX. Words of Three Syllables, accented on the First. Ab sti nence ab di cate ab ro gate ab so lute ac ci dent ac cu rate ac tu ate ad e quate ad jec tive ad' 7 ju tant ad ju gate ad mi ral ad vo cate af fa b ? e af flu ence ag gra vate al der man al pha bet al ti tude am nes ty am pli fy an cho ret an nu al a" nar chy an ces tor a" ni mate a ?5 pa thy ap pe tite a po logue a" que duct ar bi trate ar chi tect ar gu ment ar ma ment ar ro gant as pi rate at tri bute au di ence a" ye nue Ba" che lor bail a b!e bar bar ous bar ris ter bar ren ness bash ful ness bat te ry bat tie ment beau ti ful blun der buss blun der ing blus ter er bois ter ous book bind er bor row er bot torn less boun ti ful bre'' vi ty bro..ther ly bur gla ry but ter fly Cal cu late ca'Mum ny ca" len dar can di date cap ti vate car di nal car ti lege care ful ly car mel ite car pen ter ca ta logue ca" ta ract ca" te chism ca" tho lie ce' ? le brate cen tu ry chain pi on chan eel lor cha rac ter chy" mi cal chy" mis try cho ris ter cin na mon cir cum flex cir cum spect cla mour ou3 clas si cal clean li ness cle" men cy cog ni zance co gen cy co' ; lo ny co lo quy com bat ant com pa ny com pe tent com pli ment com pro mise con fer ence con fi dence con flu ence com fort less con gru ous con quer or con se crate cor pu lent cost li ness coun sel lor THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, con so nant con sta ble con stan cy eon sti tute con tra band con tra ry con ver sant cor mo rant cor po ral coun ter pane coun ter feit coun ter part court li ness co ' ver in£ co" ve tous cow ard ice co" zen age craf ti ness ere" du lous cri" mi nal cri" ti cism cri" ti cal cro" co dile cru eifix cru di ty crus ti ness cry" stal line cul ti vate cur so ry \ cus torn er Dan ger ous de" calo gue de cen cy de" dicate ■ de" fer ence de" li cate de" pre cate de pu ty d,e" ro gate de" so late de" sti tute des per ate des po thm de" tri ment dex ter ous di a logue di a gram di"iigence dis ci p!e dis I<* cate cis pu taat dis so lute di" vi dend do" cu ment dog ma tize do lor ous dow a ger dul ci mer du pli cate Ec stacy e du cate e go tism e lo quent em bas sy em bry em pba sis en ter prize en vi ous e' pi gram e' pi logue e'qui page eu cha rist eu lo gy ex eel Ience ex e crate ex er else ex i gence ex or cism ex pie tive ex qui site Fa bri cate fa" bu lous fool bh ness fop pe ry fas ci nate fer ti lize fer ven cy fes ti val fir ma ment fla ge let fla" tu lent flow er ed flue tu ate for fei ture for ma list for ti tude fran gi ble frau du lent fri" vo leus fro" lie some ful mi nate fur ci ture Gal Ian try ge" ne rous^ ge" nuine ger mi nate glim mer lag glo bu lar glos sa ry glu ti nous gra" ti tude gra vi tate Ha" bi tude bol low ed han di \y liar bin ger bar mo ny ha' zard cus he" ca tcmb he" mis phere hep ta gon he ro ine hex a gon 60 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. hin der ance ho" mi cide hu mour ous hus ban dry liy a c in th hy" po crite I d\e ness ig no ranee im mi nent im p;e ment in di gent in fa mous in fan try in fer ence in flu ence in no cence in sti gate in stru ment in te gral in ter course in ter im in ter view in tri cate i ro ny Jea" lou sy ju bilee ju ve nile Kil der kin kna ve ry La" by rinth la" tia ist lau danum lax a tive kc tur er le" ni tire li bel lous ]i" ber tine li bra ry li" ne age li" tur gy Ion gi tude lu bri ecus lun a tic lux u ry Ma" gis trate mag ne tism mag ni tude ma! con tent ma" lu script mar tyr dom mar vel lous me" cha nism men di cant me ri ment mes sen ger me" ta phor me" tho dise mi cro cosm micro scope mo" nar cby mo" nu ment mort ga ger mul ti form mus cu lar mys ti cal Nar ra tive na" vi gate ne" bu lous neg li gent neigh bour Jy nig gard ly no" mi nate nu me rous nun ne ry nu tri ment nu tri tive Ob \o quy ob se quie3 ob so lete ob sta cle ob vi ous oc ci dent cc ta gon o dor cus o" min ous or di nance or gan ist or tho dox cut law ry o ver sight o ver throw Pal pa ble pal pi tate pa"ra graphs pa rent age pa tri arch pa" tron age pa" tron ize pau ci ty pe" dant ry pen du lum pen ta gon per fo rate per ma nent per qui site pc3 ti lence phy si cal plea san try pie" ni tude poig Dan cy po" ly gon por phy ry post hu mous pre am ble pre" ci pice pri" mi tive prin" ci pie pro" mi nent pro" phe cy pro" se cute pros per ous pro" ven der pro" Ti dence THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 61 pul ver Ise pu" Dish ment pur ga tive pur cbas er pur ru lent pu tri fy py" ra mid Qua (Iran gJe qua dru ped quan ti ty quar ter age qui e tude quin tu pie Ita" ven ous re" com pense rec tan gie rec ti tude re mi grate re tro grade re" Ter ecce re ' ver end rhap so dy rhe" to ric rheu ma tism ru di ments ru mi nate Sa" era ment sa" cri lege sane ti ty sa" tur nine sea" ven ger A ban don a bate ment ab hor eoee ab ridg meut ab strac ted ac compt ant ac count ant af fron tive ag gres sor scru pu lous scur ri lous se" di ment sen si tive se" pul chre ser pen tine ser Ti tude set tie ment sig na lize sig na ture ske le ton so" le cism so" fern nize so ' ver eign spe" cu lum sphe" ri cal stig ma tize stra" ta gem sub se quent sub stan tive sub ter fuge sue cu lent sup pli ant sur ro gate sy" co phaot sym pa thize sym pho ny Tan gi ble tan ta lize tecb ni cal te" les cope Accented on the al lot ment ap pa rent ap pen dage arch au gel arch bi shop as sem blage a strin gent a sy lum at tach ment tern per ance ter ma gant ti mor ous trac ta ble trai tor ous trea" cher ous tre" ffiu lous tri" pli eate tur bu lent tur pi tude tym pa ny iy^ ran ous Ya ga bond vas sal age ve he mence ven di ble ve" no mous ven tri cal ven ture some ver sa tile ver ti cal vin ci ble vi" ru lent ■ Un du late u ni verse ur gen cy Wick ed aess wrong ful ly won der ful work man ship wretchedly . Second. at ten dance ath le" tic au then tic au turn nal Bai co ny bal sa" mic be numb ed be wil der bra va do 62 Ca the dral chi me ra clan des tine co er ciVe con cen trie con June ture con sum mate con tex ture con tin gent con vey ance De base ment de ben ture de can ter de fen dant de lin quent de mean our de mur rage de port ment de scrip tive de spo" tic di lem ma dis cern ment dis cou" rage dis grace ful dis gust ful dis ho" nour dis man tie dis plea sure dis seni ble dis tin guish dis tract ed dis trust ful Ec cen" trie ec lip tic ef ful gence eject ment e lope ment em bar rass em bez zle e mer gent empha" tic [E CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. en coun ter in dul gence en cum ber in for mer en dorse ment in he rent en dow ment in jus tice en fran chise in qui ry en gage ment in struc tive en light en in ter ment en or mous in tes tine en tice ment in tes tate en vel op in trin sic e qua tor in vec tive es ta" blish in ven tor T ex che" quer La co" nic expect ant lieu te" nant ex pres ave Mag ne" tic ex tin guish ma lig nant ex trin sic man da mtis ex treme \y me cha" nic Fa na tic me men to fan tas tic mis trust ful fo ren sic mo.ment ous fra ter rial mo nas tic fre ce" tic mu se urn Gi gan tio Nar ra tor gym nas" tic noc tur nal Hero ic Ob du rate ho ri zon o bei sance hor ri" fie ob ser vance hu mane Iy oc cur re nee hys te" ric of fen sive I de a op po nent igno ble op pres sive il lus trate op pres sor im por tance Pa ci" fie im pos tor pa ter nal im pru dent pa the" tie in cul cate pel lu cid in cum bent per sua sive in debt ed pre ce dent in den ture pre cep tive in dig nant pre cur sor THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK 0«j pri me val re fresb ment se ques ter pro nos tic re gard less so nor ous pro mul gate re hear sal spec ta tor pro vi so re lin quish sple ne" tie pur su ance re luc tance stu pen dous pur vey or re main der sub scrib er Qua dra" tic re mon strate sub ver sive qua dru pie ren counter sue cess ful quan da ry re pug nant sy nop sis qui es cent re sem blance Tes ta tor Re cord er • re sent ment trans pa rent re cum bent re splen dent tre men dous re dun dant Sar cas tic tri bu nal re fine ment scho las tic. tri umph ant ^ Accented on the last Ab sen tee dis pos sess o ver come ac qui esce dis re pute o ver flow ad ver tise do" mi aeer o ver look am bus cade En gineer o ver seer ap per tain en ter tain o ver ween ap pre bend es ca lade o ver whelm as cer tain Ga" zet teer Pa" li sade Bri" ga dier gre" na dier per se vere ber ga mot Im por tune pre ex ist Can non ade in ter cede Qua ran tine ca" val cade in ter fere lie ad mit ca" va Her in ter lave re cog nize cir cum vest in ter pose ren dez vous com plai sant in ter rupt re" par tee com pre hend in tersperse re" pre hend con de scend in ter vene re" pri mand con tra diet in va lid TSe" re nade coun ter act . Ma ga zioe su per add De" bo nair mas que rade su per scribe dis ap prove mis ap ply su per sede di3 com pose mis in form su per vise dis em bark Op por tune Trans ma rine disengage o ver cast Vo lun teer Examples of Words of THREE Syllables pronounced as two, and accented on the first Syllable. Observe that cvm } sion, tion, sound like skun, either 64* THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. in the middle or at the end of Words ; end ce, ci, sci, si, and ti, like sh, Therefore, rial, tied, sound like shal ; cian, tian like shew; dent, tient, like sheht ; cious scious, tious* like shus$ and science, tience, like shence, ali in one syllable, Ac ti on lus ci ous pre" ci ous an ci ent Man si on Quo ti ent auc ti on mar ti al Sane ti on Cap ti ous men ti on sec ti on cau ti on mer si on spe" ci al cau ti ous Na ti on spe" ci ous con sci ence no ti on sue ti on conscious nuptial Tension Die ti on O ce an ter ti an Fac ti on op ti on trac ti on fac ti ous Pac ti on Unc ti on frac ti on par ti al Vic ti on Gra ci ous pa ti ence ver si on June ti on pa ti ent vi" sion Lo ti on por ti on TABLE X. Words of Four Syllables, accented on the FirsU Ab so lute ly con tro ver sy e" quit a ble ac ces sa ry con tu ma cy ex e era ble ac cu ra cy cor" rol la ry ex ra ble a" cri mo ny cor ri gi ble ex pli ca ble ad mi ral ty ere dit a ble ex qui site \y ad ver sa ry cus torn a ry Fi" gu ra tive a" la bas ter de'Micacy rla" tu len cy al le go ry des pi ca ble fo li a ted a" ni ma ted de" *ul to ry for mid da ble a" po plex y di v la to ry Ha" bi ta ble applicable disputable he" te ro dox ar bi tra ry dor mi to ry hos pi ta ble au di to ry dro me da ry ig no mi ny Ce" li ba cy dy" sen ta ry i" mi ta ble ce" re mo ny Ef fi ca cy in tri ca cy cha" ri ta ble e" li gi ble in ven to ry com mon al ty e"mis sa ry Ju di ca ture com pa ra ble e" pi cur ism La pi da ry com pe ten cy e" pi lep sy le" gen da ry THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 65 li" ne a ment li" te ra ture lu mi na ry Ma" gis tra cy ma" tri mo ny mi" nis te ry mi ser a b!e mo men ta ry mo" nas te ry Na" tu ral ist na" vi ga ble na" yi ga tor ne" ces sa ry ne cro man cy nu ga to ry Ob du ra cy ob sti na cy o" per alive o" ra to ry . Pa" la ta ble par li a ment par si mo ny Ab bre vi ate ab ste mi ous ab sur di ty ac ce" le rate ac ces si ble ac ti" vi ty j ad mi" nis ter ad mis si ble a do ra ble ad ver si ty ad vi sa ble af firm a tive a gi" 1L ty a gree a ble a la" cri ty al le gi ance al le vi ate al ter na Wve pa" tr i mo ny pe"ne tra ble per se cu tor pi" ti a ble plea sur a ble prac ti ca ble pre" da to ry pre fer a ble pro 5 ' fit a ble pro fli ga cy pro" se cu tor pro mon to ry pur ga to ry Ilea son a ble re" pu ta ble J re" vo ca ble Sa" lu ta ry sane ti mo ny sane tu a ry san gui na ry sea son a ble se can da ry Accented o?i the am bass sa dor a na" \y sis an ni hi late an ta" go cist an ti" ci pate an ti" qui ty a po" lo gy a pos tro phy ar ti" cu late as pe" rity as sas sin ate as si" mu late as so ci ate as tro" no my au ri" cular au ste" rity Ba ro me ter be a" ti tude se" ere ta ry se" den ta ry se"mi cir cle se" mi na ry ser vice a ble so" li ta ry sta" tu ary sub lu na ry spi" ri tu al Tern po ra ry te" nant a ble to" ler a ble tri" bu ta ry Va lu a ble va ri a ble va ri e gate ve" eg ta ble ve" ge ta tive ve" ne table ven ti la tor vo lun ta ry vul ner a ble Second. be ne" vo lent be nig ni ty bo ta" ni cal Cala" mity ca li" dity ca pi" ci tate ca pi" tu late ce le" bri ty cen so ri ous certi fi catje co a" gu late co he ren cy co in ci dent col la" te ral com bus ti ble com mu ni ty com pa" ti ble con ci li ate 66 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. con den si ty di vi" si ble ex tern po re con fe" de rate dox o" lo gy ex te" nu ate con for mi ty due ti" li ty ex ter mi nate con ge ni al du pli" ci ty ex tra ne ous con si" der ate E co" no my ex tre" mi ty con so" li date ef fee tu al ex u be rant con ta" mi nate ef fe mi nate Fa ci" li tale con ti" gu ous e la" bo rate fa ci" li ty cor po re al e lee to rate fan tas ti cal cor ro" bo rate e lip ti cal fa ta" li ty ere du li ty e lu ci date fe li" ci ty cri te ri on e man ci pate fer ti" li ty De ca" pitate e mer gen cy fes ti" vi ty de clar" a tive e mo" lu ment fi de" li ty de cli" vi ty em pha" ti cal for. ma'' li ty de du ci ble en co mi um for tu i tous de fi na ble en or mi ty fra ter ni ty de fi" ni tive en thu si asm * fra gi" li \y de for mi ty en thu si ast fru ga" li ty de lee ta ble e nu me rate Gar ru" li ty de li" be rate e pis co pal ge o" me try de li" ne ate e qui" va lent gram ma ri an de li" ri ous e qui" vo cal gra tu i ty de no" mi nate e ra di cate Ha bi" li ment de plo ra ble er ro ne ous ha bi" tu ate de po" pu late e ter nal ly har mo ni ous de pra" vi ty evangelist here" fi cal de ter mi nate e va" po ra te bi la" ri ty dex te" ri ty e ven tu al his to ri an di a" go nal ex ag ge rate his to" ri cal di a" me ter ex as pe rate hos ti" li iy di rec to ry ex cru ci ate hy dro" pi cal dis loy al ty ex e" cu tor hy po" cri sy dis pa" ri ty ex em plify hy po" the sis dis pen sa ry ex hi" li rate I den" ti cal dis qua li fy ex o" ne rate i do" la try dis qui e tude ex or bi tant il li" be ral dis se" mi nate ex or di um il li" ter ate dis si" mi lar ex pa ti ate il lu mi nate di ver si fy ex pe di ent il lus tri ous di vi ni ty ex pe ri enee im ma" cu late THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK 67 im men si ty im mo" de rate im mo" des ty im mu ni ty im mu ta bie im pal pa ble im pas sa ble im pe" ni tent im pe" ra tive im per ti nent im per vi ous im pe" tu ous im pla" ca ble im po" ver ish im preg na ble im pro" ba ble im pro" bi ty im pu ni ty im pu ta bie in ac cu rate in ad ver tent in cle" men cy in ere" di ble in ere" du lous in da" ci ble in ef fa ble in e" le gant in fal li ble in fe ri or in fir ma ry in fir mi ty in ge ni ous in ge" nu ous in gra ti ate in gra" ti tude un gre di ent in he" rit ance in i" qui tous in i" qui ty a ju ri ous n or di nate in qui e tude in q«rp si tive in sa ti ate in sen si ble in te" gri ty in tel li gent in ter ro gate in ti" mi date in tract a ble in tu i tive - in va" li date in ves ti gate in ve" te rate in vi" si ble in vi go rate i" ras cible i ro" ni cal i ra" di ate ir re" ve rent La bo ri ous le ga" li ty le gi" ti mate Ion ge" vi ty lu bri" ei ty Ma cbi" ne ry ma le" vo lent ma lig ni ty me cha" ni cal me mo ri al me ri" di an me tho" di cal me tro" po lis mi ra" cu lous mo no" po lize mo no" to ny mu ni" ci pal mu ni" fi cent mys te ri ous my tbo" lo gy Na ti" vi ty ne ces si ty nu tra" li ty non en tity nu me" ri cal Ob li" ter ate ob H" vi on ob scu ri ty ob se qui ous om ni"po tent om ni" ver ous op pro bri cus o ri" gi nal or tbo" gra phy Pa ro" cbi^al par ti" ci pa te pe cu li ar pe nin su la pe nu ri ous per am bu late per cep ti ble per en ni al per form a ble pe ri" phe ry phi lo" lo gy phi lo" so phy plu ra" li ty po li" fi cat pos te ri or pos te" ri ty pre ca ri ous pre ci" pi tate pre des ti nate pre cc cu py pre pa" ra tive pre pos ter ous pre ro" ga tive pre ser va tive pre va" ri cate pro fun dity pro ge" ni tor pro lix i ty pro pen si ty 68 THE CATHOMC SCHOOL BOOK. pro pri e tor pros pe" ri ty pro ver bi al Qua ter ni on quo ti" di an Ita pa" ci ty ra pi" di ty re cep ta cle re ci" pro cal re cri' J mi nate re frac to ry re ga" li ty re ge" ne rate re luc tan ey re mar ka ble re mu ne rate re pub li can res pon si ble res to ra tive re sus ci tate re ta" liate re ver ber ate rhe to" ri cal ri di cu lous rus ti" ci ty Sa ga" ci ty Accented on Ad mis si on af fee ti on af flic ti on am bi ti ous as per sion au da ci ous au spi ci ous • Ca pri ci ous ces sati on co er ci on col lee ti on col lu si on com mis si on com pa" ni on sa lu bri ous sa ti" ri cal scur ri" li ty se cu ri ty sep ten ni al sig ni" fi cant si mi" li tude sim p!i ci iy sin ce" ri ty so lem ni ty so li" ci tous so li" ci tude so li" lo quy so phis ti cal sub or di nate sub ser vi ent sub stan ti ate sue ces sive ly sul phu re ous su per flu ous su pe ri or su per la tive su pre ma cy sus cep ti ble sym bo" li cal sy no" ni mous the Second, but pr com pie ti on com pul si on con ces si on con fes si on con tri" ti on con ver si on con vul si on De fi" ci ent de flue ti on dejec ti on de li" ci ous de ten ti on de vo ti on dif fu si on Tau to" lo gy te me" ri ty ter ra que ous ter res tri al the o" lo gy tran qui li ty trans pa ren cy tri an gu lar tri en ni al ty ran ni cal Vain glo ri ous ver na" cu lar ver ti" gin ous vi cis si tude vie to ri ous vi va" ci ty vo ci" fe rous vo lu mi nous vo lup tu ous U bi" qui ty u na" ni mous un te" na ble ur ba" ni ty un for tu nate un feign ed ly un wil ling ness onounced as Three, di ges ti on dis cus sion dis mis si on dis tine ti on Ef fV'cient e jec ti on e mis si on es sen ti aK ex emp ti on ex pan si on Fal la ci ous fa mi" li ar fie ti" ti ous Im par ti al THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 69 Ob nox i ous R-e li" gi ous of fi" ci OU3 Sen tea ti ous opi" men suf fi" ci ent out ra ge cus Ten a ci ous Pre cau ti on Ver mi li on pro fi" ci ent vi va ci ous pro pi" ti cus to ra ci ous Werds of Four Syllables, accented on the First Ac ci dental de tri men tal le" gis la tor dis af feet ed le" gis la ture dis in he" rit Ma" le fac tor dis res pect ful ma" ni fes to E van es cent ma" the" ma tic eu ro pe an mis de mea nor Ho ri zon tal Or na men tal \\y me ne al o ver bur den In co her ent Per se ye ranee in con sis tent pre" de ces sor in ex haust ed pro" cu ra tor in stru men tal Re" gu la tor in ter ja cent Sa" cer do tal in ter lo per sci en tr" fie in ter reg num spe" cu la tor Le" gis la tive su per car go TABLE XL Yfords of Five Syllables accented, on the Second, im pa tient in fee ti ous in nox ious Lo qua ci ous Ma gi" ci an ma li ci ous mi gra ti on a" do les ence an te ce dent a"' po pie tic ap pre ben sive arch an ge" lie Be a ti" fie be 5 ' ne fac tor Co ad ju tor co a les cence co e ter nal co ex is tent cir cum ja cent cli" mac" te ric De cli na tor de sper a do A bo" min a ble a po" the ca ry au tho ri ta tive aux i li a ry Ca lum ni a tor com -men da to ry com men su ra ble con so" la to ry contem po ra ry De bi" li ta ted de cla" ma to ry de cla" ra to ry de fa" ma to ry de ge" ne ra cy de ro" ga tory dis ho" no ra ble cis in ter est ed Ef fe" mina cy elec tu a ry e ma" ci a ted e pis co pa cy e pis to la ry ex pla" na to ry He re" di ta ry he re" ti cal ly her me" ti cal ly I ma" gi na ble i ma" gi na ry im pe ne tra ble im prac" ti ca ble 70 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK in as cu ra cy in ap pli ca bie in cen di a ry in com pa ra ble in cor ri gi ble in dis pu ta ble in ex or a ble in nu me ra ble in se" pa ra ble in suffer a ble in su per a ble in tem pe ra ture in to le ra ble in ve" te ra cy in vo" lun ta ry in vul ne ra ble ir re" pa ra ble ir re" to ca ble i ti ne ra ry Jas ti" ci a ry Ob ser" va to ry o rr" gi m\ ly Par ti cu lar ize pe cu ni a ry pre li" mi na ry pre pa" ra to ry Re me di a ble re po" si to ry re ci pro cal ly re co" ver a ble A ca de" mi cal a" cri mo ni ous ad van ta ge ous af fa bi lr" ty a" li men ta ry al le" go ri cal al pha be" ti cal am phi the a tre an na the ma ti ze an ni ver sa ry in ex pli ca ble in ex tri ca ble in fa" tu a ted in flam ma to ry in ha" bi ta ble in hos pi ta ble in im" it a ble Sub si'' di a ry sig ni" fi can cy Ver mi" cu la ted to ca" ba la ry vo lup tu a ry Un ac cept a ble un al ter a ble un an swer a ble ua au tho ri zed un cha" ri ta ble un ci" vi li zed un cul ti vat ed un dis ci plin ed un fa thorn a ble un fa vor able un go" vern a ble un pa" ralel ed un par don a ble un pro" fit a ble un qua" li fied un ser vice a ble un ut ter a ble un war rant able Accented on the Third. ar chi pe" la go ar gu men ta tive a ris to" era cy a rith me ti cal as si du i ty as tro no" mi cal Gar ti la" gi nous ca" to go" ri cal cho ro gra" phi cal chris ti.a" ni ty THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 71 chro no lo" gi cal cir cum am bi ent com pli men ta ry con san gui" ni ty con ti gu i ty eon ti nu i tg con tra die to ry con tra ri e ty con tro ver ti ble con tu me li ous cor nu co pi a ere" di hi" li ty cr$* mi na" li ty cu ri o" si ty Di a Wheal dis in ge" no ous dis o be di ent du o de" ci mo Ec cen tin" ei ty e co no" mi »al e las ti ci ty e le men ta ry ern We ma" ti ©al e pi de mi cal e qua bi" li ty e qua ni" mi ty e qui la" te ral a qui li" bri urn e" ty mo" lo gy ex com mun ni cate Flex i bi" li ty Ge ne a" lo gy ge" ne ra" li ty ge" ne ro" si ty Hos pi ta" li ty by per bo'' li cal hy per cri" ti cal hy" po cri" ti cal hy" po the ti cal Ig no mi" ni ous il le ga" li ty il le gi" ti mate im be ci" li ty ira ma tu ri ty im me mo ri al im mo bi" li ty im mo ra" li ty im mor ta" li ty im per cep ti ble im por tu ni ty im pro pri e ty in ac ces si ble in ad ver ten cy in ar ti" cu late in ca pa" ci ty in ci vi" Yi ty in com mo di ous in o^m pa" ti ble in con eeiv a ble in con gru i ty in con si" de rate in con so la ble in con test a ble in con ve ni ence in cor po re al in cor rup ti ble in ere du li ty m de fea si ble in de ter mi cate in dis cri" mi nate in dis pen sa ble in di vi" du al in di vi" si ble in ef fee tu al in e qua" li ty in ex haus ti ble in ex pres si ble in fe li" ci ty ia fer ti" li Xy in fi de" li ty in ge nu i ty in hu ma" ni ty 72 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. in sig nP' fi cant ia sin ce" ri ty in sta bi" li ty in stan ta ne ous • in sup por ta ble in sur mount a ble in te lee tu al in ter me di ate in tre pi" di ty in u ti" li ty in va li" di ty h re fra" gi ble ir re sist a ble ir re proach a ble ir re triev a ble Li" ber a" li ty ]on gi tu di nal Ma gis te ri al mag na ni" mi ty ma" nu fac tu rer ma" tri mo ni al me di o" cri ty me" ri to ri ous me ta mor pho sis me" to pho ri cal me" ta phy" si cal me tro po" li tan mi" nis te ri al mis eel la ne ous mo" no syl la ble mu ci la" gi nous mul ti fa ri ous mu ta bi" li ty my tho lo" gi cal Non con for mi ty no to ri e ty O do ic'^Je rous op por tu ni ty o ra to" ri cal or tho gra" phi cal Pa" ne gy ri cal pa" ra dox i cal pa" ral le" lo gram par si mo ni ous pa" tri mo ni al pe ri o" di cal per pen di cu lar phi lo so" phi cal phra se o" lo gy phy si og no my plau si bi" li ty po" ly syl la ble pos si bi" li ty pre tei na" tu ral pri mo ge ni al pri mo ge" ni ture priti ci pa" li ty pro" ba bi" li ty pro" ble ma" ti cal pro" di ga" li ty pu e ri" li iy pu sil la" ni mous py ra mi" di cal Qua dri la te ral quia qua ge si ma Re ca pi tu late rec ti li" ne al re" gu la" ri ty re" pre hen si ble re" pre sen ta tive ri" si bi li ty Sa lu ti" fe rous sa" tis fac to ry se ni o" ri ty sen si bi" li ty sin gu la" ri ty su per pen de rate su per e" mi nent su per ex eel lent su per flu i ty sup pe da ne ous sys te ma" ti cal THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 73 Ta ci tur m \y u na ni" mi iy tes ti mo ni al un at tain a ble the o lo" gi cal ua a void able the o re'' ti cal un coi trol a ble tri" go no me" try ua de ni a ble ty po gra" phi cal un en light en ed Vo" la bi" li iy un e qui" vo cal Un ac count a ble u ni for mi ty un ac cus torn ed un ia ha bit ed Accented on the Third, but pronounced as Four. Ad Ten ti" tious e" ner va ti on am mu ni" ti on e qui noc ti al ap pre hen sion ex cla ma ti on .* ap pro ba ti on Fa" bri ca ti on a" va ri" ci ous fas ci na ti on" aug men ta ti on fer men ta ti on Be ne die ti en fla gel la ti on Cal ci na ti on flue tu a ti on cir cum spec ti on In au spi" ci ous cir cum stan ti al in suf fi ci ent cir cum ven ti on Li 5 ' que fac ti on com pre hen si on ma'' chi na ti on con de sctn si on Pal li a ti on con fi den ti al pe" trj fac ti oa con fir ma ti on pro ii den ti al con lis ca ti on Re" tri bu ti on con fla gra ti on re tro spec ti on con sci en ci ous • Sa" cii le gi ous con se quen ti al se ques tra ti on con su ma ti on sti" mu la ti on con tern pla ti on sti" pu la ti on De" cla ma ti on su per ci" li cu* tie" pri va ti on su per fi" ci al de" pre ca ti on su per scrip ti on dis pen sa ti en sup pli ca ti on dis pro por ti on sup po si" ti on Em bro ca ti en Trans n:U ta ti on TABLE XII. Words of Six Syllables, accented on the Third. Ex tra or di na ry in com men su ra ble 11 le gi" ti ma cy ia de fa ti ga ble 74 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, in fig fii fi" can cy Re" com mem da to ry in stan ta ne ous \y Va le lu di r>a ry in ter ro v ga to ry Un in ha bi" ta b!e ir re co" ve ra ble un in tel Ji gi ble Accented on the Fourth. An te di la yi an in fa Ji bi" li ty Com pa" ti bi" li ty in fe ri o" ri iy Pis ci" pli ca ri an in flex i bi" li ty di t1" si bi" li ty m bos pi ta li ty Be cle si as ti cal Me di ter ra ne an e v iy mo lo" gi cal Pa ci" fi ca to ry Fa mi li a ri ty par li a men ta ry He" te ro ge" ne ous par ti" cu la" ri ty hi er o gly" phi cal pu sil la ni mi ty II li be ra" li ty Re spec ta bi'' li ty un mu ta bi ,} li ty . Spi" ri tu a li ty un pla ca bi" li iy su per in ten den cy * im pro ba bi" li ty sus cep ti bi" li ty in ere di bi" li ty Tri go no me tri cal TABLE XIII. Words of Seven Syllables, accented on the Fifth. An ti tri ni ta ri ans. in dh so lu bi li ty Im ma te ri a li Xy in di vi si bi li ty im mea tu ra bi li ty in sa ti a bi li ty im pa ri syl la bi cal La ti lu di na ri an im pe ne tra bi li ty Pie ci po ten ti a ry in com pa ti bi li ty VaJe tu di na ri an TABLE XIV. Words spelt alike, but ichich in different parts of speech, change their pronounciatv.n ; bdng accented on the first syllable, when Nguhs ; and the last, when Veils. NOUNS. VERBS. Accented on the First. Accented on the Last y Absent, sot present To Absent, to keep away An Abstract, an ahndgerneiit To Abstract, to shorten A Collect, a short prayer To Collect, to gather toge- ther A Compound, a mixture To Compound to mingle A Contest, a quarrel To Contest, to dispute A Contract a deed To Contract, to bargain THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 75 NOUNS. Accented on the First. Converse, conversation A Convert** a reformed person A Convict, a criminal A Convoy, a guard A Desert, a wilderness An Extract, a quotation A Ferment, a turou t Frequent, a repetition Import^ tendency An Ifcsuit, an affront An Object, anything pre- sented to our senses A Present, a gift Produce, the thing pro- duced A Project, a scheme or de- sign A Rebel, a traitor A Record, a public register Refuse, waste A Subject, he who owes obe- dience A Torment a great f a : n TABLE XV. Words of Similar S.und, but different in Spelling and Sens?. Affect, to move or imitate VERBS. Accented on the Last, To Converse, to discourse- To Convert, to change To Convict, to prove guiftv To Convey, to protect To Desert, to forsake To Extract, to select To Ferment, to work like beer. To Frequent, to resort to To Import, to bring froa^ abroad To Insult, to i 1-u^e To Object, to oppose To Present, to give To Produce, to bring fortE To Projeet, to contrive To Rebel, to revolt To Record, to enrol! To Refusej to deny To Subject, to subdue To Torment, to torture Abel, a mail's name Able, sufficient Accept, receive Except, leave out Accidence, in grammar Accidents, chances Accompt. reckoning Account, esteem Acts, deeds, exploits Axe, an instrument Effect, purpose Ail, to be ill Ale, malt liquor Ere, before Heir, to an estate Alder, a tree Elder, a senior All, every one Awl, a sliarp tool m 76 THS CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK* Altar, for a sacrifice Alter, to change Ant, an insect Aunt, an uncle's wife Arrant, notorious Errand, a message Errant, wandering Ascent steepness Assent; consent Assistance, help Assistants, helpers Attendance, waiting Attendants, waiters Auger, to bore with Augur, a soothsayer Bacon, swiaes' flesh Baken, by an oven Beacon, a mark Beckon, with the hand Bail, a surety Bale, a large parcel Bait, a lure Bate, to lessen Ball, a round substance Bawl, to cry out Baron, a lord Barren, unfruitful Barbarra, a woman's name Barbary, a country Barberry, a tree Bare, naked Bear, a savage animal Baize, a coarse cloth Bays, ia architecture Base, mean Bass, in music Be, to exist Bee, an insect Beach, the sea-shore Beech, a tree Bean, a plant Been, of the verb to be Beat, to strike Beet, a plant Beer, malt liquor Bier, a frame for the dead BeL an idol Bell, to ring- Belle, a fine lady Berry, a small fruit Bury, to inter Bile, gall Boil, to move by heat. Blew, did blow Blue, a colour Boar, a male swine Bore, to make a hole Board, a plank Bored, did bore 'Bole, a corn measure, &c. Bowl, a large baaa Bolt, for a door Boult, to shift Bomb, a mortar shot Boom, of a ship Bough, a branch Bow, to bend Boarder, at a table Border, the margin Boy, a young lad Buoy, an anchor mark Buy, to purchase By, near Brace, a couple Braze, to solder Breaches, broken places Breeches, a garment Bread, food made of corn Bred, brought up Brewing, of ale Bruin, a bear's name Brews, he breweth THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 77 Bruise, a hurt Bruit, at report Brute, a beast But, a particle Butt, a large cask Borough, a town Burrow, cover for rabbits Cain, a man's name Canej to walk with Calais, in France Chalice, a cup Call, to name Caul, of a wig, &c. Cannon, a great gun Canon, a rule or law Calendar, an almanack Calender, to smooth Catch, to lay hold of Ketch, a small ship Ceiling, of a room Sealing, setting a seal Cell, a small close room Sell, to dispose of Cellar, a vault Seilar, who sells Censer, for incense Censor, a critic Censure, judgment Cent, a hundred Sent, did send Scent, a smell Centuary, an herb Century, 100 years Sentry, a guard Cession, resigning Session, act of sitting Chased, did chase Chaste, continent Choir, a set of singers Quire, 24« sheets of paper Choler, wrath Collar, for the neck Chord, in music Cord, a small rope Cinque, fire Sink, to sink down Cite, to summon Sight, seeing Site, situation Citern, an instrument Citron a sort of fruit Clause, a section Claws, talons Cleaver, for chopping Clever, ingenious Climb, to get up Clime, climate ' Clothes, apparel Coarse, not fine Course, to race Coat, a garment Quote, to cite or allege Coin, money Kine, cows Quoit, to play with Kite, a bird of prey Comet, a blazing star Commit, to act Coming, approaching Cummin, a plant Common, public Commune, to converse Concert, of music Consort, a wife Condemn, to sentence Contemn, to despise Confidence, reliance Confidants, trusty friends Council, an assembly Counsel, advice Courant, a quick dance Current, passable T8 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Cousin, a relation Cosen, to cheat Creak, to make a noise Creek, of a sea "Crick, a pain ia the neck Cruise, to sail about Crews, ship's companies Cygnet, a young swaa Signet, a seal Cymbal, an instrument Symbol, a mark Cypres?, a tree Cyprus, an island Dane, of Denmark Dean, next to the bishop Deign , to vouchsafe Dear, cosily Deer, a forest animal Debtor, tint oweth Deter, to frighten from Decease, death Disease, distemper Defer, to delay Differ, to disagree Deference, respect Difference, disagreement Dependence, relying on Dependents, hangers on Descent, going down Dissent, to disagree Device, a stratagem Device, to invent ■Dew, a thin co!d vapour Due s owing Dire, dreadful Dyer, one who dyes cloth Doe ? female deer Dough, leaven or paste Doer, perform Door, of a house J3oiIar, a Spanish coin Dolour, grief Done, acted Duo, a colour Draft, a bill Draught, a drink Dragon, a serpent Dragoon, a soldier Ear, of the head Ere, before Easter, the feast of our viour's resurrection Esther, a woman's tame Emerge, to rise out of Im merge, to plunge Eminent, noted imminent, impending Enter, to go in Inter,, to bury Envoy, ambjssador Envy, ill will Err, mistake Her, die Yew, a tree Yoq, yourself Your, your own Ure> custom use Ewer, basia Exercise, employment Exorcise, to conjure Extant, ia being Extent, dimensions Eye, to see with I, myself Fain, willingly Feign, to dissemble Faint, languid Feint, a pretence Fair, beautiful Fare, diet, hire Favour, kindness Fever, distemper Sa- THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 19 Feat, exploit Feet, of the body File, of steel Foil, to overcome FiHip, with the finger Philip, a man's name Fir, a tree Fcr, soft hair Flea, gn insect Fice, to run from danger Flew, did fl/ Flue^ of a chimney Flower, of the fitW Flour, fof bread Forth 3 onward, foiward Fourth, in number Foul, nasty, unclean Fowl, a bird Frances, a womin's name Francis, a man's name Freeze, to congeal Freize, a coarse cloth Furs, the plural of fur Furz, a prickly bush Gallon, fcur quarts Galoon, a ribbon Ga!e> a strong wind Gall, bile Gaul, a Frenchman Gait, manner of walking Gate, an entrance Gesture, action Jester, a joker Gilt, gilded Guilt, sin Glutinous, sticking Gluttonous, greedy Grease, soft fat Greece, a country Grate, a fire place Great, large Grater, a coarse fi!e Greater, larger Greaves, leg armour Grieves, he laments Groan, hard sigh Grown, increased Great, four pence Grot, a cave Guess, a think Guest, a visitor Hail, frozen water Hale, hearty Hair, of the head Hare, an animal Hall, a great room Haul, to pull Hallow, to consecrate Hollow, empty Harrass, to fatigue Arras, hangings Harsh, severe Hash, minced meat Hart* deer Heart the seat of life Haven, a harbour Hearen, God's thrcne Heal j to cure Heel, of a shoe Hear, hearken Here, ia this place Heard, did hear Htrd, of cattle Hew, to cut Hugh, a man's name Hue, colour Hie, to hasten High, lofty Higher, more lofty Hire, wages Him, that man Hymn, a pious song THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Hole, a cavity Whole, not brokt n Home, duelling Whom, who Hoop, for a tub Whoop, to haJioo Hour, of the day Our, belonging to us Idle, lazy Idol, an image Aisle, of a church Isle, an Inland Imposter, a cheat Imposture, deceit In, withia Inn, a public house Incite, to stir up Insight, knowledge Indite, to compose Indict, to impeach Ingenious., inventive Ingenuous, candid, free Innocence, harmless Innocents, babes Intense, excessive Intents, purposes Knap, 6a cloth Nap, short sleep Nape, of the neck Knave, a rogue Nave, of a wheel Knead, to work dough Need, did want Knew, did know New, not born or used Knight, a title of honour Night, darkness Knot, a knob Not, denjing Lade, to load Laid, to p*aee Latin, a language Latten, brass Lattice, a net-work window Lettice, a woman's name Lettuce, a salad Leak, to run out Leek, a kind of onion Lease, a tennure Lea^b, three, a thong Lead, metal Led. conducted Leaper, a jumper Leper, one leprous Least, smallest Lest, for fear that Legislator, law-giver Legislature, parliament Lesson, to make less Lesson, in reading Lesser, smaller Lessor, grantor* of a lease Liar, a false story-teller Lier, one who rests Lyre, a harp Limb, leg or arm Limn, to paint Limber, pliant Limner, painter Line, length Loin, a joint of meat Lo I behold Low, mean, humble Loth, unwilling Loath, to nauseate Loose, slack Lose, not to win Made, finished Maid, a woman servant Man, cbief Mane, of a horse Mail, armour THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 81 [ale, he or him Manner, custom Manor, lordship Mare, a female horse Major, of a town Marsh, watery ground Mash, to mince Marshal, head general Martial, warlike Mwten, ahird Martin, a man's name Mary, a woman's name Marry, to wed Merry, gay of heart Mean, of small value Mien, behaviour Meat, flesh Mete, to measure Medal, a coin Meddle, to interfere Medlar, a fruit Meddler, a busy body Message, errand Messuage, house Metal, Gold, silver, &c, Mettle, sprightliness Mews, for horses Muse, to think Might, power Mite, an insect Moan, lamentation Mown, cut down Moat, a ditch Mote, an atom Moor, a fen or marsh More, in quantity Morning, before noon Mourning, lamenting Muscle, a shell fish Muzzle, to lie the mouth Muslin, fine linen Muzzling, to gag Naught, bad Nought, nothing Nay, an adverb Neigh, as a horse Neither, of the two Nether, lower Oar, to row with Ore, uncast metal Hoar, grey with age Of, belonging to Off, distant or from Oh ! an exclamation Owe, indebted Pail, for water Pale, wan or white Pain, torment Pane, of glass Pair, two Pare, to cut or chip Palate, to taste or relish Palette, used by painters Pall, funeral cloth Paul, a man's name Parcel, a small bundle Partial, blessed Patience, mildness Patients, sick people Pause, to stop Paws, of a beast Peace, quietness Peas, pulse Peal, in ringing Pee), to strip off Peer, a nobleman Pear, a well-known fruit Pier, of a bridge Penitence, repentance Penitents, repentants Peter, a man's name Petre, saltpetre m THg CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Pick, to choice Pique, a grudge Pillow, a bag of feathers Pillar, a round column Fiat, luif a quart Point, the sharp end Pistol, a small gun Pistole, a Spanish coin Place, to set in order Plaice, a kind of fish ^mi, a fold Plate, silver Pleas, hw suits Please, to sat Poesy, pcelry Posy, rnot(o on a ling Pole, a long stick Pollj a head, a vote Poor, needy Pore, to look closely Porce!a : n. china ware Purslaih, an herb Pour, to btreem Power, to command Practice, exercise Practise, to study Praise, commendation Prays, entreated Pray, to beseech 'Prey, a booty Precedent, an example President, a governor Principal, a chief Principle, first cause Profit, gain Prophet, a for teller Quarry, a stone mine Query, a question Quaver, a note in music Quiver, for arrows Quean, a harlot Queen, a king's wife Race, running Raze, demolish Radish, a root Reddish, inclining to red lyain, water Reigo, to rule Reio, a bridle Raise, to lift up Rays, beams of light Raisin, a dried grape Reason,, argument Rare, uncommon Rear, to erect Read, to peruse Reed, a small pipe Rede, counsel Regimen, diet Regiment, of soldiers Relic, remainder Relict, a widow Rest, ease Wrest, to force Rome, a city Room, chamber Rhyme, verse Rime, frost Rice, a kind of grain Rise, advancement Rigger, one who rigs Rigour, severity Ring, circle Wring, to twist Right, just, true Rite, a ceremony Wright, a man's name Write to tell by letters Rhode, an island Road, a highway Roe, deer Row, ranged in aline THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 83 Rote, from memory Wrote, did write BurT, a neckcloth Bough, uneven Bung, did wring Wrung, twisted Sail, of a ship Sale,, selling Sage, wise Sedge, a narrow Hag Scent, to smell Sent, ordered away Sense, understanding Since, afterwards Say, speak Sey, a sort of cloth Scene, part of a play Seen, beheld Sea, ocean See, to beho'd Seal, an impression Zeal, ardent affection Seam, a joining Seem, to pretend Seas, the waters Sees ; doth see Seize, to lay hold of Sew, with a needle Sue, to intreat Shear, to clip Sheer, to go off Shew, to make appear Shce. for the foot Shoar, a prop Shore, the sea coast Sine, a line Sign, a token Sloe, a wild plumb Slough, a rriiry place Slow, net speedy Sole, bottom of a foot Sou', the spirit of man Some, part Sum, the whole Stair, a step Stare, to look earnestly Steal, to pilfer Steel, hardened iron Straight, direct Strait, narrow Succour, help Sucker, a youog twig Tacks, small nails Tax, a tribute Tares, among wheat Tears, from the eyes Team, a set of horses Teem- to abound Tenor, intent Tenure, to hold land Than, in. comparison Then, that time Tie; an article Thee, thou Their, belonging to them There, that place Throne, chair of state Thrown, hurled To, unto Toe, part of the foot Too, also Two, a couple Tour, a journey Tower, a lofty build ng Trea'ise, conventions. Treatise, a discourse Va?e, a valley Veal, calves' fiesb Vain< meanly proud Vein, a blood vessel Valley, a dale Value, worth 84? THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. Wain, cart or waggon Whey, of milk Wane, to decrease Week, seven dajs Wait, tarry Weak, faint Weight, for scales Whither, to what place W 7 are, merchandise Wither, to decay Wear, the thing worn While, space of time Were, to have been Wile, a trick Where, at what place, Vile 5 despicable W T ay, road Would, was willing W.eigh, to balance Wood, small timber WaXj tenacious matter Won, did win Vex, to tease One, in number Wey, forty bushels OF POINTS AND STOPS. A comma (which is marked thus ,) is the shortest of all stops, and serves to divide short sentences, till you come to the full sense. As thus : I am persuaded that neither death) nor life, nor angels, nor principalities) nor powers, 7\or things present , nor things to come, nor heigh', nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God } ivhich is in Christ Jesus our Lord.— 'Rom. viii., 38, 39. A Semicolon ( ; ) serves also to part sentences, and is of en used when the sentences are contrary. Thus \ A soft answer Utrneth awoy wrath ; but grievous words stir up anger.— ~Pro\\ xv, 1, Or thus : 1 desired you to get your lesson by heart % but instead of that you have been at play, A colon ( : ) paits several sentences, every one of which has a full meanisg of its own, though, at the same time, it leaves us in expectation of something that is to follow. For example : He is a wise and prudent boy who minds his booh: learning and good education are better than riches, A Period. (.) is a full stop, and shews the perfect end and conclusion of a sentence. As thus : Obey your parents* Fiar God. Honour die King. Observe. —You are to stop at a comma t i • I you can tell one; at a semicolon, till you can tell two; at a colon, till you can tell tlvee ; at a perioJ, till you can teW/oar. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 85 A note of Interrogation (?) is always set at the end of a question that 13 asked. For example: Who made you? How eld are you f What is the matter ? A note of Admiration (!) is placed after such words or expressions as signify any thing strange or wonderful. Thus: Oh !Alas ! Surprising ! Or thus : O the depth, both of the ivisdorn and knowledge ! — Rom, xi., 33. A Parenthesis ( ) is used to include words in a sentence, which may be left out without injury to the sense, As, We all (including my brother) went to London. The Hyphen (-) is used to separate syllables, and the parts of compound words. A?, Watch-ing, Well- taught. The Apostrophe (') denotes that a letter or more is omitted. As, Lov'd thro 9 for loved, though, &c. It is also used to mark the possessive case. As, The King's Navy, meaning The King his Navy. Quotation, or a single or double comma turned, (' or u ) is put at the beginning of speeches, or such lines as are extracted out of authors, PART II. Cpapter I. Of the end for which man was created. Of things necessary for man to know, tie end for which he came into the world deserves his first atten- tion; becau-.e, being a rational creature, he ought to act for a final end, in the enjoyment whereof he may find his eternal happiness. Now he cannot act for this end with- out a knowledge of it, which, exciting a desire, makes him search for and employ the means of obtaining it. A man who knows not his last end is like a beast ; because he So THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. regards only things present ; things material, and sensible* after the maimer of brutes, and in this he is much more miserable than they, since they find in these exterior objects the felicity they are capable of; but he, instead of finding repose, meets with nothing bat disgust, and the source of endless misfortune. From a want of considering their last end, originates all the disorders discernible in the lives of men, because forgetting that noble and divine end for which their Cre- ator designed them, they are wholly taken up with plea- sures of this mortal life, living upon Earth as if made for the earth. It would move one to compassion to see a child born of royal blood, and destined by his biith, one day to wear a crown, yet bred up amongst peasants, and ignorant of his extraction, applying himself only to till the earth, bounding all his pretensions within the scanty limits of earning a miserable livelihood with the sweat of his brow, without having the least thought of the high rank for which he was born, but it is much more to be deplored to see men, who are the children of Heaven, designed by the Almighty to reign there eternally, live in an entire for- ge {fulness of that end for wlvch they were created, and, setting all their' affections upon earthly things, wretchedly deprive themselves of that immense happiness which the bounty of their CreatSr prepared for them in Heaven. For this reason, Theotirne, resolving to exhort you to embrace virtue in yosr youth, I propose to you first what you are. and for what end you were created, that knowing this your end, you may ardently aspire to it, and by early endeavours render yourself worthy of it. Recollect your- self then, and reflect upon three things, what you are, who made you, end for what end. * 1. You are a man, that is, a creature endowed with understanding and reason, composed of a body, the struc- ture whereof is admirable, and of a reasonable soul, made in the image of God : in a word you are the most perfect of all visible creatures.. 2. Ycu were e ot made by yourself, for lhat h im- possible ; you received from another the being you now enjoy. And from whom have ycu received it, but THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 87 from Him who created Heaven and Earth, and who is the Author cf all things ? It is He who formed your body in your mother's womb, end brought your soul out of nothing by his power. You are the wotk of a God, and besides the Father you have upon Earth, you have another in Heaven, to whom you owe all that you possess. 3. But why did God make you 1 Be attentive, Theo- time : for what end, th'nk you did God place you in this worid ? Was it to enjoy the sensual pleasures antl satis- factions of this life? To heap up riches? to acquire glory and reputation amongst men ? Nothing less ! You have a soul too nob'e to be destined for such wretched and perishable things : pleasures are changed into pain, riches perish, and glory vanishes. Is it to Gcn'inue a long time upon earth, to find there jour happiness and to ^look for nothing after this life ] If so, there is ro difference betwixt yo;j and irrational beings. Does not this, £0 noble a soul which God has bestowed on you, endowed with understanding, will, acd memory, capable of knowing all thing?, cleaiiy manifest that you were created for a higher and more honourable end ?— Does not this figure of the body you bear, the stature erect, the head on high, and eyes raised towards Heaven, teach you that you are not made for the Eaith? Beas's are made for the Earth ; there they find their Ibppiuess, and for that reason they look upon the earth : but you, dear Theotime, jou are created for Heaven. This is not the place of your abode, as it is that of your origin : your soul came down from Heaven, and it ought to return thither. But ^hat will you find in heaven that con render you happy ? Will it be the sight of the firmament, with ail those beauteous stars ? Of the Sun, that admirable instru- ment, the work of the Most High, and of all that is won- derful and great in heaven 1 No. All- these are not ab'e to effect jour felicity : God has esteemed the-m too mean for you ; he made them for your service, not to be the object and cause of your bappines?. In a word, consider all that is in the universe 1 , those vest and wonderful things 88 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. which God has created ; all which are not able to complete your happiness. God hath not made you for any of these things. For what then ? For nothing less than the possession and en- joyment of himself ia heaven. He has not judged the fairest of his creatures worthy of you : He has given Himself to be the object of your happiness. For this rea- son he gave you a sou], formed to his image, capable of possessing him, and which by reason of this capacity, is never content nor satisfied with the possession and delight of this life, as every one finds hy experience. You were then not made for creatures, dear Theotime, but for the Creator. Your last end is not the enjoyment of creatures, but of God himself. You were created to be happy by the possession of a God in heaven, and to reign with him in a felicity incomprehensible to human under- standing. The eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what things God hath prepared for them that love him. And, this for how long 1 For all eternity ; that is, for a time which shall never end, but continue as long as God himself. This i'3 the most noble end for which you were designed, this is the inheritance which your celestial Father has prepared for you ; this is that end for which he has created you. All this visible world was but destined for your pesent use, to help you- in promoting the glory of God. Chapter IT. What it is to be a Christian. By the grace of God, Theotime, you are a Christian : but do you understand what this is, and what you vre hy this quality ; Take notice of it then, and learn to know the great favour God bestowed upon you in the day of your baptism. By the baptism which you have re- ceived, jou'are washed from original sin, by the appli- cation of the merits of the blood, of Jesus Christ, deliver- ed from the universal curse of mankind, incurred by TfJE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 89 sio, and freed from the power of the Den!. You hare been made the child of God, the disciple of Jesus Christ your Saviour. You have acquired God for your father; Jesus Christ, for your master, your instructor, your exam- ple, and for the rule of your life 5 the Holy Church, for your mother and guardian; the angels for your protec- tors ; the saints for your intercessors. You have been made the temple of God, who dwells 1a you by grace 5 the heir to his eternal kingdom, from the title and hope of which you .were fallen for ever; and you are brought tack in the secure way that leads to it, being made a member of Jesus Christ and his Church, out of which all those who obstinately remain cannot be saved, acd therein ycu are now illuminated with the light of the faith of Jesus Christ, instructed by his doctrine, 'nourished by his precious body >nd blood, assisted by his grace, and furnished with all the necessary meais for your salvation. . O God ! how noble and how honourable is toe state 01 a Christian! What acknowledgments, dear Tbeotime, ought you to render to Almighty God, vtho has heaped upon jou such immense favors! God was no ways bouriG to do thus much for you. Without this favor which God has shewn ycu, you could never have been saved 5 for there is no salvation without faith. Where then should you have been, if God, had aot shown you this mercy ? He has not done this favour to thousands of men who live in other countries, in the darkness of ignorance and sin, nor to maoy other persons, who although they may be baptized as you, yet live in error, separated from tue true faith of the Catholic Church, which is the pillar and groutd of truth. I n 7I Why were you not of that unhappy number? VViiy .has God made you to be born in a Christian country rather than others, and ia the bosom of the Catholic Church- wh^re you are instructed in the diviae mysteries and things necessary for salvation 1 How have you merited his favour] What happiness is it for you, dear Theotime, to hive experienced so great a bounty of our God. 90 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, We are happy, O Tsrael, because the things that are pleading to God are made known to us. O how fortu- nate are we by the grace of God, which has called us to the knowledge of his divine mjsteries and adorable will ! He has not shown his goodness to all the world ; and why has he done it to us rather than others'? O dear Theotime, hew is it possible that we should not fix our affection upon a God who ba-s IoTed U3 so much? Learn here from a Christian king, the esteem you ought to have for your vocation. St. JLiewis, king of Frauce, had such a vdue for the favour of God showed to him in making him a christian, that he net only preferred it before his kiagdom, as id effect it is infinite- ly greater, but having been baptized in the castle of Poissy, he would bear that name and be called Lewis of Poissy, and thus fcigceTd his letters and despatches, esteeming bis title more glorious than that of King of France. And St. Augustin, speaking of the Emperor Theodosius, says, That he accounted himself more hap- py in being a member of the Church than Emperor of tbe world. These great men, Theotime, knew how to value the grace ot Ch .istianity according to its real worth. Chapter III. That God requires and particularly accepts the services of Young Pecple. The time of youth being the beginning of life, you must know, dear Theotime, the strict obligations you are under of consecrating yourself to God when young. The first is, that God earnestly desires to be served by you in that age, since it is certa'n that in all things, God claims particularly the first and the beginnings. For this reason in the old law, he commanded the first fruits of all things to be offered to him. Of fruits, he required the first gathered to be presented; of beasts, the first brought forth to be sacrificed 5 and of men, the eldest sons to be dedicated to his service in the temple, though he permitted them to be afterwards redeemed, shewing THIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 91 by this institution, that notwithstanding all things being equally his, yet he had a special claim for thi first, as those which, above all things, were due to him, and which he required as an acknowledgment. Hence the time of youth being, the beginning and first part of our life. God demands it particularly, and will hare it offered to him, ia order to be faithfully employed in bis service. Secondly, the time of youth is most pleasing to God : because, generally speaking, according to the -natural order of things, it is the most innocent part of life, least corrupted by sin : for then the knowledge cf evil is not so extensive, neitner is there so much ability or opportunity to commit it ; the judgment is not perverted by the false maxims of the world, nor the inclinations cor- rupted by the infection of the wicked, as in a more advanced age, Moreover, our baptismal grace, which we have then only lately received, renders that more agreeable to God, at least in those who do not forfeit it by a sinful life. But take notice Theotime, I said that jouih is less cor~ rupted, gfnerally speaking, and according to the na^ura* order cf things, yet it is but too true, than oftentimes much wickedness is found in it; though contrary to the order of nature, which has endowed that ?g* with a simplicity of mind, and innocence of manners: hence they are so much the more guilty, who, by their malice, and depravity, cor- rupt the good dispositions which nature has bestowed upon it (earning wickedness and runriog after it in an age when nature herself teaches nothing but simplicity and in- nocence, * Thirdly, because youth is the time of affording the most opportunities of shewing that you love God sincerely ; for it is the time of the first temptations, wherin jou begin to be solicited to renounce his lcve and service. You are hurried en by your own pasnons, which are then the strongest; invited by those of.ycur age, who often solicit you to wickedness, eitherf by their example, or by their disccurse, and prompted bfl the 92 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. enemy of your salvation, who uses alibis endeavours to withdraw you from the service of God, and make sure of you betimes. So that this age may properly be called the age of combat and trial $ wherein you show your love to God with a const-ant and real affection, if you courageously resist these assaults. t These reasons, Tbeotime, convince us that God has a special affection for the homage cf youth, which being- employed in flying from sin and serving God, is a sacrifice the most agreeable that can be offered to Him. And as a learned author says, excellently well, those who in the time of youth overcome themselves by courageously resisting all temptation? to sia and who consecrate themselves entirely to the service of God, make one continual sacrifice of their youth to Gcd, which offering cannot but be most agreeable to Him, as long as it remains unde filed by sin. O Tbeo- time, retain well this truth in your mind, and never forget it, Chapter IV. Remarkable Instances of the Aversion God bears to Wicked Young People. God has an aversion to all sinners, as he himself has said THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. a small town^ and was proclaimed King. After Ibis lie takes up arm? aganst his father, forces him to fly from Jerusalem, and pursues him with a strong army, which he had raised to deprive him of his crown. What will the Divins Justice do here? Will it connive at such a dege- nerate child? Hear, Theotime, what the sacred Scripture relates : David, seeing himself, brought to such straits by his son, was obliged to make head and oppose him. He sets in order the few forces he had with him, sends them to fight and gives him battle. Absalom's men, thougu far more numerous, are* defeated. In this discomfiture, (O the divine judgments !) it happens that Absalom, endeavouring to save himself by flight, was carried under a great oak, and as he wore his locks very long, his liair, by a strange acci- dent, and particular permission of God, was so strongly, entangled in the branches of the tree that the mule be rode on could not carry him away, but continuing its course left him hanging by his hair, without being able to disengage himself. David's soldiers seeing him in this condition, run him through with a lance, and killed him on the spot; al- though David by an astonishing tenderness, when sending them to the battle, had expressly forbidden -any violence to be offered his person. O Divine justice ! thou plainly shewest that thou dost not connive at the iniquities of wicked children ; although thou deferrest for a time the chastisement they deserve, to give them leisure to repent. Thou afterwards punishest most severely their obstinacy in sin, and the affront they offer to thy goodnes?, with which thou expectest their repsniance, Chapter V, That Salva'ion generally depends on the time of Youth. I wish,0 Theotime, that you, and all those of your age. would thoroughly understand and never forget this truth, that salvation almost entirely depends on the life you lead during your youth. This is unknown to the greatest the'catholic school book 95 }art of men, but the ignorance of which is the ruin and lamnation of many. I wish all youth rightly understood that immense eternity of happiness or misery, which waits thera after this life, depends upon this first part of our time which *all thai world slight, and whicbf/the most part employ ia wickedness. To convince you of this truth, I shall produce nothing less than the sentiment of the sacred Scriptures, that is of the Holy Ghost whose words are so express that it is impossible to doubt of it. For why doth it in so many places exhort young people to think of their salvation Detinues, ani to apply themselves to virtue ia their youth except it were to shew of how great importance that time is for their salvation ? Wlj&t does it say in Ecclesiastics, ' Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth before the time of afflic- tion comes ?" From whence comes it that it assures us ia the Book of Proverbs, M Instruct a young man according to bis way and when he is old he^will not depart from it V 9 that is the r manner of life of which he has began. Where- fore does it say by the prohet Jeremy, that it is good , for a msn when he ha^ borne the ycke from his youth ]" that is has applied himself to virtue and to bear the pleasing yoke of God's commandments. Why in Ecclesiasticus are youth so earnestly exhorted to virtue, by those excellent words, able to soften the most insensible hearts : — Ci My son, from thy youth up receive instruction and even to thy grey hairs, thou shalt find wisdom. Come to her as one that plougheth and soweth, that is with care and labour and wait for her good fruits. For in working about her thou shalt labor a little, and shall quickly eat of her fruits. How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not con- tinue with her. But with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God," — vi, 18. All the rest of the chapter is but a continued exhortation to young people to be virtuous. Wherefore ia ths twenty- fifth chapter, does it say, il The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how slalt thou find them in tby old age?" 9® THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOt>K. Lastly, among the books of several Scriptures, why was there one expressly made for the instruction of youth, which is that of Proverbs? Does not a!I thn manifestly discover that the Holy Ghost would give men to under- stand, that the time of yonth is a greater consequence than the greatest part imagine ; and that all happiness or misery of man, whether in this life or in the next, depends generally on that time being well or ill employed ; this observation being generally true, that those secure their salvation who in their: youth are bred tip in the fear of God, and cf observance of his commandments ; and that those who have not been educated in the fear of God, or cast it from them, to follow sin with greater liberty, are -unhappily lost. All this truth is grounded on those two principles ; the first is, that those who have followe^virtue in their youth, easily persevere through the remainder of their life ; the second, that on the contrary, those who .give themselves over to sin at that time, with difficulty amend, and frequently never. 3 Chapter VI. Remarkable examples of those w\o t having been Virtuous in their youth , continued so all their life, The first example which I shall produce is that of Jo- seph, a model of virtue in his youth, and which I have slightly mentioned in the first part. At sixteen years of age he abhorred vice ia such a manner that the wicked example of his brethren could never corrupt his innocence, on the contrary not being able to endure their wickedness ; he gave notice thereof to his father, Jacob. The greatness of his virtue, for which he was singularly favored by God, and tenderly loved by his father, drew upon him the enmity of his brethren, who meeting him one day in the fields, con- spired to murder him ; but having a horror of dipping their hands in his blood, they resolved to let him down into a pit with a design of leaving him there to perish. This poor child not able to soften their cruelty by THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK _/ 97 prayers and tears was obliged to j i 1 1 J putting a*l his con- fidence in Gcd, who never abandon those who love him. In this he was not deceived ; for his inhuman brethren, struck with horror af so barbarous a crime, changed their, first resolution. They drew him up out of the pit and sold him to merchants then passing by, who carried him into Egypt, where he was sdld to a lord of* that country. Jo- seph being with his master, persevered in virtue and iano- cence of life which drew down the blessing of God upon the house of his master, who soon discovered bis merit,, and conceived a great affection for him. Behold how Joseph spent the first part of liis youth, that is, until about the age of twenty, See the consequence of it, and how ha passed (he rest of his life ; wherein I observe three remarkable occasions in which bis virtue underwent the severest trial. The first was about that sge when he sustained the most violent attack his chasiity could undergo. The second was his being cast into prison, having to suffer the punishment, and be deemed guilty of a crime he abomi- nated. €> But Jo>eph continued immoveable in his first virtue : and as he had learned patience ia his youth, by the persecution of his brethren, he bore this with wonderful constancy, comforting himself in the conviction of his innocence, of which God was both witness and protestor. God, ^bo had always been with him, left him not- on this occasion 5 but, as the Sacred Scripture says, descended with him into the pit, that he might assist him with his grace and wonderfully deliver him, as he did presently after. To these two trials succeeded the third, jet greater. — This was the elevated station to which be was raised ; for having interpreted Pharaoh's dream, by the knowledge God gave him of things to come, tlis kiog not only delivered him out of prison, but made him the first man in his king- dom, over which he gave him a gene-ai charge with absolute power to dispose of all things according to bis will, commanding his subjects to obey him as himself. — In this high station which generally dazzles men's eyes and soon destroys an ordinary share of virtue, Joseph 98 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. remained firm in bis primitive innocence, always like him- self. Forgetfulness of God, pride, covetousness, and revenge, the u^Uil attendants of unlimited power, could never find admittance into his breast. Having au opportunity of re- ranging himself on his brethren, who came into Egypt to buy provisions duging a severe famine, he not only omitted it, but received them with such tenderness, and masks of affection, as to draw tears from those who read the Scrip- ture account of it. He carried himself in this station with so niucfi justice, that no complaint was ever made of his conduct; on the contrary, the Egyptians proclaimed him their deliverer, being freed from want during a seven year's famine, by his great prudence, for which he was called in those countries, The Saviovrofthc World* He persevered thus in virtue and the fear of God, in the mll&t of grandeur from the age of thirty, when he was raised to that fortune, e?en to the age of a hundred and teo, wherein he died. O Theotime, -reflect well upon this example, and learn from it what virtue acquired^ youth is able to effect, The next example I shall adduce is tbe.t of Toby, the father of young Toby, whose conduct, as well in youth as in a more advanced age, the Scripture declares to be worthy of our admiration. He was a yonng man of the tribe and city of Napthali ; and, although he was the youngest of all his tribe, yet nothing childish or youthful appeared in his actions. And when all others went to sacrifice to the golden calf of Jeroboam, King of Israel, shunning their company, he went alone to Jerusalem, to the Temple of the Lord, and there adored the God of Israel offering to him faithfully his first fruits and tithes. These and such like things did he observe, adds the Scrip- ture, when but a boy 5 according to the law of God. O the admirable life, Theotime, of a young man who acted nothing childish, that is, nothing contrary to virtue ; who permitted not himself to be carried away by the tor- rent of ill-example, continuing steadfast in the service of THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 99 God, when the rest, to a man, abandoned their Creator ! A youth spent so virtuously could not but be followed by a holy life, as you shall see, Toby being come to man's estate, was led captive by the Assyrians, wirh all his countrymen, to the city of Ninive. Beiag there, he departed not from the path of virtue which he had so happily entered in his youth. For first, as he had learned in his youth to resist the wicked examples of others, be permitted not himself to be cor- rupted in his captivity by the examples of his countrymen, who ate licentiously the meats of Gentiles, though prohi- bited by the law of God. Secondly, having deserved a particular regard from the Assyrian king, by his virtuous conduct, he had leaye to go to any part of the kingdom. He visited his fellow captives, admonished them concern- ing their salvation and their perseverance in the service of God. Thirdly, the affliction of the captives increasing, he daily visited and comforted them, distributing what he was able to give them, fed the hungry, clothed the mkedj and with an unparalleled charity buried all the dead he found, notwithstanding the displeasure of the king, which he had incurred by that action, even to the danger of his life. But what is yet more admirable is the patience with which he bore the melancholy affliction of blindness,, which befel him by an enexpected accident in the fifty-sixth year of his age, One day as he returned home wearied wilh the burial of many dead he chanced to fall asleep under a wall, from the top whereof the dung out of a swallow's cest fell upon his eyes, and took away his sight* This was doubtless a very great affliction and a most se- rere trial ; but he supported it with such an admirable patience, that the sacred Scripture compares it to that of Job, and, what is very remarkable, attributes it to that piety and fear of God in which he had lived during his youth. Behold what it gays 5 Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job. For wherea3 he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined cot against God because the evil of blindness had befallen THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. km. but conUauecj immovable in the fear of God, giving ikMihs to God all the days of Lis life." piow admirable is the effect of virtue, which has al- ways increased with cgel He was delivered from bis lion four years afrer. and living to the age of one linn dr*d and ten he died in peace, aftef he had wade, as the Scripture observes, a continual progress in the fear and semee of 'Gad. Thus, Tbeoti^e, do they live, thus do t&ey die, who have followed virtue in youth. Chapter VII. thoso who had been addict td to vice in their youth amend with great difficulty, and often not at all. Thcof me. that I had been capable of imprinting this important tu h it .ore lastingly in your heart than in brass of barbie, and making you perfectly comprehend the great readful difficulty of amendment after a youth spent la vice. A difficulty so great that it is almost impossible ieptly to express it 5 and the other ride so general that we cannot consider inattentively without being touched ^ith a lively sorrow, seeing such riumbers of christians, and principally of young people, who groai under the tyranny of a vicious habit, which being contracted ia their youth, and increased with age, leads them to perditi -n ; (com. which, if they chance to recover, it is with incredible pains and combits, and by a manifest miracle of divine grace* Learn, dear Toeotime, to avoid th's danger, and endeavour to conceive its greatness either . that you may entirely prevent it, or quickly withdraw yourself if you are already engaged therein. T&h great difficulty springs from three causes. The first is, the incredible power and force of a wicked habit, which being once rooted in the soul, cannot be plucked np without great pains. All habits have commonly this qplity, that they continue a long time, and are with much difficulty removed. But amongst others; wicked habits THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BCCK, 10 1 are such as adhere more strong]/, and are.not fo casifj changed j because corrupt nature is more prone to eiil than good. Hence the Scripture sajs, That the per.?erte are bard to be corrected, which makes the number ©f that is, of sinners, infinite. But among the kicked habits those contracted in ) puth are the strongest at d vritb most difficulty overcome ; for the passions which are the instruments office, unrestrained at that tune by virtue^ increase with age, ard as they increase give "vice daily new strength, and render it at last uacon THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. numter of nineteen, afier Solomon, there were six who were good, that is Asa, Josaphat, Ozai?, Jonathan, Ezechias, and Josiss ; all the others were wicked. Those, who were good began from their youth, and continued :uch all their life ; the greater } art ef those who were vicious b gan their wick- edness in their younger years, and nevtr altered their con- duct. Thus it is said of king Ochosiee that he began fo reign about twenty-two years of ?ge, that he was wicked and attached to the idolatry of the impious Achab king of Israel which was taught him by his mother. Athejia, sister of that wicked king. He reigned but a year, at the end whereof he died m his wickedness. It is said of Acliaz that he was twenty years of age when he began to reign ; that he did not apply himself to, good and to the service of God, but followed the example of the idolatrous kings of Israel, zx\& that he far surpased them in impiety, wherein he died after he had continued in vice for the space of sixteen years'. Amon reigned at the age of twenty-two, and became a follower of the vices'of his father Manasses, but not of his repentance, and died in his sins at the end of two years, mur- dered by his own servants. Jachin began at the age of twenty-fire, and reigned eleven years, during which time he was wicked like his ancestors, an J died ia his iniquities, without being lamented by any one, and also deprived of the honour of burial, according to the threat of the prophet Jeremy. His son Joachim, having succeeded at the age of eighteen, reigned but thre*e J months, at the end whereof he deserved, for his sics to fall into the hands of Nebuchodonosor, and was sent into Bab} Ion, where he died a long time afier. Sedecias, the last of the kings of Judah, being come to the crown at the age of twenty-one, was also wicked like his predecessors 5 and having continued in his iniquities for the space of eleven jears, he drew upon himeslf ai;& his pecple the most rigorous effect of that THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 105 rengear.ce, with which Gcd had long threatened the Jew- ish nation ; for in the ninth year of h's reign the city , of Jerusalem was beseiged by Nebucbodonosor, kisg of Babvlon, and after two years siege, it was taken, pil- laged, and put to fire and sword, the temple of God ran- sacked, and burnt, and whoever had escaped the fury of the sword or famine, were sent into captivity. Sedecias himself, flying with his children, was taken and brought before the proud king, who after Tenting his fury and in« dignation, caused his children to be butchered before his face, and afterwards pulled cut his eyes and sent him cap- tive to Babylon, where he died in misery, in just punish- ment of his iniquities. To these examples, which are very common in sacred Scripture* of such as hare never corrected their vice in their youth, and who hare died in their sins, we find but one in the Old Testament who was sincerely converted after he had lived - wickedly in his youth, viz. Msnasses, and he in so extraordinary a manner, that this example shows clearer vicious inclinations in youthful years. The Priace having lost his father Ezechias, one of the most pious kings of Judah, at the age of twelve years inherited his crown, but not his virtues : for, soon forget- ting the holy example, and wise documents he had received from him, he addicted himself to zvtry kind of vice and impiety. His iniquities daily increased until the fifteenth or, according to others, until the two-and-twentieth yea? of his reign, wherein God punished his crimes in an exem* plary manner. He was taken by the Assyrians in the city of Jerusalem, sent captive into Babylon, loaded with irons and chains, and cast into a frightful prison, where he suffered e\Qvy degree of misery and persecution.— Being reduced to this extremity he began to open his eyes, and call upon God in his afflictions, whom he hsd forgotten in his prosperity.. He acknowledged bis ioiqi- ties,and sued for pardon with truly contrite heart, and, by the force cf tears and prayers, obtained from God his deliverance; after which lie did pen3nce for Lis sins, and lived in holiness all the remainder of his life, even to the £3 106 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. age of sixty-seven, when he died. See here, Theotitiie, a conversion after a wicked youtl^ but a conversion purchas- ed at a dear rate. Chapter IX. That the Devil uses all his endeavours to lead Young People into vice. To be convinced cf the importance of dedicating your gelf to G~A ia your youth, 3 on must remember that the Devil, that sworn enemy to man's salvation, fearing co- thing more than to see you virtuous in your ycuih, em- ploy* all Lis endeavours to overcome you, and all those cf your age, that he may ruin you ; without hope of reco- very. This tiuth is manifest from all we have (aid before. That cursed fiend, who studies nothing but to rob God ? a3 much as he can, of the honour clue to him, and men of the happiness prepared- for them, knows very well that to lead youih into vice is the means of taking fiom God the first and greatest acknowledgment which men owe to him. In the second place, he knows how injurious to God a wicked life in youth is 5 and thirdly, the dreadful conse- quence of it, viz., a deep engagement in sin, hardness of heart, and impatience of mind. Moreover, he under- stands very well, that there is no othefr more certain way to fill the earth with iniquities and to damn mankind. — This is the reason why he employs all his industry to cor- rupt the innocence cf youth, the first sources of salvation^ and a!i other blessing?. He knows well that to poison the waters of a fountain, it is sufficient to cast venom into the spring, which communicates it easily to all the brooks ) and that to conquer a realm, the best method 13 to secure the frontier places, which give entrance into the heart of the country. The cursed fiend understands well how to put in prac- tice the mischief he taught Pharaoh, to whom be suggested the destruction -of all the male infants of the Jsraelkes ; that he might. exterminate the people of God. TH3 CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK ■ 10% I He exercised daily both the malice and t he cruelty of Nebuehodonosor, who, having taken king Sedecia?, with his children, at the sacking of Jerusalem, caused the cbil» dren's throats to be cut before the father's face, and satis« fied himself by putting out the father's eyes' wMk>u{ taking away his life. Thus the cruel enemy employs all his malice to murder the children by sin, and strives la blind interiorly the parents, that, neither seeing nor caiing for the loss of their chiidrtn^ they may not deliver them from such imminent danger. The saine king returning into his country, proud and elevated with his victories, carried as the fairest part o! his triumph, the young people of the city of Jerusalem prisoners before him, as is related by the prophet Jere- my, lie left nothing in that debate city more to be lamented, than the deplorable loss of the jourg pecple > which the sa?ne prophet bewails above all other cala- mities. Tkis, dear Theotime, tl is detestable fiend, who, as the Scripture sajs, is established king ever ail the proud,, has no greater reason insolently to triumoh over the hoi? church, than by the multitude" cf young people, which he- keeps in slavery by sin. And this pious mother counts- no loss more deplorable than that of her dear children* which the enemy snatches from her in their youth, some - by one vice, others by another, but most by the sins of in; purity, which is the strongest chain by which be- holds them in captivity; thus exercising the rage he has conceived against her from her first establishment, bbiI continuing the war he has sworn to wage against sli her children, according to the revelation made by St. John in the Apocalypse. This war of the enemy of mankind against yoi'ng people is a thitfg so manifest, that the same St. Jr hn- ? writing to the fait hfiil, and congratulating every age for tha blessings most peculiar to them, expresses a particular congratulation to young people, for the victory they ha^e ga'.ned over the enemy, as being those -who were most per- secuted. I write to you young men," says he, < : lecavse- yoo 108 • THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, young men because you are strong and the word of God abideth in you and you have overcome the wicked one." Happy are all those young people to whom with truth we may say, that they have conquered the enemy of salvation. I represent unto you here the war he wages against those of your age, that we may congratulate you in that manner ; and that by the persecution he raised against you, you may know first how necessary it is that you should be virtuous in your youth, since the Devil endeavours so powerfully to corrupt you. Secondly, with how much courage you ought to resist the attempts of that cruel enemy, who seeks your destruction with so much fury ? How is it possible you should not stand in horror of that enemy, and dread, more than death, to let your- self be overcome by him ? who seeks all ways to destroy you for ever. CPiPTERX. On the knowledge of True Virtue. The first means of acquiring virtue is the knowledge of it, and the discerniig of solid piety from that which is fa'se and imaginary. Many ssem to love virtue, who are far from it, be- cause they love not virtue, as it is in itself, but as they represent it to themselves, every one according to his own inelination. Some think themselves virtuous when they are not of the number of the wicked. — Others place virtue in abstaining from certain vices, from which they have a kind of aversion. Though, subject to others no less criminal in the sight of God. Others esteem themselves lirtuous if they follow some religious practices, although on the other side they wholly neglect -the interior regulation of their conscience too often defiled with mortal sin. AH these a r e so much the more to be lamented, as they imagine themselves to be in a good way, when they are absolutely out of it \ and thinking to arrive by that couse at the port of salvation^ they fiad them- THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 109 selves at length in the direct road to perdition ; verifying in that respect the saving ot Solomon, u There is a way which seemeth just to man but the end thereof leadeth to death." Virtue, Theotiine, does not depend on the cpinioa of man": it is the work of God. From Him, then must we learn its rule, s ; nce He alose can direct in what man- ner He will be served. Hearken, then, to what God says of it in the Sacred Scripture, and He will teach you how wisdom, that is, virtue, consists in fearing God, and fljing absolutely from sin, and that He has thus instructed man in his creation, (i Then," says Job, that \s > ia the beginning of the world. '- God said to man, Behold 4 he fear of the Lord, that is wisdom 5 and to depart from evil, that is understanding." lie teacheih the same thing by the royal prophet, by whom He gives you the general rule of virtue. (l Decline from evil and do good." Wise Solomon ioforms you of the same truth. <; Fear God,'* 7 says ha, lt and keep his commandments : in that consist the perfection of man, for that he was born, that is kis Ias4 end and real hap pines*. 3 In short, the Sacred Scriptures acknowledges no other wisdom of piety than the fear of God, which it calls the beginning, the fullness, and the cro^n of wisdom. Now this fear is not that which is purely serrile, that is, apprehends more the punishment that detests the sin 5 but is a lovicg fear of the children of God, which makes them hate sin ? because it displeases God, and love gocd, because it is agreeable to Him : like the fear and respect a good child bears his father, which makes them fearful to offend, and diligently seek all means of pleasing h ; m. So tint, Theo'ime, according to tie maxims of the divine school, true virtue consists in the fear of God,, which produces a voluntary observance of His com- mandments, and causes a fear and detest lion of o r « fendmg God above aU things, aud seeks means to please Him, and retain His favour. This alone ought to be accounted virtue \ and that which is not direc- 110 TH£ CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK* ed by this certain and infallible rule, is to be deemed false piety. Chapter XL Of Prayer and Instruction. Of all the means of attaining virtue, prayer is the Kiosl important. It is not sufficient to desire it ; we must search for it with all diligence ; end that we noajr successfully seek it, we must' go to tlpe fountain-head, and beg it of Him, who is the author of if, and bestows en these who beg it as they ought. If any of you want wisdom, let bin ask of God, who giveih to ail abundantly,, THs is the means which wise Solomon employed, to- gether with "that ardent desire of wisdom, whereof we have just cow spoken. For in the same place he says that after he had considered all the perfection of wisdom Le conceived such ardent love for it, that he searches en all sides to find it; and that in consideration of the innocence of his tender age, which he had hitherto pre- served untainted, .God gave him to uaderstand that wis- dom to the effect of his grace, which he could not obfaia without God's assistance ; whereupon addressing him- self to the author of all wisdom he requested it cf him with all strength of his heart, in the prayer we shall se & down in this chapter. Besides this excellent example, the Scripture also* furn shes you with that of the wise author of Ecct&ias- ticus, who describes thus the means he made use of m his youth to acquire virtue ; u When I was jet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom cpenly in my prayer. I p-ayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her. My foot walked in the right war. From my youih up I sought after her I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bercai'ed my ignorance of her. I directed my scul to her, and id knowledge I found hi-r. Ibis fa the way thsso great men took to acquire wis* dom in their early years* The Scriptures proposes it to all young people as the method they ought to imitate for attaining it, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 1.11 It behooves you. Theotime, who by the grace of God aspire to that wisdom, to imitate them, and fellow the way they have thewn. Beg daily of Gcd, with a3! the ardour of your affection, this wisdom, which 're- moves ignorance, banishes sin, and leads by the path of virtue to real felicity ; offering Him from the bottom of yeur heait that excellent prayer of Solomon. ■■ Gcd of my fathers, aid Lord of merey 1 , v*ho hast made all things with thy word, give me wisdom that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me not off fiom among thy children 5 for I em thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid, a weak man, snd of short time, and falling short cf the understanding of judgment and laws, Send her cut of Thy Holy Heaven, and from the throne of Thy Majesty, that she may be with me, and labor with me, that I may know what is accep- table with Thee ; for die knoweth and un^erstaiidetb all things, and sha'l lead sre soberly in thy works, and shall preserve me by her power. £o shall my works be acceptable." With this prayer, ©r some such like it, if* you say it as you ought, ycu will obtain all that you ark for. But remember that it iftfist hctve these three conditions to be efficacious : it must be .humble, iferVeiit, aikl perse- vering. Humble, acknowledging that you cannot ob- tain wisdom or virtue, but from God alone. Fervent,. to beg it with a mo^t earnest desire. Persevering, to beg* it daily, as there is ro way therein the Diune graca is not necessary to preserve cr increase it. Besides the m?ans of prayer, instruction is also ne- cessary for obtaining virtue. Though core hut God can give wisdom, ytt ordinarily lie do*s not bestow it but by the ministry cf men, by whom He is pleased we should be instructed in the paths cf virtue, inspiring by h:s grace our hearts with bis holy truths, at the fame- time that men teach us by their words. For this reason He has established in his Ghurch pastors end d cl< is, as the Apostle says, to ieacb men divine truth*, and e docket them in the way of salvati©». Now, if instruction be necessary for all men, it is* particularly go or young persons who by reasoa of 112 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK* their age, have little knowledge of the maxims of wis- dom, snd are incapable of discovering them without assis- tance. It is not sufficient, dear Theotime, to beg daily, wisdom and virtue from Almighty God : you roust desire and seek after instruction and direction in the way to it from them T*ho know if. This desire of instruction is so necessary for obtaining virtue, that it is the beginning thereof, according to that of the wise man. f 1 The beginning, 5 ' says he, of her [wisdom]} " is the most true desire of discipline." And lastly, that you may be fully convinced, read attentively this excellent exhortation of Ecclesiasticus ; il Son," says the wise man, " if thou will attend to me, thou sha!t learn; and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise. If thou wilt incline thine ear> thou shalt receive instruction; and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise. Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou may est hear exery discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee/ 5 Now there are many ways by which we may receive instruction in virtue, as preaching, and books of piety. But that which is most necessary for you at your age, is the particular direction of a wise and virtuous person, who may teach you the true way of salvation. For Ibis reason the wise man adds to the farmer words; " if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors." Chapter XII, Of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. One of the last means which I assign, but also cne of the most effectual, for acquiring virtue in youth, is devotion to the Blessed Virgin. It is infallible to such who assiduously employ it, because it affords at the same time the most powerful intercession in the sight of God for obtaining his -favour, and tie most perfect model far cur imitation. TH-E CATHOLI0 SCHOOL BOOK. 113 Next to God, and ihe most adorable . humanity of his son Jesus Christ, it is she whom we mu^t chiefly hon- our and love, hy reason of that most sublime and excellent dignify of Mother of God, which raises her above all crea- tures which God had e?er created. Bv her we may receire all the assistance which is necessary for us. She is most powerful with God, to obtain from him all thst she shall ask of him. She i is all goodness in regard of us, by applying to God for us. Being Mother of God she cannot deny us her intercession when we have recourse to her. Our miseries move her, our necessities urge her ; the pray- ers wa offer her for our salvatioa, bring to us all that we desire ; and St. Bernard is not afraid' to ■ say, "That never any person invoked that mother of mercy in his ne- cessities, who has not been sensible of the effects of her assistance." Although the Blessed ¥iCgia extends her goodness ta all men, yet we may say she has a particular regard for young people, whoso fraiity she knows to be great- est, and neceisiiies the most urgent. especial} J for the preservation of clnstiy, which is most assaulted in that age, and of which she is a siuguhr protectress. His- tory is fall of examples of f&U&p, who have preserved this great virtue ia their youth, by the assistance of the Queen of Virgins : and experience affords daily ex- amples of those who have gained great victories, by the recourse they have had to her intercession, and wha have happily advanced themselves in virtue, under the pro- tection and by the grace she obtains of God for them. Be therefore devout to the Blessed Virgin, dear Theotime ; but let it not be the devotion of many, who I think themselves so, in offering some prayer to her more I by custom than devotion, and on the other side, ex- ceedingly displease her by a life of moral sin, which they commit without remorse. What devotion is this, to desire to p!ease the mother, and daily crucify the sou? trampling his blood under their feet, and contemning his grace and favor ? Is not this to be an enemy both to son and mother. ^ 114 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. O dear Theoiime, your de?otion to the Blessed Virgia must not be like that : it must be more generous and holy. And to speak plainly, if you will be a true child, and a sincere servant of the Blessed Virgin, you must be careful to perform four things, 1. Have a great apprehension of displeasing her by mortal sin, and of afflicting her motherly heart by dis- honouring her Son, and destroying your soul ; and if you chance to fall into that misfortune, have recourse readily to her, that she may be your intercessor in re- conciling you to her Son, whom you have extremely provoked. '* She is the refuge of sinners as well as of the just, on condition they have recourse to her with a true desire of converting themselves/ 5 as St. Bernard says. 2. Love and imitate her virtues, principally her humility and chastity. These two virtues, among others, rendered her most pleasing to God. She loves them particularly in children, and is pleased to assist with her prayers those* whom she finds particularly inclined to those virtues accord- ing to the same Saint. 3. Have recourse to her in all your spiritual necessities. And, for that end, otTer to her daily, some particular pray- ers 5 say your beads, or the little office, some times in the week 5 perform something in her honour on every Saturday, whether prayer, abstinence or alms ; honour particularly her feasts by confession and communion. 4>. Be mindful to invoke her in temptations, and in the dangers you find yourself in of offending God. You cannot shew your respect better than by applying yourself to her in these urgent necessities, and you can find no succour more ready and favorable than hers. It is the counsel of St* Bernard. il If the winds of temptations be raised against you, if you run upon the rocks of adversity, lift up your eyes towards that star, invoke the Blessed Virgin, la dangers, in necessities, in doubtful affairs, think upon the Blessed Virgin, let her not depart from your mouth, nor from your heart ; and that you may obtain the assistance of her intercession, be .sure to follow her example." THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 115 If you perform this, you wil! have a true devotion to the Blessed Virgin, .you will be of the number of her real children and she will be your mother, under whose protection you shall never perish. Remember well that excellent sentence of St. Anselm, whfr feared not to say, " That as he must unavoidably perish who has no affection to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and who forsakes her, so it is impossible he should perish who has recourse to her, and whom she regards with an eye of mercy." I shall conclude with aa excellent example which I shall produce for a proof of this truth. St. Bridget had a son who followed the profession of a soldier and died in the wars. Hearing the news of his death, she was much concerned for the salvation of her son. tlead ia so dangerous a condition 3 and as die was often favoured by God with revelatioDS, of which she has composed a book, she was assured of the salvation of her son by two subsequent revelations. In the first place the Blessed Virgin revealed to her that she had assisted her son with particular protection at the hour of death, having strengthened him against temptation, and obtained all necessary grace for him to make a holy and a happy end. In the following, she declared ths cause* of that singular assistance she gave her son and said it was the recompence of the great and sincere devotion he had testi- fied to her during his life; wherein he had loved her with a very ardent affection and had endeavoured to please her in all things. This, Theotime is what real devotion to the Blessed Virgin did merit for this young man, snd for many others. She will be as powerful in your behalf r if you have a devo- tion to her, if you love and honnor the Blessed Virgin in the manner we have mentioned. Chapter XIII. Of devotion to our Angel Guardian and to the Sai?ii of one's ?zame. God loves us with such tenderness, that he gives to 116 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. every one cf us an angel for cur guardian, employing, by His incomparable goodness His most perfect creatures in our service, even those celesrial spirits which are created incessantly to contemplate Him end con- tinually to serve him in Heaven. O Tfooiime, how great is the bounty of God, to depute no less than a prince of his court for the conduct of a poor servant, and as St. Bernard says, excellently well, "Not to be content to send his Son, to us to give ns his holy Spirit, to promise the erj ■>y.ment of Himself in HeaVep, but to the end there should be nothing in Heaven unemployed for our salvation He sends bis angels to contribute thereto their service ; He appoints tbtm our guardians, He commands them to be our masters and guides. Entertain particular leve and honor for him to ¥?hom God has intrusted you. He is always near to conduct and guard you : he inspires yen with good thoughts ' he assists you in important affairs *4ie fortifies you in temptations ; he diverts many misfortunes wnicfi otherwise would befall you, whether temporal or spiritual. He continues these good of- fices in proportion as you have recourse to him.— What is it that you owe not to siich a director an3 guar- dian ? Sf. Bernard says, •- That the being guarded by our good angel ouehi to inspire us with three things * respect, love, and confidence. Respect for Lis presence, love, or devotion for the good will he hss for us, and confidence for the care he has for our preservation. 1. Shew, then, Tbeoiime, a great respect to your angel, and when you are tempted to do any wicked action call to mind his presence*, and be ashamed to do that before him, which you would not dare to commit before a virtuous person. 2. Love him tenderly, and recommen'] yourself to him daily. Beseech him that he would direct your actions, and protect you from the misfortunes of this life* and above all from sin, which is the greatest of all evils, 3. Remember to have recourse to him in a'l your ne- cessities and principally on two occasions. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 117 The first is, when you meditate or undertake any im- portant affair, wherein you have need of counsel and assist- ance. Entreat ycur good angel to conduct you in that affair, so that yon undertake it not except it be accord- ing to tie. will of God, for hh service and ycur salvation, and to assht in bringing it to a happy issue. This means is very efficacious to make your affair succeed, It is im- possible they should cot prosper under so good a guide, who is most faithful, wise, and powerful. The second is, when you are assaulted with any temp- tation, and in danger of offenuing God, H as often as any tribulation or violent temptation assails you, [says St, Bernard,] implore ycur guardian, your teacher, your assist- ant in tribulation." This remedy, Tbeotime, is very powerful in all temptations, especially in those against chastity, of which the angels are lovers and particular pro- tectors ; as being a virtue which makes men like to them- selves, ahd which makes them imitate upon earth their most pure acd celestial life. ' " From whence [says St. Ambrose] it is no wonder if angels defend chaste souls, who lead upon earth a life of angels." Next to your good angel honour particularly ycur patron. The names of Saints are given- us at baptism, that they may be our protectors i rcessors with God, and that by their prayers, and the examples- of their virtues., we may acquit ou selves worthily of the obligations of a Christian life, whereof we make pro- fession in baptism, " Honour and love him whose name you bear. Recommend yourself daily to him. But to obtain his assistance remember to imitate his virtues/' Chapter XIV. Of Horning Prayer. Morning snd evening prayer, the good employ- ment of time, the knowledge of one's self, reading good books, and pious conversation, are means so ne- cessary to virtue, that respiration and nourishment are not more needful for the support of the corporeal Kfe, than 118 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL, BOOK. these things are necessary for the preservation of piety which is the life of the soul, I begin with morning prayer, which the wise man,' j amongst the means be assigns for obtaining wisdom, re- commends earnestly to you. il He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High. He will open his mouth in prayer and will make supplication for his sins." I wish this excellent precept were deeply engraven in the minds of men, and principally of young persons, as one of the most important for living virtuously. If you sin- cerely aspire to virtue, dear TheOtime, you will punctually follow this instruction, which is one of the most necessary you can receive. We owe to God all our actions, hut chiefly the first in the morning ; it is that which is most agreeable to him ; it is by that we consecrate the rest to him ; by it we draw down the Divine blessing upon all our works, and collect the Divine grace for the whole day: as the Israelites in the desert gathered in the morning the manna, which supported them all day. What is very remarkable in that manna, is, that those who failed to gather it in the morning, found it not presently after, because it was melted at the rising of the sun ; whereof the Scripture gives this excellent reason, viz : that God, who showered it down every morning, caused it to be dissolved with the first beams of the sun, u that it might be known to all that we must prevent the sun to bless thee and to adore thee at the dawning of the light." But remember, Theotime. to perform this action in the manner the wise man prescribes ; for he would not have it a constrained, negligent, undevout prayer, but a prayer with the quite contrary qualities ; he says, The wise man will give his heart (that is, will apply his will and affection) to resort early to the Lord that made him j that is to say, will give his first thoughts to God, to adore Him as his Creator, and thank him for all his benefits, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High; that is, will consider the great- THfl CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 119 uess of God, v>ho is present, and to whom he speaks, and considering the infinite grandeur of the Divine Majesty, will attentively offer bis prajers to him with humility and great modesty, and with a profound respect, begging of God pardon for his sins, and ardently sighing after his holy grace. To put in execution these instructions, practise what follows. Every morning as scon as you are up, cast yourself upon your knees in some retired place, and there, 1. Adore God from your heart, acknowledging Him for your sovereign Master and Creator, and looking upon Him as one from whom you receive all that you have or are. 2. Gise him thanks for all the benefits you Lave received from him ; for the favour of your creation, for your redemp- tion by the merits of His Son Jesus Christ, for making you a Christian, a child of the Catholic Church, for instructing you in the necessary truths of salvation and for other parti- cular blessings, 3. Humbly implore His pardon for all the sins of your past life } by which you have so much offended His bounty, and abused his favours. 4. Beg of Him the grace to employ that day in His service without offending bim ; make a firm resolution not to consent to a mortal an; purpose to avoid the occasions, and endeavor to foresee those which may happen that day to the end that you may be armed again st them. P 5. Offer all actions of the day to Him, beseeching Him that he wou ? d bless them, iaspire you, and direct you in all your works, that you do nothing against His com- mandments ; nothing but through Him, that is, by His grace ; and nothing but for Him, that is, for His glory. 6. Recommend yourself to the Blessed Virgin, to your good angel, and to your patron. Perform all this in a small time, but with much fervour ; and be assured, Theotirue, that if you be diligent in this exercise, you will find the truth of that saying of wisdom itself; 120 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. " They, that in the morning earl/ watch for me, thall n\d me." * Chapter XY. Of Evening Prayer. If it be a -business of importance, to begin the day well, it is of no le«s to finish it in the same mariner, In the old law, God had not only commanded a sacrifice for every morning, but also for every evening : to teach us that we ought to adore Him in the beginning of the day, so we owe Him our acknowledgment at the end of it. The principal part of this action u the examine of conscience, which is a thing wherein you ought cot to fail, if you seriously desire to advance in virtue. 1 . . It is a powerful means to cure ill habits, to avoid relaps- ing into sin, or readily to clear one's self of them. 2. It helps to discover the faults one has committed, in bidder to amend and avoid them, to continue a hatred of mortal sin, and a will not to commit it any more. 3. Without the exereke, we fall into many offences, which, baing neglected, leads us into mortal sn,(we are lulled asleep when in sin ) without a desire or thought of freeing ourselves. 4. By this exercise, ordinary confessions are made more easy and frequent $ we amend our lives ; we prevent an unprovided death : we prepare ourselves for judgment by judging our selves. And it is in this condition that we excellently prac- tice that admirable advice of the wise man : tots, having designed you for the enjoyment of his king- dom in Heaven, redeemed you when you were lost, and redeemed you by the death of His only Son, called you to- the grace of Christianity, en ! igbtened you with faith, sr fc<;ts- fied you by His grace, received you often into His mercy,, and replaced you an ong His children, after you had grier- ously offended Him j and a thousand other blessings has He IS* THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. iestowed upon you. Theotime, how is it possible not to tere God, who has loved you so much ? There are two things in God for which he ought to be %gio¥ed. The one is, His goodness, which He manifests mkio as by all the favours and blessings which He bestows w$m us. The other is the goodness He possesses in Him- self, which makes Him transcendantly amiable. For, if 3?£ might suppose a thing impossible, viz., lhat God had saever showed us any favor, ye\ He deserves to be infinitely Loved, by reason of the sovereign goodness and infinite ferfeciions He enjoys in Himself, which render Him saHmtely amiable. When I say we mu*t love God, I ^conclude a twofold love : the first is, for the benefits He Jtas bestowed upon us ; the second in consideration of His aafinite goodness, which renders Him so lovely, that in the 3 his goodness, and be resolved never to commit a siq v$vw any account whatsoever. 2. Fly venial sins as mueb as possible, because they displease God ; and although thej? destroy not His love, yet they diminish and weaken i% and dispose you to fall into mortal sin. 3, Labour to* acquire the virtue so necessary for you, end which He requires of you. It is the property of love, to desire to* please him wbom one loves. If you loye God, Se&t Theotime. you will be careful not only to preserve y©^- self in his holy grace, by avoiding sin, but you will en- deavour to acquire those virtues >cukoow will make jfMfe most acceptable to Him. 4. Often in your heart an*! with your lips, form acts of the love of God ; wish oft*^ that God be served end loved as be deserves. Be trcm?~ bled when you see him offended ; hinder it as much as* you can; and endtavour by your words and example tm move others to love him. 5. Begia from youth to /ow- Him whom you must never cease to love. Atwhattim^ soever you begia to love Him, it will be always too fair and you will always have reason to express that grief which St. Angustin did : " I have lovtd Thee too iat©^ ancient Beauty ! 1 have loved Thee too late, O eter- nal Goodness !" Beg of him frequently the grace to love him as you ought, and daily say to Him from yon? heasf^ those excellent words of David : O God, what have I m Heaven ? and, besides Thee, what do I desire wptm earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God tbs& is my portioD for ever. Chapter XVIII. Of the love of Parents* « He that feareth the Lord, says the wise man, feo^or- eth his parent s, and will serve them as his masters 126 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. that brought him into the tororld. Yes, Tbeotime, if you have the fear of God in your heart, you will ho- nour your parents, and all these to whom He has given authority over you, because it is His will and command. Honour thy father and thy mother ; and if you hon- our them not, ycu have neither the fear nor the love of God. For to contemn a duty, which nature herself dictates, and which God has so strictly commanded, is not to have die fear of God. There is no menace which He bas not denounced against those children, who are wanting in this duty. He says he that afflicted bis father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy. He that curseth Ms father and mother, bis lamp shall be put out in the snidst cf darkness. The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour of bis mother in bearing bim, let the ravens cf the brooks pick it out, and the young oagles eat it. Of what evil fame is he that forsaketh his father ! at,d be is cursed of God that angereth his mother. I wish these menaces were deeply engraved on the minds of all children, who forget ever so Jittle their duty towards their parents. Render then to your parents, Tbeotime, the honour you owe them, considering: 1. That it is just and reasonable. 2. That God will have it so 5 God, I say, whose will ought to be the rule of our actions, and whose command is the most powerful motive to a generous soul. The honour jou ought to give to your parents, includes four principal things which yoa owe to them, viz., respect, love, obedience, and assistance. 1. Bear them great respect, considering them as those from whom, next to God, you have received your being* Never despise them upon any consideration whatever : either interiorly, by any thought of contempt, or exteriorly iy anv words or disrespectful behaviour. Receive with good will their instructions, admonitions and reprimands. My son, says the wise man, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. A fool laugheth at the instruction of bis father : but he that re- g&rdeth reproofs shall become prudent. THB CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 12T 2. Entertain an affectionate lore for them. Remem- ber sajs the wise man that thou badst not been born but through them ; and make a return to them. Now this can oDly be done by loving them. Yet, take notice, that this love must not cnly be a natural and sensible love ; it must also be a rational love, and according to God. To love them according to God, jou must love them because God commands it; and as he commands it, that is in such a manner that you love principally their spiritual good and salvation : and endeavour to procure it by your prayers, and all other means which lie in your power. 3. Show a ready obedience to them, as holding the place of God: yet only as St. Paul advises, in the Lord, because such is his will ; for it is God who commands you to obey them ; and when you obey them, you obey God as, on the contrary, not obeying them, you disobey God, except they command any thing against the honor of God, or your good ; for in those two cases, you owe them no obedience. Nevertheless you must be very discreet on such an occasion, and procure the best advice, that you may not be deceived. 4. You must assist them iu their necessity, in sick- ness, poverty, old age, and generally i n all their temporal and spiritual necessities. To forsake them on such oc- casion, is a very great crime, which cries to Gcd for vengeance. Chapter XIX. Of other Persons whom Youth ought to Honour. Next to ytfur parents, there are other persons you ought particularly to honour. 1. You must honor those who represent them, your tutors, and those who have a charge of your person ; your elder brothers and sisters, for to them there is a respect due. 2. Your masters, whether private or public, from whom you receive instruction in virtue and learning.— You ought to honour them by so much more, as they 128 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, represent your parents, and as the benefits you receive jfiom them, such as virtue aod knowledge (the orna- ment of the mind,) far surpass all worldly riches. And as you owe to your parents respect, lore, obedience, and assis- tance ; you also owe to your masters, respect, love, obedi- ence, and gratitude. 3. You owe a special honor to your spiritual mas- ters such as your pastors, and all those who instruct you in the way of salvation, and chiefly your Ghostly Father. — Respect him much, regarding him as an officer of God, love him as the minister of your salvation; obey him, and follow his advice, in which youDg people are often very defective. 4«. Honour all the persons that are venerable ; either for dignity as priests, whom the Scripture commands you to honour ; or for tbeir age, as old men, to whom young people should show rr.uch respect ; or for their virtue (for if you honour God, you will aUo honour, them that serve him) ; and lastly, men in public authority, whom God com- mands you to honour, as representing his place, and whom He has estab'uhed for his ministers in the temporal govern- ment of mankind* Chapter XX. - Of Swearing and Lying To be addicted to swearing is a very vicious quality, especially in young people. I speak not of oaths appointed by religion to ascertain a truth, when sufficient necessity requires it, a necessity which seldom happens to young people; but of those oaths so common among Christians where the adorable name of God is called upon and taken in vain, in the least aoger or impatience, and sometimes of swearing deliberately, from a dettstable custom, by the name of God on all occasions. This sin is one of the most fatal habits a man can contract; For, 1st. It is a contempt of God. to res- pect so little his holy name, which all creatures adore, and whose sanctity makes all the angels to tremble ; and this notwithstanding God's express prohibition. — THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 129 H Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord tby God in vain." 2. It is an heinous outrage offered to his Sob Jesus Christ, to treat wiih so much irreverence, the precious death he suffered for our redemption, and the adorable b'ood he shed for our salvation ; an outrage which is do less than that he received by the cruelty of his executioners. i( He was scourged [says St. Augus- tin] with the rods of the Jews, and he is now scourged by the blasphemous tongues of wicked Christians. And they sin no less, who blaspheme Jesus Christ reigning in Heaven, than those who blasphemed him when he walked upon Earth." 3. This vice causes many other sins to be committed, for besides that there is no sin multiplies l?ke swearing, when growing habitual, it draws the curse of God upon those who are accustomed to it, by which they are abandoned to their passions, and to the occasions of sio ; for this reason the wfce man said, 14 A man that sweareth much shall be filled with iniquity and a scourge shall not depart from his house." 4*. This vice is very hard to be corrected ; though ever so little rooted, it increases still with age, and becomes at length past remedy, as those who are subject to it, do daily expe- rience. Lastly, it suffices to say, that this sin is the sin of the devils, who are pleased in nothing but in abusing the holy name of God. And it is a horrible thing that Chris- tians, who ought to praise God upon Earth as the angels praise him ia Heaven, should offer him here the same injuries as the devils throw out against him in hell. O Theotime, fly this detestable sin, abominable be- fore God and man, odious in persons of every age, but principally in youth. Remember that the ancient law condemned blasphemers to death, and St. Paul delivered over to the Devil two Christians guilty ©f this crim^: that they may learn, says he, not to blas- pheme. And St.' Gregory relates, how a child accus- tomed to swear, ia his impatience, by the name of God, was seized with a mortal distemper and assault- ed by evil spirits, which caused him to depart this life in his father's arms, who being too indulgent in cor- p3 130 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, reeling him, had bred/ in this child, a great sinner for Hell, as the same Saint observes : The remedy of this sin, when one has ever so little a habit or inclination to it, is to fly the causes, as anger, gaming, wicked company, and all other things which every one knows to be, of themselves, an occasion of swearing. But* above all it is a powerful, and even necessary remedy, to impose on one's self some rigorous punishment every lime he shall fall into this sin ; as, some aim, some prayers to be performed the same day, some fasting to be observed soon alter, or other mortifications. Avoid every degree of oath or imprecations, and other phrases, which though not oaths, tend to swearing upon oc- casion 3 * Christian modesty requires that we should not swear at all ; according to that holy precept of our Saviour, (i I say to jou not to swear at all, but let your speech be Yea, yea ; Nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more than these coneth of evil." Beware also of lying, Theotime, which is not the least' considerable among the sins of the tongue ; and it is so much more important that you should be solidly instructed on this subject, as it is frequent with young persons, and infinitely pernicious when once become habitual. A lie is always a sin, because it is always against truth, known to be such by h''m who speaks ; and although it be not a mortal sin, when it is not a matter of consequence, nevertheless, the habit of lying, although lightly, is not alight thing, nor of small importance. A habit or custom of lying opens a gate to an infinite number of other vices. A lying person will become a cheat and deceiver in his behaviour, double in his words, unfaith- ful in his promises, a hypocrite in his manners, a disembler in his actions, a flatterer and faint-hearted Vhen he should speak truth 5 bold and shameless to affirm lies, impudent to maintain them as certain truths, a swearer, detractor, mis- trustful of every one ; for as he is accustomed to lie, he believes that others always speak false. A mind addicted to lyiog, will easily be so in things of moment, and conse- quently in heinous sins. THB CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 131 Bo that, Theotime, there are few rices more perni- cious, and principally to youth, than this custom of lying. For this reason, be not willing to make any manner of lie for the% custom thereof is not good ; that is, according to the expression of the Scripture, it is very bad. In a word, it is so wicked a qualify of the mind to be a liar, that the Scripture speaks of it in unusual terms. It gays that God abhors it : that tying lips are an abomi- nation to the Lord ; as, on the comr«ry, those who love sincerity in their words, gain his friendship. Thou, O Lo*3, wilt destroy all that speak a lie. Lying is infamous among men. A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline. A thief is better than a man that is always lying ; but both of them shall inherit destruction. Lastly, this vice makes men resemble the Devil, who fa pleased with nothing more than lies. It was ha who in- vented it, and who is the father thereof, as the Son of God has named him with his own mouth. # St. Augustin sajs, " That as the truth comes from God, lying takes it origin from the Devil." And St. Ambrose adds, " That those who love ljiag, are the chil- dren of that detestable fiend, for the children of God love truth." Fly entirety, Theotime 7 this pernicious vice in all occur* renceSj but chiefly in two. 1. When you speak of a thing of importance, that is when it prejudices your neighbour in his goods, honour, or eternal welfare, wherein you must be very cautious, and even more than in regard of jourself. 2. When you speak %> a person who has authority, over you : for then a lie is a very culpable imposture, as well by reason of the respect you then b"eak through, as because it frequently happens that those falsehoods notably prejudice your own good ; or that of your neigh- bour, which you are obliged to promote when it is in your power. Lastly in whatsoever matter it be, and to whatso- ever person you speak, accustom yourself never to teU 132 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. a lie on purpose or with reflection. Love truth and sincerity, in all yonr words. What an excellent quality it is in a joung jnan # when he cannot tell an uotruth without blushing! The just, says the wise man, shall bate a lying word. Beg of God that he give you a hatred of this sio, Jmd frequently offer bin* that prajer of Solomon, Remove far from me vanity and lying words. Chapter XXI. Of Sports and Recreations. Recreation is necessary to relax the spirits, particularly of young people; and ibat wbich is taken in innocent diversion is most proper for them, it being more proportioned to their nature, and the capacity of their mind. Pastime, tben, and recreaiion are not contrary to virtue, but rather commanded ; and it is an act of virtue when it is done as it ought. To be such, it is necessary above all things that the mo- tive be good ; that is, that it be taken to recreate the mind, and to make it more capable of labour, which it could not be able to undergo, if it were always employed. So that labour is the end and motive of sport and recreation. We recreate ours Ives on account of the fatigue we have undergone, «and in order to undergo more. From hence three conditions follow, which muet be observed in pastime, that it may be good and virtuous. The first, to observe moderation; for excess herein renders it no longer a recreation, but rather an employment ; for it would not then be taken to prepare us for new labour, which is the sole end pastime ought to have, but merely for our pleasure, which is a vicious end; yea, it is to make one unfit for labour, because excels in amusement dissipates the spirits, enfeebles the powers of the body, and often times considerably prejudices the btaitb, by the distempers it causes The second condition is, not to have an irregular affection for amusement, as it happens frequently to young persons. This affection makes them fall into the exce33 just mentioned, lose much time, and think continually on the means of dissipation. It generally prevents their applying themselves seriously to la- bour, and when their body is at study, their mind is bent upon their sport and dirertisement. The third condition is, to fty as much as possible from games of hazard, wbich enslaves the minds principally of youths and instead of refreshing the spirit*, load them wrh anxiety; one is there so deeply concerned in losing or winning that it is hard to observe moderation. They play there only out of covetousness and for gain,* which is a criminal motive] con* THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 133 aider also the ordinary losses one suffers, which leave after them displeasure, vexation, and despair ; add to these cheats, unjust gain, cbolor, swearing, quarrelp, with which these sorts of games are ordinarily attended ; the great loss of time, the dissipation of mind and goods, the sinful habits of anger, of impatience, of swearing, of lying, of covetousness, a neglect of duty to God and their family, and adherence to ill company, an aversion to what is serious, and a love to be idle, and to make their life but a change or succession of idleness. Such an unhappy inclination to play frequently continues all their life, to the rain of their Wealth and honour, and reduces them to the utmost misery, as we daily see by too many examples, and in short makes a man in- capable of all good. Avoid all prohibited games, Theotime, as absolutely inconsis- tent with your salvation ; amuse yourself in some laudable diver- sion, which may serve to unbend the mind, or exercise the body, observing therein the conditions we have spoken of, especially avoiding aU excess, which St. Atffcustin, in his confessions, ack« nowl>-dt>ed to be one of the causes of the wickedness of his youth. Now this excess is understood, not only of the time employed therein, which'ought always to be very little; otherwise you will play for gain, and not for recreation, and the sport will be a rack and disquiet rather than a diversion. Besides, the money you lose at play would be better employed amongst the poor, whose necessity will cry one day to God against your excesses, and those of all gamesters. Chapter XXII. The conclusion of all that has been said in the foregoing Chapters* It is certainly, Theotime, of great consequence that yon should be virtuous in your younger years, and that the good or evil life of youth is not trifling, nor a thing that deserves little care or re- gard, as the greatest part of the world thinks ; but that it is a bu- siness of high importance, the truth of which is founded upon all that i3 great and sacred, in what concerns the service of God, and salvation of men. 1. You are obliged fo serve God in your youth, because you ought to acknowledge Him as your Creator and sovereign Mas- ter, for the being you have received from Him, and on account of the most sublime and excellent end for which He has created you; haviog made you for nothing less than to possess Him eter- nally ia heaven, after you have faithfully served Him upon earth. 2. On account of the great favour he has shown you in calling you to Christianity and the Catholic religion, out of 131* THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. which all those who obstinately remain cannot be saved. 3. Because the service of young people is singularly pleasing to God, since He loves them with a particular affection, and iff pleased to confer many benefits upon them. 4. Because you cannot refuse Him your service, without offering Him a heinous ho jury. 5. Because He hath an incredible aversion to wicked young people. 6. Because your eternal salvation has a great dependence upon the life you lead in your youth; so that if you let your affection upon virtue in your younger year?, you will easily pre* serve it the remainder of your life : and if you follow vice, you cannot withdraw yourself but with great difficulty, and perhaps not at all. 7. To avoid the heavy misfortunes which spring from the wicked life of youth, untimely death, obdurateness in sin, the loss of many fair hopes, and the overflowing of vice amongst men. 8. And, lastly, because of the persecution which the devil raises against young people, whom ha continually* endeavours to withdraw from the services of God, and ensnares betimes in dis- orders, that he may destroy them without recovery. After all these reasons, I ask you, whether you cow hesi- tate what you have to do? Are not these considerations powerful enough to convince you of the obligation you have to consecrate yourself to virtue in your youth ? And if you be convinced thereof, what do you mean? What is your design and resolution for the future ? Perhaps hitherto you have not comprehended the greatness of obligation ; but now, under- standing it clearly, 'what judgment ought you not to expect from Gcd, if you be rebellious to the light, and act like those wretches who say to God, Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. The Jews being returned from the captivity of Babylon, the prophet Esdras caused the law of God to be publicly read unto them, from whence ihey had received no instruction during the seventy years of their captivity. That people had scarce begun to hear the law, when they wept bitterly, and made the air resound with their cries and lamentations; so that the priests and Levites who read the law, were more employed to stop their tears, and comfort, than instruct them. This poor people sadly deplored their unhappy Ignorance of their dutyj an ignorance which their own negligence had occasioned. 0, dear Theotime, I beseech the Divine Goodness by His grace to work the same effect in your heart. After reading the truths. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 1J5 I have represented to you, is it possible that you should not be touched with the force of truth and the care of ..your salvation ? And that after reading all these seasons which show the strict obligation you have to the service of your Creator, you dhould shot the book without making any reflections upon yourself, or taking proper resolutions for the future ? I conjure you by the honour and respect you owe to God, by the love you owe to His Son Jesus Christ, your gracious Saviour ; by the concern you ought to have for your eternal salvation ; I coojure you, I say, that yG# do not read these truths unprofitable ; and that when you have read them, you do not cast the Book out of your hands, until you have made a fall resolution to think seriously on your salvation ; to that effect, firmly resolve to lead a virtuous life during your youth, preserving the grace you have received; or correcting your past life by a holy and virtuous one, if it haa been disorderly. • It is here, where you must open your eyes to see yourself, and deplore your past offences, and the blindness which has produced them, saying with St. Augustin, "Wo, wo be to the daikness wherein I have lived ! wo to my blindness, which bath hindered me from seeing the light of heaven ! wo to my past ignorance, wherein I knew not theal I give thee thanks, God, whom I acknowledge to be my illuminator and redeemer, because thou hast enlightened me with thy grace, so that now I know thee. I have known thee too late. O ancient Truth ! I have known thee late. eternal Verity ! n PART III. THE PRINCIPAL FESTIVALS EXPOUNDED; SUNDAY was dedicated by the Apostles to the more par- ticular service and honour of Almighty God, and transferred from Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, which they then abolished, to the day following, in memory that Christ our Lord rose from the dead, and sent down the Holy Ghost on that day, whence it is called the Lord's day : and, Sunday, from the heathens dedicating it to the Sun. The four Sundays of Advent, preceding Christmas, were instituted by the Church with particular offices, commemorative of the benefits of our Saviour's coming to redeem the world by hia happy birth. The four Ember weeks, in Latin Quatuor tempore era times of public prayer, fasting and processioo, partly instituted' for the successful ordination of priests and ministers of the church and 136 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. ■ partly to beg and give thanks to God for the fruits of the earth* Ember is derived from the Greek word emera, a day ; others call, them Ember days, from the ancient religious custom of eating notbiDg on those days till night, ani then only a cake baked under the embere, called ember- bread. Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays, are days set apart for acts of penance and mortification, and a certain graduation or preparation to the devotion of Lent ; being more proper and immediate to the passion and resurrection of Christ; taking their numeral denomination from their being about^feeventy sixty and fifty days before Easier. Shrovetide signifies the time of confession ; for our Saxon ancestors used to say, " We will go to shrift ;" and, in the more primitive times, it was the custom of all good Christians then to confess their sins to a priest, the better to prepare themselves for a holy observance of Lent, and worthily receiving the blessed sacra- ment at Easter. Ash Wednesday is a day of public penance and humiliation in the whole Church of God, so called from the ceremony of blessing ashes, wherewith the priest signs the people with a cross on their forehead, giving them this wholesome admonition, *» Remember, man, thou art dust, and unto dust thou shall return,* Gen. iii. 9, to remind them of their mortality, and prepare them for the holy fast of Lent. The ashes are made of the palms blessed on the Palm Sunday of the preceding year. Lent, an old Saxon word signifying Spring; this fast being observed in the beginning of the year, and in Latin is called Quadragesima, because it is a fast of forty days, except Sundays, which are only abstinence, instituted by the church. Many are the motives for which Lent is established. 1. This fast is the figure of the spirit of Penance, which every one of the faithful ought to conserve throughout the whole of It's life. 2. It is, *s it were a tithe or tenth, which the faithful offer to God, sanctifying by fasting these forty days, which make about a tenth part of the year. 3. This fast is a weak Imita'ion of what Jesus-Christ our Lord performed in the desert, in fasting forty days and forty nights, without eating or drinkinsr. 4. It was appointed in con- sequence of the obligation which Cbri3t our Lord imposed on his disciples to fast after bis ascension. 5. By 'this fast we partici- pate in the snfferiugs of our Lord, in order to have a share in his glory. And, lastly, it prepares us to celebrate worthily, the ap- proaching Easter. Passion Sunday^ so called from the passion of Christ thtn THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, 137 drawing nisrb, was ordained by the Church more closely to pre- pare us for a worthy celebration of that eo^emnity. On this day the crucifixes, &c, in churches, are coTered with a mourning colour; both to coraemmorate our Saviour's going out of the temple and hiding himself, and to dispose ua to compassionate hia Bufferings. Palm- Sunday, in memory and honour of our Lord's triumph- ant entry into Jerusalem, is so called from the palm branches Strewed pnder his feet by the Hebrew children, crying, Hosanna to the son of David. Matt. xxi. And therefore the church this day blesses palms, and makes a solemn procession, in memory of that humble triumph of our Saviour, the people bearing palm branches ia their hands. Maunduy Thursday, in memory, of our Lord's last supper, when he instituted the blessed sacrament of his body and blood, i3 so called from the first of the anthem Mandatum, &c, John xviii. 34, I gave you a new command, that you love one another as I have loved you ; which is sung on that day in the choir, when the pre- late begins the ceremony of washing the people's feet in imitation of Christ's washing those of his disciples, before He instituted the blessed sacrament. Good Friday is the anniversary of that most sacred and memor. able day on which the great work of our redemption was consum- mated by our Saviour Jesus Christ, on his bloody cross, between two thieves, on Mount Calvary, near Jerusalem. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, in Holy Week, the offices called Tenebre, were formerly mournfully sung ia lamentation of our Lord's passion. Hut because the offices are now antici- pated on the evening of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, they have obtaiaed the names of 'Tenebrse day.*,' for that Tenebra, or darkness, which overspread the face of the earth, at the time of bis passion; for which end all the lights are extinguished: and after some silence at the end of the offices, a noiss is made to represent the rending of the veil of the temple, and the disor- der in which all nature was involved at the death of our divine Redeemer. Easter-Day^ in Latin, pascha, a great festival in memory and honour of our Saviour's resurrection from the dead, on the third day after his crucifixion, Matt, xxviii. 6. It is called Easter from Oriens, the east or raising, one of Christ's titles. And his name, says the prophet Zacharias, chap. vi. 12, is Oriens. 'This is the day our Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.' The church repeating frequently these words on this dav, desires that her children, after having shared in the sufferings of Christ, by compunction and penance, should participate in the glory and joy of his resurrection by a lively faith, hoping to rise 138 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. again themselves, by an ardent love, whh their Redeemer, who haying died in satisfaction for our sins, is risen again for our justification; and, finally by anew life, pure, and wholly celes- tial. The Monday following Is also kept holy, in memory of our Lord's first appearance after his resurrection, which is commemor- ated on this day, for the greater solemnity of the festival. Low-Sunday, in Latin Dominica in albaU, the Octava of Easter day, is so called from the catechumen's white garments, emblems of innocence and joy, which they put on at their baptism, and solemnly put off this day. Rogation- Week, the next but one before Whitsunday, is so called from i ogo, to ask or pray ; because on , Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the Litanies are sung; and abstinence from flesh is enjoiued by the church, not only as a devout preparative to the feast of Christ's glorious Ascension and Pentecost, but also to supplicate the blessing of God on the fruit of the earth. The Belgians call it Cruis, or Cross- Week, and so it is called in some parts of England; because, when the priest goe3 on those days in procession, the cross i3 carried before him. In the north of England it is called Gang- Week, from the 'ganging,' or pre- cession then used. Ascer^sion Day, a . feast solemnized in memory of Christ's glorious ascension into heaven, on tho fortieth day after his resurrection, in the sight of his apostles and disciples- Acts i. 0. Whit-Sunday, or Pentecost, a solemn feast in memory and honour of the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles, in the from of tongues of fire, Acts ii. 3. Pentecost, in Greek, signifies the fiftieth day after his resurrection. It is called Wnit-Sunday, from the catechumens being anciently clothed in white, and ad- mitted, on the eve of this feast, to the sacrament of baptism. The old Saxons called it Weed, or Holy-Sunday. In the law of Moses, this day was most solemn. It is believed, that on it God gave the law to Moses upon Mount Sinai. On that day, people offered to God the first frnits of the earth. The faithful ought -to beg of God to be filled with the Holy- Ghost, and to participate of the grace, the light, and charity, and strength, which the same Holy-Ghost communicated to the first Christians, the following Monday is also a holiday of obligation, and the. faithful ought to apply themselves in this week more than ueual to the work of mercy. Trinity-Sunday, the Octave of Whit-Sunday, is dedicated to the honour of the blessed Trinity ; to signify that the work of our re- demption and Banctification, then completed are common to tha Three Divine Persons. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 139 Corpus Christy the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, is a feast instituted by the church in honor of the Blessed sacrament of the altar, it receives its denomination from the body of Christ, substantially present therein, On this day, in all Catholic coun- tries, that adorable sacrament is solemnly carried in procession, the priest and people expressing their highest devotion in hymns and prayerp, accompanied by several other exterior testimonies of pious affection, such as music, flowers strewed along the streets, and their walls covered with the richest tapestries. JANUARY, 1st. — The Circumcision of our Lord is celled New Year's Day, ' from the Romans beginning their year on if. This feast is insti- tuted by the" church in memory of our Lord's Circumcision on the eighth day after his nativity, according to th^ precept of the old law, G^n. xxii. 12, when he was called JESUS, as the angel has foretold, Luke i. 32, and begaa to shed his infant blood by the stony knifa of circumcision, 6th. — The Epiphany of our Lord is a feast solemnised in memory and honor of Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles, by an extraordinary star, which conducted the three kings from the east to adore Him in the manger, where they presented Him with gold, myrrh, and .frankincense, in token of his divinity, regality, and humanity, or his being God, King and Man, The word Epiphany is derived from the Greek, which signifies mani- festation. It is also called Twelfth-Day, on account of i ! 3 being celebrated the twelfth day after Christ's birth, exclusively. On the same day are commemorated our Savioui'a baptism, and his first miracle of turning water into wine, at the wedding of Cana, in Galilee. FEBRUARY. 2d. —The Purification of the Blessed Virgin, or Candlemas Bay j is a feast in commemoration and honour both of the Presentation of out Blessed Lord, and the Purification of our Lady in the Temple of Jems&lem, the fortieth ..day a f ter her happy delivery, performed according to the law of Moses, Lev. xii. It is called Purification from the Latin Purifico, which signifies to purify ; not that the Blessed Virgin had contracted j anything by her child-birth which needed purifying, being the Mother of Purity itself, but because common mothers were, by j this ceremonial rite, freed from the legal impurity of child-birth, 'to which out of her great humility, she submitted. It is also called Candlemas-Day, because, before Mass on that Day, the church blesses her caudles for the whole year, and makes a pro- cession with blessed candles in the hands of the faithful in memory of the light wherewith Christ illuminated the whole 140 THE CATHOLIC I0HOOL BOOK. church at his presentation, when old Simeon styled him, a u light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel." Luke ii. 32. 24— St. Matthias, chosen by the College cf Apostle?, to sup- ply the place of Judas the traitor ; he suffered Marty drom, anno, 74. MARCH. 1 7. — St. Patrick, apostle of Ireland. He was a Briton by birtb, and nephew to St. Martin, Bishop of Tours Being sent, in 443, by Pooe Celestinup, to convert the Irish to Christianity, he entered upon his ministry with such piety and courage, that he subdued the iubabitants to the laws if the goppel of Christ ; and after having governed the church of Iivland sixty years, dur- ing which he is said to have consecrated 305 Bithops, snd ordain- ed 3,000 Piiests, he died in the odour of sanctity, at the age of 12 * years. J9 — Si. Joseph, the reputed father of our blessed Saviour, and fp>nse of our blessed Lady. 25. — Annunciation of our Lady, a feast in memory of the Angel Gabriel's most happy embassy , when, by ber consent and the co- operation of the Holy Ghost, the Sou of God was incarnate in her sacred womb. APRIL. 25.— St. Mark, evangelist, the disciple and interpreter of St. Peter, writing bis gospel at tbe request of the Christians at Rome, he took it with him into Esrypt ; first preaching at Alexan- dria, be founded that Church; and afierwardp, being apprehended for the tiith ci Christ, was bound with cords, dragged upon Stones, and shut up in a close prison, wber- he was comforted by an angelic vision, and apparition of our Lord, Finally, he was called to heaven in the eighth year of Nero. On ihi9 day the long litanieB are said or eung, and abstnence from fl sh is observed, to obtain the blessing of God, on the fruits of the earth. MAT. 1st. — S3. Philip and James, Apostle?. After the first had con- verted almost all Scythia to tbe faith of Christ, being fastened to a cross, he was stoned to death, making a glorious end at Hiero- polis, in Asia, in the year fifty-'our. The second, called also our Lord's brother, was the first bishop of Jerusalem, where, bting thrown from a pinnacle of tbe temple, his tbighs broken, and Struck on tbe head with a fuller's club, be gave up the ghost, and Was buried near the temple, in the year eixtj -three. 3. — Finding the Holy Cross, otherwise called, Holy Blood Bay, A feast in memory of the miraculous discovery of the holy croaa Whereon our Saviour suffered, by St. Helen, mother of Constan- tino the Great, in the jear three hundred and twenty-six, after THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, HI it had been concealed by the Infidels one hundred and eight year* , who erected a statute of Venus ia place of it. JUNE, II. — St. Barnaby ; born at Cjprus, and ordained apostle of the Gentiles by St. Paul. He travelled with him into many pro- vinces exercising the function of preacbicg the gospel committed to him ; and lastly, going into Cypru?, there adorned his apostle- ship with a glorious crown of martyrdom in the year fifty-six. His body, by a revelation of himself, was found in the times of Zeno the emperor, with St. Matbew's gospel in his own hand- writing. 24.— Nativity of St. John Baptist, our Lord's precursor, tb8 aon of Zachary and Elizabeth, who being yet in the mother's womb, was replenished with the Holy-Ghost. 29. — St. Peter and St. Paul are joined ia©ne*solemnity, because they were the principal co-operators under Christ, in the conver- sion of the world ; the first having converted the Jews, the other the Gentiles. They were both martyred at the same place, Rome, on the same day. JULY, 2. — Visitation of our B. Lady , a feast instituted to commemor- ate the visit she paid her cousin, St. Elizabeth, immediately after she had received the angel's message of the incarnation of the Son of God. It is celebrated at this time, when it is probable she returned to Nasaretb, rather than at the exact time she undertook it, about Easter; because its observance at that holy season can scarcely be complied with, on account of the many great solem- nities then occurring. This feast was instituted by Pope Urbain VI, in the year thirteen hundred and eighty-five. 25.— St. James, called the Great, brother to St. John the evangelist, was, about the feast of Easter, beheaded at Jerusa- lem by Herod Agrippa, in the year forty-two. His relics were on this day translated to Compostella, in Spain where they are held in great veueration, people resorting thither from all parts of Christendom, to pay their pious devotions and fulfil their vow* 26.— -St. Ann, mother of the B. Virgin Mary. AUGUST 6th. — Our Lord* s Transfiguration, when he appeared in glory on Mount Tabor, between Moses and E lias, in presence of his three apostles, Peter, James, and John. Matt.xvii. 10.— -St. Lawrence, deacon to Pope Xystus II. was broiled on a gridiron for the faith ot Christ ; which cruel martyrdom he suffer- ed with incomparable fortitude and patience, in the year two hun- dred and fifty three. 142 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 15th>— Assumption of the B. V. Mary, a feast in memory of her being taken into heaven, both body and bo ul, after her dissolution, which by a constant tradition in the church, has ever been piou3ly believed to have happened in the year thirty-six. 24.— St. Bartholomew, the apostle having preached the gospel in India, and passing thenca into the greater Armenia after he had converted innumerable paople to the faith, was barbarously flayed alive by command of King Astages, and then beheaded, in the year forty-four. SEPTEMBER. 8th.— The Feast of her Nativity, of whom the Author of all life and salvation was born to the world. 11th. — The Exaltation of the Holy Cross; when Heraclitus brought it back iu triumph to Jerusalem, in the year six hundred and twenty -eight. 3 1st.— St. Mathew, apostle and evangelist, after preaching the gospel in Ethiopia, was slain at the al tar as he celebrated the divine mysteries, in the year forty-tour. 29tb.— Michaelmas, a festival instituted in honor of St. Michael the archangel and of the nine oiders of holy angels ; to commend the whole Cburch of God to their patronage, by whose charitable ministry we daily receive from God, as the original source, such innumtrable b. nefits. It is called the dedication of St. Michael from the dedicating of a Church to him in Rome by Pope Boniface, III, in the year six hundred and eight. OCTOBER. lgth.— St. Luke, the evangelist, who filled with the Holy Ghost after he had endured many afflictions for the name of Christ, died in Bytbnia, in the year seventy-four. H ; s sacred bones were brought to Constantinople, and thence translated to Padua. 28'h.— S3. Simon, tie Cananite, and Jnde, otherwise called Thaddeus. The 6rst preached the gospel in Egypt, the latter in Mesopotamia, and afterwards going togeiher into Persia, after having converted au infinite number of that nation to the faith, they accomplished their m&rtyrdoai in the year sixty eight. NOVEMBER. 1st.— All Saints, a solemnity in memory of all the saints ; since the whole vear is too short to affjid a Eepara ast fcr each of them. t 2ad,«~ All Souls, a day appointed by the Chureb for the living to offer up their prayers and suffrages for the repose of the faithful- departed. 30th.— St. Andrew, apostte, having preached the gospel ia THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 143 Thrace and Scythia, he was apprehended by Egeas the procon- sul ; he was first imprisoned,then mo3t cruelly beaten, and lastly fastened to a cross, where he lived two days, preachiug to the people ; and having besought our Lord not to permit him to be taken down, encompassed with a great light from Heaven, he gave up his blessed sou', at Patras in Achaia, in the year sixty- nine. DECEMBER. 8th. — Conception of the glorious and ever B. V. Maty, Mother of God ; a feast insiituted by St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canter- bury, in the year one thousand and seventy, and commanded af- terwards by Sextus IV. to be generally observed, in the year fourteen hundred and forty-six. 21st. — St. Thomas, apostle ; hav ? ng preached the gospel to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, and Hjreaos, he went iato India, where be instructed the people in the Christian faith : for which, by the King's command, he was pierced through the body with lance3, and gave up his blessed saul at Calamiua, in the year forty -four. 25th. — Christ's Nativity, a solemn festival celebrated annually by the Catholic Church from the time of the apostlep, in com- memoration of our Savioui'3 birtb at Bethlehem, called Christmas from the mass then celebrated in honor of his holy birth. The nativity of our Lord is a great subject of joy^to Christians : all ought to participate in the joy which the angels declared to the shepherds. Christ being born for the salvation of a.1): This joy consists in giving glory to God and in relishing the peace given to men of good will. The faithful ought to give pre-*t attention to this adorable mystery. They ought not to fail to receive the most holy sacrament ; they ought to go to church, as the shepherds went to Bethlehem, full of faitb, admiration and .gladness ; beholding the Son of God made man; they ought to adore him, to give him thanks, to learn from the child Jesus humility, simplicity, a contempt of riches, flying from honors, a retirement from the world, e elf denial, the love of sufferings, mortification, penance; tbey ought to refract on the excess of charity, wherewith the Eternal Father hath loved u?, having given to us his cn ] y Son, to deliver us from sin; and, by such a reflexion, to excite themselves to love God with their whole heart and most earnestly to hate sin. 26. — St. Stephen, the first martyr after Christ's ascension, was Stoned to death by the Jews, in the year thirty -four. 17.— St. John, apostle and evangelist ; after writing his go?r>?J, hi3 banishment, and receiving his Revelations, lived to the time of Trajan the emperor, and both founded and governed the 144 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK, Churches of Asia. Finally, worn out with old age, he died at Ephesus, aged ninety-three, in the year sixty-eight, and was hur- ried near the same city. 28th. — Holy Innocent?, a feast in commemoration of the iofints barbarously slaughtered by Herod, when he sought to take away the life of our blessed Saviour. It is also called Cbilder-Mass Day, from the particular commemoration of those martyred chil- dren in the Mass of that day. 19th. — St. Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, and patron of the EngHsh clergy, for maintaining the privileges of the Cburch of God, was martvred at Vespers in his own cathedral, in the year one thousand one hundred and seventy. The several festivals of the saints are instituted by the Church to honor God in his saints, to teach us to imitate their virtues, and honor their martyrdom and sufferings for the faith of Christ. NECESSARY RULES FOR A CHRISTIAN. Often examine your thoughts, words, and action?, especially after much business, conversation, etc , that you may discern and amend your faults. Hold your peace in such things as relate not to you, and where your speech is not for the honor of God, and good of your neigh- bour. Often call to mind your past life, and what our Saviour suffered for you in every moment of his. Live aS if you had nothing, and yet possessed all things; and remember that meat, drink, and clothes, are not the riches of a Christian. Offer yourself entirely to God ; and though yon have nothing to return for his favours but yourself, you will be comforted when you consider, that He gives all that gives himself. Toe apostles quitted their poor bo its and nets, and received f»r them a most ample reward. The poor widow gave only two mites, and hsr offering was preferred before those of the richest. He easily parts with all things, who considers that he must die end be separated from them. Use no extravagant or nnusual gestures in open assemblies but on all occasions observe a becoming modesty and discretion. In all occurrences of life, prefer that which conduce the most to th9 service of God : as to comfort the afflicted, reconcile such as are at variance, visit the sick and imprisoned, and relieve the $>oor. Never go to rest at night with any disquiet or trouble on your mind, but endeavour to pacify your conscience by an act of con- trition, or by confession, if necessary. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 145 Often confess your sins, and make frequent acts of contritioo, aspiration, or ejaculatory prayers, so that you may prevent the deceits of the Devil, conquer temptation, avoid sin, and live under the continual protection of God. PRAYERS TO BE USED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. A PRAYER WHEN WE ENTER INTO THE CHURCH. How awful is this place ! this is the house of God, and the gate of Heaven ; vouchsafe. to purify me, Lord, and grant that I may here think of nothing but of Thee. A PRATER AT GOING OUT OF THE CHURCH. Happy are they, Lord, who always dwell in thy house, and who are employed in nothing but in praising thee. I am going where I believe thy providence carries me ; in every place I shall always find Thee present A PRAYER BEFORE SPIRITUAL READING. Happy is the man who is well instructed in thy holy law, my God. Give me the spirit of understanding, the docility that is necessary, and an ardent charity for putting in execution what thou shalt make me know to be acceptable to thee. A PRAYER AFTER SPIRITUAL READING. Make me love the truth which thou hast made known to me, my God, and grant me the grace to practice what I know to be according to thy holy will. A PRATER BEFORE VISITS AND CONVERSATIONS. Seeing that my tongue is to celebrate Thy praises for all eter- nity, my God, permit me not to offend Thee in this visit and conversation. A PRAYER AFTER VI3ITINGS AND CONVERSATIONS. Vouchsafe to pardon, O Lord, aH the faults committed in this entertainment, and permit not my words ever to be a scandal or offence to any one. Q \ 146 THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. A PRAYER BEFORE GOING OUT OF THE HOUSE. Vouchsafe, Lord, to direct me in thy way of Justice and truth, and remove far from me all occasions of sin. A PRAYER AFTER RETURNING HOME. I give Thee infinite thanks, my God, for having preserved me from se msuy dangers; and I besf cf thy infinite mercy to bring me at last to Thy heavenly country. A P *YER WHEN WE BEGIN ANY WORK. I offer unto Thee, Lord, this toy work, and beg of Thee to be the director of it, as I hope Thou will be the reward thereof. A PRAYER AT THE END OF WORK. I give Thee thanks, Lord, for the blessing given to my work, and X bsgof Theo to accept of it in satisfaction for my sins. GRACE BEFORE EATING Bless to us, Lord, all these thy gifts, which we are about to receive of thy bounty : through Jesus Chri3t our Lord. Amen, GRACE AFTER EATING. We give thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits; who livest and reighest world without end. Amen. ANOTHER PRAYER. Vouchsafe, Lord, to nourish my soul, as Thou hast fed my body ; and grant that after temporal nourishment I may have eternal life. Amen. TH1 CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 147 THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. THE LORD'S PRAYER, Our Father, who art in Heaven," hallowed be Thj name \ Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"; give us this day our daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us , and Uud m not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil. Amen, THE ANGELIC SALUTATiON. Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee. Blessed art tbon amongst women"! and bles3ed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS. Holy Mary, Mother of GoJ, pray foi us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. THE APOSTLES' CREED. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth ; and in Je^us Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontias Pirate, was crucified, dead and buried ; he de- ascended into Hell; the third day he rose again from the dead ; he ascended into Heaven ; sitteth at the right hand of Go^, the Father Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of s ns. the resurrection of the body, and life 6veilasting. Amen. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. I am the Lord tby Lord, who brought Ihea out of the land of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage. 1. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou sbalt not make to thyself any graven tbinqr, nor any similitude that is in Heaven above, or in the Earth below, or of things that are in the water under the Eirth ; thou shalt-not adore nor worship them. I am the Lord thy God, strong and jealous, visiting the sins of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation of them that bate me, and showing mercy to thousands of those that love me and keep my commandment?. 148 THE CATHOLia SCHOOL BOOK. II. Thou e- alt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takea the name of the Lord fcia God in vain. III. P??cember thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work ; but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. On it thou shalt do no work, neither thoa, nor thy sod, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger which is within \l v gate*. For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, uui me sea, and all that are ia them, and rested on the seventh day ; therefore hath the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and sanctified it. IV. Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may be long ia the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee. XT . Tho i h^t not kill. VL T vju shalt not commit adultery. VII. Thou shalt not steal. VIII. Thou shale not bear false witne33 against thy neighbour. IX. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, nor his man- servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any- thing that is his. THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS. I. Baptism, Matt, xxviii. 19. 2. Confirmation. Acts vii. 17. 3 Eucharist, Matt. xxvi. 26. 4. Penance, John xx. 23. 5. Ex- treme Unction, James v. 14, 6. Holy Orders, Matt. xxvi. 7. Matrimony, Matt. xix. 6. THE THREE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES. 1. Faith. 2. Hope. 3. Charity. THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES. 1 Prudence. 2. Justice. 3. Fortitude. 4. Temperance. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST. 1. Wisdom. 2. Understanding. 3. Counsel. 4. Fortitude 5. Knowledge. 6. Godliness. 7. The fear of the Lord. THE TWELVE FRUITS OF ^HE HOLT GHOST. 1. Charity, 2. Joy. 3. Peace. 4. Patfence. 5, Benignity. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 14$ 6. Goodnes3. 7. Longanimity 8. Mildness. 9. Faith. 10 Modesty. 11. Continence. 12. Charity. TWO PRECEPTS OF CHARITY. 1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart with thy whole soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, 2. And thy neighbour as thyself. PRECEPTS OF THE' CHURCH. 1. To keep certain appointed days holy, wLicn o l>liga : -v con- sists chiefly in hearing Mass, and resting from servile works. 2. To observe the commanded days of fast and abstinence. 3. To contribute to the support of your pastor. 4. To confess your sins to your pastor, at least once a year. 5. To receive the blesssd sacrament at least once a year j and that about Easter. 5. Not to solemnize marriage at certain times, nor within cer- tain degrees of kindred, nor privately, without witnesses. THE CORPOREAL WORKS OF MERCY. 1. To feed the hungry. 2. To give drink to the thirsty. 3 To clothe the naked. 4. To visit and ransom captives. 5. To harbour the harbourless. 6. To visit the sick. 7. To bury the dead. THE EIGHT BEATITUDES. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 2. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. 3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. 4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled. 5. Blessed are the^merciful, for they shall find mercy. 6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. 150 £BE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. -1. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sons of GodL 1 Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. OF SIN. Sin is tv*o-io: ^ Chastity Wrath, g s Meekness, Gluttony ^ |£ Temperance, Envy, 5 ^ Brotherly-love, Sloth, Diligence. Six Sins against the Ifoly Ghost, 1. Despair of salvation. 2, Presumption of God's mercy. 3. Impugning tha known truth. 4. Envy at another's spiritual good. 6. Obstinacy in sin. 6. Final importance. Things necessary for a Penitent Sinner. Contrition of heart. Entire confession to an approved priest. Satisfaction by works. Contrition consists in a hearty displeasure at sin past, for the love of God, and a firm resolution not to sin any more. Four Sins crying to Heaven for Vengeance. 1. Wilful murder. 2. Sodomy. 3. Oppression of the poor. 4. Defrauding labourers of their wages. Nine ways of being accessory to another person's sins. 1. By counsel. 2. By command. 3. By consent. 4. By pro- vocation. 5. By praise or flattery. 6. By concealment. 7, By paxtaking. 8. By silence. 9. By defence of the ill done, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOOK. 151 Three Eminent Good Works. i. Alms-deeds, or works of mercy. 2. Prayer. 3. Fasting, Three Evangelical Counsels. 1. Voluntary poverty, 2, Perpetual charity, 3. Bnth 1 * obe- dience. The Four Last Things to he Renumbered, 1. Death, 2. Judgment. 3. Hell. 4. Heaven. APPROBATION. We have seen and approved the book called The Catholic School Eook, and we recommend the use of it in our Diocese. f Ig. Bishop of Montreal. Montreal the 1st of July, 1843. Baltimore, 8th July, 1824. The Catholic School Book is in my judgment, an elementary work of singular merit. I will rejoice to see it introduced into all the Catholic Schools in chis country. Amb. Archbp. Bait. New- York, 1st Sept., 1824. I have read the Catholic School Book, and believe it to be well adapted to the understanding of youth, and calculated to give them early ideas of morality and virtue. I therefore recom- mend its adoption to our Schools, to the Clergy and Laity of this Diocese. John Connolly, R. C. Bishop of New-York. Sir, — Having looked over your Catholic School Book, I think it right to tell you, that in myopinoin it is far the most complete work of its kind in our language, and eminently entitled to the patronage of the Catholic public. What I particularly admire in it is, that, instead of those trifling, and in some instances, irreli- gious stories to be found in books of the same nature, it contains a series of Moral Lessons and Scripture History, proper for the instruction, and adapted to the understanding and abilities of children, who are learning to read. As such, I shall not fail to recommend it in those places of education over which I have any authority or influence. I am, Sir, Your faithful servant, J. Milner, D.D. Mr. W, E. Andrews. m tag-Free** Ph 8.5, Buffered LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 003 343 462 5