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HfJ'O. 
 
 «f the Bithops of the Ecclesiastical Provlnee of Quebec, assembled 
 
 at Montreal. 
 
 t®I^ %^ S^Sl5)£9|pS <^the Ecclesiastical Province of Quebec, (mem. 
 bled at Montr eaU Sfc.^ to the Ciergy and the Faithful of the said Province, 
 Greeting and Blessing in Our Lord Jesus-Christ. 
 
 We feel happy, dearly beloved brethern, in being able to lay before you to-day 
 the result of our deliberations, commenced on the morning of the first day of May^ 
 that delightful montli which the tender piety of a great number among you have cmi- 
 tributed to make one lovely and continued holiday. T vas in the blessed sanctuary- 
 of Notre-Dame-t'e-Bonsecours (hat, accompanied hy a great number of the clergy, 
 we commenced our session on the very -day that the faithful entered upon the pious 
 exercises of tlie month of Mary. That, deaily heloved brethern, Ivhich has ex<!lu- 
 sively engaged our attention during our several meetings, 'was our solicitude to 
 preserve intact tlie sacred deport of your faith, which has been confided to our 
 pastoral vigilance, and for which we may shortly have to render a strict account. 
 For we expect above all others to be judged more severely on that 
 dreadful day when the just judge Will give to each one accordingly to his 
 ■works. « For the time is tlutt judgement should begin at the house of God. " 
 Tempus est ut incipiat judicium d domo Dei (1st Peter IV, 17). «< Fw a 
 most severe judgement shall be for them that bear rule. " judicium durissi- 
 mum his qui prasunt, fiet (Wisdom Vl, «) . We only will be strengthened and 
 sheltered from the strokes of tSod's itiexorable justice, Avhen he tvill demand an 
 account of our administration, by our being enabled to-sayinall truth with the 
 Apostle, that We liave laboured with our whole might to prevent the faith from 
 failing. ^^ I have preserved the faith. " Fidemservavi {^Tm.W.l). 
 
 Alas ! have we not reason to apprehend that we will be unable to bring this 
 •consoling testimony, to the foot of that tribunal, at which justice itself shall be 
 
 
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 judged? For ravenous wolves have entered into our fold, and from their threatening 
 attitude, we have reason to fear that they are seeking to devour our ciierished flock. 
 This it is, which often fills us with alarm, and which, after the severe labours of iho 
 day, disturbs our nocturnal repose. 
 
 These ravenous wolves are those bad books, which have at the present time more 
 circulation than ever in the world, and which, by their erroneous doctrines, deprive 
 the Good Shepherd of many souls whom a blind security prevents from seeing their 
 danger. These bad books, which you will permit us to specify, dearly beloved 
 brethern, are those spurious bibles, those immoral sheets, those lying pamphlets, 
 those irreligious journals, those publications inimical to all order, which are typified 
 by those clOuds of locusts, which St. John saw arisiflg'from the bottsmless abyss like 
 ft black smoke, tormenting, tvilh all the strength and virulence of the scorpion, tlio 
 wicked who blush to wear, on their impious foreheads, ilio sign of the living God. 
 " And from the smoke of the pit there came out locusts upon the earth," Dc 
 fumo putei exierunt locusta in terram (Apoc. IX. 3.). Do not suffer into your 
 houses, any of ^those bad books which hell is daily belching forth from its broiling 
 entrails, in order to seduce the nations and enrol them under the standard of Satan, 
 and thus prepare them for the great combat which is waging against the Irving God. 
 If you do, you will be nurturing so many serpents in the bosom of your families, 
 and which, reposing with your tender and innocent children, will not fail to corrupt 
 their principles and deprave their hearts. 
 
 Put no trust, dearly beloved brethern, in these deceivers who affect so much zeal 
 to induce you to 'read the word of God in those bibles wliicli they hawk about in 
 all directions, like ordinary merchandize without any charge. These men are 
 evidently those sanguinary wolves, who are disguised under the garb of sheep in 
 order that they may the more noiselessly insinuate themselves into the fold of Christ, 
 and there commit frightful carnage among his cherished [flock. Tor it is evident 
 that every spurious bible, were it to contain but one single error, is no longer flie 
 word of God, but a damnable book, a thousand times more dangerous than those 
 good liquors into which a single drop of poison lias been infused. Who is there so 
 ' rash as to endanger his life for the pleasure of tasting the deceitful sweetness of 
 poisoned drinks. Ah ! is it possible that persons will remain so careless, when 
 tjie life of the soul is at stake, and so diligent, when there is only question of that 
 of the body .' 
 
 Do not read therefore those bibles, without notes and approved interpretation, 
 •which are offered you by your ennemies. For the Apostle St. Peter warns us that 
 there are in'the Holy Scriptures, passages hard to he understood, which ignorant or 
 
J 
 
 •baaiy-tlisposfd persons interpret in a falsa sense not only to their own, but also to the 
 •spiritual destruction of their brethern. " Which the unlearned and unstable 
 wrest, as also the other Scriptures, to their own perdition." Qute indocti el 
 tnstabiles depravant, sicvt el coeteras scnpltiras, ad suam ipsorum perdUionem 
 (II. Pet. III. 16). Keep your doors closed against those numerous tracts which 
 • flre hke dust which t*ie wind agitates and blows -about in ^11 directions. They are 
 the production of those men who, in 1837, declared, in iheir speeches and letters, 
 that the time was arrived to gain over to their party the catholics of Canada, because' 
 they had lost all confidence in their priests. Experience, however proved that this 
 was an impudent calumny. You may rest assured, dearly beloved brethern, that 
 It is the pestiferous breath of these wicked doctrini«s, which scatters in every 
 direction those swarms of productions, as insidious as the fpirit of error from whence 
 they sprung. They are truly those mists which emerge so abundantly from the 
 taverns of hell, to obscure by their gloomy darkness the horizon of your happy 
 •country, so pure and so steadfast in the faith even in these latter times. Will you 
 sutTer a breach to be made in the faiih of your fathers ? Oh ! no,: on the contrary 
 you will bequeath to your children this ancient faith as their most precious 
 inheritance. Your posterity too in passing away into the realms of immortality 
 will hand down to their successors, with veneration and respect all the traditions 
 M*f our holy religion. " Gur Fathers have declared to us." Palres nostri 
 annuntiaverunt nobis (Ps. XLIII. 2). 
 
 Keep your ears closed then against theseductive speeches of those designing men, 
 who pretend to have your interests at heart, in order that they may induce you to 
 •forget the respect and obedience which you owe to your lawful pastors. You will 
 recognise them by their proceedings, and by the striking characteristics which St. 
 Jude has ascribed to them. " These are clouds without water which are carried 
 about by winds ; trees of the autumn, unfruitful, twice dead, plucked up bt, 
 the roots" (Jude 12). ^ f r j 
 
 How strong are these expressions and how calculated to give us an idea of tha- 
 
 continued agitation of the enemies of God andihe barrenness of their works ! " These 
 
 are raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion, wandering 
 
 stars" (Ibid. 13). How tempestuous is the sea of our passions when agitated 
 
 against God and against his Christ ! What madness then to embark upon it with the 
 
 certainty of being shipwrecked ! Who will dare to collect that filth which taints its 
 
 -shore, namely those writings which contain so much poison and malice. " These 
 
 ' are wandering stars to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever " ( Ibid ) . 
 
 What. human pen could so well describe the character of these wicked men, who 
 
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proclaim themselves publicly as tlio guides of the people, who arc incessaiirtf 
 revolting against all authority, and rushing into those fearful commotions, which 
 shake or destroy society. *« Theae are murmurera full of complaints, walking 
 according to their own desires, and thetv mouth apeaketh proud things " 
 (Ibid. 16). 
 
 By these wori«s, dearly beloved brethern, you will discern the enemies of God, 
 and shun them with horror. " Shun these. " Hoa devita. Tliey affect indeed 
 a profound respect for the religion of their fathers, but it is by their works and 
 not by their professions that you are to judge them. Do they march at your head 
 on the path of religious duty ? Do they accompany you to the confessional ? Do 
 I hey shew you the road to the holy table ? " By their fruits you shall know 
 them. " Afructibua eorum cognoscetia eoa. 
 
 If you listen to them, they will tell you that they respect religion with their 
 whole soul, and that it is only of the faults of its ministers Ihey complain. As for 
 you, dearly beloved brethern, what must you think of those unnatural children who 
 despise their fathers and who affirm that they sincerely love a religion which com* 
 mundi them to honour their parents ? Are they not, in your eyes, monsters 
 accursed of God and men. For it is unnecessary to remind you that the priest is 
 the father of the parish, the bishop father of the diocess, and the Pope father of 
 the entire Church. Consider then how enormous a crime it is to insult them, and 
 to endeavour to misrepresent them. 
 
 Some priests, you will say, have given scandal. Undoubtedly they have. St. 
 Peter was weak ; St. Paul was a persecutor, and others too were faithless. But 
 does it follow from this, that you are permitted to attack the whole body ? Assuredly 
 not. Otherwise the Angels would merit abuse, for there were bad ones in heaveu< 
 Judas did not tarnish in any manner the glory of the sacred col'ege, and the holy 
 apostles, although they were cowardly and pusillanimous, during the passion of their 
 good master, were not the less worthy of veneration for having so nobly expiated 
 their foult, by boldly and fearlessly preaching the faith to all nations. It is not out 
 of place to say here with St. John : " If any one says that he is without sin, he 
 is a liar." Yes, dearly beloved brethern, we avow that we are all sinners, and 
 therefore we must admire the infinite mercies of God who wishes to save you through 
 the means of our ministry and who, for that purpose, has attached a certain respect 
 to us, which cannot be slighted, without slighting God himself. " He who des- 
 pices you despices me." Qui vos spernit me apemit. 
 
 In order to instil into the minds of the people the hatred and contempt which they 
 Ijave sworn against the priests, they have collected into their journals, the filth of all 
 
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s, monsters 
 
 5 
 
 agcj and countries, and have flung it in the face of their clergy, aa if thej were 
 responsible for the faults of all the clergy in the world, from the days of Judas to the 
 present time. They glory in proclaiming, before their seperated brethern, the 
 number of bad priests, bad bishops, and bad popes who have existed. And why all 
 this .> Ah ! is it not, that they may the more effectually infuse their frightful prin- 
 ciples into the minds of the people, and persuade them that they are not bound to 
 pay attention to priests, bishops or popes. And why have they recourse to these 
 tactics ? Tiie answer may be given in two words : it is because the clergy use the 
 influence with which Heaven has invested them, for the maintenance of order, and 
 the peace of society ; this it is, which these men in their arrogance, cannot endure. 
 You may rest assured, dearly beloved brethren, that all authority would soon be 
 destroyed, if they would succeed in their destructive projects. For you cannot but 
 know that, when the voice of the priest is no longer listened to, it is in vain for 
 fathers and mothers, judges and magistrates, ministers and kings to raise theirs. 
 Nothing then remains, for the government of families and nations, but brute force, 
 which will not be long available against the passions, when they have lost all 
 restraint. We will then, like other nations in similar circumstances, be plunged 
 into a frightful anarchy, during which men will cut each other's throats, in their 
 struggles for power. And who will be the victims of this dreadful disorder ? History 
 but too clearly shews that it is always the poor people. Yes, dearly beloved brethren, 
 you may rest assured that they will be led to destruction, while they are made believe 
 that they are on the road to liberty. Events of a harrowing nature have lately 
 occurred to prove the truth of what we afllrm. The thousands of mangled bodies, 
 over which have marched those bloody revolutions, which have lately disturbed 
 Europe, send forth from their tombs a mournful cry which joins in concert with us 
 and warns you that it is the people who, in purse, person and blood, pay the expense 
 of all revolutions. We would be forgetful of the most agreeable of our duties, thnt 
 of sacrificing ourselves for your happiness both in this worW and the next, if we 
 would neglect for a moment to do all our power to preserve you from such misfor- 
 tunes as these. The Lord has appointed us the sentinels of his people ; and for 
 that purpose we are placed Jon the lofty mountains of Israel in order that we may 
 perceive the ennemy at a distance, and sound the tocsin of alarm in time to warn 
 you of the danger. Those, who have so gratuitously declared themselves our 
 enemies, well know this, and therefore they wage against us war to the knife. 
 They seek to cover us with opprobrium, in the face of the entire country, because 
 they know that we effectually use our influence in preserving you in the paths of 
 *rder and peace. Happy are we, dearly beloved brethera to b« enabled to suffer 
 
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 Komelhing for tlio luve of you ! Ah ! how willingly would we lose our lives lo 
 preserve you from the woful misfortunes which liavo befalion so many other 
 people ! May Heaven grant that this land may never be purpled with your blood I 
 May it run more strong and vigorous in your veins, that you may clear and cultivate 
 and fertilise this country, and tluis may you be rewnrded a iiundred fold, and you 
 and your children bo supported in affluence to the last generation. 
 
 The enemies of the clergy tell you that it is interest which makes us act as we 
 do. But you are too enlightened to allow them to deceive you by such expressions 
 as these. Undoubtedly wo receive from you an honourabia subsistance in return 
 for the spiritual services which we render unto you. But, dearly beloved brethren, 
 do you pay nothing to advocates who defend your cause, to doctors who prescribe 
 for your bodily infirmities, to notaries who draw up your acts, to the citizens wlio 
 make your laws, to the judges who administer them, or to ministers who govern 
 you .' In this, undoubtedly there is nothing unjust. And because we are priests, 
 will any persons have a right to refuse us a just recompense for our services, and 
 endeavour to turn the people against us, as is the case every day, and make them 
 reproach us for the very bread which we eat ? After all, do we not distribute this 
 bread among the widows and orphans .' Is it not towards our mansions that all the 
 misery, which seeks concealment, repairs to be comforted .' Our young country is 
 covered with monuments which clearly attest that we know how to impose sacrifices 
 on ourselves when there is question ol the instruction of our people and (he comfort 
 of our poor. Sixty-eight public institutions scattered over our cities and country, 
 clearly prove that the interests of the people are identified with our own. Listen 
 to a few words of detail. Eleven colleges or seminaries are dedicated to the higher 
 description of education ; thirteen model schools opened for children by the worthy 
 Christian Brothers, who incessantly labour to give them a liberal education, and 
 instil into their minds the principles of religion ; and we confidently expect that 
 from this system, society shall soon heap a rich and abundant harvest ; forty con- 
 vents, offering to your daughters easy means of learning all (hat is necessary to make 
 them the glory of tlieir sex, and the honour of your families ; fourteen houses of 
 charity, which have become asylums for all kind of suflferings and where they labour, 
 night and day, to wipe away the tears which the various evils which desolate the 
 country, have caused to flow. May these institutions, for the good of our common 
 country, be daily more and more developed. The warm sympathies which our 
 countrymen generally entertain for them, are too encouragint; not to make us 
 cherish the highest expectations. That these expectations should be realised fur 
 the happiness of so good a people, is the constant wish of our hearts. 
 
 »'■ ( 
 
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Pardon, dearly beloved brothern, il.e wenkncss of which we are guilly bv thus 
 
 eulogising our works. «' I speak foolhhiy. " In inaipientid dico (M Cor. XI 
 
 21). Bu> we find ourselves obliged to do .o, <lu.t wo imy close 1 ho lips of those 
 
 enem.es of the church who have no hositn.ion in daily publishing (hose false com- 
 
 posuion., (he tendency of which is to inspire you with lamentable prejudices against 
 
 us, ,f you were not put on your guard ; for when you have lost all confidence in 
 
 your priests, you will cease to have any in your religion. It is then for you and 
 
 lor your dearest interests, that we raise our voice to-day. In (his, we imitate the 
 
 example of the doctor of the nations, who, on a similar occasion, saw himself 
 
 reduced to the painful necessity of publishing (he graces which the Lord had con- 
 
 f>-'rred on him, for increasing the glory of his ministry. However, we repeat to 
 
 you what tho Apostle toM (he Coritilhians, in his defence. I( is for love of vou 
 
 and because we have been forced (o do so for ^i.ur sake, (hat we lmv3 consented to 
 
 bo guilty of this folly. " lam become foolish : you have compelled me." 
 
 lactua insipiens : vos me coegistis (II. Cor. XII. 11). 
 
 We have pointed out to you, dearly beloved brethern, with all the freedom which 
 the authority of our divine ministry inspired us, ijio dangers to which your religion 
 IS exposed from the reading of bad books, and your intercourse with men who are 
 unsettled in (heir fai(h. I( remains for us (o specify some of (he means ^^hich in 
 our opinion, arc best adapted, in (hose evil (imes, (o confirm your religious principles. 
 In the faith grounded and aettlecf and immoveable." In fide fundati et 
 stabiles, et immobilea (Col. I. 23). These means may be reduced to (wo, namely 
 instruction, by the establishment of parochial libraries, and practice, by a new zeal 
 for the excellent work of the Propagation of (lie Faidi. These (wo words were not 
 considered by (he sacred penman, unworthy of being applied (o (he character of Jesus- 
 Clirist. Jesus began to do, and to teach." Ccepit Jesus facere et docere. 
 
 The havock caused by bad books, is bloody and cruel. From (hem proceeds a 
 destructive pestilence which infects tho entire earth. A specific remedy is (herefore 
 required ; and (he aposdc in brief but energetic terms points it out to us, when he 
 recommends the reading of good books : '^ Attend to reading." Attende lectioni 
 It IS (here (hat faith finds a brilliant light, and urgent motives why reason should 
 pay obeisance to (he Majes(y of Heaven. '' A reasonable homage." Rationahile 
 obseqmum. Faith indeed is formed from the preachingof the ministers of religion • 
 Faith IS from hearing." Fides ex auditu. It is also to this sublime office of 
 giving instruction, that we have been called by Jesus-Christ, when we were 
 elevated to the episcopacy, which lias succeeded the apostleship. Upon us therefore 
 ias devolved the task of teaching all nations. «« Teach all nations." Docete 
 
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omneM gentea. Oh ! dearly beloved brethren, tliia function all divine has fullrn 
 with full furco on our conscience, at that awfaiil moment when the chun.-li, during 
 our consecration, imposed on our feeble shoulders the book of the holy gospels. 
 At that moment when our handii, marked with tha unctions of the holy oil, wore 
 |)hiccd upon that divine book, and we listened to the command to preach to those 
 entrusted to our care, our hearts then surely stood in need of being strengthened 
 by an all-powerful grace. " Preach to the people entrusted unto you : for Ood 
 i$ powerful to increase for you his grace. " Prtedica populo libi commisso : 
 potent entm eat Deua ut augeat tibi gratiam suam (Pontifical). 
 
 We are thus urgent upon this point, dearly beloved brethren, in order that you 
 may properly understand the extreme necessity which obliges you to do all in your 
 power to procure religious instruction, for it is by it that you will be enabled to 
 resist all the efforts which hell is making to tear owny from you the sacred deposit 
 of the faith. " A necessity is incumbent upon me. " Necessitas enim mihi 
 incumbit. This duty is so pressing that the apostles thought themselves obliged to 
 impose upon the seven deacons the care even of the poor, in order that they might 
 have nothing to engage their attention, but the holy exercise of prayer and the 
 sacred ministry of the word. " But we will be comtant in prayer and the 
 ministry of the word. " Noa vero orationi et ministerio verbi Instantea erimua. 
 It was to enable them to preach the wondefs of God, that the Holy Ghost, on the 
 day of Pentecost, descended upon them in the shape of innumerable tongues of fire. 
 " He appeared to the apostles in innumerable tongues, " Apostolia immensia 
 Unguis apparuit (Missal). And why this, if not to give them to understand 
 that all of them should preach, if they wished worthily to discharge the sublime 
 functions of their office. Since then we have succeeded to the apostolic ministry, 
 every action of ours should, as a tongue, preach the law of God. We have already 
 spoken to you by the lips of your pastors, as its from us they receive their mission, 
 and through us the special grace to be enabled to instruct you, just as we ourselves 
 address you with the full authority of the Supreme Head of the Church, who has 
 delegated us. And he himself has received the plenitude of his power, and his 
 graces from Jesus-Christ, that he might confirm all his brethren in the faith. We 
 also address you through those pious teachers of both sexes, whom we have conse- 
 crated to God to assist us in pointing out to you the road to heaven. 
 
 But this is not sufficient, dearly beloved brethren, to satisfy the ardent desire, 
 which we entertain, to make you shine in all the splendour qf your faith, and make 
 you study the science of the saints. We would wish to be with you always and 
 point out to you your duties on every occasion. But this is impossible, for you will 
 
 
Iiear our voice nnd ihiit of our zcnlom follow-labourcr.*, announcing lo you iho gram! 
 Iruthsof ruligion only on Sundiiys and holidays. To make amends for this inabi- 
 lity, wo hereby establish in every puriih, by the authority which we have received 
 from the Holy and Apostolic See, the Society for the circulation of Good Books, 
 a society which our Holy Father Pope Gregory 16th, of happy memory, has been 
 pleased to bless and enrich with precious indulgences, as you may see in the collec- 
 tion of rules which we herewith send lo you. By this canonical institution, every 
 parochial library will be another pulpit of truth, and the books, which you shall 
 read, will, liku so many tongues of (ire, remain in your houses, make them shine 
 w^ith the brilliant light of faith, and enkindle within them the ardour of charity. 
 These well selected books will, like so many mou'.hs, repeat, when you wish, 
 lessons of wisdom from on high. They will be so many mute but eloquent preachers, 
 who will loach you tho knowledge, love and service of God, the Creator of all and 
 the salvation of your souls, for this is tho principal end of man. 
 
 They will inform you, fathers and mothers, of your duties to your children, and 
 of what your children owe to you ; and by these means you will be all happy. 
 They will teach you, married christians, how to profit of the abundant blessings, which 
 Heaven has vouchsafed to shower down upon you, on the day of your alliance, in 
 order to sanctify you in a state which God has so much honoured, as to raise it to 
 the dignity of a sacrament of tho church. Tlioy will enable all of you, who a.opire 
 upon earth after the peace of a good conscience, to obtain that felicity promised in 
 heaven to real virtue, and they will instruct you, with certainly, how to make good 
 confessions and fervent communions. They will make known to you all tho grie- 
 vous sins, which would remain concealed in your bosoms. Oh ! what consolation will 
 you not experience, whbn all this load is removed from you. 
 
 A good book, in tho house of a christian, is' a freind who gives prudent advice ; 
 a physician that points excellent remedies ; a comforter that dries up our tears ; a 
 director that points out the road of perfection to those chosen souls whom God has 
 called to a more perfect state of sanctity ; n preacher that converts the greatest 
 criminals. And in reality, it was from the reading of good books, that tho church 
 lias gained for God, an Augustine, an Ignatius of Loyola and so many others who 
 from being great sinners, because illustrious saints. Make the experiment, dearly 
 boJoved brethren, and you will soon enjoy the happy fruits. For five shillings a 
 year, yoa will diffuse abundance and felicity through your houses ; for the reading 
 ofgood books will gradually detach you from those false pleasures which require 
 so much to satisfy them. They will cause simplicity to reign in your habits, what 
 wise economy may you not practibo for the interests of /our children. For it is 
 
•i 
 
 m 
 
 10 
 
 wi:h sorrow that we must liere declare »l,at extravno.v.,ce has been the ruin of many 
 families. OJi ! how weak are parents, when their children solicit ijjcm to satisfy 
 their tastes and indulge their propensities. Estimate,' if you can, all (he expenses 
 which you annually incur foi their dress, their rounds and their amusem-^nts. With 
 good books, thny wii! learn to dispense with all this ; they will love the paternal 
 roof, and they will seldom quit it, except for labour, or the exercises of religion 
 Happy will they be if they known but two roads, that to the church and that to 
 the field? which they have to cultivate. 
 
 Good books contain a liqi-or, a thousand times more dilicious than that which you 
 have so coraiaily renounced for the love of Jesu«-C!uist, and which is infinitely ' 
 more expensive. They will be the constant companions of your children, and thev 
 will keep them apart from thoseyouths who are [rone to drunkenness, libertinism or 
 to blasphemy. They will cause them to love their country, to spend their time of 
 recreation in inqocent amusements, with their brothers and sisters, or with those of 
 neighbours. The long winter nights will be passe.l in singing sweet hvmns in 
 recounting striking incidents of history, or in harmless pastime with yourselves an(i 
 under your own inspection You will derive a real felicity by indulging in joys so 
 pure. Are not these family meetings of much more advantage, than those frightful 
 orgies, which have happily nearly altogether dissappeared, and the remembrance of 
 
 of which you cannot call up, without lamenting them and deploring them befor- 
 God ? 4 D - 
 
 With morals like these, which will carry you back to the golden age, when vour 
 forefathers were so happy, do you not see, dearly beloved brethren, from what l/eart. 
 rending regrets you will be preserved ? For, when your chiljiren are far from you are 
 you not continually perplexed with anxiety ? You fear with reason that they may meet 
 with some sad accident. You are expecting, every hour of the night, to see them 
 return in a state of mtoxication ; you constantly dread the loss of their innocence in 
 those long and endless meetings, during which the devil hurls into their young hearts 
 1V<« flaming shafts by which evil desires are engendered, and they are thus 
 abandoned io all the sinfulness of a foolish love. 
 
 To save you from so many evils, and obtain so much good, will you not cheerfully 
 sacrifice a small sum, for the establishment of a library ir. your parish, and will 
 you not persevere in su-^'aining it ? Will you not account it an honour to have there 
 a collection of books, calculated io reform your heart and increase your knowledge ' 
 For, if we are anxious above all things for your spiritual good, we are by ^•^ means 
 indifferent to your temporal happiness ; and we will be delighted to see you. /arish- 
 library supplied with books, which will enable you to obtain this double object 
 
ruin of many 
 lem to satisfy 
 
 llie expenses 
 m>inls. With 
 ? t!ie paternal 
 f of religion, 
 h and (hat to 
 
 at which you 
 li is infinitely ' 
 ren, and they 
 bertinism, or 
 their time of 
 with those of 
 !t hymns, in 
 Mirselves an(i 
 ig in joys so 
 lose frightful 
 lemhrance of 
 them before 
 
 , when your 
 what Iieart- 
 om you, are 
 y may meet 
 to see them 
 nocence, in 
 oung hearts 
 y are thus 
 
 I cheerfully 
 , and wiil 
 have there 
 nowledge ? 
 ' r'> means 
 ou. ,/arish- 
 ble object. 
 
 11 
 
 What advantages will you not then be in the receipt of! What services will you 
 not be enabled to render to your families, ;<) your parish and to the country in 
 general by the information, which you will have thus acquired. 
 
 Moreover all measures arc now taken for bringing to a successful issue the project 
 of establishing a library in every parish. God having blessed it by the anointed 
 hands of the Sovereign Pontiif who represents him on earth, it cannot but prosper. 
 It seems as if wn were already tasting its dilicious fruit. The thought alone that 
 in a few years, our beloved countrymen wiil ho as industrious as they are virtuous, 
 as frugal as they are liberal, as active as they are honest, as good business-men as 
 they are indefatigable farmers, causeq our hearts to beat with joy. For God is 
 witness of the tenderness, with which we love you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 
 " For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus 
 Christ." Testis enim mihi est Deus quomodd cupiam omnes vos in visceribus 
 Jesu-Christi (Philip. I. 8). 
 
 To arrive, as quickly as possible, at such a desirable result, you should employ 
 all the means in your power to promote the education of your children. But, in 
 or-^er that this excellent work may proceed with more rapidity aud success, you 
 should not hesitate to pay cheerfully the small contribution, which the law demands 
 for the support of your schools. You should have the less reluctance in making 
 this little sacrifice, inasmuch as the government, prompted by a desire to extend edu- 
 cation among the youth of the country, has volunteered to share the expenses 
 equally with yourselves. It is for your interest to avail yourselves of this liberality, 
 which otherwise is husbanded with tare by your representatives, the men of your 
 choice and confidence. If others seek to persuade you of the contrary, you may 
 rest assured, that, they are either deceiving themselves, or wish to deceive you. 
 The law concerning education is undoubtedly imperfect ; but you should profit of 
 the advantages which it offers, and pray that it be so amended as to always exercise 
 h more salutary influence. For it is from God alone that we must look for that 
 wisdom, which enlightens those men, whose duty it is to make laws and govern 
 empires. It is thus that you will contribute to the temporal and spiritual advance- 
 ment of your country. You surely love your beautiful country too well and are 
 too sincerely interested in its tranquillity, not to consent to sacrifice your own par- 
 ticular views to the general good. Above all things, dearly beloved bretliren, God 
 and our Country. For in this alone consists the safety of society. 
 
 We have already pointed out to you, dearly beloved brethren, many means for 
 slopping up the sources of error and dispelling ignorance, the unhappy parent of so 
 many abo.T.inabIe lies. There is one other enemy from whom you have much to 
 
 ■ ■■♦s«ftd«f»B-**^ 
 
n 
 
 12 
 
 II 
 
 t1; i 
 
 this 
 
 ilrcaJ, and against wliom it is of importance to put you on your guard 
 bad lift!, which, by a sure process, has engen(h>red more heresies, and destroyed 
 more souls than the darkest ignorance. Indeed your ears, since your most tender 
 infancy, Iiave drunk in that sentence of the apostle St. James : " Faith without 
 works ia dead. " And consequently that faith, far from justifying, renders us 
 more culpable and more worthy of severe chastisement, if good works do not accom- 
 pany it. It is our duly then to warm you in charity of your obligation to labour 
 liard to render certain your vocation and election by the practise of all kinds of good 
 works. " Labour the more, that by good works you make sure your vocation 
 and election. " Magis satagite, ut per bona opera certam vestram vocationem 
 et electionem facialis (II. Pet. I. 10). Wherefore, we exhort you instantly to 
 embrace with ardour and to favour, by all the means in your power, the good work 
 of the Propagation of the Faith, which is already known to you, and which is the 
 source of innumerable benedictions. This admirable society is filling the world 
 to-day with its glorious deeds, which shine before all nations, and by which Our 
 Heavenly Blather is glorified. " Let your light so shine before men that they 
 may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.^' Luccat 
 lux vestra coram hominibus, ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent pafrem 
 veatrum qui in caelis est (Math. V, 16.). Thrown like a grain of mustard upon 
 the earth, scarce thirty years ago, it already has become a great tree, whose branches 
 shelter and whose fruit gives nourishment to the people of every clime and origin. 
 Like to the refreshing fountain of the terrestrial paradise, it too has branched off 
 into four majestic rivers, whose waters fertilize all parts of the old and new world ; 
 and the nations, that thirst after Gospel-truth, are bending over it's banks, to take a 
 long draught of those vivifying waters, which spring up unto life everlasting. 
 
 This association, which has come from heaven, and has been blest by the chief 
 pastors of the church, and encouraged by every generous heart, has founded bishop- 
 ricks, built churches, and established missions, over which, as in the glorious days 
 of the infant church, the blood of martyrs has flowed and has become the seed of 
 new christians. It sends abroad and supports those apostolic men, who like fertilising 
 clouds, cause the dew of heaven to fall down upon those countries, which are dried 
 up arid and parched by infidelity. It causes the wonders of God and the goodness 
 •.>nd compassion of his mother to he proclaimed in every tongue. It causes the holy 
 waters of baptism to flow on the heads of thousands, who hitherto stooped under the 
 yoke of Satan. By it innumerable souls are plunged in the sacred pool of penance, 
 where they wash away all the shameful stains of the pagan. It presents to those 
 purified souls, the delicious banquet of the divine eucharist, whose sweetness surpaste* 
 
 ! 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 h' 
 
I3~ 
 
 d.e. no, require for ,l,i, .bjee, bu, iCZ! S rf ^^ t ""r "" """"> 
 »«ikly .ab.mp.ion a J h.lf.p.„„v L^r„ '^ "^ "'" "^ "» 
 
 neglige,, .. „oL ,.t. . p,,.T3.„ exeet Z^V,', '"!, """'»"• ' 
 wo |,„, ,i,„e comprehend ho, i„por,.n. i. Z. l"..;../ .^'J '^''^ T' 
 
 and we can point with delight to the good which ilZlZau"'"'' 
 
 7i:tr:T ' ' "" ^^ ^^--^"^ ^'^^"^'^^ - •" iVatTind^rr/thT 
 
 which they ha'vfbeq ft t us tl'Zst" '™P't"' '" '''^ ^°""*^^ ^^^ 
 will not resist all the mo'ivl ZhL t ™°** f ^'^'O"" '"herifance. Surely you 
 
 ardent charity WCh st wl^^ T f^'''^' '"^''"'''^ '" ^' «^« ^3^ the 
 
 contribute to'the Z vat^nof h ""?'! "' *" ""'''''' "^^"'"^ H'hW. „,av 
 guarding for yourse r'hil Litl^ 1^^^^^ ^"^''t '^^''' " '"'^ •1"««''0" "> 
 means of realiLg this obL ?« o^ ''""'T . ®"' "'^ -""^^ ^"^^ ^"^^ ^«^««in 
 others, no -tterVlfru 't;" :tn\h:yta%:^^^^^^^^^^ t '"''' *" 
 
 i.ensi.charityw^f^^:rlC^;^l^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 who impart the faith to others, by prayer and off^ZlT 1 .^^''P'* 
 
 agreeable to Heaven than if the^ su^pS^t^r \L^tr VLT' 
 
 Which causes a Zm of Hv n^ II T^^T '"'" ""' *•">* ^''«"*«^'« «»' -"^''t. 
 
 plunged in he d^^ss j e ro' ^ t^^^^ ^i T'"'.*'"" '"'" ""'^' ^'^ «- 
 
 •OMible for , „.♦• r , •n'^dehty, will have their thirst assuaged ' Is it 
 
 feasible for , nation of apostles to live without faith > Oh ! no, assuredly not. On 
 
? 
 
 I( . 
 
 f 
 
 (», 1 
 
 I i ; 
 
 § 
 
 '4 
 
 ^1f I 
 i-i 
 
 I. 
 
 •r 
 
 I 
 
 14 
 
 the contrary, the more etforts it will make to carry abroad the divine light of tiie 
 gospel and make it shine before the nations of the earth, the more firm and lively 
 will its own faith become. 
 
 Of tiiis we have a very striking illustration in France, whence our forefathers 
 came to evangelize this country and bring it under the yoke of religion. For to 
 what can bo attributed the preservation of the faith, in the midst of ihe most fearful 
 commotions, which for more than half a century have convulsed that empire and 
 overturned three thrones, and all the forms of popular government, which they 
 attempted to establish ? Is it not clearly to that lively faith, which, despite tho 
 impiety of a considerable number, is still deeply rooted in it's soil ? This place so 
 much disturbed, where sceptres and human institutions were broken to pieces like 
 vesssels ot clay, still retains it's faith, only because it has imparted it to others. 
 Every year, we see a zealous band of apostolic men departing from it and dividing 
 amongst them the world of infidelity. To sustain them in the labours of their painful 
 ministry, the hands of thousands are raised towards heaven : from the lips of thous- 
 ands, is heard the cry of prayer to the sacred heart of Jesus, the autlior and finisher 
 of the faith : through the charitable aid of numbers of christians, the stream of charity 
 flows over far-distant lands where the efibrts of missionaries keep always burning 
 the lamp of truth. But suppose, which God forbid, that religion would take her 
 departure from us, and go to distribute her blessings among a more faithful people, 
 what think you, dearly belov d brethren, would be the result? That which is always 
 tiic case, when irreligion obtains the ascendancy. You would see your priests 
 massacred or expatriated, your churches prophaned, your beautiful festivals abolished. 
 And then, you would no longer have any pastors to purify your infant children in 
 tlie holy waters of baptism, to instruct them in their duties ^^wards you and their 
 God, to initiate them in the mysteries of religion, to absolve them from their sins or 
 to nourish them with the Bread of angels. Alas ! on the contrary, these poor 
 children of yours would be consigned to the instruction of irreligious teachers, who 
 would use their best endeavous to pervert their understanding and deprave their 
 heart. And as to yourselves, you would not have any longer amongst you the man of 
 God to comfort you, when plunged in grief ; to point out to you the road to heaven, 
 when you have wandered from it ; to reconcile you to your offended God, when you 
 liave the misfortune to sully your innocence by the stains of sin ; ta break to you 
 the bread of strength when you are weak ; to carry to you the consolations of religion 
 when you are on the eve of your departure from this world ; to sprinkle, over your 
 grave, blessed water mingled with tears, when your body is about to be lowered there, 
 and rest beneath the shadow of the cross, to await the awful day of resurrection ; to 
 
Id 
 
 follow you after youi deparfure into that unknown world upon which you will have 
 entered, holding in his hand the chalice filled with the blood of the spotless lamb, to 
 supplicate your Soveroigrn Judge to grant you a place of refreshment, repose and 
 peace. 
 
 These details assuredly make you tremble and you would not for worlds expose 
 yourselves and your children to calamities so dreadful. This however is but a feeble 
 sketch of the horrors which Jhe same cause produced in other countries. It is of the 
 utmost importance to us^then to do all in our power to prevent them from blighting 
 this land of ours. But what, dearly beloved brethren, is the surest preventative 
 against this ? Let us repeat it to you, it is a zeal for the propagation of the faith. 
 God will love you, if you love and practise religion. He will never deprive you 
 of its advantages, if ydu use your best endeavours to extend it and make it flourish in 
 those countries which, up to the present time, are buried in the shadow of death. 
 But even, were this great misfortune not to be dreaded for this country, there are 
 many other motives which ought to augment and inflame your zeal for this delightful 
 work ; but there is one which appears to us paramount, and which cannot fail to 
 make an impression upon you. It is this, that in augmenting the funds of this society, 
 you place it in the condition of being able to increase the services of religion, which 
 it is all important to procure for your countrymen, in order to enable them to settle 
 themselves down on this soil, which Divine Providence has bequeathed to us, as a 
 part of our inheritance. You will easily understand that we wish to make allusion 
 to the colonisation of the uncultivated crown-lands, which are offered to you by 
 government upon the most advantageous terms. Wo have no occasion to inform 
 you that thousands of your fellow-countrymen are at this present time languishing 
 in the country of the stranger whither they repaired inquest ol a subsistance ; that 
 more than twenty thousand of our young men expose themselves to the painful 
 labour of lumbering establishments, in order to avoid leaving their country. In the 
 mean time, thousands of acres of excellent land are but waiting for strong and 
 vigorous arms to clear away the primeval forests, which cover them, and thus reward 
 a hundredfold the labours of the industrious farmer. It is of importance then to 
 direct to this quarter those countrymen of ours who contemplate emigration, and 
 thus retain them in the bosom of our own country, which is sufficiently capacious 
 and rich to contain and support a much larger population. But the most efficacious 
 means unquestionably to attain this object, is to procure for the new colonists, as 
 much religious aid as possible, by which they may be comforted in their parishes. It 
 is principally to effect this object, that you should endeavour to aid the society for 
 ihe propagation of the faith. 
 
 
 II 
 
./ 
 
 s 
 
 jl 
 
 ♦ 1 
 
 / 
 
 
 111 
 
 ,; 
 
 It 
 
 Another work worthy of your best endeavour* is to procure ihb same happiness 
 lor a great number of your fellow-countrymen, who are scattered along our immense 
 frontiers and who are reduced to a frightful spiritual destitution. Where, notwith- 
 standing all the advantages which have been promised them, they live like wander* 
 jng sheep, without churches and pastors. Alas ! the pleasures of our religious 
 festivals are unknown to them. They see no more the glistening spire of their 
 parish church, which so much charmed theic eyes in the lovely days of their infancy ! 
 They no longer listen to the blessed sound» of their harmonious bells, which made 
 their young hearts vibrate with tender sentiments of piety. Our aflecting ceremonies 
 are no longer displayed in all their ro^estic grandeur, before their melting eyes ! The 
 voice of their pastors,, from whom they had learned to lisp the name of God, no 
 longer delights their ears. Oh ( how lis'less must they be in the land of the stranger, 
 where they can no. longer repeat those swaet hymns whi(<h, when here, they sang 
 with so much joy. Like to the unfort'^oate children of Israel, wandering along the 
 banks of the rivers of Babylon, so r'lO they weep bitterly at the recollection of their 
 fathers, who live but for them ;. il their mothers who count,, with their tears, the 
 long moments of their absence ; oi' their friends and neighbours wJiose society was 
 so agreeable I This sad lament of yocr countrymen far from their native soil, 
 undoubtedly awakes in you a love of home and unalterably determines you in 
 always remaining here.. You should also desire to see returning so many relatives 
 and friends, whose separation from you has caused you so much regret. May tho 
 hour of their return to their families and friends^, soon arjrive ! 
 
 You entertain moreover a lively interest for thos» young and industrious men 
 who, in hopes of realizing the means of future support^ go to. labour in those 
 lumbering establishments, which are opened in alls parts o£our vast forests. You 
 should also desire, that they may be able,, after many years of painful labour, to 
 repose from their dangers^ not far from the phice of their birth, and settle down on 
 some land, which they will have purchased with they money, which they struggled 
 so hard to ea>D. 
 
 It is then, dearly beloved brethren^ for the kiterest of one and all of you, that we 
 so strongly exhort you to favour colonisation. But, as in the removal of obstacles, 
 the united eflbrts of many will have the most success, we think it right, to urge upon 
 you the necessity of forming,, for this object,, certoin associations, such as already 
 exist in the country, and a knowliadge of which your pastors willlfeel much pleasure 
 in imparting to you. If we so strongly recommend this to you, it is because there 
 is nothing which could so delight our heart, as to see you remaining with us on this 
 land, which has been prepared for you by Divine Provadencc, and there enjoying 
 
 \ 
 
 1^' ' 
 
17 
 
 happiness and comfort linked to those patriarchal virtues which have been bequeathed 
 to you by your fathers. 
 
 You may obse-ve, dearly beloved brethren, that, in preserving the faith amongst 
 you, we make use of means entirely opposite to those which hell employs to over- 
 turn it. In a word, to those men who blaspheme and curse, we oppose those who 
 pray and love ; to immoral books, we oppose holy ones ; to impious journals, or 
 (he enemies of our faith, we oppose religious papers favourable to no political party 
 but solely devoted to the interests of catholicity so much attacked now-a-days ;' for 
 we here solemny declare, that we do not intend to share in the quarrels of party : 
 our mission is too sublime to permit us to descend into the arena of human passions. 
 To secret societies and those concealed in mysticism, we oppose those associations 
 which shew themselves in midday, under the glorious standard of the cross. 
 
 God, dearly beloved brethren, condemns and his Church hurls against these secret 
 societies her severest anathemas, undoubtedly because they are ranged under the 
 infernal banners of the devil. In vain do they perform external acts of benevo- 
 lence and render each other mutual support. They evidently do this, in order that 
 they may the more effectually deceive good but unthinking souls : in this they imi- 
 tate the example of their father who transforms himself into an angel of light that he 
 may, with more certainty, seduce the unfortunate children of Adam. 
 
 These societies are presided over by wicked and designing men who contrive to 
 deceive their brethren, by excluding them from those secret and dark meetings, 
 where they concoct together the most wicked projects against religion and society. 
 Never enrol yourselves in any of these dangerous associations, which have caused 
 and still cause the old world to be afflicted with so many calamities ; or, if you had 
 the misfortune to enter any of them, haste and take your departure, for they are 
 true Babylons stricken with the maledictions of heaven. They are like the tower 
 of Babel, which was built by arrogant men, who wished to satisfy their ambition at 
 any cost. Amongst them reigns a spirit of disturbance and disorder, their tongues 
 are confounded, they do not understand one another, or at most they agree only on 
 one point, and that is when there is question of making war against God and his 
 saints. Fly then from their Babylon which is the metropolis of the king of hell. 
 " Flee ye from the midst of Babylon, and let every one save his own life. " 
 Fugite de medio Babylonia, et salvet unusquisque animam suam (Jer. LI. 6). 
 As far as we are concerned, may the Lord prevent us from observing silence on 
 the dark and dreadful plots of these insensate men ; for, if we remain tranqilil in 
 the sight of danger, we will infallibly share in the punishments, with which he 
 threatens bis enemies. « Be not silent on her iniquity : for it is the time of 
 
%l 
 
 (♦3 1 
 
 16 
 
 rrvenge from the Lord. " Nolite tacere super iniquitatem ejus ; quondam 
 tcmpus uUionis est d Domiiw (Ibid.). 
 
 Vou may now understand, dearly beloved l)refhien, the powerful motives whicii 
 ought to imiJcl you to come to our support, by fervent prayer and the other means 
 which we have pointed out. ^'^ I beseech you, therefore, brethren.... that you 
 assist me in your prayers for me... .that I may be delivered from the unbelievers.^^ 
 Obsecro ergo vos, fratres....ui adjuvetia me in orationihus vestriaper me..,.ut 
 libcrer ab infidelibus (Rom. XV. 30). These prayers, we ask of you, in order 
 that we may obtain the blessings of heaven, not only for those projects of which \vc 
 liave spoken to you, biit also for those which will engage our attention until our 
 iu!Xt regular assembly. On this subject, we feel much pleasure in announcing to 
 you that this assembly, which will be the first Council of liie Ecclesiastical Pro- 
 vince of Canada, will bo opened at Quebec on the 16th of August 1851, the festival 
 ot' the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. We have chosen this day so glorious for 
 ]\l;ii y, that our deliberations, opened under her auspices, may be more agreeable to 
 her divine Son, and receive a special and full protection. In the mean time let 
 your prayers be raised in unison with ours to the tlirone' of Eternal Wisdom to 
 beseech God to grant us some of that heavenly light, of which we will stand so 
 mucii in need, in order that the measures, which we then may adopt, may more and 
 more redound to the glory of God, and the happiness of that part of the flock of 
 Jesus-Christ, which has been entrusted to our care. 
 
 In thus solliciting your prayers, dearly beloved bethren, we do so with the more 
 canlulence that we have this day under our eyes, a remarkable proof of the value 
 allached to the prayers of the faithful. For it was during the time we were 
 assembled in this city, for your mos| important interests, that we received the great 
 and joyous news of the return to Rome of our Holy Father the Pope. We were 
 lor a moment forgetful of all trouble and fatigue, and we gave way to the transports 
 of our joy on learning that happy event, which is a true triumph for the faith, and 
 which appears so providential as to disconcert all views of human prudence. For 
 who could have inspired the French Republic with the resolution of overturning the 
 Roman Republic ? Who could have breathed into the heart of a people, who were 
 afior demolishing the throne of their King, that noble courage which they displayed 
 m the reestablishment of the ' temporal throne of the King of the Eternal City^ It 
 was evidently God, whose powerful hand subdues the will of nations as easily as 
 thai of a single individual ; for it is he who inspires every generous resolution and 
 supplies the means by which it may be carried into execAition. But to what cause 
 are we to attribute this visible interposition of Divine Providence, in favour of the 
 
successor of Je»us-Christ, if not to the prayers of the entire church ? Indeed for 
 tlieso last sixteen months, the whole world has resounded with prayers and suppli-' 
 catioiis addressed to heaven for the Father of the Christian Family exiled in a foreign 
 land. These humble entreaties have been listened to and heard. This ought to be 
 so, dearly beloved brethren ; for to day, as in the time of St. Peter, Jesus-Christ 
 loves his church and consequently he could not refuse her this favour, which she 
 demanded with so much earnestness for her much cherished father. It is then true 
 that after eighteen hundred years, and for her two hundredth and fifty seventh pastor' 
 tiie holy church has been listened to by God, as she was in the lovely days of her 
 infancy, in the person of Peter, the first successor of Jesus-Christ. 
 
 Let us rejoice then, dearly beloved brethren ; for no one of the true children of the 
 church ought to remain sad, when his holy mother 's in transports of joy. Let us 
 have confidence, for the arm of God is not shortened. The bark of Peter may be 
 tossed about on the ocean of this world, but it can never perish. Let us remain 
 then in this bark, which has resisted so many storms for these last eighteen hundred 
 years, and which never can suffer shipwreck. And as God has vouchsafed to hear 
 our prayers united with those of the entire church, let us join her to day in express- 
 ing the sentiments of our most lively gratitude and repeating that sacred hymn 
 which the immortal Pius 9th entoned, with such sweet and touching emotion, on the 
 12th of April last, in the magnificent basilic of St. Peter, to celebrate his return to 
 that people, whom wicked men had deceived and led astray. Let us sing that 
 hymn of thanks wiiich will resound in every temple, from the rising to the setting 
 sun, wherever there is a catiiolic heart ; for every son of the church must be sensible 
 of the new favours conferred upon her, in the person of her chief. 
 
 For this purpose, we ordain that on the first sunday (•) after the reception of this 
 letter, a solemn Te Deum be sung, at the end of morning service, as an act of 
 thanksgiving for the re-establishment of the head of the Church on the pontifical 
 throne, and that it be followed by the prayer Pro gratiarum actione, to which 
 will be added the prayer Deus refugium, ^c, to obtain from heaven assistance 
 and aid of which he is now in as much need as ever, placed as he is in the midst 
 of difficulties, bequeathed to him by those wicked men, who brought so many cala- 
 mities upon the capital of the christian world. 
 
 We conclude this letter, dearly beloved brethren, by earnestly wishing with the 
 Apostle, tliat (lie God of peace may be with you always. Deus autem pads sit 
 cutn omnibus vobis (Rom. 31.). 
 
 (♦) N. B—If this Pastoral Lett.r is only read in parts, it will ba better to read, on the fint •nnd«r 
 mm Its reception, that part which baa reference to the return of tbe Pope to Rome. 
 
>1! 
 
 J !'1 
 
 This pastdral lettar shall be read and published at the prone in alt parish and 
 conventual churches, and in the chapter of all religious communities. 
 
 Giren at the Bishop's Palace, Montreal, under our hand and seal, and tiie 
 countersign of the Secretary of our assembly, the 11th day of May 1830. 
 
 4- P. F. Bishop of Sidymb, Coadj. of Quebbc and AsMiJiUTRAXon 
 
 or THE Abchdiocess. 
 + Ig. Bishop of Montreal. 
 
 4- Patrice, Bishop of Garrha, Coaoj. and Aom. of Kingston. 
 + J> C. Bishop of Martyropolis, Goadj. of Montreal. 
 + Jos. Evoene, Bishop of Bttown. 
 
 By Their Lorsliips command. 
 
 J » 
 
 C. F. Cazeau, Pst., 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 (True copy.) 
 
 11 . 
 
 If t 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 4i'. 
 
t parish and 
 
 eal, and tlie 
 0. 
 
 IIJdSTRATOR 
 
 IN08T0N; 
 
 P»T., 
 
 Secretary.. 
 
 Secretary..