Rev. Dr. Kurtz, Rev. J. G. Morris and George Hager of Baltimore, and Rev. D. F. Schaffer, F. Nusz and G. Engelbrecht of Frederick, were appointed as the Executive committee, for the ensuing year. A considerable number of persons, were added, to the list of members of this institution. " After the Benediction was pronounced, the society adjourned, to meet again during the sessions of the next Synod, which is to convene at Cumberland, on the third Sunday in October next. Attest. DAVID F. SCHAEFFER, R. S. HOW SAINTS ARE MADE BY THE POPE. The following is a late Decree of the Pope to CANONIZE A SAINT. We copy it as a curiosity from the United States Catholic Miscellany, a paper, which is intended for the defence of popery and for the diffusion of its light among the good people of the United States. By this document, it appears, that the age of miracles among the papists, has not yet passed-and that "our holy father, the Pope, has power to decree the reality of reported miracles, as well as power to forgive sins.-When, O, when shall these impious mummeries cease ?-How long must these superstitious rites, exhibited in a christian dress, delude and deceive the hopes of rational creatures, who must shortly give account for them at the tribunal of a Holy Judge? "Amongst the workmen whom the heavenly father hath uninterruptedly sent to cultivate his vineyard, the blessed Alphonsus Maria de Ligouri labored exceedingly for the instruction of the people by his discourses and his writings. Having in early youth quitted the entanglements of the world, he instituted the congregation styled, "Of the holy Redeemer;" subsequently having become a bishop, as an excellent pastor he shone with heroic virtues. Those virtues to which have been superadded miracles after his death; and which appeared to be a divine testimonial in his favor, caused him to be regarded specially at our altars. But subsequently to his beatification, new miracles having occurred through his intercession; the sovereign dispenser of all good hath thus manifested, that the glorious pontiff ought to be more elevated, and that the name and the honor of saint should be granted to him. Of those new miracles two have been specially examined with the greatest care, and our holy father Pope Pius VIII. by a decree dated on the iii. of the nones of December 1829, hath approved of them. Nevertheless as it is an ancient usage that there should be a general meeting of the congregation of rites for the purpose of ascertaining whether after the examination of the two miracles which have occurred subsequent to the beatification, there can safely be a process to solemn canonization: the Cardinals and other members 1830, Jan. 22, do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. 24, Ab. Shuman do. do. Francis Springer do. do. Ab. Shuman do. do. do. do. Peter Rizer do. do. do. Peter Rizer do. do. Ab. Shuman do. Francis Springer do. do. do. D. Jenkins LEWIS MEDTART, Treasurer. 639.00 Resolved-That the Report be adopted, and published in the Evangelical Lutheran Intelligencer. Rosolved-That we continue our efforts in behalf of this society, and introduce its design to our people from the pulpit. Resolved That our sisters, who during the past year aided the society by their exertions as members of sewing societies, merit the thanks of the society. Addresses were delivered by Rev. B. Kurtz, D. F. Schaffer, Winter, Hoffman, Haverstick and Winders. The following Gentlemen, were then elected officers for the em suing year. President GEOROE HAGER, Baltimore. Vice-Presidents. Rev. J. Winter Rev. J. Albert Rev. J. Hoshour Rev. H. Bager Dr. Boerstler 30.00 40.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 45.00 30.00 50.00 25.00 45.00 45.00 50.00 12.00 35.00 30.00 20.00 25.00 17.00 CYRUS MANTZ, Corresponding Secretary, Rev. JOHN G. MORRIS, Baltimore. J. Baughman Rev. A. RECK, David Martin J. Harbaugh Isaac Baugher Rev. Dr. Kurtz, Rev. J. G. Morris and George Hager of Baltimore, and Rev. D. F. Schaffer, F. Nusz and G. Engelbrecht of Frederick, were appointed as the Executive committee, for the ensuing year. A considerable number of persons, were added, to the list of members of this institution. After the Benediction was pronounced, the society adjourned, to meet again during the sessions of the next Synod, which is to convene at Cumberland, on the third Sunday in October next. Attest. DAVID F. SCHAEFFER, R. S. HOW SAINTS ARE MADE BY THE POPE. The following is a late Decree of the Pope to CANONIZE A SAINT. We copy it as a curiosity from the United States Catholic Miscellany, a paper, which is intended for the defence of popery and for the diffusion of its light among the good people of the United States. By this document, it appears, that the age of miracles among the papists, has not yet passed-and that "our holy father, the Pope, has power to decree the reality of reported miracles, as well as power to forgive sins.-When, O, when shall these impious mummeries cease? How long must these superstitious rites, exhibited in a christian dress, delude and deceive the hopes of rational creatures, who must shortly give account for them at the tribunal of a Holy Judge ? "Amongst the workmen whom the heavenly father hath uninterruptedly sent to cultivate his vineyard, the blessed Alphonsus Maria de Ligouri labored exceedingly for the instruction of the people by his discourses and his writings. Having in early youth quitted the entanglements of the world, he instituted the congregation styled, "Of the holy Redeemer;" subsequently having become a bishop, as an excellent pastor he shone with heroic virtues. Those virtues to which have been superadded miracles after his death; and which appeared to be a divine testimonial in his favor, caused him to be regarded specially at our altars. 1 But subsequently to his beatification, new miracles having occurred through his intercession; the sovereign dispenser of all good hath thus manifested, that the glorious pontiff ought to be more elevated, and that the name and the honor of saint should be granted to him. Of those new miracles two have been specially examined with the greatest care, and our holy father Pope Pius VIII. by a decree dated on the iii. of the nones of December 1829, hath approved of them. A Nevertheless as it is an ancient usage that there should be a general meeting of the congregation of rites for the purpose of ascertaining whether after the examination of the two miracles which have occurred subsequent to the beatification, there can safely be a process to solemn canonization: the Cardinals and other members of the congregation did meet on xii. of the kalends of May of the present year at the Quirinal, and did unanimously declare in the presence of his holiness that there might safely be a process to the canonization. The holy father was of the same opinion, but previous to confirming the request of the consultors, his holiness kindly exhorted them to petition heaven for light to direct him in the judgment which he should pronounce. He resolved to give judgement at the time when the church commemorates the appearance of our Redeemer, the victor over death and hell, to his disciples, and commanded them to teach all nations, a precept which the blessed Ligouri carried through life into practice. On this Sunday, therefore, after Easter, V, having offered the holy sacrifice; having summoned to the Quirinal the Cardinals. Joseph Albani, Secretary of State, pro prefect of the congregation of rites and Charles Odeschalchi, reporter of the case, together with Virgil Pesetelli, promoter of the Faith, and the undersigned Secretary: his holiness pronounced that there might with safety be proceedings had to the solemn canonization of the blessed ALPHONSUS MARIA DE LIGOURI. His holiness hath ordered that this decree should be published, and be preserved with the acts of the congregation of Rites, and that apostolic letters should be drawn up respecting the canonization which should be celebrated at the proper and accustomed time, in the basilic of the Vatican. Given on the xvii. of the kalends of Jun (16th May,) 1830. (Signed.) J. G. Fatali, Secretary to the Congregation of rites." Southern Teleg. RELIGION AT TRIPOLI. The Rev. Mr. Bird, a Missionary of the American Board, made a tour through the northern part of Africa in the spring of 1829, for the purpose of surveying the grounds, and ascertaining what facilities North Africa might furnish for the introduction of Christianity. By the incidents related in the following extracts from his Journal, it ap pears that the influence of popish priests is one of the most formida ble obstacles to the progress of truth in Tripoli,-and other places in that part of Africa. Under date of May 17th, 1829, he remarks:The padre prefetto this morning, it is said, made another declamation to the people against the "noisome little books." calling once more upon all to abstain from receiving any of those mischievous vehicles of heresy, and if they had received any, without fail to bring them all in, denouncing certain perdition upon those who disobeyed. He was not so violent against the Scriptures, which he said they could not understand, but it was "those little books," that did the greatest mischief; no one could read them without certain destruction. "May 20.-A youth, who has often called on me before, said to day, in speaking of the late denunciations of the priests against the books, that the Maltese in Tripoli all tremble at the threat of a priest; that the street passing by the American consulate, has of late become a suspicions street, and is constantly watched, and to render it odious is called the free-mason's street. * * * 6 "29.-A Maltese Merchant, often employed by the consul to make little purchases, called on business. I asked him if he had a Bible. He said No.' Then said I, you are a seaman without a compass. We have our own compass,' said he. I replied, God has given to man but one compass, and this is his holy word, the Bible. The Bible,' he replied,' is against our religion.' Well done, said I, that is an excellent confession. Do not forget it-the Bible against your religiondo not forget it. John,' said the consul, I wish you to taks 20 Bibles into your shop for me for sale.' 'I would not have a Bible in my shop for 50 guineas; but, added he, 'I did not come here to talk about business. You was born a Protestant: then be a Protestant.I was born a Catholic and I will live and die a Catholic. Let no man change his religion, for whoever does this, you may always set him down as a rascal, 6 * * [MISSIONARY HERALD. CONVERSION OF PROFESSOR FRANCKE, OF HALLE, GERMANY. He had now been engaged in the study of theology, was perfectly familliar with the letter of the Scriptures, and had gone through the routine of studies with uncommon assiduity. At this period (while at Leipsic) it pleased God to give him daily more and more conviction of his unworthiness, as well as more & more solicitude to change his situation. But although he was now impressed with a full belief of the necessity and importance of conversion, he found himself so entangled with the things of this world, that he despaired of being able to extricate himself and lift his affections higher. The exterior difficulty seemed to be removed by his change of situation, when he went to Luneburg. Cut off there from wordly society, to which he was accustomed, and brought into contact with consistent and exemplary Christians, he now found that there was an obstacle more seri. ous than mere external circumstances; he felt more than ever the necessity of a change, and the existence of some obstacle with himself to its production. While in this state of mind, he received an appointment to preach in St. John's Church, and finding himself no more disposed to regard the service as a mere exercise in eloquence, he felt deep solicitude so to perform the task as to edify his hearers.He was still engrossed with those thoughts, when he fell upon the text, (John xx, 21.-"These are written that ye might know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life through his name." |