try, the priest was among the first victims to be immolated for the
people; and when the hour of religious persecution arrived-
when the minister of religion was chased into the wilderness, and
the price of blood was on his head-he found, in the affections of
the people, a sanctuary and a refuge which the courts of kings
could not supply. Bound together by such ties and associations,
every record of the past must be destroyed all that is dear to the
feelings, and cherished in the recollections of a people must be
destroyed-before a union so sacred and endearing can be severed!
A priesthood whose character is written in the history of their
country-who have proved the purity and disinterestedness of their
motives again and again, by all that can give value to human tes-
timony-preferring chains, and banishment, and martyrdom, to
the honours and rewards of apostacy; who have watched with un-
wearied solicitude above the welfare and repose of their country--
continually allaying the passions, which an unprincipled policy
was always exciting the patrons of every local charity-the great
promoters of popular education, when it had no other patronage
or support the advocates of every beneficent measure-the first
in the day of affliction, when pestilence or famine visited our
shores, to comfort and relieve their people, such a priesthood cau-
not fail to preserve the confidence, veneration and esteem, which
at the present hour constitute the most unequivocal proof of their
merit and efficiency whilst a people so generous and devoted,
whose attachment to the faith has been attested by so many pain-
ful sacrifices-who have exhibited the noblest struggle for prin-
ciple recorded in the annals of the world, must always command
the heart and the services of the priest by whatever trials they
may be visited, or into whatever countries they may be scattered

To such a priesthood the situation of their exiled countrymen can never be a matter of indifference; and unfortunately in the countries to which I have alluded, it must be one of painful i terest. Frequently bereft of the consolations and support of religion, without an altar or a ministry, surrounded by all that can warp or seduce their principles, they look with anxious expectation to that land which is identified with all their religious recollections, and from which they fondly anticipate succour and relief in their spiritual des titution. And when they behold the enthusiasm with which the ministry of their dissenting brethren is supplied when they see the teachers of an erroneous doctrine compassing land and sea for that purpose is it unnatural, is it unreasonable, that the household of the faith should cherish the hope that their constancy and devotedness would not be forgotten by their brethren at home; but that some compassionate pastor would be found to leave the flocks that repost in security, and follow the wanderer in the desert! No, my brethren, the hope is not vain! the expectation is not delusive! The Being who has watched above his people in all their trials and vicissitudes.

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who, if powerful to smite and to scatter, is also merciful to cherish and protect; who has been near them in their wanderings, and supported them in their afflictions; who regards them not the less because he has humbled them; and loves them not the less because he has chastised them; is providing for them faithful pastors, whose voice they know, and whose words they love, to conduct them to the pastures where alone they can taste enjoyment or repose.

"You, my Lord, and your venerable brother (Right Rev. Dr. O'Connor, Vicar Apostolic of Madras,) in the apostolic function, who is about to proceed to the eastern world, furnish consoling evidence of the merciful designs of God in their behalf, as well as in regard to those nations that are still strangers to the faith. You are the joyful heralds, whose arrival has been long expected. Many a prayer has been offered! many an anxious heart has sighed for your arrival! The weary and the heavy laden; the wanderer chat sighs to retrace its path, but droops with languor and despair; he faithful soul that pants like the wearied hart for the waters of ife; the torn heart of guilt, and blinded mind of ignorance, all await with impatience your ministry of mercy and benediction.If the ties of friends, and home, and kindred, cannot be broken without a pang-scenes await you that will more than repay you For the sacrifice-scenes that will make you love the toils, and bless he labours you have undertaken; that will cause you to bow with gratitude to the Being who suffered you not to hesitate or falter, when called to a work of such extensive charity."

In another number we will give the letter of the newly chosen bishop Dr. Clancy, to the hierarchy, clergy, and people of Ireland.

FORCE OF CONSCIENCE.-King Richard III. after he had murtered his innocent royal nephews, was so tormented in conscience, s Sir Thomas More reports from the gentlemen of his bed-chamer, that he had no peace or quiet in himself, but always carried it s if some imminent danger was near him. His eyes were always hirling about on this side and that side; he wore a shirt of mail ; nd was always laying his hand upon his dagger, looking as furiusly as if he was ready to strike. He had no quiet in his mind y day, nor could take any rest by night, but, molested with ter1 run like a disifying dreams, would start out of his bed, and acted man about the chamber; which is incomparably described y Mr. Dryden in another case.-Stow's Annals, p. 460,

Amidst your train this unseen judge will wait,"
Examine how you came by all your

state;

Upbraid your impious pomp, and in your ear
Will hollow, rebel! traitor! murderer!
Your ill got power, wan looks and care shall bring,
Known but by discontent to be a king

Of crowds afraid, yet anxious when alone,

You'll sit and brood your sorrows on a throne Dryden.

HYMN FOR LENT.

[FOR THE CATHOLIC PENNY MAGAZINE.
O BOUNTIFUL Creator! hear

The prayers which with an humble fear,
Before thy throne, this sacred Lent,
We pour from hearts with sorrow rent.
Almighty searcher of our hearts!
Thou knowest the weakness of our parts,
We to thy tender mercies fly;
Ah! do thy healing grace apply.
Alas! our sins are numberless;
But we our guilt with grief confess
Lord, for the glory of thy name,
From death our sinful souls reclaim.
Whilst we by fast our flesh restrain,
Permit us not to sin again:
O may our hearts, from vices free,
For ever live and burn for thee.
Grant, O most holy Trinity!
O undivided unity;

The labour of this solemn fast,
May lead us to eternal rest.

CIRCULATION OF THE MAGAZINE.

WE feel grateful to the Proprietors of the Register and Fre man's Journal, for the following kind references to our little work We intend in a future number to enumerate all the parishes whic co-operate with us, in our endeavours to extend religion and piety

"KNOWLEDGE FOR EVERY PARISH.-We beg to call public attentice a the Catholic Penny Magazine, advertised in our columns. It is impossi perhaps, to devise a work more suited to the wants, wishes, and circumst ces of the great mass of the Irish people. It presents every week ma matter than any thing of the kind ever did before for one penny, with a illustration of some sacred subject. We hope that there is not a pans district in the country in which efficient agents will not be active in recen and distributing it. It is the forerunner of that combined general co-opera which in Ireland is so eminently calculated to advance virtue, destroy and extend knowledge and sacred learning."-Register, February 28, 19

"We beg to call public attention to our advertising columns for an a of this work. Never was a publication so admirably adapted to the wa and circumstances of the Irish people. It gives more solid and interes matter each week, with an illustration, than perhaps was ever before pu lished, for only One Penny! We trust there is no parish in Ireland et E land, but will have an efficient agent who will secure its universal circulation -Freeman's Journal, February 17, 1835.

DUBLIN:-Stereotyped, Printed and Published by T. and J. COLDWELL, 50, Capela
Sold also by the Catholic Book Society, 5, Essex-bridge; R. Coyne, 4, Capel-
R. Grace & Son, 45, Capel-street; J. Coyne, 24, Cook-street; D. O'Brien, 1 abr
WHOLESALE AGENTS in London, Keating and Brown Liverpool, John Pa
Marebone; Manchester, Samuel Birchenough, 35, Smithy Door, and B. Lynch,
King-street; Glasgow, D. Kennedy, &c. &c.

THE

PUBLISHED WEEKLY,

UNDER THE INSPECTION OF CATHOLIC DIVINES.

No. 59.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1835 VOL. 11.

THE SACRAMENTS ILLUSTRATED.-No. I

THE MANNER OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

[BY THE RIGHT REV. DR. CHALLONER.]

THE church makes use of many ceremonies in baptism. 1st, To render thereby this mystery more venerable to the people. 2d, To make them understand the effects of this sacrament, and what the obligations are which they contract in the sacrament. The ceremonies of baptism are all of them very ancient, as may be demonstrated from the writings of the holy Fathers, and as we know no beginning of them, we have reason to conclude that they come from apostolic tradition. Regularly speaking, and excepting the case of necessity, the church does not allow baptism to be adminstered anywhere but in the churches which have fonts; the water of which, by apostolical tradition, is solemnly blessed every year on the vigils of Easter and Whit-Sunday. The meaning of godathers and godmothers in baptism is, 1st, That they may present o the church the person that is to be baptized, and may be wit

nesses of his baptism. 2d, That they may answer in his name, and be sureties for his performance of the promises which they make for him. The duty of godfathers and godmothers is to see as much as in them lies, that their godchildren be brought up in the true faith, and in the fear of God; that they may be timely instructed in the whole Christian doctrine; and that they make good those engagements which they have made in their name.Only such as are duly qualified for discharging the obligations of a godfather or godmother should be selected. Upon which account none are to be admitted that are not members of the Catholic Church; none whose lives are publicly scandalous; none who are ignorant of the Christian Doctrine, &c.

The Council of Trent, (Sess. 24, chap. 2,) orders, that no one should have any more than one godfather and one godmother: that the spiritual kindred, which the child and its parents contract with the godfathers and godmothers, and which is an impediment of marriage, may not be extended to too many persons.

The order or manner the Catholic Church proceeds in, in the administration of baptism is, First, The priest having asked the name of the person that is to be baptized, (which ought not to be any profane or heathenish name, but the name of some saint, by whose example he may be excited to a holy life, and by whose prayers he may be protected,) inquires of him: "N. What dost thou demand of the Church of God?" To which the person himself, if at age, or the godfather or godmother for him, answer"Faith." By which is meant, not the bare virtue, by which we believe what God teaches, but the whole body of Christianity, as comprehending both belief and practice, into which the faithful enter by the gate of baptism. The priest goes on, and asks, "What does faith give thee?" Answer," Life everlasting." Priest: "If then thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, &c., and th neighbour as thyself."

After this the priest blows three times upon the face of the person who is to be baptized, saying, "Depart out of him (or her) O unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy Ghost, the comforter." This ceremony was practised by the universal church, long before St. Augustine's days, who calls it a most ancient tradition; and it is used in contempt of Satan, and to drive him away by the Holy Ghost, who is called the Spirit or Breath of God.

Then the priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead and on the breast of the person that is to be baptized, saying: "Re ceive the sign of the cross upon thy forehead, and in thy heart receive the faith of the heavenly commandments; and let thy ma ners be such, that thou mayest now be the temple of God. Th sign of the cross upon the forehead is to give us to understand