This Week: Newman, a poem.

Brethren, in the days before our beloved Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman is raised to the altar as Saint John, we might gather around a table of his writings and savour the clarity, depth and breadth of this master of the theological arts.

And so a poem on (i.e., contra) liberalism. One could hope that the pious supporters of a certain synod might stray near Newman's writings and restore in themselves a preference for Catholicism.

Laudetur Iesus Christus!

83. Liberalism

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"Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan."

Ye cannot halve the Gospel of God's grace;
Men of presumptuous heart! I know you well.
Ye are of those who plan that we should dwell,
Each in his tranquil home and holy place;
Seeing the Word refines all natures rude,
And tames the stirrings of the multitude.

And ye have caught some echoes of its lore,
As heralded amid the joyous choirs;
Ye mark'd it spoke of peace, chastised desires,
Good-will and mercy,—and ye heard no more;
But, as for zeal and quick-eyed sanctity,
And the dread depths of grace, ye pass'd them by.

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And so ye halve the Truth; for ye in heart,
At best, are doubters whether it be true,
The theme discarding, as unmeet for you,
Statesmen or Sages. O new-compass'd art
Of the ancient Foe!—but what, if it extends
O'er our own camp, and rules amid our friends?

Palermo
June 5, 1833.