Points of cotroversy, a series of lectures.

Front matter

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Preface

Tue little volume which we present to the American public, in the form of doctrinal lectures, was written for no other purpose, than, with the assistance of Divine Grace,to convert souls to God. Our missionary experience has taught us, that though by no means necessary, a plain, simple work like the present, may prove useful to a great number of Catholics, Protestants, and Indifferentists in religion, who treat books as they do the fashions, dropping one to adopt another, almost every season. There is no lack of short controversial works in our Catholic Theological literature, and - most of those that are before the public, have, doubtless, more intrinsic merit than our lectures. Yet zeal prompts us to add these to the stock, in the hope that they may find a few readers, to whom they may prove of some

4 PREFACE.

spiritual service. We shall consider ourselves amply rewarded for our labor, if they become instrumental in leading even one soul to abjure error and embrace the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. |

Alas! how many millions of our fellow men, redeemed by the precious blood of the Saviour, are daily lost to the Church and to Heaven, who, if we exerted ourselves a little more in their behalf, might be rescued from darkness and the shadow of eternal death! How much could be done towards converting our countrymen, if we Catholics joined works of zeal and charity to fervent prayer! If we were untiring in our efforts to spread instruction and useful }ooks, tracts, and pamphlets among them, as an antidote against the many slanderous publications which are put forth in hostility to us. How much sinful ignorance would be removed from among the children of the Church themselves, if, instead of subscribing to and purchasing the trivial and often pernicious romances and periodicals of the day, they were to buy and read a few good books of Catholic

PREFACE. 5 literature, and make them their delight and study.

Always willing to learn and improve by the wisdom and experience of others, we beg all those who will read these Lectures, to suggest to us, either publicly or privately, whatever additions or corrections they may deem necessary or useful, so that we may insert them in a second edition, or add them to the second volume, which, if this succeeds, we intend soon to publish. ; m

In conclusion, we wish to place our little book under the protection and care of the ever Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and Patroness of the infant Church in the United States of America, and we beg her to bless it, its author, and its readers.

Chicago, 111. 1s %e

Contents

Lror, PAGE I. INDIFFERENCE IN RELIGION.........202 00+ (i II. Tam BIBLE NoT THE RULE OF FAITH...... 50 DL Tam CHURCH OF CHRIST . 00. ccs eee caeees 109 IV, THE RoMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE CHURCH CMR EL IRIS Tiretoniiesaoa's gto ss bie tial ol atest aida ste" 170 Vis ConFESSION Biiete eis ole ehiaieteens Siente storming ote, oem 243 VI. ON PURGATORY AND INDULGENCES......... 296 Vit. ON THE REAL PRESENCE, 2.5 f.sesses eee 342 VIII. Honor AND INVOCATION oF SAINTS, VENE- RATION OF IMAGES AND RELICS........... 411 IX. ON THE HoNOR AND INVOCATION OF THE