Page:Catholic Magazine And Review, Volume 3 and Volume 4, 1833.djvu/131

Rh volumes comprising a refutation of all the idolatrous superstitions, the method of teaching the Christian Doctrine, and that of preparing the faithful for approaching worthily to the Sacraments.

In several of the Chinese missions are convents of religious women, who, without any engagement of enclosure, live in community Under very austere rules. When persecution is an obstacle to the existence of such communities, many pious females devote themselves to a single life im the midst of their own families, where they live in retirement and assiduous application to the exercises of piety and works of charity suited to their sex. Some of these, likewise, keep schools, where they teach female children the elements of religion and train them to the early practice of their Christian duties.

Of all the countries of Asia, China, from its superior state of civilization, is doubtless the finest theatre for the establishment and progress of Christianity. But no where are greater obstacles to be encountered. These arise partly from the systematic and. interested opposition of the idolatrous priests, partly from the pride of the Chinese literati, which is so directly condemned by the (to them incomprehensible) humility of the gospel, and partly from the sanguinary edicts of the emperors. If the latter be inclined to huinanity, the church is left in peace; but should they, as it often happens, be of a cruel and suspicious character, the missionaries are obliged to fly, the churches are destroyed, and the Christians are tortured or put to death. Great, however, as are the obstacles, greater and superior by far is the zeal which faith and charity inspire. The more formidable the difficulties, the more strenuous are the labours of the missionaries. Having, in obedience to the divine call, bid adieu to their friends, their country and their homes, these holy men make themselves all to all, and in order to gain a soul to God hesitate not to encounter hunger, fatigue, the inclemency of the weather, and even death in all its most terrific shapes.

It is the singular privilege of the Catholic faith to inspire its ministers with zeal and charity so disinterested as this—Towards the close of the last century, a British ambassador Rh