Page:Pastoral letter of the first National Council of the United States - held in Baltimore in May, 1852 (IA PastoralLetter1852).pdf/17

Rh given an account of the stewardship which we have received. Although of the household of God, and children of the faith, you have, by good works, to make your calling and election sure. You are to co-operate with us in preaching the Gospel of Christ by the care of your own households, and by the good example you give to all who come within the sphere of your influence. Walk worthy of your calling; refute the calumnies which are so frequently uttered against the Mother who has brought you forth in Christ, by having your conversation good among those who are estranged from her influence; "that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation." "For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen—these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you."—"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

We direct this our Pastoral Letter to be read publicly in all the churches subject to our jurisdiction.

Given at Baltimore, in National Council, on the Feast of the Ascension, in the year of our Lord 1852.

 ✠ FRANCIS PATRICK, Archbishop of Baltimore, and Delegate of the Apostolic See. ✠ FRANCIS NORBERT, Archbishop of Oregon. ✠ PETER RICHARD, Archbishop of St. Louis. ✠ ANTHONY, Archbishop of New Orleans. ✠ JOHN, Archbishop of New York. ✠ JOHN BAPTIST, Archbishop of Cincinnati. ✠ MICHAEL, Bishop of Mobile. <dd>✠ MATTHIAS, Bishop of Dubuque.</dd> <dd>✠ RICHARD PIUS, Bishop of Nashville.</dd> <dd>✠ JOHN JOSEPH, Bishop of Natchez.</dd> <dd>✠ RICHARD VINCENT, Bishop of Wheeling.</dd> </ol>