THE MILITIA OF JESUS CHRIST.
This is the title given to that great body of Catholics who have been and are still enrolling for the avowed purpose of restoring the temporal power of the pope. The obligation of the members of this order requires them to renounce every association condemned by the church; to render a perfect submission to the laws of the church, and the instructions of the holy see; to recite the rosary entire every week; to approach the sacraments as frequently as possible; to refuse support to bad publications and to encourage good ones; and to wear the cross of the service openly, or at least, under their clothes, if it be impossible to wear it otherwise. They are to be active in the collection of Peter’s pence; to do what they can to revive the spirit of faith in society, and to labor to unravel the plots of secret societies. A Roman correspondent lately reported that the Italian government was seriously disturbed by the alacrity with which youth in that country and in France were enrolling themselves in the Militia of Jesus Christ. It is quite evident that the Catholics of Europe, and the Vatican advisers in particular, regard the present as peculiarly their opportunity. So eminent an authority as Cardinal Manning has said, “What is called the Eastern Question will receive the solution that Providence has assigned to it—the independence of the holy see. The overturning of Europe, which is imminent, will bring, in the midst of its disturbances, the independence of the pope.” The Republique Francaise also observes: “The independence of the pope means the restoration of the States of the Church; this restoration, war against Italy; war against Italy will only be made by an Ultramontane France. So, then, the establishment of Ultramontane domination in France is the first step toward bringing about the overturning of Europe, on the ruins of which the clerical chieftains hope to raise up again, and higher than ever, the pontifical throne.” In view of all the movements openly or covertly in progress among the agents of the Romish Church, it is not to be wondered at that, in the present disturbed condition of Europe, the plans of the Vatican and the physical condition of the present occupant of the papal chair, become matters of world-wide interest. The death of Pius IX., and the election of his successor, would bring Europe to confront questions so momentous and so complicated as to require for their final and satisfactory settlement a calmer era than the present.—Our Rest.