THE Pope, replying to an address from the Cardinals on the third anniversary of his accesion, said he entered with great trepidation on the new year of his pontificate, for the violence of the tempest had increased and new perils threatened the mystic barque of St. Peter. In all parts of the world the liberty of action of the church is interfered with. The aid which the church of Rome could give towards the salvation of society, and which he had tendered to the rulers of the people in the first days of his pontificate, had not been welcomed. As regarded himself, the sacred college had daily experience of the deplorable condition to which he was reduced—a condition unbefitting his dignity and the divine mission which Christ had, for the advantage of the universal church, trusted to his vicar. Nevertheless, his hope and courage were not lessened. The church was accustomed to conflicts. He would continue to consecrate his strength and life in defending her interests, honor, and rights; and, persuaded that opportune help must come from heaven, and remembering that in times of peril the church was accustomed to command public prayers and works of penitence, he had resolved to open in this year to all Christianity an extraordinary jubilee, in order that the Lord, in his clemency, might prepare better times for the church.—Selected.