THE REASON OF IT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 315, 2 May 1879, Page 14

THE REASON OF IT.

The New Zealand Christian HecorJ published last week an article headed •' Jesuit Morality," in which Uahev's Theology was made the stalking horse ; and in which the writer succeeded in proving very clearly that he does not understand Bailey, and that he is under the impression an oath and a vow mean the same thing. As Bailey was not a Jesuit, the heading — Jesuit Morality — of an article exclusively devoted to his theology seems singularly out of place. But consistency and common sense, it appears, arc of little coi. sequence, when an effort is to be made to create a wrong impression about tbc Jesuits. It is tho old story. And as Calvin suggested, the Jcsuists must be got rid of, and for this purpose all means are to be employed, no matter how nefar.ous these may be. Reading the General Introduction to the new edition of the Provincial Lettrs by Mayxaro tho other day, we came r cross a passage from one of Calvin's letters, which will be found in the Paris edition 1851, p. 2i), and which will serve to explain the why and wherefore of the late shocking attack made on the Jesuits by the Southern Cross, Chrhtian Record, and Clutha Leader. The passage referred to is as follows :—": — " Tlic Jesuits," said Cai.yin, " are the most formidable enemies of all reform. Were it not for them, France would break with the Pope. The Jesuits, therefore, must be destroyed ; but, if they cannot be crushed, they must be banished, or at least ovtr whelmed with false char<j< s and calumnies" " (ou dv mains les accabler (V impostures et cle culcmnieis.)'' And again : " Fail not to rid the country of these zealous rascals, who exhort the people to oppose us. Such monsters ought to be choked, as 1 have done here in the execution of Michael Servetiw." Such arc the advice and exhortation given by Cala'in three hundred years ago ; and we have had lately an exemplification of the fidelity with "which his disciples have followed this advice. And yet these <u - e the men who are not ashamed to proclaim themselves judges of the purity of morality !