ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF OUR HOLY FATHER LEO XIII., BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE POPE, ON THE STUDY OF SACRED SCRIPTURE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 47, 23 March 1894, Page 6

ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF OUR HOLY FATHER LEO XIII., BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE POPE, ON THE STUDY OF SACRED SCRIPTURE.

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Now to strive fully to establish the sanctity of the Bible with every aid from the deeper sciences is far more than can be justly expected from the skill of interpreters and theologians alone. It is to be desired alto that those amongst Catholics who have attained any reputation in external sciences shonld join and assist in tbia work. As In the past ability of this kind has never been, so it is not now thank Qod, wanting to the Church ; and it is to be hoped that it will increase for the benefit of faith. For we ought to consider nothing of greater importance than that the Faith should have more numerous and more powerful defenders, and that they should understand the tactics of their adversaries ; and nothing could be more effective in impressing upon the masses the duty of accepting the truth than to see it publicly professed by those who have gained distinction in any particular walk of life. Nay, tbe ill-will of disparagers would quickly cease, or at least they would not dare so boldly to accuse Faith of being the enemy of science if they saw the highest honour and reverence paid to it by distinguished scientific men.

Since, then, they who with their Catholicism have received frcm a kindly Providence this happy talent can do much for the advantage of religion, let each, in the fiery controversy respecting those subjects which touch tbe Scriptures io any way, choose for himself a suitable sphere of study, and, excelling in it, repel with distinction the attacks made on tbe Sacred Writings by a dishonest science. And here it is pleasant to commend as it deserves tbe action of some Catholics, who have formed societies and provided them with abundant funds that learned men may be enabled with every possible facility to engage in and promote these studies. This method of employing money is most excellent and suitable to tbe times. The less the hope of receiving aid from the State in such studies, the more ready and liberal should be the generosity of individual Catholics, so that those who may have been favoured by God with riches may use it for ths protection of revealed truth.

That efforts of this character may be conducive to tbe advancement of true Biblical science, let the learned rely upon tbe principles We have above pointed out, and let them firmly hold that God, the maker and ruler of all things, is the ruler of the Scriptures, and, therefore, that neither from nature nor from the monuments of bistory can anything be gathered that is opposed to them. If such difficulty there should seem to be, it should be carefully disposed of by bringing to bear upon it the prudent judgment of theologians and interpreters as to tbe more probable and correct meaning of the passage, and by earnestly examining tbe force of the arguments brought against it. Nor Bbould we leave eff if even then somebody tells against it, for, as truth cannot be opposed to truth, it is certain that a mistake must have occurred either in tbe interpretation of the sacred words or in some part of tbe discussion ; if it cannot be discovered in either of these, further patience must be exercised in tbe investigation of the meaning. For many objections, drawn from all kinds of sciences, have for a long time past been raited against tbe Scripture, and, being empty, have turned out worthless. In like manner, there are certain passages in Scripture (not properly belonging to the domain of faith or morals) which nave at one time received various interpretation?, and wbich later investigation has placed in a clearer and truer light. Time obliterates unsound views, but 41 truth remains and prevails for ever " (iii. Esdr. 4, 38). Wherefore, as nobody should assume that he rigbtly understands the whole of tbe Scripture, in which Augustine acknowledged that there were many things he did not understand (Ad. Januar. Ep. 1.v., 21). If any point should be met with too difficult to be explained, let each one adopt the prndence and moderation of the same doctor : " It is better even to be oppressed under unknown but serviceable standards than to place one's neck uselessly in the snares of error after it has been freed from the yoke of slavery in the work of interpretation " (De Doctr. Chr. m. 9, 18).

If those who are engaged in these auxiliary labours properly and modestly follow aur advice and instructions, if in writing and teaching they direct their efforts in refuting the enemies of truth, and preventing the loss of faith amongst the young, then they can rejoice that they are performing a duty worthy of the sacred writings and rendering such assistance to Catholicism as the Church rightly expects from tbe piety and learning of her children. Such, vener* able brethren, are tbe instructions and cautions we deem it opportune by God's grace to impart concerning the study of the Sacred Scriptare. Let it be your care now to see that they are, as they should be, religiously obeyed and observed, so that tbe thanks due to God for having communicated the words of his wisdom to the human race may be more signally rendered, and that the results we desire may be most successfully attained, to the advantage especially of youths who are undergoing ecclesiastical training, and who are our most earnest care and toe hope of the Church, Be instant by authority and exhortation in providing that these studies are held in doe honour and prosper in tbe seminaries and academies subject to your

jurisdiction. May they flourish happily and in the fullest measure under the direction of the Church in accordance with tbe wholesome teachings and examples of tbe Fathers and the laudable custom of our ancestors ; and in the course of time may they make such progress as to be truly a support and glory for Catholic truth, which has been divinely given for the eternal salvation of the people. Finally •, with paternal love, We urge all students and ministers of tbe Church' to approach the Sacred Writings always in a most pious and reverent disposition ; for they cannot be understood with the requisite profit unless the pride of earthly science is put aside and zeal be cultivated for the wisdon which is from on High. When the mind has once been applied to this study, and enlightened and strengthened by if* it will be capable, man extraordinary degree, of detecting and avoiding the deceptions of human science, of recognising genuine fruit, and of reckoning it amongst eternal possessions. Thus the soul will be greatly inflamed, and will struggle in a more eager spirit for tbe promotion of virtue and Divine love : " Blessed are they that eeaich His testimonies, that seek Him with their whole heart " (Ps. C xviii. 2). Now, relying on the hope of Divine aid and trusting to your pastoral zeal, Wet most lovingly in the Lord and as a pledge of Heavenly favours and a mark of onr special good will, impart the Apostolic Benediction to you all and to all the clergy and people entrusted to your care. Given at St Peter's, Rome, on the 18th day of November, 1893, in the sixteenth year of Our Pontificate.

LEO XIII., POPE.