The Catholic World, Vol. 23, April, 1876-September, 1876. / A Monthly Magazine of General Literature and Science

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Gutenberg ID

56386

Title

The Catholic World, Vol. 23, April, 1876-September, 1876. / A Monthly Magazine of General Literature and Science

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1876 issue of *The Catholic World* offers a sweeping critique of American social and economic decline, contrasting the nation's early promise with its current struggles against industrialization, corruption, and the erosion of family life. Featuring essays on labor, education, and historical figures like Bonivard, the magazine argues that only Catholic principles can restore moral order and social harmony.

Summary up to 500 words

Vol. 23 of *The Catholic World* (April–September 1876) presents a sweeping critique of mid-19th-century American society, warning that the nation has lost its unique economic independence to the harsh, universal laws of supply and demand. The magazine argues that the early American ideal of labor sovereignty, where honest work guaranteed a home and independence, has faded as the country assimilates to European economic conditions. This shift is accompanied by a deepening social disorder: the family unit is breaking down due to lax marriage laws, frequent divorce, and the removal of women from the domestic sphere into fashionable society. Furthermore, the separation of religious and secular education is condemned as a dangerous trend that creates a generation devoid of positive religious belief, leaving them vulnerable to atheistic, socialist, and Freemasonic influences imported from Europe. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to reviewing Dr. Young's *Labor in Europe and America*. While praised for its utility in surveying the history of labor from ancient slavery to modern wage systems, the review criticizes the work's statistical limitations and its bias against the Catholic Church. Specifically, Dr. Young is faulted for portraying medieval monks as oppressors rather than recognizing their vital role in agricultural restoration and providing refuge to the persecuted. The magazine asserts that the Church remains the necessary arbiter capable of harmonizing the conflict between labor and capital, a task requiring the highest Christian statesmanship. The issue also debunks the romanticized legend of François Bonivard, the 'Prisoner of Chillon.' Contrary to the image of a martyr for liberty popularized by Lord Byron, the magazine reveals him as a self-serving apostate and traitor who abandoned his faith, country, and family for personal gain, even subjecting his wife to torture to extract a false confession. Finally, the volume recommends *Sancta Sophia* as an essential guide for contemplative prayer, though it notes that such advanced spiritual texts are suitable only for the mature and devout. Collectively, these essays serve as a call to return to traditional virtues, emphasizing that moral laws are unchanging and that the Church is essential for the regeneration of both labor and society.

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Categories

• Religion