Rules of the institution erected under the name of the Leopold Foundation for aiding Catholic Missions in America, by contributions in the Austrian empire. 1. The objects of the institution under the name of the LEOPOLD FOUNDATION, are, a) To promote the greater activity of Catholic Missions in America; b) To edify Christians by enlisting them in the work of propagating the church of Jesus Christ in the remote parts of the earth; c) To preserve in lasting remembrance her deceased Majesty, Leopoldina, Empress of Brazil, born Archduchess of Austria. 2. The means selected to attain these ends, are Prayer and Alms. undertakes the grateful office of carrying into effect this pious work, under the protection of his most sacred majesty, and in connexion with Frederick Rese, now Vicar General of the Cincinnati bishopric in North America, and of employing the funds in the most efficacious manner to promote the glory of God and the true faith in Jesus Christ; so that the alms collected by means of the most reverend ordinariates, or those sent immediately to them, shall be conscientiously applied, and in the most economical manner, to the urgent wants of American missions as they are made known by authentic accounts and careful investigation. 9. The Central Direction will see, that all members of the Society, for their spiritual consolation, and in reward for their pious zeal, shall be constantly informed of the progress and fruits of their munificence, as well as of the state of the Catholic religion in America, according to the accounts received. 10. The Leopold Foundation being a private religious institution, the Central Direction will solemnly celebrate the 3. Every member of this religious institution engages daily to offer one Pater and Ave, with the addition, " St. Leopold! pray for us," and every week to contribute a crucifix; and thus, by this small sacrifice of prayer and alms, to concur in the great work of promoting the true Faith. As, however, every one is free to enrol himself in this Society, so he may also leave it at pleasure.feast of the immaculate conception of 4. Every ten members shall appoint the blessed Virgin, the universal patone of their number a collector, to re- roness of all religious assemblies, as the ceive the weekly alms. The collector feast of the Foundation; but will also shall see that the small number of hislebrate the feast of St. Leopold Marcompany, after the death or removal of any, is filled up. The alms collected, shall be paid monthly, by the collector, to the parish minister of his district. chion, the given name of the Empress Leopoldina and special patroness of this pious institution; and also, every year, on the 11th of December, (the anniver5. Every parish minister shall pay sary of the death of Leopoldina, Empress over, as opportunity offers, the alms col- of Brazil,) it will see that the solemn lected in the manner prescribed, to the mass for the dead be said for the repose deacon, (in Hungary, the vice arch-of her soul, and all the souls of the dedeacon,) and he to his most reverend ordinariate. ceased patrons and benefactors of the institution called by her name, all the members being invited to unite their pious prayers with the prayers of the Direction. 6. If any one intends a greater sum for this pious end, and that to be paid at once, his alms may be given either to the parish minister, with his own subscription inserted in the rubric designed, or to the deacon (or vice deacon,) or immediately to the most reverend ordi-institution, (which must serve as a great Dariate. 11. His Holiness, Pope Leo XII., eleven days before his most pious death, having declared his approbation of the incitement to all good Christians,) did 7. The most illustrious and reverend grant to its members large indulgences lords, bishops of the whole empire, are in an express letter, the publication of fully authorized to forward the alms thus which, being graciously permitted by obtained, from time to time, to the Cen- his Majesty on the 14th of April, was tral Direction of this religious institu-made by the most reverend ordinariates, tion at Vienna. to wit: full indulgence, &c. [See the 8. The central direction at Vienna Pope's letter in full, as given below.} 12. The most serene and eminent ||lutions of life by holy confession, and Archduke Cardinal Rudolphus, Arch-received the eucharist, on the eighth bishop of Olmutz, has kindly taken the supreme direction of the Leopold Foundation, and appointed the most high and reverend the Lord Prince Archbishop of Vienna his locum tenens. Vienna, May, 1829. The following approbation of Pope Leo XII., contains the indulgence above referred Dated at Rome, at St. Peter's, under the ring of the fisherman, on the 30th day of January, 1829, in the sixth year of our Pontificate. T. CARD. BERNETTI. This apostolic letter is sanctioned by the royal leave. By his sacred imperial royal Majesty. VINCENTIUS SCHUBERT. Vienna, April 20th, 1829. day of December, also on the day of the feast of St. Leopold, and once every month, provided that every day during the previous month, they shall have said the Lord's prayer, the salutation of the angel, and the words, "St. Leopold, pray for us," and in some public church have said pious prayers to God for the harmony of Christian princes, the extirpation of heresies, and the.glory of Holy Mother Church. These letters Be it remembered, although there be we endow with perpetual efficacy; and many things which disturb and grieve we order that the same authority be our mind, in the most weighty discharge given to the copies of them, signed by of our apostleship, while we learn that the public notary, and sealed with the some are not only opposed to the Catho-seal of the person of proper ecclesiaslic religion, but seek to draw others also rical dignity, as is given to our permisinto error; yet the God of all consola- sion in this very diploma. tion does not suffer us to be without solace, but alleviates the labors, cares and anxieties which we continually bear herein. This has recently happened, and we are filled with the highest joy, on hearing that in the kingdom of our well beloved son in Christ, Francis I., Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, a society has been formed called the Leopold Foundation, which is designed to aid the cause of missions. For what is more useful to a christian community, what is more excellent, than by the preaching of the word of God to confirm the just, and to lead the wandering from the paths of vice to those of salvation? And indeed, as the apostle says, "How shall they believe on The Emperor, firmly devoted to our Him of whom they have not heard? holy religion, feels a lively joy at the acAnd how shall they hear without a counts that the truth makes rapid propreacher, and how shall they preach gress in the vast countries of North except they be sent ?" We, therefore, America. Convinced of the irresistible desiring to favor, as far as God permits, power which the Catholic doctrine must such a society, do with a ready and necessarily have on simple and uncorwilling mind grant the requests which rupted hearts and minds, when its truths have been made for the endorsement of are proclaimed by truly apostolical misthe same, with some holy indulgences.sionaries, his Imperial Majesty cherishes Therefore, trusting in the mercy of Almighty God, and the authority of Peter and Paul, his apostles, we grant to all the truly penitent co-operators in this society, who shall confess their sins, and partake of the feast of the Lord's body on the day on which they shall be received into the society, full indulgence and remission of all their sins. Also, we grant full indulgence to them after they shall have been cleansed from the pol-Rese. On the 27th of April, in the same year, Prince METTERNICH addressed to Bishop Fenwick of the diocese of Cincinnati, a letter welcoming the new society, and expressing the Emperor's pleasure as follows :— the most favorable hopes of the pious progress which our holy religion will make in the United States, and among the Indian tribes. The Emperor commissions me to say to your grace, that he cheerfully allows his people to contribute to the support of the Catholic churches in America according to the plan laid down by your worthy Vicar General, Mr. Frederick Although this institution was originated || the great. Whoever is burdened with sin, with a special reference to the wants of the diocese of Cincinnati, yet its founders expressed their disposition to extend their aid to other portions of the field. Accordingly, in less than a year, we find the Bishop of St. Louis applying for a share of the funds furnished by the Leopold Foundation; and other bishops followed in succession. From the foregoing, it will be seen that Catholics in Europe regard it as a pious work, and one which greatly promotes their own spiritual advantage, as well as the welfare of|| "Holy Mother Church," to make sacrifices to sustain the missions of the Hierarchy in America. Again, it will be seen that the plan devised is effective. The appliances are such as to reach the most susceptible spot in the heart of man, whether he be poor or rich. It gathers the pence of the lowly, and the gold of may buy relief and secure indulgence for a forbidden desire, by helping the missions in America. Need we wonder, that in the first fifteen months of its operation, the Leopold Foundation received contributions from 33 dioceses and arch-dioceses, amounting to 131,442 florins, or about $61,000? What its remittances to America have been since, we have not ascertained; but if the progress of the society has been such as may reasonably be expected from the zeal of those engaged in it, and the motives employed to obtain collections, its annual resources cannot be less than $100,000 per annum. Besides this, let it be remembered that another Popish institution, the "Society for the Propagation of the Faith," at Lyons, in France, during the year 1840, appropriated more than $160,000 to missions in North America. Correspondence of the A. H. M. S. A PLEA FOR SUSTAINING AND IN- A missionary of the A. H. M. S. in Wisconsin desires to present to the churches of the East his views of the value of their Home Missionary efforts, and to urge the enlargement of their liberality and prayers for this object. He thinks if they will but contemplate what has been done for his own immediate neighborhood, they must be convinced that the importance of this charity cannot be too highly appreciated. We comply with his wish, by inserting his communication at length. I feel an ardent desire, that the benefits conferred upon the destitute through the H. M. Society should be understood and felt by the churches, that they may know how blessed is their charity bestowed through this channel. Without doubt that beautiful figure of our Lord's, describing the unexpected reward of his disciples, will be strikingly fulfilled in the great day,. when those who sustain Home Missions meet the redeemed, saved under missionary labor. Then will the Lord say unto them, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat; I' was thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." "Then shall the righteous answer, saying, Lord when saw we thee a hungered and fed thee,or thirsty, and When saw we thee a gave thee drink? stranger and took thee in, or naked and clothed thee; or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?" Then shall the Lord the king point to those redeemed by the Gospel which you have preached, and say, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto these, ye did it unto me." Doubtless in that day many will be astonished at the fruits of this charity. I cannot better impress this subject perhaps, than by giving a concise History of one Church in the Wil-members of the church, our house could not have been completed. derness. The church at this place, was gathered two years ago by Rev. James Gallaher; at which time, under his labors, there was an extensive revival, and a church was formed numbering about 40. It was left without a pastor, and like sheep without a shepherd, was scattered. Before the close of the first year it had become, in appearance, nearly extinct, without even occasional preaching; and yet a few were faithful and kept up a weekly prayer meeting. In the autumn of last year, this prayer meeting began to be interesting from the presence of the Lord. From week to week its num bers increased and the work of the Lord began to revive. His people began to wrestle in their own behalf and for the community, and obtained, on two or three occasions, the services of brothers Kent and Dixon, and there were several con versions and several additions to the church. The interest continued to increase until last spring; the church praying in the mean time, and expecting the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into this field, not knowing who, nor from whence. And the Lord did send two missionaries, Rev. Stephen Peet, your agent, and Rev. J. C. Holbrook. The revival attending their labors I need not describe; it has already been done, in the Home Missionary. It was exceedingly interesting, between 20 and 30 were hopefully converted, 14 joined the church. Before the close of his labors here, In a number of the Home Missionary, was an account of the sacrifice and self-denial of a church in Indiana, in the erection of a house of worship-some members taking the glass lights from their cabin windmos for the house of God and boarding up the open spaces. Here, if they have not taken out the windows from their houses, they have often taken the last dollar from their pockets, and borrowed from time to time, upon their personal responsibility, what they had not to give. Once, for want of means, the way seemed entirely hedged up; but a brother at Prairie relief. Often, the intervention of Providu Chien offered the necessary sum for dence has been manifest in opening the way before us. The Ladies' Benevolent Society, consisting of 7 members, only 4 of whom have usually met, have rendered timely assistance on several occasions, and will have given as much as the most liberal subscriber. While the house has been building, we have sometimes held our meetings in a private house. As much of the time on Sabbaths, and through the week as I could, I have labored in other places through the mines. But from month to month through the season, we have had conversions, and the Lord has added to the church from time to time such as (we trust) should be saved, until at the dedication of the house it numbered about 60. The occasion of the dedication was bath, Nov. 27th. The Thursday evenone of great interest. It was on Sab Mr. Peet assisted the church in a purifying process, in which some twelve or fourteen were cut off as giving no evi-ing previous, the church met for the dence in a life of piety toward God. first time in the house for prayer, and Others in the mean time had been dis- J. C. Holbrook and Rev. A. M. Dixon, the Lord vouchsafed his presence. Rev. charged by letter; leaving the number about 40, the same as when Mr. Galla- preached on Friday and Saturday evenher left. He also circulated a subscrip-ngs; on the Sabbath, the interest havtion for a house of worship, and obtained about $500 upon it. Shortly after this, my labors as a missionary commenced, and the responsibility and labor of collecting and disbursing, devolved upon me, and I was also under the necessity of acting as one of the building committee and sometimes as one of the builders. Had it not been, however, for the earnest zeal and disinterested benevolence of some ing accumulated, the house was full to overflowing; 7 were added to the church. It was a day which will be long remembered. Brother II. preached. He continued with us about two weeks, preaching every evening, and we have enjoyed a precious revival season. We know of about 12 hopeful conversions, and much serious interest still exists. Several heads of families have consecrated themselves to God and established the family altar. Catholic Converts. There are some cases of peculiar interest. One or two I will mention. Last spring in the revival a female educated a Catholic was converted; and as she was unable to read the word of God for herself, she obtained a promise from her husband to read to her daily from the Bible; and he strictly adhered to his promise. She had many trials to encounter; her parents and friends being Catholics, opposed her bitterly for a time, but Jesus bore her through them all by faith in his name. She attended female prayer meetings, praying with fervency and great simplicity for her husband's conversion. And although there were untoward appearances enough to have chilled the ardor of many a wife, she continued to expect and to plead; and in the recent meeting, he was one of the first to yield his heart, and established at once the family altar. The husband of another who was converted at the same time, was one of the first to express anxiety at this meeting. For several days he was deeply distressed. The duty of family worship pressed upon him, and he struggled against it. At length the Holy Spirit prevailed; he yielded-commenced family worship; a change came over him, and he began at once to rejoice in salvation. Death of H. He have (and who have not) been contributors to the support of Home Missions, to dwell a moment upon this little history. Under missionary labor, within the past year, in this one church, God has brought into the kingdom near fifty souls; a neat brick church sufficient to contain a congregation of 350 or 400, has been erected; two students have been sent forth to prepare for the ministry, one of And an influence for good has been sent whom, we doubt not,, has gone to glory. out all around. And now let me ask Christians, who yet they are such as to encourage the Though these are not mighty results, laborers and, those who send them forth. Much land yet to be possessed. One of the converts of last spring has gone to the bosom of Abraham. He was a young man of uncommon promise, and had commenced a course of preparation for the ministry. was studying at Plattville, in the academy, under the instructions of Rev. A. M. Dixon, and living in his family. His death was triumphant, and has glorified God. Through a lingering illness of near three weeks, he possessed his soul in cheerful patience, thinking and talk-sessed. The great mass of human ing much about an exchange of worlds -always saying, "Thy will, O Lord, be done." He often said to his friends, "If the Lord has a work for me to do in life, I am willing to remain and do it. If not, I am ready to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better." Frequently through his illness he But, my friends, there is only here and there an oasis in this wide desert. There is much country yet to be pos souls are yet posting on their way with all the celerity of time, down to the regions of despair. When we who are on the ground look over our Master's vineyard here, our hearts bleed for the prevalence of vice and iniquity-for the wide spread devastation sin has made; and we feel that nothing has yet |