PASTORAL LETTER OF THE MOST REVEREND ARCHBISHOP OF BALTIMORE, AND THE OTHER RIGHT REVEREND AND VERY REVEREND PRELATES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES, IN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED AT BALTIMORE, IN OCTOBER, 1829 TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC LAITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Baltimore: Published by James Myers, Near the Cathedral, 1829. 29, [3 blanks] pp. Stitched in original printed wrappers [gum label]. Library marks, spotting, "withdrawn" stamp on front wrapper and title page. Verso of title page with label affixed on blank portion, "Collection of J. Gilmary Shea" in typescript. Otherwise, lightly foxed, with some corners turned. Good or so.
Parsons says Bishop England, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Charleston, was the author. The pamphlet was written "On occasion of the First Provincial Council of Baltimore" [Parsons 1014]. This is one of two 1829 Baltimore printings; the Letter was also printed in Charleston in the same year.
The Council states, "The vast tide of emigration which has rolled across the Atlantic, during the half century just elapsed, together with the natural growth of a prosperous people under free institutions ... has swelled our population to an extraordinary extent, and our flock has necessarily participated in the increase." But all is not roses for the American Catholic Church. Among its greatest "misfortunes is misrepresentation of the tenets, the principles and the practices of our church." The Council deplores the "extraordinary efforts directed against us," and the persistent lies that have spread about church doctrine and practices.
Parsons 1015. Sabin 59019. Item #38151
Price: $275.00