the pastor will teach, which only express some attribute or action ascribed to God. Thus, Daniel describes " The Ancient of Days, seated on a throne, and before him the books opened;" to signify his eternity and wisdom, by which he sees and judges all the thoughts and actions of men. [1] Angels, also, are represented under human form and winged, to give us to under stand that they are actuated by benevolent feelings towards us, and are always prepared to execute the ministry of God to man: " they are all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation." [2] That attributes of the Holy Ghost are represented under the forms of a dove, and of tongues of fire, as we read in the Gospel [3] and in the Acts of the Apostles, [4] is a matter too well known to require lengthened exposition.
But to make and honour the images of our Lord, of his holy and virginal Mother, and of the Saints, all of whom appeared in human form, is not only not forbidden by this commandment, but has always been deemed a holy practice, and the surest indication of a mind deeply impressed with gratitude towards them. This position derives confirmation from the monuments of the Apostolic age, the General Councils of the Church, and the writings of so many amongst the Fathers, eminent alike for sanctity and learning, all of whom are of one accord upon the subject. But the pastor will not content himself with showing the lawfulness of the use of images in churches, and of paying them religious respect, when this respect is referred to their prototypes he will do more he will show that the uninterrupted observance of this practice up to the present time has been attended with great advantage to the faithful; as may be seen in the work of Damascene, on images, [5] and in the seventh General Council, which is the second of Nice. [6]
But as the enemy of mankind, by his wiles arid deceits, seeks to pervert even the most holy institutions, should the faithful happen at all to offend in this particular, the pastor, in accordance with the decree of the Council of Trent, [7] will use every exertion in his power to correct such an abuse, and, if necessary, explain the decree itself to the people. He will also inform the unlettered, and those who may be ignorant of the proper use of images, that they are intended to instruct in the history of the Old and New Testaments, and to revive the recollection of the events which they record; that thus excited to the contemplation of heavenly things we may be the more ardently inflamed to adore and love God. He will, also, in form the faithful that the images of the Saints are placed in churches, not only to be honoured, but that, also, admonished by their example we may imitate their lives and emulate their virtues. [8]
