nd works of fiction or lying histories
placed constantly in their way, is it not obvious that every parent and
every pastor should be careful not only to exclude from their flocks and
families such impious productions, but also to provide the youth
committed to their care with works of an opposite description? But we
make bold to say, that in no work now extant can there be found
condensed so vast a quantity of historical information as is contained
in "THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS:" nor is it the store of knowledge here
amassed which renders the work, as a history, of so much value; but it
is the judicious arrangement, the undoubted candor, the dispassionate
judgment of men, manners, and things, which the venerable historian
everywhere displays.

He has been able to trace events to their true causes; to point out the
influence of religion upon human policy, and of that policy on the
Church of God; to exhibit the rise and fall of states and empires,--the
advancement or declension of knowledge,--the state of barbarism or
civilization which prevailed in the several countries of the world,--the
laws, the manners, the institutions, which arose, were changed,
improved, or deteriorated, in the kingdoms and empires which brought
forth the elect of God in every age: but in his narration there is
always found to prevail a spirit, wanted in almost every history written
in our times--a spirit which assigns to the power and providence of God
the first place in the conduct of human events, and which makes manifest
to the unbiased reader the great and fundamental truth of the Christian
Religion, that "all things work together to the good of those who,
according to the purpose or design of God, are called to be Saints."

The great characteristic, however, of this work, and that which,
perhaps, in these times and in this country, constitutes its chief
excellence, is, that it exhibits to the reader the doctrine and
discipline of the Catholic Church,--the former always the same,
"yesterday, to-day, and forever"--the latter receiving impressions from
abroad, and moulding itself to the places, times, and circumstances, in
which the Church herself was placed. In other works may be found
arguments and proofs in support of the dogmas of faith and the doctrines
of the Catholic Church, set forth in due order and becoming force; but
such works are of a controversial nature, and not always suited to the
taste or capacity of every class of readers: no