reproved, but is worthy of praise. We praise therefore those missionaries who, following the example of Saints, strive to draw the youth committed to their charge from dangerous representations by innocent recreations. In doing which let them always take care to refresh and not to relax their minds; and while they give pleasure to others not to hurt themselves. Which is at once to be observed in treating of sodalities of women. Let the priest as far as possible preside over their recreations by other women rather than in person, lest he give a handle to the tongues of detractors. But let priests suppress the abuse which has grown up in some places of holding balls to raise money for the schools and other pious works.
"As to the public recreations which are called excursions, we have with sorrow heard very many evils thence resulting. We judge therefore that they are rather to be repressed than promoted. However, lest we should seem to be hard in matters lawful in themselves, we exhort the pastors of souls to abstain from promoting excursions unless they have leave for them from the Vicar-General."
12. "The dress of ecclesiastics ought to be such as to distinguish them altogether from laymen, and yet not to confound them with heterodox ministers.
