Page 133 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

ANNUAL ADDRESS. 129

informs us that they had a rite closely resembling Christian
baptism. "At the naming of their children, the lips and bosom
of the infant were sprinkled with water and 'the Lord mas im-
plored to permit the holy drops to wash away the sin given to it
before the foundation of the world, so that the child might be
born ano~., " Fragments of their prayers are preserved, of
which Mr. PRESCOTT gives the following specimens-"Wilt thou
blot us out, 0 Lord, forever? Is this punishment intended, not
for our reformation, but for our dcstruction? Impart to us, out
of thy great mercy, thy gifts, which we are not worthy to
receive through our own merits." And this exhortation-
"Keep peace with all; bear injuries with patience; God, who
sees, will avenge you."
According to the samc authority, the Aztec priests adminis-
tered the rites of confession and absolution. Thc secrets of the
confessiollal were held inviolable. Penances were prescribed,
similar to those practiced in the Romish Church. "The address
of the confessor, on such occasions," says 31r. PRESCOTT, ''con-
tains some things too remarkable to be omitted. '0 merciful
Lord,' he says in his prayer, 'thou who knowcst the secrets of
all hearts, let thy goodness and favor descend, like the pure
water of heaven, to wash away the stains from the soul. Thou
knowest that this poor man has sinned, not of his own free will,
but from the influence of the sin under which he was born.'
After a copious exhortation to the penitcnt, enjoining a variety
of mortifications by penance, and particularly urging the ncces-
sity of procuring a slave for sacrifice, the priest concludes by
inculcating charity to the poor. 'Clothe the naked and feed
the hungry, whatever privation it may cost thee; for remember
their flesh is thine and they ere men likc thee.' Such is the
strange medley of truly christian benevolence and heathcnish
abominations with which the Aztec litany abounds,-indicating
source6 widely different. Still there was a strong general
resemblance betwccn the Aztec and Egyptian priesthood." *
- -- pi--
* Conquest of Mexico, 701. 1. chap. 4.
16m