A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South-America, During the Years 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 Volume 2; Containing

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1806 Excerpt: ... happiness of their parishioners. The peace, tranquillity and concord of families, are also the sei ious objects of their cares. Domestic quarrels are, by their mediation, appeased as soon as known. The hatred which interest or passion often produces between citizens, yields to the indefatigable cares of these pastors, and is terminated by sincere reconciliations: chicanery finds in them the most inveterate enemies. How often have they drawn citizens into a happy understanding, when they were about commencing, or perhaps had already commenced, a process, the delays and expenses of which, would probably have produced the ruin and misery of all parties! Theie is a certain emulation among the curates, on this point, which causes them to consider as a good deed, every process which they have prevented or destroyed. Such men are doubtless worthy of public veneration; and in effect they enjoy it so fully, that they are more frequently regarded as tutelar, angels, than as public functionaries. Classification of the Curates. The care of souls is confided, in the Spanish Indies, to rectoral curates, doctrinal curates and missionaries. The first are those who officiate in parishes, where the Spanish population predominates. The second, those who exercise curial functions in the Indian villages. The third, those who catechise the Indians, and instruct them in the rudiments of the social life. The functions of rcctoral and doctrinal curates are nearly the same. The latter are merely enjoined to much more assiduity in the instruction of the Indians. In this consists the difference of their recompences and emoluments. Rcctoral Curates. The rectoral curates have, a right to the amount of the tithes which remains, after deducting one fourth for the bishop, another fourth f...