The Express.
London, England, 1861-05-04 00:00:00

WHAT IS THE USE OF THE POPE /

(Prom the Peri Prase.)

"Muth is the tae of the Popti quoi serf
le Pepe I)" Such is the tithe( a et just published
by Mosseimmur Chums, the a prothoootary. This
pamphlet is very short, and its brevity constitutes its sole
merit, for as to the matter, it in impossible to imagine any-
thing more pointless and insignificant. It is so entirely
devoid of argument or Mustratioe, sod its declamatory
phraseology is se commonplace and Saslow, that the
elericaltrinale has ad had the sewage to de to it.
But al h the performance itself is unreadable mid
beneath Siam, the title is It good one—it asks very
apropos the cpsestion, " What is the use of the Pope!"
Y. Chume been witness that "in legislative assemblis
In drawing-rooms, ha cafes, in workshops, at the domestic
fireside, in country, and in town, millions of baptised crea-
tures have been brought to such • pitch that they
ask with lamentable hardihood, What ix the use of the
Pope, and, more espeoially, of a Pope king!" The state-
ment is pesfectly true, and we need not observe how signi-
ficant it is. It proves, and we again quote M. Oanme's
words, that the Pope king " has fallen upon an indifference
which has become contagious even among Christians. As
to what is called the world, the fall of the throne of St.
Peter le held by it of leer account than the failure of •
merestile house or • fall at the Bourse." Nothing can be
more tree than this. Both in the world and out of It, the
qessikm what is the we of the Pop! is rrow university
asked.; and it is very difficult to find an answer. M. Game,
indeed, feels no diEenlty. Of what ass, be asks, is the sun
in nature? And then he replies, " As the sun is to nature.
so is the Pop to the civihred world. Without the Pope
soft wooM has slavery for its basis, Nero for king,
aid Ikten for God." With the Pope "would
smith • everything that prevents pagan crimes
and sceadals." If the Pops ware &holier& "society would
basses what it is everywhere beycod the sphere of the
Pops 's inflows—a vast beanar, in which liberty, honour,
sad 000SCISIDOS would be bought sad mid." Conclusion :
Bosh. Sweden, Denmark, Prussia, Holland, and England,
which have broken with the Pope, are all basun where
libeety, isearinr, and conscience are shamefully bartered—
ass el saletecton steeped in all pagan crimes. Among
the precious and irrefutable arguments which fill up the
spostoliad prothonotary's pages there is one which is worth
noticing. " Whitt the head is to the body," says
Oaume, " the Pope is to the church :" without a head
there can be no body, and without a Pope there
elm be no church. Now, it is an undoubted
face that the Roman question is greatly complicated
by the prevalence of the belief that the Pope is Deanery
to the organic constitution of the church. But
this is • great historical error. To demon-
strate the utter falsity of this idea it la
unfortunately necessary to go into questions more fit far •
book than • newspaper. But inasmuch as people reed books
but little and Downpipe.. a great deal, we must resign °or-
ielses to attack the prejudices of ignorance and the auda-
cious asseverations of false learning in • newspaper—and we
will do ao with history in our hand. If it were true, a.
X. Ganmo affirms, that the Pope is to the church what
the head is to the body, we should he driven to the con-
clusion that the church has very often been a body without
• head. To say nothing of frequent vacations of five oe
six mouths, or even a year, we would beg M. Oaume to ob-
serve that between Fabius and Cornelius there was an inter-
regnum of sixteen mouths : there was a nineteen months'
interregnum between Hounds I. and &various ; twenty
months between Celestinus IV. and Innocent IV. ;
two Leers and • half between Nicholas IV. and Coles-
tin= V.; and nearly three years between Clement IV.
sad Gregory X. The church was without • Pope during
all these Intervals ; mad if it could do without one for Gee,
two. or three years, we cannot see why it should not get
ea very well in a like state of privation for fifty, a hundred,
or two hundred years. In the 10th century there were
twenty-nine pontiffs, of whom eleven died strangled or
aseasunated, and three in pries or exile; fourteen were
Popes only in name ; and one. Semis 111., shared the papal
, power with the famous Theodora. Cardinal Baronies,
scandalised at this period of papal history , which resembles
the history of the &Tens of Morocco, finds it difficult to
believe that there men were really Popes. He repudiates
' them, and calls them thieves, ravening wolves, and anti.
Christ ; from all which it results that for nearly a oentory
the church was pretty nearly without • Pope. Does K.
Gears think that if • Pope were as neesessry to the
church as • bead is to the body, Jesus Christ
would have permitted such a long and scandalous disorder!
7'be hierarchy of which it is said the Pope is the corner-
stone grew out of the necessity of providing • government
for the rising church. This hierarchy was modelled upon
the synagogue, the rrunicipalities of Ada Minor, and the
administrative diviairins of the Roman empire. Every me-
tropolitan city, that is to say, every town in which the go-
vernor of • province reside!, became the see of a metropoli-
tan bishop. But every bishop was indepeadmit in the inte-
rior administration of his church. He was sleeted by the
people, consecrated by the metropolitan, and he governed
with the aid of • council of priest.. The metropolitan was
also elected by the people, and consecrated by the senior
seeregaa assisted by all the others. He convoked and pre-
sided over the provincial councils, in which the affairs of the
prwrinoe were diacusred, aod the oases strictly prohibited the
carrying of causes elsewhere. With each • estem,which listed
for several centuries, it ie clear that a universal Pope would
have been useless, and it is quite certain that the want of
such an officer was nowhere felt. But the dignity and

importance of the bishop were naturally in proportion to
the dignity and importance of the town in which they
resided, and among them towns there were three—Bums,
Alexandria, and Antioch—which outshone all others. Bears
was ever caps, muesli, regime pentium. It was to Rome
that were brought all causes belonging to the tnbunal
Orrear—canses which were submitted to the prefect
of Rome, the natural judge of senators and supreme meg"-
(trate.. The bishops of Rome therefore became gradually
of more importance than other bishops, and arrogated to
themselves an authority in the church analogous to that
which the prefect exercised in matters political. upon
the a special government immediately dependent upon
the Emperor, and represented by the &unite' pre.
fact. His residence was at Alexandria, the riche=
and most populous city of the empire after Rome. And
accordingly the Bishops of Alexandria, becoming rich and
powerful, were this first to take the title of patriarchs.
Antioch was the capital of the vast and rich proviince of
the East (Asia Minor), the residence of the prefect of the
preteens, and the bishop of that city became the third graW
dignitary of the church. The Bishop of Jerusalem ought to
have been the bead of all, but that city being politically
'object to 0111Srlit, the metropolis of Palestine, the 'bishop
of Jerusalem had scarcely any jurisdiction, and it was
merely ad keno/set that the title of patriarch was gaited
to them. In =its, however, of these various supremacies,
and the abuser which frequently resulted from them, the
organic system of the church was maintained for a very
long while in its primitive state without any necessity being
felt for an absolute chief—a vicar of Jesus Christ
upon earth. The Emperors, who had been chiefs
of the pagan worship, became, in like manner,
heeds of the Christian church. They convoked the first
eight councils, which they presided over either in person or
by deputy ; the eighth was presided over by a women—
the Empress Irene. The Emperors ratified and authorised
the publication of the acts of the councils. They intervened
in all the affairs of the church, whether in matters of doe.
trine or discipline ; they made laws concerning dogmas, the
churches, and the clergy ; they &pared bishops and brought
them to trial. The codesof Theodosius and Justinian show
abundantly how large a part the Emperors assumed is the
general government of the church. while the Popes had
merelylha honorary pee-emiassos, la moral and eassoltathe
authority. Thia is not the place to explain how it happened
that this authority extended throughout the wash
after the fall of the empire sod under beam=
kiss We will merely state that down to the thee
a ZseLatias, who died is 752—that le to lay, during
the most laborious, the most brilliant, and the most edify-
ing period of the church- the Popes were subjects of the
Emperor. And here we come to that objection which we
have sit= submitted to the catholk journals without everob-
inning an answer ; either the Popes of the first eight cen-
turies exercised the apostolic"' ministry in all its plenitude,
and then they bad no need of the temporal power; or, if
temporal independence be an essential condition of "pintos'
independence, it follows that the Popes during sight
centuries were in a position incompatible with the due
, government of the church.

Lsdislas Paloosy, the late president, by
semiority, of the Basporhin Diet, whose death hes been
announced by telegraph, was 78 years old, end bad pre.
sided in the Diet of 1848. The assembly suspended its
sittings for three days, and resolved to wear mourning foe
him for six weeks. Both chambers were swat at his
funeral, the expense of which was defrayed by the Diet.
. _ _ _ _ _

If the hon: member for Rochdale still remains
plain Mr. Cobden, it is wily beciume it is his owe dears to
do so. Lord Palmerston, on the part of the government,
has signified his desire to advise her Majesty to bestow on
her representative in carrying out the provisions of the
commsraisl treaty with Fame a baronetcy and the distinc.
ton of a privy councillor, both of which honours he hag
declined.

The British Association for the Advancement of
Science will this year bold its meetings (the thirty-first) at
Manchester, commencing on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Mr. W.
Fairobains C.E, LLD., Iva, is the preidt elect • tba
vise. +lea ban the Earl of =edam t Lad
; the &Mop of Meader ; Sir Philip de=
Eraton ; Bar of
Maywood Mr. T.
°Mi.*, •XrJ. A. Tumor, M.P. ; Dr. 'Joule; Mr. Baal
Hodikinson ; and Mr. Joseph Whitworth. Mr. it. P.
Greg will act as the local treasurer ; and Means. Darbi.
shire, Bald, RAISMOININ sad Profaner Roscoe es local secre-
taries for the Mascheeter meeting. The arrangements with
respect to the secretaries of the local sectional committal',
I who will be glad to receive communications relating
to their sectional departments, are as fellows :
Mathematics' and Physical Science, Professor Clifton
and Mr. Heels ; Clanked Science, Prof. Rosen and Mr.
BalDaff Gooleap, Mesas. Atklneom and Perkins • Zoology
sad alay, Dr. Alcoa sad Mr. Mosley ;Ph Dr.
Roberts and Mr. Windsor ; y and aba. , Mr.
Greenwood, Principal of Owen's ; Economic Scenes
and Statistics, Prof. Christie ; Mee Science, Mr.
John Robinson. Communications intended for manta
Lion to the actions must be forwarded in letters, addressed
either to the assistant general secretary (Prof. Phillips,
Oxon.), at " The Portico," Manchester ; or to one of the
secretaries to local seetioael mipmittere, mentioned above ;
and mast be accompanied by a statement whether the
author will be present, and an what day, so that the bud.
ma of the 'edam may be satisfactorily arranged. An
the benefits moulds( from the exertions at the association
an diffused through every broach of our national Mae.
tries, we trust the &elastic& that " the funds which the
sisoeistion hie to expend for its scientific objects consist
oily of the payments made by members and asociates,"
I will sake to mdse. • universal endeavour to take every
importunity of amain their nurnber.—Mininp Journal,
Bctnrrtnc MESTIWOB mares ENSUING WLEK.—
Monday—Entomological, & Architects, 8, Annual Gene-
ral. Royal Institattam, 2, General Monthly. Tuesday—
Photographic, 8. gam, 8, " National Defences."
Royal Institution, 3, "Modern Music," Mr. Hellish. Wed-
eesday—Archasological Association, 81. Society of Lite.
suture, Bi. Graphic, 8. Society of Arts, 8, "Trade
and Commerce of Eastern Archipelago," Mr. Shalom&
Geological, 8, " Bone Caves, Massat," Mr. Fasten ; " flint
Im_plements," Mr. Preetwich. Micrcecopical 8. Thuisday
—rbilolvtilce l, 8. Antiquaries, 84. Royal Institution, 3,
" Devonian Aga" W. Pagelly. Friday—Royal Latina-
Noe, 8, " Relation of Animal and Vegetable to biomass
Kingdom," Mr. tansy. Astrooomiml, 8. Saturday—
Asiatic. 3, Anniversary. Royal Institution, 3, "Lye
swat" Professor Max Willer._

Tam POPULATION OF C.I.IIIIRIDOZ.—The census
returns for Cambridge having bees now completed, to the
aatadahmeat of many, it is found that there is • decrease
in the decade el 1,452 ; an event that few could have cone
templated.—Cambridge Independent.
Sr. PAUL'S Cummunrug.—The Bishop of London
has appoieled the following geatimes to be special Sunday
morning preachers at St. Paul's Cathedral for the present
month :—Sudsy May 5, the Ray. Derwent Coleriolge,M.A..
of St. John's College, Cambridge, principal of St. Mark's
College, Chelsea. Sunday, May 12, the Rev. William
Calvert, A., of Pembroke College, Cambridge, Muer
beat of Bootie Town ChapeL The Very Rev. Dr. H. H.
Millman, Dean of St. Paul's, will preach on Thursday, the
9th, being ikaciensionday ; and an Sunday, the 19th, Wag
Whit-SWART.
ROYAL UOLLIKIN OF SIIRODONS.—The following
gentlemen, 'main undergone the necessary examinations for
the diploma, were admitted members of the college, at •
meeting of the court of examiners, on the 2nd inst., viz :
Messrs. Thomas Prangley, Winchester; William Allan
Thompeon, Park-town, Oxford ; and John Hewitson, Bang.
Middlesex (students of King's College) ; Percy Milligan.
Keighley, Yorkshire ; and Thomas Jones, lAurdissil4 Car.
marthes (of University College) ; John Lovegrove, L.S.A.,
Sotwell Farm, near Wallingford; and Charles Alfred
Atkins, Farnham Royal, Bucks (of St. George's Hospital);
Benjamin Thompson Lome, Bartlett'e-buildinga, Holborn
(St. Bartholomew's Hospital); William Frederick Ryall,
PlymontheiCharing-cross Hospital) ; Nathaniel
Emitheart Cressw Canterbury (St. Marys Hospital);
William Augustine ebony, Commercial-road East (Loa'
don Hospital) ; Marshall Hall Webster, Dulwich (Si.
Thomas's Hospital) ; William Hugh Hughes, Warrington,
Laneurhire ; and George 'Janata* Manchester ; James
Johnstone Corr* Carhsle ; Joseph Hainsworth, Leeds ;
an
William Everard Ridedals, Otley, Yorkshire (of Leedg;
Samuel Norton Harriam, Hull ; Edward Dudley, Staveley,
Chesterfield ; Stephanie Jacobus Ileintjes. LM., Edinburgh.
Cape of Good Hope; and James Burt, Newcastle.
FREE Lemmas ox Music.—The Gresham
lectures on music, by Professor Taylor, will be delivered in
the theatre of the College, Basiughaltetreet, on the wee'
togs of Mooday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, the fithi
7th, and Bth leak, each evening at seven, doors open at, hail-
past six. Free admissioo without tickets. The lectures
will be profusely illustrated by a full choir, accompanied by
Mr. Tare, organist of the Abbey, on the pianoforte.
DRUMM) • BATTLE! FILLD.—A few days since,
as a gang of drainers were at work in a field near Lit*
CLuifield, they exhumed some human skeletons, and open
further search from 300 to 400 were discovered. Amour
them were many bones of horses. The whole were, no
doubt, the slain who fell in one of the fights known to hors„
taken place in this locality between Croinwell's fortes 184
the Royasta—SAreceineriJostrised.
Tins &WHIZ AT BOLTON.—Wednesday being the
day appointed by the emaciated masters for closing their
mills, in the event of the self-acting winders refusing te
resume work, a meeting of the members was held in the
evening, at the Swan Hotel, to determine what course they
ongbt to pursue. thou hands being still determined not to
accept the reduction of five per cent. A deputation hen
the operative spinners, accompanied by Mr. David Flolt,
again obtained an interview with the mutes, in order to
urge upon them the serious consequences of • general der.
page of the mills, now that the hands had submitted to 01
tame of their employers, and left themselves without sop'
peat from other towns. The result of the meeting was.
that the mills should stop until all the hands returned to
their work. This determination being unexpected, low
created• great sensation in the town.
FATAL ACCIDRNT AT WOOLWICH ARNENAL.---012
Wednesday morning an accident terminated fatally to Theorem
Creedy, aged sixty years, who resided at Plurodemel. The
deemed was at work at the Royal Animal at Woolwich.
end was knocked down by a heavy gun carriage, the wheel'
of whiferlissesd over his nibs and bead, crashing them is •
most • ttul meaner. Police-oonstalule 185 It curer°
bins to Themes Hospital, where Mr. Phillip, hoofs
surgeon, was unremitting in his attendance on the se'
fortunate enterer, but death shortly put a period to iso
sufferings.