The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-18 00:00:00

THE SUN.., LONDON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, _1842.

SOME ANSWER TO THE INQUIRY,
WHY ARE YOU BECOME A CATHOLIC ? IN
A LETTER TO A FRIEND, BY RICHARD
WALDO SIETHORP, 8.D., LATE MINISTER
ST. JAMES'S, HYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT.
The Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, now more conspicuous in the
religious world than his brother of Lincoln in the politi-
cal, has since his conversion, had so many letters ad-
dressed to him, with the interrogatory, " Why are you
become a Catholic ?" that in order to save trouble, and
also, probably, with a view to make converts, he has pub-
lished an exposition of his belief, and his reasons for en-
tering into the Holy Catholic Church. The statement,
which is drawn up with considerable skill, breathes
throughout thu warmest devotion in the cause of Divine
truth ; and, at the same time, exhibits the author in such
a favourable light, both as regards those who differ with
him, and the grounds for his conclusions, that we are
much mistaken if it fail to make many Puseyites alto-
gether Catholics. The primary cause of his conversion
may be traced to first love, not of carnal woman, but of
Mother Church;' for at an early age he sought admission
into that Church, and but for the interference of the law,
being then under age, would have joined her. First love,
it is said, is not easily forgotten, and the most trivial, nay,
sometimes irrelative circumstances, call it to mind, and
only the more confirm the original impression. This was
the case with Mr. Sibthorp. " About five years since,"
says he, "in the course of my ministry at Hyde, I was
led to review the Jewish Economy, or the Church under
the old dispensation. The subject came minutely under
my notice, while engaged in a series of lecturss on the
Levitical law and institutions. It is universally admitted
that these were typical of something better—' of good
things to come,' from Israel viewed as a nation, down to
the smallest ornaments of the tabernacle, respecting
which Jehovah had said, See that thou make all
things according to the pattern which was showed thee
in the Mount.' Where, then, was to be found this some-
thing better, thus accurately prefigured, thus largely
and minutely typified ? Where the antitype of this
typical dispensation ? I naturally sought it in a careful
comparison of the Christian Dispensation with these
types ; and I found one immediate answer to my
inquiry, and full of holy and consolatory instruction."
The Mosaic dispensation, therefore, led him to look for
a church characterised by oneness by the strictest re-
quired holiness by Catholicity, by a supreme spiritual rule,
by continual daily sacrifice, and by an impressive magni-
ficent and significant ritual. He then inquires—" Was
the accomplishment of the glorious Levitical shadows
to be found in a patchwork combination of a multitude
of sects, as opposed in their interests as in their belief
and worship ? Could the typified holy—separated as to
others, and as to themselves visibly united—nation, the
one body of Christ, eonsist of a mixture of Prussian
Luthereans, French Calvinists, and Swiss Socinians; of
Independents, Baptists, Quakers, Shakers, of Irvingites
and Plymouth Brethren; of Methodists of the Old and
of the New Connection ; of New Jerusalemites, and
Primitive Revivalists? Could such disorder be the de-
signed fulfilment of a type of such holy order?—such
disunion be the rightful substance of a shadow marked
by an entire harmony of its parts, and perfect oneness
of outline? Ingenuity could not trace a resemblance.
But when I looked back to the primitive apostolic
Church of the first six centuries, I found an exact cor-
respondency with the type :—when I also looked back to
the ancient Church of England, as first formed by St.
Augustine, I found the most entire agreement, and an
actual, visible, professed oneness, with that apostolic
Church, as it had existed for six centuries : it was a
provincial limb of that vast Catholic body which was
then co-extensive with the knowledge of Christianity.
When I viewed it at any subsequent period down to the
commencement of the.sixteenth century, I met with the
same unaltered character ; and though the Catholic body
had been lopped of some of its limbs by the severing
strokes of heresy or schism, it still flourished a vigorous,
stately, wide-expanded tree, the same in every essential,
almost in every minute particular, which it had been,
when the English branch first grew from out its sustain-
ing, fostering trunk. The Catholic Church in commu-
nion with the see of Rome, stood forth, in my view, the
close and perfect antitype of the Church under the Old
Testament."
He is further strengthened in his belief by reference
to the New Testament, in which a remarkable promise
is given to Peter in these words—" Thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my Church. And I will give
unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." He
therefore regards this Apostle as the founder of the pure
Church on earth, and, when he died, another took his
position to occupy it •, another, and another; have suc-
cessively filled the Chair of St. Peter for eighteen hun-
dred years, on the same warrant, with the same design,
and the same darkness, as to the Lord's time of return,
" herein accomplishing the type of the continuous high
priesthood of the Jews." The unity of the Anglican
Church with that of Rome, which many Episcopal
clergymen of the present day assert, he utterly denies.
Dr. Howley, he says, teaches doctrines entirely opposed
to those taught by the great Fathers of the Church, and
ho therefore rejects his authority. " Am Ito be told," he
asks, "there is no occasion for you to be dissatisfied
with the Anglican as not being a true portion
of the Catholic Church, and a loving sister of the
Rattan Church, because she is identically the very same
Church under Dr. Howley, as she was under Dr. War-
ham, or St. Thomas, or St. Augustine ? I cannot be-
lieve what is so palpably untrue. And to test its truth
a little farther, suppose myself, or any Presbyter of the
Anglican Church, coming before these four prelates, and
submissively listening to receive Catholic verity from
their concordant confession, as knowing that the truth
of God cannot vary, and with a real attachment to Ca-
tholic unity ? It is undoubted, that while three of them
woukl enjoin me, on pain of heavy spiritual penalties,
to offer np the sacrifice of the mass, the inculcation on
my flock of the doctrines, for example, of purgatory, of
invocation of the Blessed Virgin and of the saints,—the
last-named, Dr. -Howtay, _weak' as strongly forbid me
to do the former, or to hold or to teach either of the
latter. While St. Augustine, St. Thomas, and Arch-
bishop Warham, would require me to profess an hearty
allegiance to the See of Rome, in matters spiritual and
ecclesiastical, as Divinely constituted to rule and con-
centrate the kingdom of Christ on earth, Archbishop
Howley would threaten me with heavy penalties, if I
held the Bishop of Rome to have any jurisdiction at all
in England, or any supremacy beyond his own See. I
state no more than fact."
With another extract we shall close the notice of this
remarkable letter and the statement it contains will
have some weight, as coming from a clergyman who has
studied the subject carefully, and knows the Puseyites
well:—" It is," he says, " maintained by many, and that
publicly, of whose integrity and piety, no more than of
their learning and talents, can the least question be
raised by all who have the privilege to know them, that
the Anglican Church is truly Catholic as it respects
these doctrines, and that no one who subscribes the
Thirty-nine Articles is called on to reject purgatory,
transubstantiation, invocation of the B. Virgin Mary and
of the saints, the fficacy of the sacrifice of the mass, as
defined by the Council of Trent, &c. In other words, he
may be a Tridentine Catholic at heart, and an Anglican
clergyman by profession. This is a- startling position,
and as might be supposed, has startled the Established
Church throughout her length and breadth, from Ber-
wick-upon-Tweed to the Land's-end. A sound has gone
forth from Oxford, which has troubled alike the Metro-
politan at Lambeth, and the humble curate in the Welsh
mountains. It has penetrated the British Senate ; (per-
adventure it may not be unheard in another Council
Chamber); it certainly has not been unheard in the
Vatican."

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.

CHRONICLE.—The embarrassed condition of the
United States Treasury had created a great sensation.
Mr. Fillemon, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, having stated in debate that the Secretary of the
Treasury had informed him that there was a present de-
ficiency to meet the demands of upwards of 250,000 dol-
lars, and that, unless the money was provided, the Go-
vernment must be dishonoured. Everything had been
fought off, in the expectation that Congress would imme-
diately vote the needful supplies, but instead of that, the
House had passed appropriations without granting means.
The resumption of 'January, 1841, not having been fully
maintained, or carried out, is considered to have been
more disastrous to the currency than if the attempt had
not been made. At no period since 1815 has tlii3',AMOL
rican currency been in such a deplorable conditioil:'' '
POST.—A question has arisen daring the' iliffr "ri
days respecting the large masses of light sOyeti S-
O
which are known to have accumulated in the 'eothl (i
The Bank cannot take this deteriorated coin and again
put it into circulation, otherwise its present stock of'
treasure would, it is considered, be at once augmented by
at least three or four millions. The vaults of the Corpo-
ration have, as the last monthly average shows, been re-
plenished
of
tihne x
aeveerhyanges
considwearrarbalentdsegrtheee,exapneed tthaetihonealoVa.
further accession from week to week for some time to
come ; but notwithstanding this promised abundance,
negotiations are, it is believed, going on for relieving
the holders of light sovereigns from the disqualifica-
tions imposed by the monetary laws regulating the
proceedings of the Rank. The coin in question has,
for the most part, been rendered ineligible for payment
there by the process of what is technically called ,
" sweating," as practised by the lower order of bullion
dealers, and to recoin the metal at the expense of the
Crown would be at once to act contrary to law, and to
hold out a premium on the system that could not fail to
insure its continuance.' Unless, therefore, by the intro-
duction into the recoinage of an element of alloy which
will effectually prevent abrasion, it seems difficult to per-
ceive how the evil is to be dealt with. This may, how-
ever, it is said by scientific persons, be accomplished.
Some remedy for it, at all events, is becoming indispens-
able, and it is rather this necessity, we presume, that is
forcing itself upon the attention of the public authori-
tid, tlian the adoption of any expedient with a view
simply to tie strengthening of the hands of the Bank,
although it billet improbable that some extension of the
note circulatiort,.• BS the spring season advances, may be
thought desirable. s"''
SUN.—Therity festivities, though a source of grati-
fication to hundreds, have been, nevertheless, a hin-
drance to business, where such must necessarily be car-
ried on, as in the case of bankers and brokers, Me
event, however, beim, so truly civic in itself—the foun-
dation of an Exchange for the merchant Princes of
England—the most plodding can hardly be disposed to
quarrel with the preparations and holiday movements
attending it.
The market for Stocks was affected prejudicially by
the heavy sales made again on account, as was before
and is still supposed, of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
When we remark, however, that 210,0001. Stock was
thrown upon the market in one bargain, it will excite
surprise that the decline was no more than i to 4 per
cent. Consols for immediate transfer ranged from 89i to
88/ and 59 ; and from 891 to 894 for the Account.
The time bargains were not to any extent. Exchequer
Bills obtained to 15s. and 17s. premium, and East India
Bonds 10s. to 12s, 'premium, Bank Stock.was worth ,

1661- to 167, Reduced Three-andfa-Half per Cents.
brought 994 to i; and the Three per Cent. Annuities
89ttoi.

Nothing definite has transpired yet on the sub-
ject of the capitalization of Spanish Bonds, and
there is, consequently, an indisposition to operate. In
the other Foreign Stocks there was only a slight increase
of business. The Active Spanish Bonds were done to-
day at 24i to ; Dutch Five per Cents. were 10011 i to
101 ; Chilian wire rather better, being quoted 69 to 71;
Colombian were steady at 21i, and Mexican improved
to 29i and 291. Brazil Bonds were again quoted 64.
Railway-Shares attracted but little attention. Brighton
improved slightly, viz. to 121 and 12 discount; Blackwall
were 131; and Midland Counties, 16 discount, Great
Western New Shares were lii, and Birmingham 79 to
79i premium.

''HE ROYAL CHRISTENING.

- • -
WINDSOR, MONDAY.—A second rehearsal of the mu-
sic to be performed at the ceremony of the christening of
the Prince of Wales took place this morning in St.
George's Chapel, when two new pieces, which had been
selected by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, both from
the sacred compositions of Handel, were played for the
first time, viz., a Martial Symphony from the Oratorio
of Belshazzar, and a Grand March from the Oratorio
of Joseph, Ilandel's Occasional Overture, and the Hal-
lelujah Choi& (the latter beautifully given by the Lay
Clerks and Choristers of St. George's), were also re-
hearsed. It is expected that the Martial Symphony and
the. March from Joseph, played to-day for the first time,
will be substituted for the Overture to the Oratorio of
Sampson, and the-Grand March in Hercules, which had
been previously determined upon.
Amongst those who were present at the performances
were the Earl of Liverpool, the Lord Steward ofher Ma-
jesty's Household (who_ left Windsor for London imme-
diately it had concluded), the Rev. Lord Wriothesley.
Russell, the Hon. Mrs. Arbuthnot, the Rev. William
Canning, the Hon. Captain Forrester, and several of the
Officers of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue), and the 72d
Highlanders.
Her Majesty has commanded invitations to be dis-
patched to the Right Hon. John Pirie, the Lord Mayor
of London and Mr. Sheriff Rogers and Mr. Sheriff Mag-
nay, to be present at. the ceremony in St. George's
Chapel, to the grand luncheon at the Castle afterwards,
and to the banquet in the Hall of St. George in the
evening.
Sleeping apartments at the Palace have been com-
manded to be prepared for the civic functionaries.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, MONDAY.—Prince Albert left the Castle
this morning for Slough, where a special train awaited
him for London. Col. Bouverie and Mr. G. E. Anson
were in waiting on his Royal Highness.
The Earl of Liverpool, the Earl Delawarr, and the
Earl of Jersey took their departure from the Castle this
morning.
Part of the suite of his Majesty the King of Prussia
are expected to arrive at the Castle to-night.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Mr.
George Edward Anson, Treasurer, and Colonel Bouve-
rie, Equerry in Waiting, arrived in town at one o'clock
yesterday afternoon from Windsor Castle. His Royal
Highness and Suite immediately left the Great Western
railway terminus at Paddington for the City.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived
in town. yesterday from his residence at Kew. His
Royal Highness and Prince George of Cambridge, at-
tended by Colonel Jones, left town to honour the Duke
of Rutland with a visit at his seat, Belvoir Castle, Lei-
cestershire.

Baron de , Moncorvo, the Portuguese Minister, and
Count Kielmannsegg, the Hanoverian Minister, received
invitations last week, as Ministers de Famille, to be
,present at the Royal ceremony of the baptism of his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; as also for the
dejeuner to be given after the ceremony, and for the
Grand Banquet in St. George's Hall in the course of the
day ; with the declaration that they are to remain at the
Castle until Wednesday, the 26th.
Lord Wharncliffe, Lord President of the Council,
issued invitations yesterday to the Cabinet Ministers,
and also to the Great Officers of State, for a grand
dinner on Monday, the 31st instant. The roll of Sheriffs
for the present year will be settled at the meeting at his
Lordship's residence in Curzon-street.
Baron Brunow, the Russian Minister, transacted busi-
ness yesterday at the Foreign-office.
Count Kielmannsegg, the Hanoverian Minister, had
an interview with the Earl of Ripon on Wednesday, at
the Office of the Board of Trade.
Despatches from the Governors of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office.

The Count and Countess de Adania hare left Far•
rance's Hotel, Belgrare-street, for Paris.

SURREY THEATRE.
A new piece, named Elizabeth Lazarus, or the Lawyer
and the Widow, was produced at this theatre last night,
to the full satisfaction of a crowded audience. It is
founded on the well known and greatly amusing novel,
by Captain Glascock, R.N., entitled " Land Sharks and
Sea Gulls." The plot is in the main the same as that
of the novel, though in some parts the condensation is
so strenuous,- and the alteration so complete, that the
gallant author, we are free to say, would hardly recog-
nise any similarity. The whole strength of the corps
is thrown into it; the part of a barrister at law, Mr.
Walter Waddy, is sustained by Mr. W. Smith; the 'Squire
of Ravenswood Manor, Mr. Mordaunt, by Mr. H. Hughes;
an Irish adventurer (why Irish?) by Mr. Neville; Jack
Bobson, a flash adept, by Mr. Hicks; Mr. Waddy's
Clerk, by Mr. Lewis; Lusliy Dick, by Mr. Buckingham,
and so forth. The female characters were well enacted
by Mrs. Hughes, as a disinherited lady; Mrs. IV. Daly,
an old spinster; her toady, Mrs. Lewis; the sugar baker's
widow, Miss Martin; Elizabeth Lazarus, a young Jewess,
and the heroine of the "piece, Mrs. 11. Vining. The pe-
riod of the drama is laid in 1795. The scenery is ex-
ceedingly good; it embraces a distant view of Harrow,
the villain's trysting-place ; cottage in a lane near Wil-
lesden, surrounded by gardens; passages of Clement's
Inn and church of St. Clement's by moonlight, in which
a street row in 1745 is spiritedly represented. The piece
is well got up, and the curtain fell amidst loud and
general applause.