The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-29
LETTER SECOND.
Ny DEAR FRIEND,
Rome, .Nov. l6, 1904.


YOU well know, that cameao Europe with as
few prejudicesfo against any particular sect of
christians us most men, and that was (and indeed
still am) disposed to believe, that there are honest
and virtuous Of all persuations II must be adj
mitted, that all such, however opposed in articles OF
faith modes OF worship, equally entitled to our
charity.
Still this charity noes not forbid us 20 examine and
expose the foles or absurdities, which may have
crcpt into their creed or practice On the contrary
our duty as men and christians, requires, that we
should, far rs may be in Our power, countcract
and oppose with becoming candour those errours and
abuses, that impede the reception and usefulness of
the religion We profess. Both Of us bad formed
some opinon Of the absurdity ofC aOlck superstition,
but assure you, that found It very one.
No writer, however severe, has hitherto, nor in my
estimation do, any thing like justice To the
subiect. Dr. Moore and others have exeted sl the
powers of wit render the notions AND practices OF
the Catholicks ridiculous bat half Of the time,
spent in simple narration without the aid OF satire,
would have produced more effect, and would have
saved them the opprobrum Of being suspected to be
opposcrs Of christianity itself
To point out the errours, 10 ridicwle the absurd
supcrstitions which have debased the worship OF the
present system of religion is certainly not only con-
sisten. with thorough belief Of that system but is
perhaps duty, which that belief requires but one
shculd be extremely careful, lest in the zeal OF re-
fcrmation,a weapon should be afforded 70 TIC oppon-
cnts of religion itself.
To the Catholcks, think We owe no apology for
the exposure of their failngs The bgotted intoie-
rance and prosecutions, which have marked the foot
steps of the followers Of papAcy. from the burning OF
John Huss, to the massacre OF St bartholomew,
give them but feeble claims the hberality OF Pro-
testarts and the evident contempt tor All otherChrs-
tians. which is still to be perceived at Rome, not
understanding Eli their humiatons,give us fair right
to-exaH,ine the ground Of their imaginary claim to
superiority.
shall devote the present letter to the narration of
such facts as have fallen within my own observation
only, relative to the supersttous opinions and oo-
servances and pious frauds, existing in Italy at the
present moment. =.
The doctrine Of indulgences is familiar to you.
The pretended origin is the power given TO ST Peter,
and which the papiss contend has descended like a
heirloom,or like the mantle OF Elijah uPonhs regular
anonted successors in the apostolick char. Where
this power resided, when there two rival popes,
matchmaking each other, and waging war with the
arm of flesh for the good Of the apostolck church,
we are not told suppose at such moment, II must
De considered, as the freehold sometimes is in our
law, in a6eyonce, ready to grace the temples of the
victor.
AT Milan, and in all the great cities Of Italy. you
still find inscriptions in the churches in which the
sale of indulgences is pub.iclly advertised The
following insert specimen is an exact copy
of one of these advertisements, in Italian.
I,,dusgen.a p,e,,aria t,i g;orni delta scttismnc.
And for the benefit of the more learned it is usually
also translated into latin.
Indu,gents t'enarie el aie pe,Rarir quot'ddne.
As understand il in plain English, they daily grant
permissons, either general or more limited, to COM
nit offences.
There are other churches which have the exclu.
sive right Of praying souls out Of purgatory. They
also advertise this privilege, Of which also trans
nit to you