Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-03

gospel, in proportion as struck out dogmas,
which had been taught to identify with the
doctrines of Christ"
In this passage it is plain that he asserts that
as soon as the particular doctrines to which ne
objected, that is concerning whose truth he had
doubts at first, and subsequently unbeiief, were
striker out; the old evidences became strong, O
he believed by virtue Of their force
In vol, 2, of the Magazine, p. 297' Doniaoo
fifth letter, he shews that his t'rSf aoaofs,
gainst which he wrestled day and night, d.
fected the particular doctrine OF hell.
No. 8. The pretended arguing IN eircie
from the infalbility ofthe church to the kno~'-
edee of the scriptures, and from the knowledge
Of the scr;nures to the infallblity Of the church
was The absurditv the force Of which he could
NOT answer. and which of course made him lose
his faith.
he carse one far more rational, and as different
from this as NAV be conceived.-lt is suostan-
,;allv this: "The Church is the lniallloe teach
er Of the doctrine of truth must then believe
al, that she teaches, or am an intdei Let me
nrove that there exists single flaw in the sys-
tern. and il will all crumble TO dust. Catholic
d;yines can see no medium between rejecting
her infability and rejecting revelation, and if
she teaches as faith one untrue doctrine she can
not be infalible' In p, 2o7. He finds what
he will not believe, what he looks upon to be
nm absurdity taught by her as doctrine offalth,
viz The existence ofhelR; his words then are, that
as this is part of her doctrine, what can argu-
ments avail a doubling Catholic? " His system
of faith is indivisibe. Whatever proves 1t all,
proves obswday'' In p 29s, he adds, "what-
ever in this state could break the habit Of awe,
which was so tenacously porting-what-
ever could urge me into utterng doubt on one
of The articles Of the Roman creed, was sure to
make my faith vanish like soap bubble in the
air. After conveTsing with an inhdel, "utter
ance transformed his doubts to demonstra-
tons" What were the subjects? "monks, &c
clesiastical encroachmen,s, extravagant devo-
ton" The Gerry hell had Just Denied appear
ed yawning before my eyes," Not one syllable
of the vicious circle. No, his argument was
F." the church is infallibe, all her doctrines must
be true: but her doctrine of hell cannot be true,
because it would argue cruelty in God: to sup
pose him cruel is an absurdty: therefore she is
not infalible" Such, my friends, was the pro-
cess which he first described. Now he tells us,
that it was the argument of the vicious circle:
whether you will believe him in either case or
selves TO determine Perhaps, however, ano-
Their passage of his, in page 29s Doblado, might
aid YOU 10 a third cause He is describing the
mode in which he lost his faith: probably the
scenes from which his very modest figure is
drawn could help you in forming your opinion.
haG been too earnest in my devotion, and
my church too pressing and demanding. Like
cold and interested mistress, she either ex
g o, kact l,o,
them 10 distraction. AS for myself, moments
dalliance with her great rival freedom, convert
ed my former love into perfect adherence"
l shall not quarrel with his expressions, nor
ask how Catholics living any where can per
ceive that which does not exist. ] shall leave
the remark which would suggest itself, to
more proper time, and bring the gentleman to
a dilemma more practical for our present pur-
pose.
No. A. He says the argument of the vicious
circle was, he is perfectly certain, the sponta-
neous suggestion of his own mind
Perhaps so-But it only adds to the proof a.
eainst his patrons, because, if true, it will ne
cessarilv establish that he never studied trea-
tise on the nature of the Church; for there is
not one such treatise, III which this argument
is not adduced against the conclusion " that the
Church is infallible" Well may Bishop Kemp
and his associates blush for the "high rank"
which they have so generously bestowed upon
one who, by his total neglect of theological STU
dies was SO eminenty qualified for the task
which he has undertaken and so well fulfilled ="
There is not tyro in theology to whom it is
not familar-and my own impression is, that
Mr. White was intimately acquainted with it
before he lost his faith: not from its having
been spontaneously suggested by his mind; but
read in his books We shall now see It's value.
One of the most fallacious modes OF exhibit
ing an argument which is founded upon the OBJ
servatons of facts, is to change the relation
which the facts have to each other Thus, II
any effect flows from particular cause; he
must be inclined to deceive, instead OF to H.
struct, who would exhibit both cause and effect
as always co-existing, because they do co-exlst
after the effect has been produced; when in truth
there was time when they did moi co-exist,
for the cause existed alone, 63fore the effect Was
produced An honest, well regulated mind will
view them in their natural and historical order,
and from the succession oftheir existence will
deduce the reasoning, giving the value OF It's
nriority TO that which first existed; and never
forgetting or conceaing, that there was such