The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-11-03


e. oil nations 70 observe all things whatso. |
ever Christ commanded. She proposes her
defined doctrines of faith, not as the opin.
ions OF men, but a. the truths of God. She
officially declares what is the law of Christ
and, ia all cases OF doubt, inierprets and de.
cides according 10 the doctrines received
from the beginning, through the unbroken
channel of apostolic tradition. Built upon
a rock, it stands a solid and luminous Pill.
LAR OF TRUTH, exhibiting IN conspicuous
manner the immutable light of faith, and as
a guide to those who seek to enter the
haven Of salvation.
shall now proceed 10 notice the Iudl'
crous character which this would be guar
dian of American freedom so implously
draws of this ancient depository and dis
peuser Of the truths and mysteries OF The
Christian religion.
His first attempt is " TO show the danger
TO be appreheuded 10 our free institutions If
the principles OF the Roman Catholic church
should ever gun the ascendancy IN the
United States"
In this ai,emnt of the sage editor, he en-
deavors, 10 the first place, TO ridlcuie The
pref ided iufaIlibIity OF The Catholic
CT tch, and 10 exhibit her as teaching doc
trines contrary to scripture, and to the spi'
rit of our free institution.
The Roman Catholic church claims IN
fallibility for her doctrines Of faith. She
believes 1t to be the true and Inmu'ahe
word Of God, and consequently iafallible.-
Her rules of discipline she acknowledges 10
be susceptible of change and alteration, 10
suit times and circumstances. Ia establish
ing his church, Christ commanded all TO
hear and obey it, Would the infinite truth
and justice of God, require OF US submission
10 tribunal which could lead US into err
ror? Most certainly not the idea is pre-
pos!erous. "Thou art Peter, aud upon
this rock | will build my church and the
gates of He'll which is error, shall not
prevail against H." Mat. xvi. And |
will send to ,hep the Holy Ghost, the spiri;
of truth, which shall leach thee all truths,
and who shall abide with thee for ever. -
John l6. And also, that be would "remaIn
with theE, ell days, even to tie consumna-
ton of the world" Mat. IS. This is the
authority upon which the Catholic church
grounds her claim TO Iufalhbillty, aud 90 this
authority Roman Catholics are disposed 10
confide.
He next endeavors 10 show, by apparent
quotations from some unknown system Of
theology, that the Catholic church teaches
the superiority Of spiritual over temporal
powers. His quotations are as follows:
THAT God has made the poitica! gov.
erament subject TO the spiritual"
Is That one sword must be under another,
and the temporal authority mus, be subject
10 the spiritual power"
e That there can be 10 doabt Of il, bat
that The civil princlpalitg is subject TO the
sacerdotal and that God hath made the
political government subiectto The dominion
of the spiritual church"
by reason Of the spiritual power, the
Pope, at least indirectly, hath supreme
power even in temporal matters"
That this is not the doctrine, or teaching,
Of the Roman Catholic Church, shall here
eudeavor to prove. The doctrine of the
Catholic. church on this point is, that she
requires of her members Submission and de-
ference to the lawfully constituted civil
authorities Of the land. she couples her
incuicatioas CD TINS point with the word,
of Christ himself, when he said to the Phari
sees aud TO The Herodlans, Render there
fore uhto Cesar the things tina. axe Ca
sar's: AMI unto God the things that are
Goj's." na.. 1921. And, also, TO b
subject to higher poUers,". and that they
who "resisfeth the potrer, resisteh III,
ordinance Of God" But should the ciyi
rulers or governors Of the people trsnsgres;
their prescribed limits, and seek 10 usurF
the lawful rights Of the citizens, or to re
strict them in tie free exercise thereof; II
such case The church holds resistance, anG
yiadica'ioD Of their just rights BY The PEG
pie, 10 be lawful 10 the sight Of God. As
regards the power of the Pope TO NEEDLE OF
interfere With the civil laws or regulations
of governments, The inpuiation has already
received ample RECITATION. But as this
%SheNtfHtOt VI ttiS ItG MS VI rue pSOptc ute
though! fit to rei.egate the charge | shall
give the matter some attention.
When Christianity became disseminated
throughout the different countries of Europe
and when the governors, princes, and Elm
perors Of those countries became professors
Of the Christian religion, they found il sub
servlenl TO their interests, and 10 The peace
able possession Of their kingdoms ard prln
cipalities, 10 grant to the Roman Ponat
certain powers, in order that his influence
as head OF the Christian church, mighl tent
TO preserve peace, adjus; difficulties, and 10
sure harmony among those who were vest
ed with the civil powers Of the people AM
10 some instances to check their extraya
gance and usurpatlons. And, as the intide
NoIIalre remarks, " that the interests of thi
human kind. required a curb to Restrain
their sovcfeigns, and TO protect the live
and interests Of their SUBJECTS: and that b,
general consent this curb was placed IN tn
hands Of the Pope" Ia tie exercise of lhi