The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-11-03
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS, &c.

THE ROMAN CATHOLICS, &c.
We have given to-day another article
from " A Catholic in defence Of the Ro-
man Catholic Religion.
We would remark here that "a Catho-
lie" is either unacquain,cd with Church
history or presumes upon the ignorance of
the American people when he says the
Catholic Church & has continued its IN
changing course for eighteen centuries"
when II must be apparent 10 all who will
examine tie history of the Church tina,
the Church Of Rome was declared to be
the head Of all other Churches and Bon
face Ill. vas declared Universal Bishop
in coo, crom which sprung the Roman Ca
,holics Of tie present day. He also says
that he dill not know the priests took an
oath to he Pope. Although we know but
I;,ile, comparatively speaking, about the
Priests yet we knew that much, and II Was
our intention to obtain copy of the oath
in time for insertion this week, but have
not been able to succeed. As this is one
Of our objections to this religion VIC state
that the Priests mostly belong 10 the order
of the Jesuils, and TO show that they are
dangerous men in republic, We give the
following notice of this order from Good.
rich's Church History:
Having formed the plan Of the order of which
lac was ambitious 10 become the founder Loyola
submitted it TO pope Paul III. for hrs sanction;
declaring It to have been revealed from heaven
Paul, fearful Of It's effects at first refused TO grant
il his appreciation. But at length, Loyou rcmov.
cd his scruplcs by offer, which was addressed
20 his pride and ambition lie proposed that
besides the three vows of poverty, chastity, and
Inonastic obedience, common TO other orders, the
members Of this should take fourth, viz ODE
dience TO the pope; binding themselves TO GO
whithrrsoeyer hs should command, for tho ser,
vice Of religion, without requiring any thing for
their support.
The acquisition of a body of men, thus pccu
l,atly devoted to the sec of Rome, and whom il
might set in opposition to all IFS enemies was NJ
this time, An object of the highest moment The
order OF Jesuits was therefore, confirmed; and
the most ample privileges were granted to It's
members.
The beneficial consequences Of this institution
were soon apparent. In less than halt centu.
~. tho society obtained establishments in every
country that adhered to the Roman Catholic
Church; its power and wealth increased with
even greater raptdity than its patrons had artici-
pa,cd; tho number of its members multiplied to
many thousands; who were distinguished for
their learning, character, aud accomplishments
and. by their art aud address, were powerful
anxiliarics in forwarding the plans of the court
of Rome.
The gorrrnmtnt of this order was despotic. A
general chosen by tho pope tor life, possessed
supreme and independent power; extending to
every person and to every case. BY his sole au
thority, aud AT his pleasure, he elected officers
and removed them controlled the funds and
enacted laws Every member was at his dis
posll, and subject 10 his commands.
Thus subserviont to their laador, and no tho
interchangeable servant of the pope, the ,IesuIts
wen, forth, and soon filled every land, Contrary
10 other orders, they sought no secluson; prac
tisod no austcritcs, adopted no peculiar habit
On the contrary, they mingled in all the active
scenes OF life they became lawyers and phys
cans, dlllHls' tlldt
thoy might find reader access TO men, and OK
er more successfully their influence, in favor Of
the pope and his cause.
Before the expiration of the sixteenth century,
the Jesiits had obtained the chief instruction OF
youth, in every Catholic country in Europe
They had become confcssors to monarchs and
mobiles; and wore engaged in nearly every in
trigue and revolution. As they wore no peculiar
habit, and observed no uncommon slrictpess,
they lived in society, disguised as to their real
character. Jcsuits were known by Jcsus
but TO the eye Of the world, they passed un.
suspected.
Such is brief account of an order of men,
who, at this time, enlisted in the service of
plpal Rome; and being actuated by an lncred.
iblo attachment TO that power, were ready to
sacrifice, even lfe, for the purposes of its ag.
Crandireuont Their exertions powerfully tond.
cd to keep alive the attachment Of many 9th.
crs to tho Romish faith, and to prevent so ra.
pd an advance, as might otherwise have boon,
OF tho Protestant cause"
"a Catholic" gives an extrac, from an
address by Bishop England, before the
Congress Of the United States, in which he
says he would not suffer the Pope nor any