Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-03-25
Cathoiicism in E Europe--Engians, &c.

az The followingis an extract Of letter from
Resident DupB,S, Of Dickenson College, to Dr. |
sswttt, of Washington, published ia the Naionsl
lntelligencer, Presiden, Darbin is now travelling
ip Europe. He has written to his friends mum.
bcr of interesting letters upon various topics, full of
deep research and philoscphic observation. His
views Of the Catholic religion, as institution
eonformable to monarchicsl governments. are fully
illustrated by the facts stated In this letter
81 have csrefully studied the Catholic religion,
both ssa system of faith considered in itself, and
as an external institution acting upon society as
such. and forming an integral and necessary part
of the Government in Catholic countries. I have
no doubt--no intelligent Protestant in Europe can
doubt-bu that Catholicism is gradually regaining
its ground in Europe, under the direct or indirect
patronage Of most of the monarches, beca use they
find it very convenient and powerful means Of
controlling the mas, of the people through the
priesthood. In Italy and Austria the clergy are in
correspondence with the Bishops and the Bishops
with the Minister Of Police. Louis Philippe and
the Church had no friendship for each other seven
years since now they in close alliance, and,
with areurning sense Of religion among the peo-
pie of France, there is a corresponding return Of
the Church to power. The ceremonies and decora.
tons of the churches arranged TO suit the state
of society, so as TO strike and capvate the mass of
the people. Thence she is acquiring her influence
again over two divisions of the community over
kings and rulers because they need her a means
Of government and over the mass of the lower
orders, because she is so arranged in her external
ceremonies as to strike and crafty the senses, and
adapted by her sacraments, particularly Of
penance, and her docIine Of purgatory, as to as.
sure to the ear after aurcular confession the par.
don of sn, and the hope Of escape il the next
world, if not quite successful in this. While in
England she is acquiring great influence, by great
ly multiplying and expanding her external machin.
cry such as fine churches and catheJrals, schools
and colleges, and the residence of IN my mi. sion
ary priests secondly, by the strange spproxima-
ton Of many Of the clergy Of the establishments
to which is essential to Catholicism but, most Of
all, by the too equal divisions of Wings and Tories.
so ss to give the balance of power, during the last
Administration, very much to the Catholic patty re-
presented by Mr.. O'Connel; and when we remem.
her that the religious faith Of Catholic is superior
to bis political opinions, while, the contrary the
liberal faith of a Protestant is subordinate to his
political opinions, shall the true power and
position of the Catholic Church in affairs Of govern.
ment where there are popular elections. mus, in
justice add another element of power il which ss
Christian, | rejoice I refer to the increased
morality and respectabiliiy of The clergy.
While the Church is acquiring power and inhu,
ence with soveregns and kings, and with the ma 5.
es Of people, the educated and intelligent portion
of the community are much better affected towards
her than they were fifty or hundred years ago
considering her purely a religions institution
involving faith and morals simply but they have
an invincble aversion towards her as an external
institution acting society such, because she
eiectuay destroys the hope of liberty, the spre al
of liberal principles, which this middle intelligent
class in Europe cherish almost exclusively. Ihr
result is, this class is neutralzed in decidedly Cath
ole countries, and the nobility are declining in n
fuence and also in numbers, because the sover
eisn fears them and appro1imates the people by
the intervention of the Church, which sympatizc,
with the highest and the lowest portions Of tn,
community on the continent, but not with th,
middle integen, class. This is the true position
Of the Catholic Church at this time in decided,
Catholic countries, as in Italy and Austria; an,
mperceptibly increasing in semi Catholic countries
even where the Governments are Protestant. M,
remarks do not apply TO Russia. Norway. or Swe
den, as have not visited them. aud scarcely Il
Spain, in her present ssi,ated condition.
With respect to England, have satisfied my
self that she is the richest, wises and greatest ma
ton in the world but that she exhibits the extreme
Of poverty and wealth, destituton and comfort, de
pravty and virtue, more s,rlkingly than any othe
people earth. She has acquired her maximum
ofdom;nion and power, but, having a strong an
well.esiablisned Government, she will long main
tain her ascendancy. Much of her success is to
ascribed to the character of her people /; the Angl
SdIons have always been eminent for en,erpris
and utility hence, while France is speculative
and discovers great principles, and is content sin
ply with their discovery, England applies them
practice, which rendsrs them productive; aud VIII
Germany is metaphysical, and suggests spend
thoughts and theories, England hollis fast VIII
sges If good sense have settled in morals and N
ology.
Blu, / have said England has attained her ma
imum Of wealth and power. This will opp
when we con siler her exerpaI and interna al histo