The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-20

PRoGRRss OF LIcrNrIous LlTERATURE.--We
had thought that the publication of licentous lite
nature had reached its eliminating point. We had
thought that the recent republication of certain
English works, and especially the late translation
of Paul de Kock and other French novelists, were
the last steps in the publication of icentious books
which authors and publishers would venture to take
The Hapers have made great stretch in the pub
licaton of works, at the best equvocal in point of
good taste and public morals. We had thought
that Paul de Rock, Ninon de L'Encos, the Mys-
teries of Paris and other works Of that class were
of character quite as lcentious as public sens-
tiveness, and especially the nice and delicate sense
of the moral and religious community, would bear.
But we have been mistaken-deepy egregiously
mistaken. The "world" have elevated these Ii
centious works to the highest point to which they
dared to go, and now the church, have taken
hold of the subject and thrown the "world" and
its works totally into the shade
Within few days past book has been publish
ed by the Rev. G. Sparry, of New York. who an
nounces himself, with &c cathedra authority, as
having been for "seven years the agent for the
New York p II. So New York Protestant Re-
formation Society, which entirely eclipses in beast
ly--no, not beastly, but fthy--licentiousness
any thing we have ever seen or heard of. II
is so grossly and abomnably obscene as to call
for the interpostlon of the strong arm of the law
Tor It's immediate Suppression. And we shall watch
and mark the event with deep solcude whether
cur courts of justice, she Recorder the District At
tomey, the Grand Jury, or any persons to whom
the safe keeping of the public morals are entrusted
take any step towards the suppression of such vile
obscenty and such gross libels upon large and re-
spectacle class of our fellow citizens If we have
any sound government, or if we have any efficient
police, orr there is any modesty or virtue left among
us, we shall expect to see the administration of
justice act in this matter.
Yet this vile emission is edited-yea, and copy
right secured, by the Reverend Charles Sparry, for
seven years an agent of the New York Protestant
Reformation Society (if we are right in the inter-
probation of the initials en- Y. p. r. S.''), and of
course minister in good standing in the Protes-
tant church But does the Protestant church dis
own the man and repudiate the book No such
thing she embraces them both-takes them to her
them to the people-advises
all classes, young and old, male and female wives
and daughters, to read and mediate over the con-
tents of this damnable caudron. And under the
auspices of the religious papers, the Reverend Mr.
Sparry is not only now ecturng in this city on the
subjects discussed in the book, but he is making
his lectures the means of selling thing of which
he alone has the exclusive copy right. We under
stand that he lectured yesterday somewhere in the
Bowery, and weknow that his lectures are DYER
tised in the daily papers
But lest it should be doubted that both book and
priest are endorsed and recommended by the Pro
testant church, we will give two or three proofs
from known and established organs of that church.
The first is from the New York Evangelist, which
has been the leading organ of the Presbyterian
church, new school, for fourteen years. Last
Thursdays paper, 10Th inst, contains the following
notice of the Rev. c. Sparrys book.
Peter Dcns was eminent and authentic Catholic wr
ter Theology and his works have been recently pub
shed with the express sanction of the Pope Whatever
to be the doctrine of that church NAV therefore
be relied correct. This little volume presents
translation OF SO much Of his work treats Confession
and striking specimen is of horrible perversions and
denominations. If anything needed to confirm the
identity of Rome with the accursed Antichrst of scrip
ture, this would he sufficient to do it.
The next is from the Baptist Advocate, a leading
organ of the Baptist church, off five years standing
published both in New York and Philadelphia. Last
Thursdays paper says of the same book
We advise those who ignorant Of the devices and
hi.a."o Harors TO read this ,ouk
and they not satisfied that she the
given her in Revelation know what kind of evil
dence would convince them.
The following is from the Christian Intelligencer
OF Saturday. Nov. IL. This paper is offoureen years
standing, and is, we believe, the leading organ of
the Dutch Reformed church. 1t thus leads off its
Literary Notices." tGiving the title page of the
Book
This little volume furnishes from the writings Of Dens
accredited as standard authority by the Romansts and
used in their Theological Seminares deneaton Of the
true character oil the confessional The extracts Civ
en- in double columns, containing the original Latin
and the other the translation. 1t contains sad and hui.
initiating exhibition Of the denominations Of the cones.
sional.
We can scarcely believe our own eyes, that
these prominent organs Of the Protestant church
should recommend to men, women, wives daugh-
tiers, children, all--all--and knowingly, too, as
their notices prove-a text book upon licentious-
ness The truth or falsehood of the book is mat
ter with which we at this time have nothing to do.
Houses of prostitution could furnish an abundance
of truths, but their publication would be not the
jusfable either in the eye of law or of public
morals.
But we deny the truth of the book. 1t purports
to be upon the Mature of Confession" &c in the
Catholic church. And we are not disposed TO deny
that there may be found bad priests in the Catholic
church, as well as in other churches, and bad men
everywhere. But to utter such broad and disgrace
foul SANDER as this against whole church, is an
offence worthy of condign punishment. We have
known the Catholic Church from our infancy, and
have been initiated into its mysteries, but we pro-
nounce these statements TO be libes beyond any
thing we have ever seen or heard Of However
wicked the church may have been, in ambition
and spiritual tyranny, it is within our own know
ledgeIto declare that this book is foul and abom-
Unable libel
To show that we are not alone in our judgment of
this mass of moral pestilence, whose author has
the audaclty, the unparalleled efirontery to come
into our midst and advertise for polite audiences,
before whose male members he can scatter his
gross obscenity, his filthy RIGHTEOUSNESS, and this
identical book we cut out the following article