The New York herald., 1844-11-12


beginning OF the Great Movement or the
Age I'm Observation-Disclosures and
Everything-Dr. Pise's Lecture.
We give to our readers to-day very full and
accurate report OF the lecture delivered in ST. Pc
ters Church, in this city, by Dr. Pise. 1t presents
In somewhat interesting light, one OF the aspects
OF that great movement which has just commenced
"a movement which is destined to exert an inf1u-
ence on politics, religion, civilization, and every
other element OF human progress and human mind.
A great revolution is, indeed, in progress every
where around US. The spirit OF free iuquiry-rest-
less and uncontrollable-is busy on all hands.
PreJudlces, errors, the antiquated dogmas of
darker ages are dragged into the light of
day, and subjected to searching scru,iny. Sec-
tartan intolerance-the rivalry OF opposing creeds-
the logged obstinacy Of ignorance-the sober
strength of philosophy-lhe reeling extravaganza
OF fanaticism-the wild vagary of speculation
these elements of agitation encounterng each
other, and In every direction you hear the din and
shock of conflicting opinion. This lecture OF Dr.
Pise, delivered lust evening in the elegant
church dedicated to St. Peter, is or sis.s
OF the times," and as such let glance at it and
see what it is worth, and what il indicates.
After perusing this lecture, our first thought is,
that it was rather l-timed end rather injudicious
altogether. For the motives, which, no doubt
impeed DR.. Pise, we have the highest regard
The Doctor is an exceedingly amiable man. He
has always discovered himself to be man Of
peace and christian charity. But he has, unhappi-
ly, in the present instance, followed bad exam
pie. He is travelling in the footsteps OF Bishop
Hughes. Il ID not exactly Carroll Hall step, but
-, ff,con iu of lino nf
and duty and good sense, to be deplored and to be
censured. 1t really cannot do good. 1t mast do
harm. Twill excite new and strengthen old pre-
judices. Many Of those whose intolerance il was
intended to re buke, will CLEAN from it additional
weapons Of attack, and Misrepresentation, and
abuse. In the minds of those whose rights, and
privileges, and creed, it was meant to defend and
vindicate, it is not likely in the judgment of char
ity, that it will produce desirable impression-
We have always set our face, and we ever shall
set our face, against the introduction of polemcal
controversy, and sectarian appeals into pulpit NM
strations 1t this abuse of the pulpit by the cler-
gy of all denominations which has torn and dis
tracted Christendom-keeplng in continual blaze
the angry passions of opposing sects-and leading
the minds and hearts of men far away from the hal
lowed influences Of the peace and love which are
the great principls of true religion. Men should
60 to the house of God to pray and not
to fight; and there is assuredly a woe
upon him who takes occasion of their as
sembling there, to infame their hearts with
unholy animosities against their brethren for is
not this SHINING in sort they of old did,
whom "strange fire from heaven" descended, and
consumed them utterly with the altar they had pro-
famed
in handling his subject, DR.. Pise is as unfortu-
nate as he was in its selection. He is an eloquent
preacher; but he is not good logician In appeals
TO the hearts and consclences of his hearers-in
defamation on the simple truths of Chrstianity-or
in the regions of poesy and imagination, the Doctor
is quite at home but in the thorny paths
of ecclesiastical controversy, he does not
appear to be SO happy. Hundreds of laymen,
tolerably well-versed in their half-a-dozen vo-
lumes of controversial theology could be
picked up any day in Scottish Presbyterian
church, any one of whom would demo!lsh the
Doctor in an hour. Just look for instance at his
clubbing about the Reformation. In the first place,
the Doctor asks, "Did the Reformation indeed
give light and liberty to ERgland?" This he an
sweYsvery satsfactory-(to himself)-in the mega
tive. He then goes on to answer his second query:
'Dd the Catholic Church extlngush, or attempt to
extinguish, the light given by the RetoImation?"
This he also very poorly goes on to answer in the
negative, surely very unnecessary labor, for how
could that be extingushed which he had just
shown had never any existence! And then how
silly his attempt to cast discredt the Reforma-
tion by retailing stories about the fraty and folly
and intolerance of Luther and Calvin! As well
might he declaim against the art Of printing, or the
arSa tha md fh.ft tbeir fret
discoverers had been guilty OF some fragrant i'm
morality.
The truth is, the Reformation was not strictly
religious movement. 1t was the result OF great,
comprehensive and universal revolution in the hui
man mind. 1t was the dawning OF new day on
mankind at first visiting with all its glorious influ-
ences Of light, and hope, and energy, the minds OF
such men as Luther, and Calvin, and Huss, and
Knox-jus as the rays OF the morning sun first glld
the SUBMITS of the mountains, and as they quickly
difuse themselves over all the plain, dispensing the
clouds of the night, so did the light of the Refol-
nation rapidly spread itself over the face Of Chris
tendon, dispelling the icy mists of monasc instl-
tutions, and leading men from the gloomy and fog
gy atmosphere of ecclesiastical domination, into
the warmth and sunshine Of the open day.
It's vain for DR.. Pise or for any church to strus-
gle against the movement which originated with
the Reformation. All the churches must finally
yield to it. All need purifying-all need new life
and energy. DR.. Pise must give up his antiquated
dogmas--dogmas which no intelligent Catholic be-
lieves. Let the mysteries" which are in reality
no mysteries at all, but merely the relics of dark
er age, not unworthy Of respect indeed, not TO be
treated with contempt, Jet them be regarded in
their proper lish,, as radfionary renembrances OF
the faithfuness and pieiy Of past generations, but
not as articles in the creeds Of enlightened men,
And let all sects-Protestant and Catholic cast
tar from them that heathenish intolerance which
still turks in their midst, and poisons the atmes
phere of the christian world The age OF proscrip-
lion and persecution has passed away. No church
no sect--no party-Do politician-Ho popular
leader-in this day can long dare TO breathe forth