The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-11

HE RELIGIOUS WORLD THEOLOGICAL Gov rRo-
vEhsY-SYMPToms OF REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH.
give ID this days psper report of lecture de-
nVered IN one of The Protestant Churches of this
Guy last Sunday evening, in reply to the Rev. Mr..
"saefs defence OF the Catholic dogma of praying
70 the Virgin" and the "Saints.n It's a tolera.
oy able and satisfactory exposition of the Protest
ant Views on this Interesting topic OF religious dis
oussion we admire particularly the calm and
temperate spirit which characterizes it, 1t ls dis
.nsulshed by tone altogether different from that
winch marked the violent and unchristian ha-
ransues OF DR.. Brownlee and Mr.. Cheever on the
same side, and furnishes, we would fain believe,
evidence OF the fresh infusion of spirit Of ibe-
rallty and charity into theological controversy.
ms Is but the commencement Mt of new era in
poiemcal discussions in this country. Hitherto the
rival secis have only rallied against each other ap
peaiing to prejudices and passion, instead OF 10 rea
son and scripture. A better spirit is now mani
tested Dr. Plse has the credit OF being amongst the
frst to conduct religious controversy in this en-
lshtened and rational mode, and it is indeed very
gratifying to find that he is met in the same man.
aer II Is Interesting, however, TO observe the very
opposite line of argument pursued by the Catholic
and Protestant dlyines, whose lectures we have
given. The former appeal to the fathers and the
church, the latter the scripture itself, dscardlIe
the mere human authorities. DR.. Pise is, however,
quite right in his assertions respecting the doctrines
held by the followers of Christ in the early cenu
ries. The dogmas for which he contends were
certainly held by the church during these pri
mitive periods of Christianity, and do not ap-
pear to have been disputed until long after
yavdc #
comes to be, were these dogmas received
from the Apostles, or were they errors, which gra-
dualy crept into the teachings of their successors
Mr.. Stwell proposes in this lecture to go back to
the original and authenticated writings of the
Apostles, for the purpose OF solving this important
inquiry, and with what effect, the candid and I'M
partial reader will Judge. He appears, indeed, to
reply to DR.. Pise on the principle of the witty con-
troversast, who answered the question of his Ca
tholic opponent, "Where was your church before
the Reformation % by asking another, Where
was your face before it was washed Z" This, how.
ever, appears to be very fair way of settling the
points In dispute; and it is worthy Of notice, that
amongst Catholics themselves, there is evidently,
ct late, willingness to 60 TO the scriptures them.
selves tor the evidences of their peculiar teneis;
thus rejecting the false assertion that to the mem.
bers of that sect the Bible is a sealed Book. 1t is
not So
Altogether the aspect of the religious world is a,
present encouraging. There are symptoms Of
return TO ancient Christianity. Bigotry and preju-
dice are giving way in many quarters. Amongst
The Baptlsis and Independents, the most numerous
sect IN this country, there is great deal OF peace
and quiet The Methodsts have lately had a lit
tie disturbance In consequence Of the controversy
about the slave question. The Pfesbyterians ap-
pear TO be becoming somewhat more liberal; ana
The only sect in serious trouble seems to be the Eps
copal church, which has been shaken good deal
by the recent developments with regard TO
some of their Bishops. The Catholic Church,
which had been rapidly, though quietly increasing
and spreading itself, suffered something OF blow
by Bishop Hughes injudicious conduct in Carroll
Hall. But even that prelate is now making some
attonement for his misguided zeal in that melan-
choly business, by betaking himself to vindicaton
OF the doctrines Of his Church. On the whole, the
appearances in the churches are, as we have said,
favorable Controversy, conducted in a better
spirit than formerly, will lead to good results.
People will be led to investigate the grounds OF
difference between the sects They will find that,
after all, the churches are not widely separated
in matters OF belief; and the truth, aided by an
Independent press, will ultimately extend its tri-
umphs more widely than ever, and charity will fol.
low ii, removing sectarian animosities and parti.
Fan bigotries, which have their origin in ignorance
and misrepresentation.
N. p WILLIS REPLY TO THE ASSAULT OF ONE
OF THE COURIER REPoRTERs.-Mr. Willis came
out with long article, last evening, in which he
repes the assault made upon his oral character a
few days since in the columns of the Courier and
Enquirer, by one Of the attaches of that journal.
This defence is rather amusing 1t does not consist
of certificates from tailors, bootmakers and wash
erwomen, as his former defence did, and Mr.. Will
lis gives satisfactory reason for this-the former
attack being made against his common honesty,
required the certificates of common people but the
present assault being directed against him as a
iterateur, a man of honor and morality, and gen.
tleman requires the certificates of people of df-
ferent class Accordingly, we have considerable
number of extracts from letters, and invitations,
and notes, written by lords, and dukes, and mar
quises, and barons, and knights, and governors
general, and viceroys, and others of high degree,
with their names struck out and dashes inserted.
The whole evidence furnished appears to be quite
conclusive in establishing the fact. that both in
Europe and in this country, Mr. Willis occupies a
perfectly unexceptionable position us man and a
gentleman. The only drawback, that we can per-
ceive, is little innocent vanity and foppishness in
the presentation ofihe evidence, but which are
haps, quite pardonable under all the circumstances.
We have now no hesitation in declaring that
the gross, violent, and apparently vindicive
charges preferred against Mr.. Willis in the Cow
rtsr, under the authority of "Colonel Webb of the
regular army" and his assistants, all fall to the
ground, and Willis rises much better and stron-
ger man than we really supposed him to be.
There can be no doubt that he has the best of the
controversy, and that the position Of his antagonis,
is any thing but enviable. UIess Colonel Webb
and his assistants, through the Courier, can estab
llsh the charges made against Mr.. Willis with
something better than mere assertion, they must
stand before the world as base and malignant ca
Iumniaiors. Now we know Colonel Webb very
onI all - Il -.