The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-14

mistake not, there is something said in that good
book about visiting the sick, relieving the distress
ed, burying the dead, educating the orphan, and
dong other good works of the kind. II these
things were faithfully done by the pastors, there
would be no inconsistency in their ayi.g down
stringent rules for the observance OF their congre-
cations. But are they donel Ii worthy but poor
man is IN want OF breakfast, or Of dollar to
keep his family from starving, will he apply to a
pastor for it7 He might apply; but to say the least
he would not get what he wanted from all OF them
We are inclined to think that lesson on humill-
ty and the fluctuations Of the Great Founder Of the
Church, would be read to him instead, and, by way
of desert, tract would be placed in his hand
Until there Is more consistency between the prac-
tce and the profe ssions OF the clergy of all demo-
mrnatons, and of Christians of all denominations,
we shall consider any attempt to acquire mental
authority over their congregations, as an attempt
to establish religious seridom here; and as such,
1t ought to be denounced and put down.
But the Puseyite Epscopalian pastors are not
alone in this. They are only attempting to ,ossess
themselves of power which Bishop Hughes, of
the Catholic church, has secured, and one whichhe
uses in most despotic and tyrannical manner. In
fact, that devout and holy man Of God Is nothing
m ore or less than a religious auocrat in this land
of liberty; and if the Emperor of Russia used his
temporal powers as Bishop Hughes, the autocrat
of the Church, does his spiritual power, his vast
territory wou be depopuated in less than three
years.
We mentioned, few days since, the necessity
there existed for the establishment Of Catholic
hierarchy in this country, as well as of the canon
law, and stated reason, that the bishop has the
power of suspendlng any priest IN his diocese,
without even showing cause or giving any reason.
We stated, also, that suspended priest had the
privilege of appealing to Rome against his suspen
SION; butwe did SO incorrectly. We learn now
that they have no appeal, either to the court
of Rome, or to any other authority. What a
humiliatng position for men of education and
talent to be placed In subject to the despotic,
tyrannical, and whimsical authority of one man
and he man who can brook no rivalry, no COM
petition, and who never dreamt of reaching his
present position! 1t came to his knowledge a
short time since that the greaerp part of his clergy
were about TO memonallze him on the subject of
having canon law in this country, and the pro-
priety of his laying before the Convocaton, at
Baltimore, their wishes on the subject. s'I am"
said he, IN advance, "your bishop, and I care for
none you. l shall do nothing OF the kind, and
you had better take care that do not send some
of you back to Ireland, where there are shreds
and patches of that canon law which you desire so
much to have introduced here.'
This is specimen OF the way in which the soldier
ofthe Cross exercises his spiritual authority Poti-
cal despotism, indeed 1t is infinitely preferable
to the spiritual despotism of this Nicholas of the
Catholic Church, In free and liberal America
Bishop Hughes. What Is to be done in such cases
of lnclplent religious tyranny towards the people,
and also the inferior clergy OF the catholic, or any
church! What is TO be done, indeed1 How is
anything great and glorious to be effected in this
free land =? By bringing the subject before tine
publicity appealing to the voice Of God expressed
In the voice of the people. This was the weapon
of all the patriarchs and apostles of the ancient
world it is, also, of the modern. Bishop Hughes
dare not be religious autocrat in this free land.
He may go TO Halifax, and be addressed by
Clique of fatterers in the domin ions of monarchy,
"My Lord" My Very Lord" Your Lord
skip''-"Your Very Lordshp"--but in this land
his inferior clergy equal to HIM, before heaven
and earth-and many of them tar superior in their
piety to the former the learning of the latter.