Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-12-07
THE ANTI CATHOLIC EXCITEMENT IN
ENEtaNn.

ENGLAND.
The English paper sare filled with accounts
OF the growing popular excitement in regard
10 Inc late movement of the Pope The fol.
lowing letter from Lord John Russell 10 the
Bishop o. Durham is published
My Dear Lord agree with Won in con.d.
ering "iho late aggsessiou of the Pope upon
our Professionalism" as t'insolen, ard insidiousl,
and therefore feel as indignant as YOU can
do upon the subject not only promoted to
the utmost of my power the claims of the
Roman Catholics TO all civil rights, but
thought it right, and even desirable, that the
ecclesiastical system of the Roman Catholic
should be the means of giving instruction 10
the numerous Irish Immigrants in London
and elswhere, who without such help woud
have been left in heathen ignorance. This
might have been done, however, without any
such innovation as that which we have now
seen. 1t is impossible 10 confound the recent
measures of the Pope with the division of
Scotland into dioceses by the Episcopal
Church, or the arrangement of districts in
In England BY the Wesleyan Conference
There is all assumption Of power in all the
documents which have come from Rome-a
pretention To- supremacy over the realm of
England, and a claim 10 sole and undivided
sway, which is inconsistent with the Queens
supremacy, with the rights of our bishop and
clergy, and with the spiritual independence
OF the nation, as asserted even in Roman
Catholic times. | confess however, that my
alarm is not equal TO my indignation. Even if
it shall appear that the ministers and servants
of the Pope in this country have not trans
gressed the law, feel persuaded that we are
strong enough 10 repel any outward attacks
The liberty Of Professionalism has been enjoy
ed too long in England to allow of any sue
cessiul attempt TO impose foreign yoke
upon our minds and conscences. No for
elgn prince or potentae will be permitted 10
iasen his tetters upon u nation which has SO
long and 50 nobly vindcaed its right to free
dom of opinion-civil, political and religious
Upon this subject, then, will only say that
the present state of the law shall be careful
Iy examined, and the propriety OF adopting
any proceedings with reference TO the recent
assumptions OF power deliberately consider.
ed.
There is danger, however, which alarms
me much more than any aggressons Of
foreign sovereign. CleIgymen of our own
Church, who have subscribed the Thrty-one
Articles, and acknowledged in explicit terms
the Queens supremacy, have been the most
forward in leading their fiocks, "step by step
to the very verge of the precipice." The
honor paid 10 saints, the claim OF inlallbili,y
for the Church, the supersitious use of the
sign of The cross, the multering of the LtGr
gy so as to disguise the language III which it
is written, the recommendation of auricular
and absoulion-all these things are pointed
out by cergymen of the Church of England
as worthy OF adoption, and are now openly
reprehended by the Bishop of London in his
charge 10 the clergy OF his diocese.
What, then, is the danger 10 be apprehen-
ded from Il foreign prince Of no great power,
compared to the danger within the gates from
the unworthy sous OF the Church OF Eug land
herself | have little hope that the pro.
Founders and trainers of these resolutions
will desst from their insidious course. But
rely with confidence on the people of Eng
land, and will not bate jot of heart OF
hope 50 long as the glorious principles and
the immortal martyrs of the Reformation
shall be held in reference by the great mas.
of nation which look with contempt Oh the
mummeries OF superstition, and with scorr
at the laborious endeavors which are now
making TO conlne the intellect and enslavt
the soul.
| remain, with great respect, &c,
J. Russell.
Downing street, Nov. A.