The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-08-20
How the Pope Looks.

TO see him, leads a Protestant to
some new conclusion ON the subject Of
Popery, and would go far 10 dissipa,e
any lurking desire he might before have
cherished for that form Of Christianity.
For myself, cannot deny that there
are some attractive charms about this
form of religion, which need strong
counteraciing correctives TO overcome
them. There are charms other and ,
better than can be answered by charg>
ing them as romantic. There is much
in its forms one would like to see trans
ferred 10 Professionalism. There is, for
example, beauty, and even a power,
in the always open door Of the Catho>
lie church or cathedral. where one may
enter at a moment Of devotional feeling,
seclude himself in some obscure part Of
the interior, aud gave himself TO social
devotion or private prayer, according 10
his feeling-wlich. together with the
other influences of the place, might
originate or confirm principles or emo
tions of lasting value TO the character
and life Such opportunity Of retire.
ment is not essential 10 either the exis-
tence or growth of genuine religion,
but it is an aid at least to many Chris
tians Of a particular temperament.
Christ says that worship should be in
spirit aud truth; and that is the truest
worship; but forms may help us TO at
tain TO the spirit. Under Protestant
ism, for those Of the middle and lower
classes, there is no religious home there
is domestic home, but no corner for
privacy. The Catholic Church, with
its vast extent generally, aud its numer-
Gus chapels, has in il the absolute sc
clusion of desert. Any one and ev-
cry one there can find the solitude. rest
retirement, aud so the peace he Graves
The architectural beauty of their church
es serves as an additional attraction
the dimly lighted aisles, the lofty and
richly decorated ceilings and walls, the
painted windows, have doubtless all eff
feet to invite aud deiain the mind, to
make it more willing to come. and more
willing to remain. The devout attitrdt
which the worshiper Immediately as
sumes as he reaches the pavemen. of the
church. or the vicinity. Of the altar, eros
sing himself and throwing himself upon
his knees, i. of directly religious effect
Then the music, always at the morning
and evening services, and often break
ing in al other times-organs, or choiI
and chant, or both all this one would
like and prefer, whether Protestant OF
Catholic.
Witnessing these beautiful forms o
religion, under some particular states o
mind and feeling, and it cannot be
thought strange that many persons %
natural sensbility should, forgetting al
else of the Catholic faith, be won over
to it b. the beauty Of the exterior SCI.
vice and, really. never heartily adopt
much of the interior doctrine, or with
out much sopbistication. But TO Wit
ness the cerimonies OF the Mass, and
much else OF the worship, would, with
most minds. however they might reson'
ably enough fancy such other forms as
have just spoken of, effectually scatter
to the winds all else, and restore The
pure ascendency Of reason. These
other parts of the worship would strike
you as so far removed from anything you
could possibly deem TO be Christianity
as so al variance with the precepts ol
Christ, so discordant with the simplicii,
OF his religion, that you could only re-
gard il as some wonderful theatrica
show. but without place in the system
of Christ.
BY this you would be more forcibly
struck still, if you should have the op'
poriuniiy to witness the Pope at wor'
ship in his private chapel on the Quiri
nal, or in the side chapel Of ST. Peters.
saw him once in the chapel on the
Quirinal. think il would have cured
any one Of leaning toward Caiholi.
cism, who should have been present
lie was dressed in brocades heavy with
embroidery and gold; the triple crown
upon bis head, and beneath the outer.
mos, layer Of rich brocades, other gar.
ments Of various dyes equally rich, lie
was seated on his throne. On each side
stood Roman Prince, Of highest rank
aud oldest blood. Then several cardi-
nails aud bishops. As the worship
opened and proceeded, il would be OBJ
served that the Pope was permitted to
do nothing for himself If il was nee
essary for him TO read his part from the
liturgy. an aged cardinal of seventy or
eighty years of age approached. with a
huge volume, which he opened, kneeled,
aud held. in manner convenient for
His Holiness to read his lessons from