The New York herald., 1851-12-20
Lecture OF Rev. J. w. Cummings, ID. D.,
at the Catholic Institute.

The Rev DR.. Donnelsn, OF Baltimore. who wa. an
nounced to have delivered lecture for the institute
last evening" having teegraphed that he would not be
enabled to do so the Rev DR. Cummings delivered one
In his stead taking, his theme the subject Do the
Catholic Priests forbid the people to read the Bible ~
The lecturer denied that they did but drew distinc
ton-they did not allow every person TO do 20,
and apply . rule Of construction Of their own
but they encouraged them 10 read the ssriptures
together with the commentaries and interpreta-
tons Of the church. Upon this they we're much
misunderstood. - 90 10 images and pictures
they accused Of worshipping He would give them
upon this anecdote Of sextus W who having heard
that monk professed 10 have q crucifx By which he
performed miracles and suppssipg that he was what In
the present day would be called " humburn sent for
him, and taking the crucihx he first kissed II and then
broke IT, saying az an image Of God worship but
instrument Of imposition break thee lie then
dwelt very minutely on the various editions OF the
Scriptures, and snslyned dAubignie's description
OF Martin Luther finding the Bible q hidden
book In the library, showing that BY his previous
education be must have seen II . hundred times
twenty editions having been published in Germany
before Luther said to have made this discovery in
the library. lie would then questions that
-ere frequently asked By Prote.tsnts via Did the
priests know anything about the Bbe Did the people
know anything Of II before the art Of printing snd
the Protestant reformation had shed glare Of light
and vhst dd the 90 called "lssy rnouksn know CT
it, Theee he preceded TO answer BY showing that
the priests necessarily were acqusinted with the
Bible BY the course OF their education by which
they were taught Latin, and generally, Greek and
Hebrew. The Mtss In constant contained extracts
from to Of the Scriptures and the Bevary
was msde up from the Psalns all Of which were read
every year at least and not only In Ireland and America
but In every other Catholic country parish priests were
compelled TO expound the gospel appointed to be read
AZ far ~ printing was concerned, II invented and
introduced long before the reformation ever hs ard
Of and the frat book published was a Bible q hundred
years before the reformation In 1855 in l4e0 there was
another, and In 1882 another The lszy monks too as
they called had been done great njusce 70 their
lsbors, especially In England were we indebted
for the trsnscribng and preserving the Scriptures
We lshould consider, before the age Of printing
the difficulties they had to contend with and the means
they adopted caused many Of the things s preserved
Wetsw pictures representing the story the prodgs
the mysteries Of the noly passion and 90 forth
which served In their tiae the end that printed Bibles
do nowto maze the people a0qusned with the stories
The reverend lecturer then gave account OF several
editions and transstions Of the Bible, published With
authorized exponente before the reformation and down
tohe present time valuable account ofupvards forty
Of which he had in the Of his researches found
published In the Dublin R,fey and recurring to the
sbos Of the monks gave account Of the sale
minstlon or coios having been specially considered
papistical and detestable.
AZ the conclusion Of this lecture those fer the ensuing
fesson announced comprising, for the months Of
January and February, one on The Agreement Of Sc
ence and Religion" :" BY the Rev DR. Moriary OF Penn
ryvana on The Future OF the United States and it,
Dangers" by james A McMasters, Of New York Papal
Aggression" by Rev John Boyce, Of Mass The pro-
ceeds 20 be devoted usual 10 the Hospital Of 81 Via
cent Thirteenth street under the charge Of the stter Of
ChSity,