Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-27
Iron rnE JOuRSAL.]
Protesantism Misrepresented.


Frenchman is a natural philosopher, developing
every principle to its extreme limit and legiti-
mate conclusion. Thus when France abandon
cd Papacy because the leaven of anti-Romanism
had convulsed her body polite, she became inf
del; and casting off infdelity she became once
more obedient TO the Holy See. But the phleg-
matte Saxon, content with shadowy faith and
theory, escapes the gulf to which his pernicious
belief, when urged into action, ineyital'.v con-
ducts" Also exclaims the Father. ,simnious
unbelief stalks thrO",' cur purlieus with daring
stride, although there DO many professors of
good works." If this is truth, it were well
for all anti-Papists in our midst, Baptist and So
cinian, Arminian, and Antinomian, Churchman
and Presbyterian, as he delights TO enumera.e
them, to thoroughly scan their so-called creeds.
But it is amusing to see the agents of the Pont-
ifcate, drawing out the darts which have so
sorely wounded them, and hurting them back at
their adversaries. However, the charges of the
Father Confessor are no new discovery, but
have been often presented, and often confuted,
beginning with the reformation Of the 10Th cen
fury. Now the Father must know that COM
munsm and socialism are bUt another name for
the most horrible and riotous anarchy. And he
dare not affirm that Protestants have ever incul-
Gated anarchy in their teachings. For, says the
great expounder Of the Protestant constitutions
" Some fanatics, who are pleased with nothing
but liberty, or rather Righteousness without any
1 INT bof sbo he
perfection in the Church of God, that its order
would suffice to supply the place of laws but
they foolshly imagine a perfection which can
never be found in any community of men. For
since the insolence of the wicked is so great and
their iniquity obstinate that it can scarcely be
restrained by all the severity of the laws, what
may we expect they would do, if they found
themselves at liberty to perpetrate crimes with
impunity, whose outrages even the arm Of pow
er cannot altogether prevent? But, as to the
exercise of civil polity, we wish it distinctly
understood, that TO entertain thought of its ex-
termination is inhumdn bdrbdriSm; it is equally
as necessary to mankind as bread and water,
light and air, and far more excellent" Yet the
Father would doubtless say, there is species
of supreme authority in socialism. Yes, for
convenience! but this only renders it relati, e
despotism and absolute anarchy. And this
blending OF despOtism and defiance of restraint
singularly COMFORTS with Hierarchy, which
engrafts spiritual despotism upon civ; confu-
: sion. Still rejons the Father, exposition and
practice have no necessary offninity. True
Then scrutinize the Protestant practice! But
to such strait is the Father run, that he must
declare, "the Saxon is so phlegmatic, that he
only dreams, and never embodies his fancies in
lfe." very easy, convenient assertion! But
the lecturer must uncanonize and re-write all
history, from that Of the venerable Bede, and
Thomas of Malmesbury, to that of Hume, if he
would convince us that the Saxon is so pecu-
larl y torpid. That the race famed for its rest
less energy and tireless activity, for its love of
making merry, of novelty and Of swarming to
conquest, which seeks no favors in either hem
. isphere, which boasts the mind which sounded
the depths Of mathematical complexity, and that
= which fashioned the system of philosophic in
vestigation, SO hostile to monkish phantasms
should be too lazy to develop a principle, is
= somewhat problematical. But it i'll becomes the
!; advocates Of Chartered Communism to arraign
their opponents as "movers of sedition." Has
the Father forgotten all about monasteries and
converts, about the Holy Brotherhood of Jesus.
and st. Benedict and ST. Francis, and the Sisters
/, Of the Black Heart and the White Heart and all
other hearts except the pure heart? Does the
Father forget that the jolly friars take upon
themselves vow, which nobody believes thew
Z adhere to, thus fostering by example the vices
OF socialism? And has his remembrance failed
oil the great contests between the civil and COM
' mon laws, nearly thousand years ago on
British soil, wherein the ecclesiastics asserted
their independence Of municipal sovereignty,
and their allegiance and accountability to the
Papal Pontifex alone2 And does he deny what
the Shepherd of the Valley aiirms, "That Ca
tholiclsm is the same In every era and country
and that if Romanists abate one title of their
claims it is for lack of power ?" But Commun
ism and Socialism are bred by ignorance and
consequent degradation. And the Bishon of
; Rome can well claim to be the patron of enlight
enment who finds his Hader Erpurgatori,tS as
necessary to the existence of his Holiness as an
army OF bayOnets! Science, genius, art and taste
are inundated by the caprice of gowned dotards,
Let the holy denunoation which imprisoned al
! Gallleo witness Let the demand of the Jesu
! Its OF to-day, upon the Prince-President OIL
France, that the Classics, Greek and Roman
Astronomy and Mechanical Philosophy, be os-
iraclzed from the University of Paris! Let the
Fapal States, the worst administered govern
iHcht on the globe witness who fosters ignorance
and superstition! Where the shade of every
saint, from John the Woman pone In Alexon