The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-23
The Progress q the Catholic and Protestant
HelaGS0n.


her profound wisdom and system of tactics,
against which reason and Scripture have been
arrayed in vain" Sincere az the great essayist
undoubtedly was in his professions Of Protes-
tantism, he could not, in summing up the re-
spective merits of the Catholic and Protestant
churches refrain from awarding the palm for
superiority of tact. perseverance and earnest
ness. to the former Profoundly as he disliked
the errors of the Church of Rome, he was not
backward in acknowledging the consummate
skill with which her mission had been perform
ed, and the magnificent reward she had reaped.
He does not attempt to disguise the fact
that, instead of gaining, the Protestant religion
has lost ground ever since the close of the six
teenth century. Her numbers have increased:
new nations, new continents, have been gather
ed under her banners but. meanwhile, the
Church of Rome has received far larger Access
sions of strength. At the death of Martin
Luther Professionalism bid fair to destroy
Popery altogether. At the present day it is
probable that the Catholics outnumber the
Protestants by some twenty to thirty millions
of souls.
This is not the place for theological disserta-
lions; and nothing is further from our purpose
than to engage in a controversy on the an
tagonistic doctrines of Catholicity and Protes-
tantism. The votaries of both have right
to their belief which shall not be questioned
or disturbed in these columns. As a circum-
stance illustrating the condition and progress
of society, however, the relative proportions
OF the various classes of Christians are deserv-
ing of careful notice. An age of unbridled
license and sloth among the clergy produced
Luther, and shook the Papal throne to its
centre. A Plus V. and Loyola revived the
austere practices, the fervent zeal, and the
Christian picty Of the Apostles, and Catholcity
days witness still more portentous victories
won by Papacy over Professionalism. 1t is true
that in this country a steady stream of con-
verts, whose spirit cannot brook the mental
thraldom of the priests, is steadily flowing
into the arms of the latter. Children of
Catholic emigrants not unfrequently imbibe
Protestant and republican notions together. But
this is an exceptional case. If we graspin one
view the progress of Christianity throughout
the whole world, we shall find. two Catholics
gained to the Church for one Protestant.
We make no inquiry as to the relative merits
of the doctrines of the rival Churches. Indeed,
we doubt whether, as general rule, they have
much influence on the result. To our mind,
the secret Of the superior success Of the Cath
olics lies mainly, if not entirely, in their SUI
peror zeal. Where Protestant is lukewarm
the Catholic is red hot The Episcopal doctor
must enjoy his library, his dinner, his cosy arm
chair the Jesuit asks for nothing but crust
of bread, q glass Of water, and hereto to
convert The one accepts reluctantly q mis-
sion to the heather. He carries with him his
wife and children. and claims for them. if not
for himself. comforts which are incompati-
BILE with the life of an ardent missionary. A
breviary and string of beads are all the other
requires. With these he will travel night and
day. at all seasons, suffering with equal
fortitude the extremes of cold and heat,
and inclement weather ubsisting on the
meagre fare he can pick up by the
wayside often risking his life for his
cause, and deeming himself amply rewarded il
after life of incredible toll and hardship he
can die pauper on a bed of straw, with the
consciousness that he has brought many souls
to Christ. Those who have travelled among
the Indians in the far West will readily ac-
knowledge the truthfulness of our description.
We do not mean to accuse the whole body Of
Protestant pastors Of neglect of duty or sloth-
fitness: there are, we doubt not, instances Of
noble devotion among their number; but we are
sorrowfully convinced that they constitute a
feeble minority.
Our own intercourse with the clerical bodies
Of this city illustrates the principle. When
conservation or other important religious cere-
mony takes place in the Catholic church, our re-
portcrs are well received by the officiating
clergy-every facility is afforded them for pro-
curing full account ofthe proceedings-and If
the speeches or sermons are deemed Of suf1i-
cient Importance to warrant shorthand report
the ecclesiastic will cheerfully communicate his
manuscript or furnish note of Quotations when
requested He is glad, he will say, to find that
we are willing to give publicity to the scnti-
ments he has uttered, and trusts that all the
world will read them for the sake Of the Church.
IT'S thus that converts are made.
Very different is the conduct of our Protest
ant clergy. When an important ceremony is
announced, or a noted preacher is to deliver
sermon of unusual interest, we send a re-
porter, who is not unfrequently admonish-
ed in severe language from the pulpit
that the minister cannot go on unless
that person" ceases to take notes. Other
clergymeR, deeming courtesy not incon-
sistent with their cloth, will politely and pri-
vately intimate their wish that their sermon
should not be reported. This course has been
pursued in several instances by officials of the
highest dignity in the various Protestant
churches. The reason assigned has at least
the merit Of candor. Files Of the HERALD are
preserved by members Of most churches; and