Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-01
For the Standard,
MAcAULEY,s HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

MACAULEY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
Not only in the dread of standing armies, but in
the differences of discipline belonging to differ
ent Christian denominations may be traced our re-
lationship to England. Our Episcopal Church is the
Americaniscd Church of England, and all other Pro-
testant denominations trace their origin to the moth
er country, and to this day bear the distinctive pc
culiarites of the parent stock somewhat modified it
is true, but still plainly perceptible.
The Church of England restored with Charles and
the gay cavaliers to its prerogaves, and bound to
to the throne by hope fear, common attachments and
common enmities, forgot its moral precepts amidst
the unparalleled dissipation of its adherents and in
the eagerness of prosecuting its detested rivals To
this day, we believe, in the American Church It's not
forbidden for its members to indulge in the " light
fantastic toe" to digest oyster supper with the
assistance of glass of toddy; while among 9th
ers, though the toddy may be winked at, the fiddle
is still the Devils Instruments among the Puri-
tans, and the theatre the porch of Hell.
We do dot intend to decide between the two. 1t
is sufficient for our purpose to point to differences in
theory, at least noted by every observant mind be-
tween sects descended from those who made it a sin
to play at chess to drink friends health and to put
starch into ruff, and that church whose adherents
and defenders haunted brothels and gambling houses
and whose founder did not fear to crafty his lusts by
beheading and putting awa.T the victims of his
fearful embraces. Each denomination has forsaken
the extremes which marked 1t In the times OF their
mutual luminosity, and have now approached, still
preserving the characteristics of their origin
the golden Christian mean any institution of weak
man may attain.
1t seems incredible that men entrusted with the
high and weighty concerns of the soul-mnsters of
the Great Creator of innumerable worlds and bound
less suns should have occupied the low and
nia nay, the contemplate and disgraceful position
of the country clergy of the church of England;
and the more incredible does it appear when
told by Macauley that, less than tcO centuries ago,
"a young levite-such was the phrase then in use
might be had for his board small garnet and ten
pounds year, and might not only perform his own
professional functions might not only be the most
patient of butts and listeners light not only be al
ways ready in fine weather for bowls and i'll rainy
weather for hovel-board, but mi ght also the
expense of gardener or!of groom Sometimes the
reverend man nailed up the apricots; sometimes he
curried the coach horses; he cast up the farriers
bills; he walked ten miles with message or par
Gel he was permitted to dine with the family, but
was expected to content himself with the plainest
fare. lie might fill himself with corned beef and
carrots, but as the tarts and cheese-cakes
made their appearance he quilted his seat and stood
aloof until he was summoned to return thanks for
repast from part of which he had been excluded
With his cure he was expected to take wife. The
wife ordinarily had been in the patrons service and
it well if she was not suspected of standing too
high in the patrons favor y waiting woman vas
regarded the most suitable he pmatc for parSon
Even late as the time of George the Second, the
keenest of all observers, himself priest remarked
that in great household the chaplain the
source of the lady's maid whose character had been
blown upon, and who therefore forced to give
up hopes of catching the steward
What influence man whose personal dignity was
thus trampled could have to win men from vice,
unable to conceive. With US in any pursuit
want of proper degree of self-respect and person
al dignity is not to be atoned for by the possession
of any other qualitics and he who holds sacred
Office is entirely lifted by public opinion from the
degraded and debasing position above described
while the lowest class of citizens would scorn
such position All classes treat with reverence and
respect the preacher of the gospel Let recollect
however, that in the latter part of the 18th century
virgin purity and conugal fidelity were made jest
throughout England, and the general standard of
morality and decency low indeed. So if that the
spouse of the clerical man came to him with faint
her name, she probably virtuous as her
court, who ruled the king, and who bestowed the
places of honor and profit under the government on
those lucky enough to win their favor.
Now, when it the fashion for Protestant
heretics to return to Papacy, and the Bishop of a
wealthy and highly respectable Church in our own
State has iourneyed to kiss humbly the toe of the
Pope, do not begrudge the labor of copying pa
ragraph in relation to the Church of Rome:
During the last three centuries to stunt the
growth of the human mind has been her chief object
throughout ch1istendom. Whatever advance has
been made in knowledge, in freedom in wealth. and
in the arts of life has been made in spite of her. and
has everywhere been in increase ratio to her power
The loveliest and most fertile provinces of Europe
have under her rule been sunk in poverty, in politi-
cal servitude and in intellectual torpor, whilst Prot
cstant countries proverbal for sterty and bar
baris have been turned by skill and industry into
gardens, and boast long line of heroes and
statesmen, philosophers and poets, " &c.
We have no disposition to enter into sectarian dis
cusson. The above paragraph and the examples
cited say all that is necessary should be said We
would only remark that in New York and Maryland
Romanists have made and are making the reading of
the Bible in common schools test question, and
hold that Bible societies for the pro-
pagation of evil and any religious teachings, except
throug Romsh priests, worthy of fine and inn
prsonment. The dread of the mother of the inqusi-
ton no less than the dread of standing armies
with the settlers of America. Twas a just and
wholesome fear inherited and trust forever to be
preserved, by their descendants.
NJ. De Tocquevie, in his book on America, argues
that Papacy is peculiarly adapted to Republcanism.
But all history and tells it is only suited
to secure its propagation and supremacy. The
welfare of the Church, not of the people, is the end
Means Justify the end, and the Roman Hi
erarchy would hold the millions of her subjects in
ignorance lest the enlightened intellect should ques
ton her dogas and sully the integrity and glory of
mother Rome by heresy and apostacy. How well
such policy accords with representative govern
ment demanding above all other things the educa-
ton of the masses-demanding intelligence and free
enquiry a starving bread and water,i needs
not moments consdera ton to decide.
Az REVoR.
PRoF. MITcHELL's REPLY The Raleigh Standard
contains letter from Prof Mitchell, of our State
University, in reply to communication recently
published in the Mining Journal, the signature
of e., and which copied into columns last
week Next week we shall publish Prof NJ. reply.
- Nj ~ - - N \ r. n ~ G