Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-28


most expressive language extant.
But there are advantages accruing hom the
foreign elements-the multiplicity OF synonymes
is 80 great that tautology can be avoided. Wash
ington Irvings great beauty Of style emanated from
his perfect knowledge Of their use. he agreed
that Latin should be studied as there were 80 many
words of Latin derivation In our language but y
Latin should be studied on that account, how much
more should the Anglo-Saxon be studied on the
same principle. From the Anglo-Saxonis derived all
our grammatical infections, all grammatical words,
our propositions and copjunctions; words descrp,
tive Of external nature, and of association. And
while all abstract terms are from the Latin special
| terms are purely Saxon. Then he concluded by
stating his conviction that the study Of the Anglo
Saxon should be part Of a course Of study.
i ron THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
why the Catholic Church prohibits the
| private perusaI Of the Bible.
| In my last communication quoted the law and
discipline Of the Catholic Church upon this subject
from a work by Joseph Dixon, at present Pri-
mate Of all Ireland"
now propose to recitc the arguments adduced
by the same distinguished Romish fnnctonary,
to vindicatc this discipline" which he asserts
prevails now everywhere in the church,
Lest some Of the simple faithful" should
doubt the accuracy Of these quotations. will state
that the book can be purchased at most Catholic
book stores, and probably at Mr. Kennedy's, in
this city, and by reference to the tenth disserta
ton III said book, the quotations can all be seen
and read. IN s,.
"In the first place" (says the author,) 1--WE lay
it down as certain, that Divine precept exists,
imposing upon the laity an obligation to read the
Scriptures" "Nor," continues he, |" in the prac-
tce of the Church at any time is any proof to be
found Of the existence Of such a precept." He
first denies the existence Of any Divine precept or
instruction upon the subject and then appeals to
the history Of the Catholic Church to sustain the
declaration. 8- @
Ofcourse, no proof is to be found Of the exist
encc Of such prccept" in the history or discipline
of church. which, he himself asserts, has at all
times been irreconcilably hostile "with the sup
position that the founder Of that Church or his
apostles, imposed any obligation upon all Chris
tians generally to read the Scriptures"
In reply to this bold assertion as to the Divine
precept we viii merely quote the following passa-
gcs from those Scriptures the reading Of which Is
80 strenuously opposed by the author:
SEARCH the Scriptures: For in them ye think
ye have eternal life and they are they which tes
These were moro noble than those in Thessa-
lonica, in that they received the word of God
with all readiness Of mind and searched the Scrip
lures daily whether those things were so.'
The second assertion Of Mr.. Dixon is as follows:
The reading Of the Scriptures is not necessary to
the laity, for the purpose of knowing either what
hat hn IN
der to gain eternal Iife." In support Of these
hcathenish and atheistical doctrines, the learned
author appeals to tradition. Tradition, the trans
mission of rites, customs opinions, doctrines prac
tees, and dogmas, by oral communication, appeal
ed to and called upon to sustain the dogmas of a
man, which are antagonistic to Divine precept
and repugnant to just appreciation Of the Holy
Bible.
Notwithstanding the learned Primate lays down
the law, which we have just quoted, yet he feels
constrained, as clergyman, to admit :" that the
reading of the Scriptures is most profitable" He
denies It's necessity to gain eternal life, but admits
it to DO most profitable, and yet he asserts that
:" the people have only such right to read the
Scriptures as the church sanctions and approves
because, says he, "the Church is authorized and
qualified to teach the people what they are to be-
ieve and practice, and this she does by her estab
lished ministry" What, ask, becomes of liberty
of thought freedom of conscience, and religious
liberty, If the people only to believe and prac-
tice" what the church teaches, through her cstab-
lished ministry, who are sworn subjects of the
Pope, and avowed enemies to all that characterizes
civil and religious liberty?
The learned and distinguished author attempts
to sustain this doctrine Of the Catholic Church by
claiming for Il a power still higher and absolute
over body and mind. For, says he, g 10 vndicate
this discipline Il is quite sufficient to observe that
the church is perfectly authorized to legslatc upon
matter, such as this, which no Divine preccpt has
Withdrawn from the sphere Of her legislation
The Church Ia authorized to legislste," and upon
| all subjects which have not been Withdrawn from
II by Divine precept. Quite comprehensive power,
and the use Of tho word withdrawn indicates that
the author intends to set up the claim Of the Church
to seniority over all Divine precepts.
These assumptions on the part of worshippcrs of
dogmas II enforced, would usurp the right to think
to an imbeclc and icentous priesthood; would
destroy and blot out of the faculty Of deter
mining right from wrong; would enslave the mind,
break down the power and privilege Of reflection,
and reduce man, endowed as he Is with attributes
which like him TO his God to position inferior to the
beast, which nature has blessed with an instinct,
in the innocent and sportive exercise Of which
man delights.
A Church the power to legislstc-nay more, TO
prescribe the belief and practices Of man; and,
strange to say, the learned author, Mr. d. dare not
base this power upon higher authority than ira
dition for says he clear is the voice of tradition
on this point, as Is sbundsntly proven by our theo-
logians" As matter Of course, Catholics, like
himself, would attempt to sustain the doctrine but
If none can find higher authority than erring tradi-
ton, we cannot place much confidence in it
t JABEz.
Supreme Court Of the United States.
TUESDAY, December 26, 1854.
No. 80. Ferdinand Clark, appellant, Us. Benjamin
c. Clark, Of al Tho argument Of this cause was