Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-01-09

The IMMACULATE CoScRPTIox.-The news
papers, for several weeks past, have contained
frequent illusions to the meeting of the car
dinals and other dignitaries Of the Catholic
church, who had assembled at Rome from all
parts of the world, in order to settle the ques-
ton of the immaculate conception" This
question, which has created so much interest,
throughout the whole of the Pope domin-
ions, was, whether the Virgin Mary was
born without sin or not" The Romish cler-
gy have decided that she was SO born, and any
one who denies this doctrine will be hence
forth held and accounted hereto.
We do not think that the PRONUNCIATION Of
this doctrine can have ouch bad practical eff
feet upon those who accept it and upon socie-
ty at large, as the PRONUNCIATION and accept.
ance of the doctrine of Mormon polygamv
but, its material harrnlessness does not detract
from the priestly arrogance which gives it to
the world, nor from the miserable credulity
and superstition which would bow to it.
Think of papist primates, &C., travelling
thousands of miles, and meeting in solemn
conclave, to settle whether the birth of the
Virgin Mary was without original sin or not
Christianity has got along for eighteen hun
bred years without this dogma but, the Pope
and his high dignitaries are of opinion that the
world and the "church' cannot get along any
longer without it, and so they have laid their
mitred heads together and fixed it.
Perhaps the most humiliating aspect in
which we can view this question of "Immac-
ulate Conception is that presented by tho
"FreemGn's Journal" the organ of Archbish-
op Hughes, printed at New York. The editor
speaks Of the Virgin as the ''Mother Of God"
and argues that she, too, was divine. The
following is the ebulition OF superstition with
which he announces the finding of the "grave
and eminent cardinals"
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF OUR
MosT BLESSED LADY.-The glorious news has
reached us that on the Sth of December, Pope
Plus TX. of immortal renown. in presence of
the Cardinals and Princes of the church, de.
clared it an article of divine faith, that the
Mother of God, our Most Blessed Lady, was
conceived without original Gin.
He that has ears to hear, let him hear He
that is athirst, let him leave off waiting beside
the dry and broken cisterns, and make haste to
this city of God, which is made glad by the
torrents of a river flowing from the living
fountain of waters.
The doctrine which is now promulgated as
an article of faith, and which henceforth it
will be heresy not to receive. has long since
been believed by all pious Catholics. But this
dogmatic definition Of its truth and character
is a favor beyond. 1t has given Joy to the
whole world, and is it too much if we expect
from it the pacfcation of the nations, and
general prostration Of hereteal and persecut-
ing torcesi 1t is a year of sorrows that has
preceded its announcement. Pestilenee has
stalked abroad over the earth. Cruel, bloody
and causeess war has carried mourning into
tens of thousands Of Christian homes. Fam
inc has been standing at the door, and gem
eral distress, not altogether unaccountable as
to its source, has disarranged the business and
the worldly wealth of multitudes. The
church, too, and her members have been
prosecuted. In the midst of these chastise-
ments, we must say it, men have not returned
in their hearts towards God. They have for
gotten His hand, and have yainly sought rem.
edies in natural ways. The very depths of
human misery and anguish have pleaded be-
fore the throne Of God for more powerful
intercession; aud the Holy Ghost, tie Com
forter, has taught by his church, truths that
the world, in earlier ages, was not able to
bear"