True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-01

and substantial unity of the
evangelical churches, Having thus cleared
the way, be planted himself on the impreg-
nable ground OfD'Aubigne and of Protest
antism: the rOrd of God only, excluding
tradition; the grace # Christ only, strik-
ing at the roots of a religion of works; the
,oOrh cfdte Holy Ghost only, as distinguished
from religion of external rites and un-
folded with the great themes that cluster
around the cross, The application of these
fundamental principles to the church of
Rome, and to the dogmas of the bishop,
was left to each hearer; but the least
intelligent mind could perceive, that if
such were the teachings of Scripture-if
"the just shall live by faith'-then the
whole superstructure of papal superstition
rests on error, and must fall at last With
out the aspect of controversy, and with
direct bearings on the spiritual state of
those addressed, every leading position of
the bishop was undermined, and evange-
lical truth fully vindicated. 1t only re-
mained to dlssect the seven pretended
sacraments of the Papal church, which
the bishop proclaimed and defened in
doing which Mr.. - indulged in the wit
and sarcasm which alone some of them de-
serve. He closed with an appeal to the
conscience, tender and solemn.
The bishop, with less of discretion than
might have been expected from an aged
prelate, attempted to recover his ground,
by asserting the friendlness of the PapaI
church to the Bible, denying that it was a
prohibited book in the Papal states; also
denying the existence of L" indulgences !"
assailing the credibility of D'Aubigne as
a historian, etc. The issue being thus
Joined, Mr.. - replied firmly and brought
home to the bishops own diocese, the alle-
cations which had been general and
indefinite. 1t was a triumph of the
truth The "smooth stones" from
Shiloah's brook reached their mark, and
another giant measured his length on the
plain.
1 spent another day on the boat, and
had abundant opportunities of observing
the influence of the discussion. The
only oath I subsequently heard was from
the pilot at the wheel, whose duties had
kept him from the cabin. I saw no more
gambling. Many of thepassengers sought
friendly intercourse with the Protestant
preacher. And when he aud his travel.
ing companion left the boat, to keep holy
time-leaving the bishop to pursue his
journey on the sabbath-many thanks
were rendered for the timely and effec-
tive refutation of Papal error, sought to be
imposed on crowd of American Protest
ants.
add but word to this incomplete
sketch of steamboat debate.
|. the only weapon needed in the con-
fict with the man of sin, is "the sword
of the Spirit"
g Providential occasions for controversy
with errorists, will bring with them provi.
dental aids.
3. 1t is best so to conduct polemical
discussions, that the spirit of a true faith
may win confidence for its doctrines, and
so that souls may be saved, even if the
argument be lost.
4. There is little danger from the Ro.
mish church in this country, if its bish.
ops will consent to discuss its principles in
the newspapers, and in steam boat cabins
The system will not bear venti lation.
5. "By their fruits ye shall know them. u
The moral tendencies of the Papal and evan.
gelical systems, as seen in the unchecked
vice of western steamer, after an evening
discourse by distinguished prelate, and in
the quiet and order produced by an cxhi.
bition of Gospel truths by an unknown
Protestant, were so palpably demonstrated
as to leave no doubt, which system can
trace its origin to the great Source of wis.
dom and purity.
HEBER.