The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-08
scrmo ona Oh Romnnirm.

The American and Foreign Christian Uni2n have made
arrangements for course Of sermons or lectures on
Romansm TO be deeredin various Protestant churches
in this city during the present winter. Pr. Plummer
commenced this series Sunday evening the 3lst ut
in the Dutch Reformed Church, Lafayette place. The
second of the under the patronage the
American and Foreign Christian Union, was delivered
last evening in the Presbyterian church on Madison
square, by the Rev. Dr. william Adams, Of this city
The attendance very large. The fol owing is an
outline of the reverend gentleman sermon-
Tie text taken from Peter chap g. verse g. But
beloved, be not ignorant Of this thing that day
is with the Lord as thousand years. and thousand
years one day Dr. Adams commenced by alludiny
to the providence of the Almighty nations and his
plans for their future existence. Infinite in His
nature and eternal in His duration, Gods plan
Ia for tie whole Of time, and hence II Is, that many
things ncompre hensbe TO u.s. for they are part Of
an unfinished whole The plan Of God In reference TO
nation may extend over thousands OF years, and IL
would be folly in to form conclusions from the events
OF brief period This principle Is applicable especially
TO the Roman empire. The city Of Rome vas founded
before the old Assyran empire had reached its climax.
II was large city long before Cyrus sacked the city OF
Babylon. Its population had reached half million
before Alexander had subiugated the East II the
ruling dynasty when Jesus Christ born In its sub
sequent history the limo OF Pons ia far ancient
than the longest line Of kngs and at this there
IL question Of interest 10 the cyilizel world
than the probable destiny OF the power which sits en-.
throned In the Eternal City On this evening il was the
object OF the speaker to treat Of the transition
imperial and Pagan into Rome papal He pictured the
vision Of her imperial power her civilization her arms
her arts, and her eoquence Her kings her consors,
her emperors, pass before in magnificent array.
This was Roman Pagan But the tiara has suppanted
the imperial Now, hear the anathemas from
the Vatican, and the insignia OF Rome Paps Twice
has Rome been called the mistress Of the worldonce
from the prowess OF her arms, and once from her
ecclesiastical dominion. Giving the impressions Of his
he preachers mind the occasion OF his visit to the
renowned city he spoLe Of the fulhlment Of the pro.
Ehecies Rome. kingdoms q
the world gradually subjugated until the whole
world was conquered Everything in those days tended
10 Capitalization for cities empires, and every
thing contributed 10 beauty and strengthen municipal
communities. Thus Rome became the centre Of all. "
that period Of her greatness few majestic ruins s
nam Two Of these possess especial interest TO Chris
tan travelerthe Coliseum, the spot who're dis
ciple Of Christ has shed his blood and the Arch Of
Titus, which i one Of the unbrbed evidences Of the
truth % Scripture for OF its sides in ba. reets
representations Of those identical implements used
in the Jewish worship, az described in the Book Of Levi
tcu. The speaker then described the rise and progress
II Chrstia nityits establishment In the Roman capital
and tho trials and persecutions through which
the early Christians were obliged 20 pass. The
fourth century arrived, when Christianity en-
braced and the Emperor took the name Of Christian
only distinguished for their patience and humility but
Afterwards they took heir places next TO imperial dig
people and when the forces of the empire became .ea
the prominent men among the clergy succeeded TO
power AZ length the empire broke In twain aud the
strife for the succession began The question then
asked, why should not Rome retain eccleastca as she
had obtained temporal supremacy feeling generally
prevailed throughout the world that Rome ought be-
and still vas, the mistress Of the world The power
the pontf increased from that time until In the person
of Hildebranc, the title " Pontifer AdrDiu.
sumed and Boniface declares that be saved
unless they believe In the supremacy Of the Pope.
Wherever you 20 now, 10 the city you perceive that
there Is ftill attempt TO keep up the grandeur %
the imperial dynasty. The old initials, = r. y X.
fSeHot6s ToTuiUg QUE Romanus), are yet retained.
In that old city, amid those oil temples and
palaces the Pontn Of the Church has built bis
palace and goes forth in his trappngs Of crimson ard
gold In greater state than emperor Of OLD, The
speaker then glanced al tho cercmonias OF the Romsu
Church and quoted az length from several authors 70
show that In many Of the forms Of Papal worship there
was close rcsem bance 20 those u the Pagsns lie 10.
ganced authority for this Pope Gregory VINO de-
clarsd that the early Christians introduced Pagan
toms into the forms Of Christian worship. Churches
we're erected In honor of the earIy ma-tyrs Thar
figures sculpturcd In marble and from hoA0rine
the people began 10 adore them. The old Pagal
temples consccratsd 70 the saints. He the Nec
turer believed in the mental transmission of tbs sso
Citations which resided IT, these anesnt relies u Pagan
ism, and contendsd th,t they st yielded lnauenc
the minds o. h people. Isaly rAs and i the h0m
of masinaton E'cfy OBJ sct 10 narfrs once $50
cated With nyp' 'ology, snd 20 II l. rith What ]
called religion Tie spirit of turnlng tho cominoi
1 INTO the Uiraculous, which existed in tue day
/ Of Pagan m has not bsen ex0feissf Aa5the
4 esment of poser bequeath.d from The arient Y
Use W dera system, y the perfection 81 tbs lrs IA