The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-07
MEN FoR rHK EmERGENcY.

Editor Union appeal:
Whenever the political denagogue on the
stump, or the political parson on the tripod
or in the pulpit find themselves undressing
in discourse or deficient in argument, they all
ways find an exhaustless theme in the alleged
abuses of the Catholic Church.
But q short time ago it was asserted that it
was net safe to trust the members of the
Catholic Church with political rights, as they
were subservient to the Pope of Rome; the
sacrifices which they have offered on the battle
field has silenced that battery"
You say, /" The Romish Church has lorded
it over Gods heritage for centuries, and sealed
up the bible, and made merchandise of men,
and sold them indulgences to commit almost
every form of sin, until the spiritual hierarchy
became intolerable, and then Luther appeared
aad the Protestant Reformation began"
Now, if you wish to convey the idea that
the Ronlish I" Church, as you are pleased to
call it. christianized and civilized mankind and
imposed on them the yoke of Christ you are
right.
She found the nation barbarous she gave
them laws and civil interests. Not content
with outstanding the old world, she sought
another, so that she might win souls to Christ.
She was supreme, for she received Divine
mission.
| It was to be hoped that the stale and oft
refu:ed charge, concerning the Bible being
sealed book, would not be made by any man
who deemed himself capable of instructing
the people, and giving direction to public
opinion.
From whom did you receive the New Tes-
and inspiration Is it not the Catholic
| church,
In the italian language alone there were
forty editions published before the Protestant
version of Geneva in 1862.
What you mean by making merchandise of
men, am at loss to know.
The Church found many of the people
slaves, she made them freemen. Whenever
the Church is obeyed, if slavery does not cease
to exist, the condition Of the slave becomes
greatly ameliorated.
Concerning indulgences, which is tavorite
theme you evidently do not understand the
meaning it is not permission to commit sin,
neither docs it forgive sin either in the past
present or future. A Catholic child could
have told you that; you are evidently
thinking of the Protestant indulgence which
Martin Luther granted to the Landgrave of
Hesse- Cassell, which was to have two wives
at the same time, and all for the good of his
soul.
When Almighty God has seen proper t.
correct the abuses which may have sprung W
amongst his people, he has always raised some
} person endowed with the apostolic spirit, and
who was a model of purity, humility anC
meekness. Martin Luther was the reverse o
this; he was remarkable for pride, turbulenc'
and duplicity; his ideas were coarse AMI
, , clothed in filthy language, so much so that hi
admirers have suppressed part of his wri
ting in the late editions.
Now, sir, take q friends advice, and do not
drag the Catholic church into your editorial
; any more until you have become better &C
! ! quainted with her doctrine and history.
. CATHoLICUs.
/. REMARKs.-The above communication i
. cool, to say the least, and while it tries to b
: respectful to quote the language of old brothe
, Mckinney, its impertinence is certainl
''past common" Devotion to the "Mothe
Church. or marvellous ignorance of her tru
e character, are the most marked peculiar;ties Q
the article. The writer may not have read al
history backwards, but he has superior tact a
perverting and distorting it. The persona
abuse of MARTIN LUTHER is simply mora
! outrage. If Catholicus will take friends I'D
vice, he will husband his resources, and in fl
ture strive to be less bitter Romanist, an
more of Christian Catholic.-[E Ed