Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-04
of worshipping God according to the
dictates of their conscience.

of worshipping God according to the
dictates OF their conscience.
Instead of having property taxed and
the government rendered bankrupt TO
sustain the church, the church property
is now taxed the same as other property
TO help sustain the government. The
taxes due from several churches have
not been paid, and there is prospect
that the property will be sold to satisfy
the claims, and pass into other hands.
than those that have so long held It's
This is awakening thought and creating
discussions with the people. They now
begin to think, speak and act for them
selves.
Protestant preachers address the peo-
pie, and new societies and churches are
being formed in many Of the cities of
Italy. In Venice the people are moved
by the eloquence aud oratory OF Gavazzl,
a dissenter from the Catholic church,
who now disclaims and ignores the
suprenacy and dogmas OF the Pope, and
in their stead teaches only the doctrines
of the New Testament.
About month since q Scotch clergy
man, assisted by a gentleman from
Springfield, Illinois, OBLIGATED at the first
Protestant communion ever held in Ven
ice, About forty persons were present,
who partook Of the sacrament and OF
this number about twenty-five were
Catholics. This created disturbance in
the minds of the faithful" and on the
following day printed handbils were
circulated throughout the city, signed
by the functionaries of the Catholic
church, denouncing in the strongest
terms the conduct OF those who had
partaken of the sacrament, and warning
others against committing the same
atrocious offense.
But the stern command and the i'm
piled threats OF this circular failed to
produce the desired effect, for to-day in
stead of twenty. five there are over three
| hundred Catholics ready to unite with
Pro testants and partake with them Of
the Lords Supper. This number Is
likely to increase, for although the Pope
is said to be good man and is generally
! liked, yet the people, looking upon the
state of their society and contrasting 1t
with other nations, and seeing the low,
degraded condition in which they are
placed, are losing confidence, and doubts
arise whether he possesses the miracu-
lous powers that are claimed for him
He has certainly failed to elevate his
people, or even keep them at as high 8
standard as those occupied who heard
the teachings of st. Paul.
The financial condition Of the States
of the church are likely to become
greatly embarrassed, and unless foreign
aid is furnished must become bankrupt
The public debt is now 100000 scudi
The yearly interest on this is about 4,
100000 scudi. The annual expenses arr
10000, 900 scudi. The yearly revenue i
only about 100000 scudi. 1t is cas-,
to perceive what result must follow.
1t is generally conceded that tn
triple crown" (emblematic of the office
Of prophet, priest and king) will neve
rest upon another head in Rome. Pop
Plus TX. will be the last to hold the OF
fees of Church and State.
His temporal kingdom is alread
greatly reduced in size, and as the worl
advances in intelligence and people be
, come enlightened and thoughtful, he Wi
be regarded in his true light-a man an
nothing more-and his edicts, bulls an
dogmss will, like the ruins of ancien
, Rome, only tell of the past and serve a
!, beacons rather than guides for men t
, follow. A. D. H.