The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-07-25
Intolerance of the Pope.

Il
the suppression of hercsy. While they were
hero there was toleration Of the Protestant ro-
iigion to the following extent: The American
Church, conducted by Rev. Mr.. Lyman, was
allowed to meet in q private house. Formally
service was held in the house of General King.
American Minister, bnt he having changed his
residences, and having no room suitable for
holding the service, o large room in q private
dwelling was secured. A Lutheran and French
evangelical service has been held in the house
Of the Prussinn Ambassador. A Scotch Pres
byterian service has been held in the house Of
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Lewis, during the past six
years. All of these have been held in the city,
while outside the walls an English service has
been held for forty years or moro.
The French troops had scarcely left the city
| when the police Informed Mr.. Lewis that ho
would not be permitted to hold service. Mr..
odo Russell, manager of English affairs in tho
! Papal dominions, at once called upon Cardi-
\ nal Antonelli, to know the meaning of the or
der, and was informed that all such assemblies
wero unlawful, and that the law must be put
In force. In other words, it was contrary to
the Popo's wish, for he is supreme in Rome
lie informed Mr.. Russell that no service would
| be permitted inside the city walls except under
the arms and Gag OF Foreign Minister. Eng
land having no Minister, Mr.. Lewis has been
obliged to go outside the gates. 1 attended
his service on Sabbath last. 1t was in a room
over restaurant, cold, cheerless apartment
the best, however, that could be obtainod.-
The Pope's police, with swords at their side.
vara, ansp I'D NJ. 4
read but the minister said that we could not
sing it because it would attract the attention
of the police, who probably would bre ,k up the
| service. Row DIR. Peabody of Harvard Uni
versity held service in q private room in one
Of the hotels. No public notice was given, but
it was whispered from ear tn ear, just rs eiSh-
teen hundred years ago, the first Christians of
Rome gave the information of tho holding of
their secret meetings under Caligula and Nero.
But the federation of the Pope will hardly COM
pare however with that granted by Nero, when
Paul was here, who "dwelt two whole years in
his own hired house and received ell that came
unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching those things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ with oil confidence, no man for
bidding him." So the rule of Nero stands in
contrast to that Of Pho Mono. Tho first was n
Pagan rule; the last claims to be q Chris
tian!
Cardinal AntOnclli informed Mr.. Russell that
the American church would be shut up un-
less held under the roof of tho legation. Mr.,
King has mado no remonstrance, and pre-
sumo, will offer none, though think that the
Americans residing here are nearly unanimous
in their wishes to have him take such action
as Mr.. Marsh took at Copstantinople a few
years Hgo-demanding and obtaining from the
Sultan not only liberation for. American mis-
sionaries, but protection throughout the Turk
ish dominions. What contrast federation
and protection in Turkey, in China, in Persia,
IIindostan, Siam--in all heather and pagan
lands, but no liberation in this city, which of
all others claims to be most Christian You
may sell Bibles or give them away in the streets
Of Constantinople without hindrance from any
quarter but in Rome tho prison awaits you,
without trial, without process of law, for such
a heinous offence
think that It is nearly the Unanimous de-
sire also Of tho American residents hero that
the United States Government ought not only
to protest against the action Of the Pope, but
to demand such toleration as is accorded to
| American citizens in matter of religion by eve
ryy nation under-the sun not thatthey would
have such demand enforced by cannon and
,bayOnets, but by those moral forces which n
great nation evef brings TO bear. which is
foremost in everything relating to liberty os
conscience, religious belief, as well as in main
toin inn riU 70 IF ~
the pursuit of happiness. Has not the time
| come for America to ask the Pope to grant to
the Protestants in Rome the samo liberty that
Romanists enjoy in tho United Statcs7 Let
General King call for that concession in be-
half Of American citizens and see what the re-
ply will be. Possibly, however, the people Of
Rome will make reply ere many months have
passed. Italy is not yet wholly united peo-
pie, and till that Is accomplished, Italian patri-
OTIS will have still work to do. .s ...1
In these letters il has been my aim to write
dispassionately NOT with bigotry, not as n
Protestant even, but rather from the American
stand point, as a lover of human liberty
What have stated are facts, and, however
startling they may be, thero are other things
which must remain unsaid of oppression, of &C.
clesissticnl interference in private affairs, Of
priestly .cspionage. ,Jcsaitical surveillance, Of
conhsoations, of the secrets Of the confessional
of liberties taken by confessors with confding
women; for should I make statement Of what
have heard, fear that my friends would
DOUBT my veracity. Here is the problem
sixty thousand bachelors, fifty thousand spin
sters, from six to ten thousand eeclesiastics,
(tho last forbidden to, marry } yet human pas
sions. the samo here as elsewere in the world,
and the confess onal the altar whero the heart
delivers its secrets to tho ear OF the priest