The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-11-15
The Pope's ADDRESS 10 Protestants.

The P0pe's Addr0sssto Protestants.
In our columns to-day win be Sopnd thi
remarkable document, emanatiDg.from Hi
Holiness, and addressed to all Protestant
and nom Catholics.
1t seems strange that such an epistle, q
fully animated with the breath of CHART,
throughout, SO free from any expression o
reproach or aversion, could have excited
the wrath of English writer's yet such, w
are assured by the New York World, is the
case. They have managed to find deer
ause for offence where mono was intended
and where even the precise reverse was
aimed at. ~
| The World, in its comments, thinks that
such construction will not prevail in this
country. 1t says that the evils referred to
by the Holy Father as resulting from sect
arian divisions, have been repeatedly en-
larged upon and bemoaned by the most en-
inent Protestant authorities of that day !;
that the spontaneous aspiration of the Pro-
testant world, of late, appears to have been
longingly in favor of unity and itregrets that
such a result may probably be impracti-
cable.
Perhaps the project may be more FEAST
bic and success more attainable than is APP
parent at first sight. This very upheayal
of the Protestant world in favor of unity, is
not without serious import. 1t denotes a
want among the people, and a sentiment of
that want. The prodigal feels longing for
the shelter of his fathers roof. 1t is not a
conviction, it is sentiment, a movement of
the heart. The reason may still be un-
touched, the will still stubborn, but if the
heart has commenced to loathe the husks
that filed without satisfying its cravings
If it has begun to dwell fondly on pater-
nal love that it once fed from as slavery,
the stubbornness of the will and the pride
OF reason must soon give way. It is the be-
kind do not go backwards.
Why may not even some of the Protest
ant communions send delegates to Rome.
not, indeed, as members of the Ecumenical
Council, but as visitors and ambassadors. in
response to this invitation of the Popef
1t may be said, indeed, that the Pope bas
liked slight upon the Episcopal Church
|
Jew of their Episcopal character, while in
lud'ng the Greek hierarchy. But it must
re remembered that Greek orders have
ever been denied at Rome, while English
MODERN orders have never been acknow-
edged as genuine. Certainly, the Holy
ather could have no other motive for
laking the distinction, since the Greek
hurch is waging an intolerant persecution
ga'nst the Catholics of Poland, while Cath :
Lefty is protected in England.
there are many reasons why earnest
rotestants ought to embrace this occasion
IT making an effort in favor of reunion.
lie only point really at issue is the infalli-
ilty OF the church, for that being once con-
ded all questions as to doctrine are sus
ptlble OF instant and definite solution.
Society, the family, the individual. are
deeply interested in this question of an 's
faiii3le tribunal on questions of dogma u
I'd morals. L
Evil is not always self-evident. The c.
ost pernicious principles are sometimes SO
bt'y disguised, sO%attractively advanced,
at they are embraced by thousands with 81
IL examination or apprehension. A plau- q
Ole generality hastily adopted leads on C
'he overturnlng of established authority, VI
"a the disregard of private rights. III
but the church is on the lookout for nil =.
csc specious sophisms. On their first an :,
arance they are detected and exposed. 80
nc tlnsel disguise which seemed so allur-
to the incautious is torn away, and the "
-;s;I
ind that nearly all the evil principles,
Q influence of which brings ruin upon the
tion, the family or the individual, apper a.
IN to the province Of morals, and must be W.
ed before the tribunal of religion. Thus. W