New-York tribune., 1868-02-03
" ROME OR REASON

This was the iitlo OF lecture delivered yes
erIay afternoon by the Rev. Henry Blanchard at Dod-
worth's studio Building, No. 2l2 FuhaYe, to select
audience Of about 80 people. The speaker opened the
way 20 c'rar understanding Of his address by remark
that nc looked forward win nope 10 the IIsing .. y
democratic chuTcha church Ignoring the power OF te
,,,isTc' and alluded TO the Rev o. b. Froihingham's
ho only church or that character In the country lie
aud the people separate by artificial barriers Hc
knew that thousands OF people never entered regularly
co-rcrated bc-prpklcd, beStecped arched, and sex
toned temple who glad 10 attend religious services
IN public hall or thcater; and had had PROOF oi ths
fact in attendance of 800 persons at recent sunday
evening meeting az the Park Theater ~ bookyh Ilese
were mostly % Sa' w,o never hou ter ~" from nm
visiting gratis house 0f worship whose seats are pah
for AT onea prices by wealthy people offered super
clorsly 10y dsrc-pectful attendauts whose pulpit is
fyod high above the heads OF those VINO come 10 NEAR
the Word Of COD eNpounded and whose minister preaches
not 10 the many who lack religious Instruction,
hat tho few WHO assemble to hear fowery discourse
Of the doctrine OF the Eomis Church. but not uehar-
,ny, ", ven ,hon a,y othsr an henye
~ Trinity which they do not urd rstand: in the doctrine
the dictates ~ and IN church into which people
20 in certain way. and ont OF which they cannot
20 10 Heaven - 10 the doctrine Of PurgaOry AZ incul
Gated hy the Romsh Church and that OF an immedate
Sy S5,S'o other ehlircheS. he thought there was a
logical preference the doctrine of purgatory
1t is revolving TO the soul 10 think that
the lifelong criminal can, IN the agonIes OF death com
pound with augcred God for the sins Of years aud IN
moment pcr.uco gain by single word OF PRAYER an
eternity Of happiness. Aud IL is more horrible, still, 10
believe
whose dark lives have never been enlightened by one ray
of truth. whose ears have never heard the teachngs Of
the Gospel can, ny mercul Creator be consigned to
everlasting Voc for the petty crimes OF = snort ana
gloomy life Rome gives these chance, SAID the speak
T .oSs aaa on TIM St R@ Oe!Te'" S PlSte,an Sa as man
serts that the doing Of good works VIII not save
world " hsppines beyond this ii The Roman Catholic
says good works backed 10y true faith are the means TO
st clergyman murdered his wife. He was brought 10
justice after having w'pt and prayed and prayed and
his. aln nj and fnn
iorcrs "Oh." sad he. have done horrid decd, but
by the grace Of God have been enabled to make my
wife. my poor WIFE what has become OF her soul what
M xnc,tcd rom tle srpliced assassin brought up TO
believe IN the irrational doctrines taught In The church,
The Evangelical system says you place your whole
reliance upon the Bible. The Roman Catholic says, No
II good book but you cannot depend upon IL ~ you
do NOT understand it. You want the traditions of the
past 10 guide you a. well-and rs Ratlonast side
here again with tho l,omauist The great God is good
other good men OF the earth from the earliest days His
hand was upon 50 Paus head when Inc spoke truth to the
world Ii was thc same Cod VINO INSPIRED HOrOaster and
Confacins aud Socrates whom We IN our day and
governing rs rs He governed men Of the olden
time. He gave all men reason; and unless that
II Is wrong therefore, for the church to oppose the teach
ings o Science IL We wish 10 know the Of the world
will not sensible men run 10 the theOlogian for
suo" llil no VAL gitcu ~ the oPh0h hahutu down 10
hnthr opinion he has been ordered 10 give, To the
scientist Tor the truth IN regard To this qucst" knowing
that II ho cannot solve the problem. he will give ap
proxmato solution basyd upon principles which cannot
Bishop Of London aud the Pope OF Rome viii tell as what
they have been taught to tell Sir Charles lycll Will
answer according 10 his own knowledge, gained
by careful study, not of theology, but OF
Natures broad book written in plain characters
by tho pen OF tho great master When Calico taught
that the did rcYOve about the EARTH he east
into prison. bccau,e had IL not been said that Joshua
caused Tie io stand stil II necessary that
time to silence The learcher after truth The triumph of
Galco'5 doctrine then would have overturned the
church, once noble In ts charity toward mankind.
The speaker. wio taking strong ground AGAINST all the
churches did NOT hesitate to accord 10 the Roman Cath
Ollie the mca~IC Of praise belonging 10 IL for its good
works. lie spoke in eloquent terms of those noble
woncn. the Sisters of Mercy and Charity, aud OF the
thousand Institutions established and supported by the
EOInish Church u this country for the main
tenauce and education OF the destitute and ignorant
and closed his remarks by announcing his intention to
loose from alt church ties and establish himself in
New-l Ork Independent nationalist pledged to
speak The tu 10 the people without relying upon any
eccle astct authority Tor support guidance onoOur-
agcment Mr. Blanchari's next lecture will Dee the
words "God, Soul. Jesus, and Church." aud III be de.
lhetcl next sunday at 81 O'Clock. at No. 2l2 Fiaye.