The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-23


appeared to have dawned.
But there is always latent discomfort i
\ the human heart, and prosperity general
makes it more exacting. Monarchs wer
impatient of the restraint exercised owe
: them foI the benefit Of the people. Philos
ophers we're impatient of the control whicl
Faith exertedoyer their theories, and man,
of the people Themselves We're inpatient o
the moral restraint put by the general pub
lie sentiment upon their actions. An,
large community of men always comprise
many formidable elements of evil, and al
these elements, at that time under an un
willing subsection to good, were like sc
many conquered provincesJ ripe, at any
moment, for a revolt. "Ithere must al.
ways be heresies."
Still, human respect required that some
plausible theory should sanction the out
break with polite concession to the gen
cral spirit of religion. Where was the nice
line to be established beyond, which revolt
could retire and maintain due respect for
appearances?
A German monk made the happy discov-
cry. The Church, as ii teacher, was rejected,
the Bible accepted rs the rule of faith. By
this device the restraint of authority would
be avoided, and the appearance of religion
retained. The monk announced his dis
covery, at first cautiously then, finding
encouragement, proclaimed it boldly
Those who were ready, gathered around
-him-princes, mobiles, priests, and peasants
The great heresy startled the world by its
sudden appafition, without warning-full-
hedged at its birth-and Martin Luther
stood forth the successful heresiarch.
y The natural fruit of the rejection of au-
thority was dissensien, and it was not long
in-making it's appearance. Luther, Melanc-
thon, Calvin, Henry VIII, with lesser lumi-
minaries, soon covered the field with rival
standards. BY degrees hundreds of sects
arose, each going further than its predeces-
d or, and each convicted of error by the
others. The principle of private interpre-
tation grew holder and holder in it's deduc-
tons, and pushed its rights to such an ex-
IRENE of license, that the older sects became
alarmed and proclaimed the distinction Of
orthodox aud non orthodox Professionalism.
The prescribed sects rejected this dictum
with disdain, as violating the fundamental
rule of liberty of conscience, and consist
ency forced the orthodox to recognize them
as Christians, though looking colby and
distrustfully on their eccentric younger
brethren. In this way any strange and
whimsical idea assumes the name of a |
sect, and forces itself into godly company.
- But the result of all this is injurious to
Professionalism. It loses numerically by the |
formation of sects, which, nominally Chris
tan, actually carry their members into the
ranks of intidelity.
Yet this is but the legitimate recoil of
their original error. Professionalism is really
n. composite mass of everything opposed to-
Catholieity, held together human
spect. This respect for the appearance of
religion was at first very strong, but the
doctrine of private Interpretation has ad-
mitted so many questionable doctrines into
thelfofd of the Church, that human respect
Is now satisfied with the simple name of
Christian, no matter how infidel the creed
Plain, bold rationalism puts white cravat
on its teacher and calls him Il parson, while
respectable deism raises a steeple over its
lecture room and rings a bell on Sunday.
hits far disscnsiion IN the camp, and its
resulting weakness. But now approaches
the hour of trial for Professionalism. She is /
openly attacked in the rear and son the
Hank in her own camp, by her own children.
ihey accuscSAef of Inconsistency and usur-
patton. She rejected what had always
been eonsfdercdttput of Revelation what
right had she tofdGcrce that the remaining
portion was genuine p They raise aloft the
standard of revolt and ;sss;eil-Aer with scorn
and contempt. Some of her ablest men
go over to them, and thousands of her +
children join their ranks. Human respect