The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-11-03
The Approaching Council of the Vatican


The Approaching Council of the Vatican.
Two years have now elapsed since we be-
gan to hear about the Council of the Vati-
can, or as it has been called, the Gcumenl-
cal Council. We have not, we must admit,
learned much about it in the interval
Many things have been written on the sub
ject. The quarterly journals on both sides
of the Atlantic have been full of it. 30
have the fortnightlies. So have the week
lies. So, too, have the dailies. We have
read almost all that has been written about
the Council. Our opinions are in harmony
with some of the views expressed. They differ,
however, from many. The approaching grand
Council is unquestionably the biggest ques-
ton of the day, properly understood; and,
much as we have learned from various sources
we dare not say that it is going to be any
thing else than asomewhat gorgeous and mag
nifcent failure.
In the first place Gcumenical Council is
simply impossbility. Nothing of the kind
has ever happened. Truth to say there
never was an Gcumenical Council. An
Gcumenical Council means Council repre-
senting the Churches of the whole world.
When was there any one Church which rep
resented the whole world? We can't name
the time. There have, however, been such
things as have received the name of Gcu-
menical or General Councils. Some say
there have been nineteen. Some say there
have been twenty. This, at least, we can
say with confidence; there has been none for
three hundred years, and the last that was
held was an egregious blunder.
1t was for some time our conviction that a
General Council of the Catholic Church
might prove grand sensation and some
what of a success. There was no good rea-
son why it should not be so. The Catholic
Church was apparently a unit. Peace
reigned within its borders. A grand stroke
might perplex the world, and brighten it into
Catholic sympathy. The Pope'S invitation
was as generous as could be expected. 1t
could scarcely have been more generous 1t
comprised all Protestants and other non
Catholics. 1t was in fact an invitation to
the Christian world. We dare not say that
the Christian world has been Indifferent to
the call. East and West, North and South
the Greek Church and the Protestant
| Church, -haye- responded. The different
heads of the Greek Church have given good
reasons for refusing to attend the Council.
The Protestant Churches have not been SO
slack. The refusal to attend has been just
as plain aud just as honest. But, in the ex-
ercise of that freedom which belongs to all
Protestants, some have s; oxen out and ex-
pressed desire to be present. Notably
amongst those we must mention the name OF
DIR. John Cumming, of London. The Doc
tor is a great Scotsman and good Catholic
in the true sense. He is man of princi'
pie, but of liberal principle. If he has a
conviction he expresses it; and he is not
ashamed of its consequences. Dr. Cumming
said he was willing to be present at the
Council, if only he were allowed to speak.
1t has transpired that in the opinion of the
Holy Father, DR.. Cumming is not wanted,
nor any such man. What is settled, the
Pope says, cannot be discussed. ConSe'
ouently there is not room for such men as
Dr., Cumming. 1t thus ecame generally
manifest that the Council was to be purely
Catholic concern, and that it could do no
good beyond certain limits.
Later news have convinced US that the
Catholic Church was not itself unit in the
matter. Father Hyacinthe, priest of that
Church and the most popular preacher in
Paris, all of a sudden has rebelled against
the probable doings of the Council; and be-
lieving that the programme Was purely Ill
tramontane and opposed to liberty and com
mon sense, he has abandoned his post and
resigned all connexion with the Church un-
til he knows the results of the Council. 1t
will not be wonderful if LIE Pere Hyacinthe
proves himself to be second Luther, and il
through his influence the Church of France
is torn from the Church of Rome. The
Gallican Church is in rickety state, and ii
requires only strong hand and vigorous
will to make it as much separate unit as is
now the Church of England. Altogether
the approaching Council promises to be
grand ''Gzzle" and not little of hum
bug.-ScOttish american Journal
Don't Fret.