The New York herald., 1869-06-07
BROADWAY TABERNACLE.
Sermon by the Rev. DIR. j. r. Thompson--The
Conversion Of ESonian Catholics.

Sermon by the Rev. DIR. j. Il. Th0mpson--The
Conversion Of Roman Catholics.
Yesterday forenoon Rev. DR.. J. p. Thompson of
the Broadway Tabernacle. in the presence of about
800 listeners delivered discourse OF hour and
quarters duration on the compound question, "Why
should we seek the conversion of Roman Catholics
and by hat meansT" The reverend gentleman, ON
quoting the text for the occasion and Introducing 1t
with a few preliminary remarks pertinent to the
themes he was about TO discuss, remarked that
Luther, in becoming reformer, did not cease to be
a true Catholic. He sought sngly the removal OF
the corruptions and formuaries Of the Church which
were at variance with the teachings Of the Bible and
the vitalizng spirit OF Christ, who alone taught
the doctrines by which men can be saved and
thus he desired that all should enter into
fellowship with the living Church Of which Jesus
was the corner stone. He then drew a parallel
between the missions Of st. Paul and Martin Luther.
St. Paul was aware, for he had been there himself,
of the weakness spiritually OF the Jews, and he there
fore labored Christian teacher, by persuasion
and by Kindness TO bring those who were yet in the
bondage of Judaism as well as those VINO were Gen.
tiles into the Church Of Christ. For this he abored
hoping and teaching to the end. SO Luther In ex-
posing the spiritual weakness and corrupt practices
OF the Roman hierarchy, strove by persuasion, by
argument to reform the abuses which had been grad
uaIly introduced into the Church OF Rome, ana
which were countenanced by its hierarchy. He did
hss not m me iJR & oa ms S pat Ior simple
demned to the flames, he looked on pndisturbed
and said he desired nothing better, as he only,
the knowledge OF the Bible. That elected, his writ
ings were OF little value. The Roman Church. as q
communication OF protesting Christians, was a
failure. 1t was true there was much IN the Church
that was coed and useful, and there were those In
1t who were true Christians so far as the light that
had been vouchsaiei them would lead them
through the tortuous labyrinths OF darkness In
which the religious system OF Rome had become
obscured as by dense fog of unreason. Protes.
tants naturally had more sympathy Tor those who
were under the influence OF The Roman Church than
they had for pagans for Catholics were nominay
Christians, and II they could be approached
properly could be made to see as Paul and
as Luther had, the light OF the Gospel as 1t "
In Jesus. The speaker then referred to the aDos Of
Paul among the Judaisis and OF Luther in Germany
among the Catholics. Judaism and Catholicism had
each history, an organization faith and creed,
but both were nmica TO the teachings OF Christ.
Paul recognized the ephemeralsm OF SprltualIsm in
Judaism ana saw also that an j. israeiites IN laitn
not fail TO find that In ali its errors and forms there
were those who were not Romanlsts-men who did
not believe In It's pagan symboisns, whio at the
same time they accepted the cross the emblem OF
the labors and teachings and sunerings OF the sa-
viour Paul desired that the jews should be brought
to Christ, and SO Luther labored to save Catholics
from the Roman Church, Its hierarchy and its spr-
itual corruptions Luther, Ike Paul In declaring
against Judaism, did not object to the forms
and ceremonies OF the Roman Church much
US to the evils which came OF the bowings and pic.
lures and professions and which dld not make the
COMMUNICATE personally responsible To God. Ro-
man Catholics were ignorant OF Gods righteousness
because t1ey cannon, 40 not aCccpG CHRIST
the end OF the law The precious truths OF the Cos
pei are refused by the priests to Catholics In
Pauls day they refused by the spiritual teach
OF the Jews. The OF Paul Is the error OF
this day. They (Cathoics Of the Roman Church) 20
about In their own belief, instead or as st. Paul
says, establishing righteousness They merely |
accept a righteousness. The speaker next likened
the Church OF Rome to those flowers that are made
OF wax. They are externally beautiful and attract |
the eye, but when critically examined they are found
not TO be nowers but limitations, and or wax. This
discovery made and all interest IN them ceases and |
we henceforth regard them as excellent specimens |
OF taste and ingenuity. The reverend gentleman |
spoke in this strain Tor some time reviewing |
the progress OF the Church OF Rome ana OF Pro- |
testantsm throughout the world. He then spoke |
OF the mistake that had been committed by |
those VINO protested In Germany against the cor
ruptons OF the Roman hierarchy and the tyranny OF
Catholic States, and who were consequently called
Proestants. Protestants protested AGAINST mat
ters political quite MS much as against matters
spiritual. He closed his discourse by exhibiting |
three printed papers, the first OF which was the |
announcement OF q religious drama performed In |
the theatre OF the city OF Seville on the 18th OF Feb
ruary last In which, among other personages, Jesus
Christ was announced to appear. The second was u
comic publication, issued In Barcelona since the |
Spanish revolution, in which the Catholic hierarchy
and the sodiery were lampooned; ana the third was
q small quarto paper, printed by Deacon Hall, I'm |
Madrid, In which true Christianity was taught the
benighted people OF the Spanish capital Tue |
reverend gentleman closed by asking the congrega-
ton to contribute literally towards helping on the
conversion OF Catholics TO Christianity in Catholic
countries.