The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-02-07
The Church and the Bible.

- : re EecSe Kew or. AscGiosEy GsfiTcreQ
4 iiAcourse in st. Patrick's Cathedral, New
York, Jast week, for the benefit of the poo,
visited by the members of the Society of st
Vincent de PAUL the subject being " The
Church and the Biblen The conclusion
was as follows: 4.8 i. -.
4 1Phe first book that issued from the press
Twas the Bible. This was in Catholic times,
before the Reformation; and it went through
200 editions before the Bible of Luther ever
appeared in the w ofld - There were thirty
TRANSACTIONS in the different languages of
Europe, and as many as 900 editions of the
Bible IN these various languages, before tile
translation of Luther made it's appearance
OF these 300 editions, four ffths were in the
countries that did not receive the new doc
trine. They were editions that appeared
in Italy, in Spain, in France, in Belgium !;
and there is NO greater error than to SUM-
pose that the new doctrines of the Reform
alton were sptead by the reading of the BIZ
BILE. They were received in every country
exceptin Holland and-parts of Germany.
The doctrines of the Reformation had been
received before Lnther's Bible appeared,
and how We're those doctrines spread2 It
was that some had attacked the preaching
of the Apostles and the authority of the
Church, attacking the monks and priests,
and, proclaftMiDg false doctrines. By the
preaching of those persons the doctrines of
the reformation spread in England, iii
Wales, in Scotland, in Sweden, in Norway,
In Iceland and Prussia, long before the Pro-
testant traDslations of the Bible were receiv-
ed. Very few of the people in some places
knew how to read, so Ghat they could not
have perused the Bible in any form. What
was the logical inference of this denying
the authority of thesChurch Z In many Of
the German Universities numbers of, the
most distinguished professors doubted the
inspiration of the Bible, and considered the
Old Testament myth. Rationalism, not
Christianity supplied the place of dogmas
in Germany. In England, the authority of
the Church was called into question and
even at this day; IN the University of OK
ford, infidelity Matchmaking vast progress
u that hitherto boasted Church and land.
In our own country something could also
be said. When tho Pnritans lasded in New
England they had the Bible. It was to
them the book of books, and they would
hardly have believed it if told that their
chlldren, not many geBeFatiGBs-ei 81 would
seon ae that Bible. Yet it was so. In New
England and many parte Of this country,
the inspiration of the book was called into
Qnesfinn Strnn g an nded HAS tiae5F
were called, attacked the Bible, attacked its
inspiration, aud delivered their sentiments
DefoFes admafing, Intelligent, and applaud- /
ing audiences. WIS affif tfre logical
Fesult Of the work (he did not say It in any
Offensive Ineaningt of Professionalism. Every
dogma OF Christianity was by some one Of
the sects called into doubt, and the Bible |
impugned, and still people were told thas /
E'rotestantIsm was q suceees. The Catholic |
Church was the only true bulwark and de-
fender of the Bible in the sense of being the |
only true bulwark and defender of Christi |
enity. The Archbishop concluded his dis |
course by observing that the Scriptures |
were never intended TO teach the faith in |
dependently of the living voice Of the |
Church. and bv fhaFSIriIIcF fiIf tior
fcT the large attendance on behalf Of the
poor. ri
The discourse was listened toby Che vast
throng with the most devout attention, and |
at the termination q solemn benediction was |
given by the Very Rev. Dr.. STAIRS.