Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-30
Second Answer to Luther.

1 answered Luther's first article by show
ing that we read the Bible, that we do so
at the earnest request of our pastors, and
that admitting a decree Of the Index" for
bids reading the Bible, which law was wise
ly made to exclude spurious versions and
to protect the people who are not compe-
tent judges ofsuch versions, yet | main
tanned that that law or decree never had
been in force here The DEGREES ofthe Coun-
ell of Trent were never promulgated here,
though they may be known. If l had to
deal with man of learning, l might be
spared the trouble of explaining the diff
ference between a knowledge of law and
its PRONUNCIATION.
Webster's Unabridged tells us that laws
or orders are promulgated by circular let
tiers or through the medium of the public
prints, and | will add that these circular
letters or public prints must be authorized
organs for the same, and this definition is
in accordance with theology and actual
practice in every civilized country. Laws
may be made at Washington or at Mont
pelier. We may acquire a knowledge Of
these laws, but they can become binding
only inasmuch as they have been publish
ed in an authorized organ for that purpose
Hence a disciplinary law or degree Of The
church becomes binding in no country OF
in no diocese throughout the Catholic
world until the BishopsIof such countries Oh
of such diocese make the same known by
circular letters published in the authoizeC
organ of the diocese. Hence discipline
ry law may be in force in the diocese OF
Burlington and may not in the diocese of
Portland, as well as it may be sin to sci
a bottle of whiskey at Derby Line and NJ
sin at all to sell the same at Rock Island
but allow me, Luther, to tell you that if
you have sinned against the laws of tn,
United States at Derby Line, the CROSSING
of the imaginary line will not Tighten you
burden.
say disciplinary decree or law, be
cause it is only on points of discipline tina
the church can ever vary. Her articles o
Faith or Dogmas are ever and always tn
same, unvarying like their Divine Author
whereas DEGREES or laws of discipline var
according to times and circumstances. TIL
public would have a right to expect that
man taking Luther's name and place. woul
be conversant with such elementary facts
facts that are admitted by every perso
having the least knowledge of law. A ma
pretending to enlighten the public o
points he knows nothing of, should consul
men of learning before he becomes laugh
ing stock of school boys, or in other words
; the butt and mark of ridicule
Now, Luther, it may all be very well t
say that notes separated from the text o
Holy Writ which are given only as note
and as the word of man, destroy the Bibl
You may be ignorant enough to believe i
but not skillful enough to succeed in pc
. suading others that it is so, and to pc
suade them, in order to admit your stat
ment, to set reason and common sense asiC
e to admit it. l appeal to an enlightene
I public as Judge if notes destroy the Bibl
Your allusion to the struggle of Prote
e tantism to circulate the Bible for the la
!. few centuries might be and is by some
struggle against the church which Jesl
e Christ established and an emancipatic
!. from its Heavenly teaching. AS proof,
would refer youto Cobbert's History of Il
l Reformation and Rev. DR.. Ewer's LIE
q lures on Professionalism as a failure. l.
= Their, you have attacked us on the Bibl
we have answered your attacks. We ha,
attacked you on the Bible as an only ru
of faith and silence has been your answe
{ We ask again before proceeding any flu
s ther for your rule of faith. Answer
not. JAMES CARROLL.
Derby Line, VT, March 20, 1869.