Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-03-10

One of the largest audiences 81 the
season gathered In Hancock Hall last
Monday evening to hear the lecture OF
Mr.. Henry J. button entitled "Glancc
at Catholicism
Mr.. Dutton has lately finished col
lcgiaic cour-" and j. AT present a Law
student in tie Office OF Arno Wi-well
Esg.. Our citizens AWAY, show high
regard for home scholarship and talent.
II was very complimentary to the Young
lecturer 10 receive more attention than
has been given to those from abroad.
The lecture was highls crcditablc a. the
in uiterancc the speaker showed energy
of voirc and excellent command Of the
attention oi hi hearcr-.
The survey OF catholicism. ucce-> arily
glance rather than a examination.
i'I ought ou' c'i tIiu strUng n-lturc- OF
the system. The rise was briefly sketch
ed. the causes Of the authority Of the
pric- hood touched upon The rcpo,c
ot the church on her spiritual victories
which brought IN corruption, and gru--
practice, upon tie ignorance oi the
masses. \ review wa- made OF the cen
turics of incredible domination over the
social and civil life of Europe until bro
ken through 10y the spirit of the Rciorrna-
ton. Then came what seemed in the
language of the lecturer. the very chaos
OF Christianity. in the deadly strife be-
tween free inquiry and church authority.
The period ofthe real supremacy of Cath
o,ici,m ended before the march vi mod
crn civilization. The Catholic Church
must he considered no longer the lead
ing spiritual iorcc of organized Chris
tiamity- TO fear i, in this present nee
and in the new world j. foolish and IN
consistent. Heir loom Df the past" i,
written upon il. we have only to let il
alone and trust the enlightened voice uf
modern conscience and reason
The concluding portion Of the lecture
was forcible discussion of the School
question. The liberal side was taken
and well defended. Let the Protestant
Bible lac said he removed from the free
schools. ~ a matter of equity and fair
dealing. Let there be no chance for
even the suspicion Of paving respect to
special Religious teaching Oh the part of
the State. The Government is temporal
and must coniine itself strictly TO its own
sphere. II can supply secular educa-
ton TO all within its domain Eat the
Spiritual and Religious, training Of the
young belong. u other asencie, aud
lnstrumentalities.- we understand
is the argument Of Henry Ward Beecher
and other prominent plcaders for tolera-
ton in the Protestant world. There are
many who would dissent from the lead
ing positions taken by the Lecturer in
this particular; and good claim can be
made that the use o.: the Bible in schools
is not a part of the instruction of the pu-
pills, but a devotional exercise that belts
all serious undertakings. The daily
PRAYER in Senate and Hall of Represen-
tstives is form that we may put by the
side of the reading OF the Bible by school
children; We may well resist an imper-
tinent meddiing of church bigots with
our Christian Devotions and Exercises.
Especially ought we to resist dictation
from Papists in mask that means hate
of our Institutions.
The eloquentclosing words of the Lee
ture which Were spoken without the
manuscript and in choice language were
warmly applauded. S.