The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1870-01-11

CopAlAn clergyman ~ memphis 1onnsj
would lecture In Carroll Hall on Sunday
evening, on the subject Of "Rltualism,"
attracted a very largo aud highly Intelligent
audience. Among those present were most
Of the Catholic clergy Of the District.
Rev. DR.. Charles J. White, pastor Of st..
Matthew'S church, presided and introduced
the lecturer, who was received with pro-
longed applause. H
Having announced the subject Of his lee
ture he remarked that the origin and growth
OF Rltuallsm developed among the Oxford
professors would be considered from the
standpoint Of one who had been a clergyman
OF the Episcopal Church, who had carefully
studied the subject, and who was now q
Catholic according 70 the faith Of the old
Roman Church. .".
When Il was stated by one Of the oxford
professors, some years since, that the New
Testament was not known 10 the Roman
empire for several centuries after the birth
Of Christ, an investigation commenced
among large number OF the members Of
the English Church as 70 what constituted
the foundation Of the authority and teach
lngs OF the Church, seeing that the Scrip.
lures were considered essential for the dlfiu-
sion OF faith.
Tho lecturer proceeded 70 trace the com
pilation OF the accepted books Of the Bible,
and mentioned the councils OF Hippo and
Carthage, held near the close Of the fourth
century, az tho frat that affirmed what books
should be accepted canonlcal. $1,000
The High C6urchmen recognizing the In
falllbillty Of the early Church to define and
decide such question, the investigation
was further pursued with reference 70 the
recognized sacraments, and the Oxford pro-
fessors with all sincerity saw that according
TO their own Interpretation and admission
that that sacrament must necessarily be In
vested with rltuallstlc forms, II the Church
was teaching Church and endowed with
power from on high. Hence the baptlsmal
fonts were placed At the entrance OF The
church edlhee and carved with appropriate
designs. Finding that tradition was fast
undertaking established ideas In the minds
OF tho High Churohmon, there began q gen
eral Investigation into the history. OF the
Church, and why certt n forms and relies
OF "Popery," az they voro termed, wore al
lowed 70 remain In tho rubric Of tho Rstab.
llshed Church. Tho Oxford professors were
met with numerous inquiries, aud nndipg
their answers too clear for their opinions,
both High and Low Churchmen fell back on
tho profession that because tho good parts
of tho old Catholic Church had been 70
talned, It did not necessarily ally them With
the Roman Church. m -.g7r- rt..r4 o..
Tho lecturer next spoke Of the doctrine oil
absolution-the belief In the power Of the
priest 10 absolve the people fromthelr sins.
And, In truth, he said the High Churchmen
found, TO their astonishment, tina, one could
ret consider himself sound in matters o
| faith, according to the established Church,
| II he did not believe In the validity Of thu
authority and power Of the clergy 70 pro
nounce such absolution. To be sure, II WA
| done 10 collective manner, the people
kneolInF, the priest standingj stlil, ia fact
u was the came profession, made without
nurlcular confession. o.. r... r...
As the Investigations proceeded, denunc
atoms were hoaped upon the Ritnallsts, hui
they continued until the 'sI2eal Presence
became with them q matter OF faith, and
acknowledgements matter OF art or show but
purely from devotion, and In all sincerity
| tho services were Invested with solemn rites
flowers and candles were used to decorate
the sanctuary, and incense was burned dur
Ing the celebration Of the mysteries OF THU
great sacrament. The lecturer said thosl
who believe these things were added for ian,
display made a great mistako. They werl
the natural expressions OF Joyful heart
aud symboliEed the Interior love with which
the worshippors united in giving outward
mpnifestation Of their faith, Men might b
sincere even IN adhering TO error; they coult
be earnest without being charged with max
Ing vain displays. To-
The subject Of apostolic succession wal
next considered, and the validity Of tho con
secration OF tho clergy Of the English
Church thoroughly examined. It was Ii
endeayoring TO deny the claims OF tho ritu
allsts that the Oxford movement galnel
ground, and convinced such men as Man
ming, Newman, and Faber to renounce thei
claims to the dignity Of priests In tho Eng
llsh Church, and Geek In the true Churcl
that conservation which the successors o
81. Peter wero alone empowered to confer
The lecturer then explained how ritual
ism was tho growth Of these Investigations
He alluded to the reverence always given Il
the Scriptures by tho Catholic Church
while rituallsm existed even before tn
books Of the New Testament were declare,
cauonical; that the same authority afflrmet
the necessity Of rituallsm because the sacra
ments were the channels OF grace, and with
out some form there could be no such thin
as uniformity In the minlatering of Cod
ordinances OF religion. ,..tI-.f
Thus, while the Oxford professors wer
compelled to admit tho authority OF tn
teaching Church, they found that rites ant
ceremonies were even more ancient than thl
law itself The Church was the living wit
ness that was 70 endure forever. II was Thu
Church that gave to the world the Bible, AMI
with 81. Augustine he could say, "Dld no
| the Catholic Church teach me the Bible wal
the revealed word Of God, ] could not DO
lieve It," .-.J. a5GAI
In conclusion he said the Rltuallsts com
menced and continued their Inquiries Ia al
sincerity. These Investigations had re
suited In tho conversion Of many Of the
most eminent scholars and clergy Of Eng
land TO the Catholic Church. I'D