The New York herald., 1870-04-04

has provided, by creating @nrist Fvf th's Vnr's'
who Is ever sure 4 ! ossres or UNITY,
ing whom we - speak the voice OF the rest; hear
Taa ram mnS we hear Inc Christ s WAC @ sen. iea
Yet ci,,,a. of the Church IL always necessary.
was ~ is now more than 800 years since the last
sr closed. Scattered through the world tney may
Is their Voice e. tnen uou1 sabsctf IT, These dicaes
would would :. at times DO insurmountable 70
Need Of that 0sy er Sad voice Mcs M anS
~ which ali are represented. We claim, then that
inc voice ol the Church y represented n one speax
ing authory-that OF Peter living In his SUCCESSORS.
IL Is represented there, not by delegation OF the
members, put BY the action OF Christ Himself who
faith which He gave to the whole Church for which
he shed His @ blood. In building HIS Church hs
as a rock SO irm that the gates OF he'll should not
prevail against y. Indeed, It was through him that
sSau esrsd q % ns s o
lave sSs OF thee s ss sdyaSdy I tsas ~
drm thy bretiren.n All were 70 be tempted WV
WHAT INFALLIBILITY MEANs.
ahomr mIis; 3 prayea ior Peter rst Of all that his fan
y,ded % tor His Church. Now tins is that inlaIllbnty
stability IN faith which granted by Christ to the
oiice Or Peter, BY which tue brethren are ever
not mean that every or every word OF Peter or OF
nis successor M is inspired by God. 1t only means
snat III alt ana IN iath aone CHRIST VIII ever assist
nm 10 teacn II oncally In Its purity, so that he may
confirm the brethren, who when they they thus re-
celye II from MIN are sure they receive what was
nrst delivered by Christ. The tnfallIbity thus re.
ceved VIII not protect him from the rates OF human
nature When ne speaks as private individual his
word may have weight; but alter all, he Is liable
error When he Is confirming his brethren, that is
when he Is teaching the unveral Church. we lose
sight Of the MANI we think only Of Christ acting
through him. giving strength to tnat body which
lie promised would be impregnabe by tie very
gates OF hell God gives 20 each one the grace that
Is IN n w la haa
assigned: Nothing less than immunity from error
IN his olcial teaching Is necessary for hlm who has
that will ever wrestle successfully with the powers
Of nell IN preserving the knowledge OF truth.
fairly explained by saying tn at we give all power 70
one man. Compare It to the authority OF
which 1t resembles IN many respects. Every now
and then decisions proceed from nat tribunal which
affect the most lmportanG interests OF the whole
country Is IL far exposition OF our institutions
70 say that under the American constitution all
things are left depending on four or i've gentlemen
OF the whole country do depend upon their de-
clsions. It was but the other, day that
celved with submisslon-lt must be received IL
adhered to, though It affects the interests OF mil
Where contrary opinions. The whole force Of Tie
United States Is at hand to support 1t; Its army and
It's navy. are within CAL, II required to enforce IT,
first duty TO carry out the decision Of the four men,
even though opposed by three Of their own body
been adopted to make decision come from them
that would accord with the true meaning of the
templatlng the decision ana we L ok upon their
act as Identified with the law making power ITSELF
| and require al so to regard 1t. SO with
THE OFFICIAL DECLARATIONS OF THE POPE
concerning the whole Church. they are the means
adopted by Christ to give strength to the Church.
The lawmaKing power here mas adopted every
precauti0n to make snre that the Court that ex.
pounos ITS will shall be correct In its decisions
may, however, fall But 1t has done Its best to
secure this end. Christ established HIS provisions
prayed that the faith OF Peter fail not. lie com.
missoned him TO confirm ms brethren. Against
the Church SO formed He promised that the gates Of
pillar and ground Of truth it is to to Peter that he he
gave the commission TO feed his lambs. to feed his
OF All the food sound doctrine with the teachers
30 united, SO depending Peter, he promised to Oe
nock can thus be separated from Christ They viii
remain what he made them, always steady in the
s hs Gers soa % eer M led by hun
always isef sucient to KNOW the faith OF the whole
body Like It, 1t Is ever sure to be unerrng and In
faliiDe to the end OF ages.
But tis SAID this ia
A NEW DOCTRINE
that Is now for the first time added TO tue faith of
the Church. In the lrst place, reply, 1t ls n0t
new. it has eyor Deeae Known and acted on sub
Of ts % sns scs Of are gave M
pie OF St John, coming to Rome TO endeavOr to
INDUCE the Pope OF that day not to excommunicate
the bishops Of ASIA Tor not following his decl-
sion regarding the Oay on which Easter should be
celebrated. He quoted what t,r. Ireneus adlsciple
Oi st. P0ycarp Said lie declared that 1t was ncces.
sary that every Church'shoud agree in faith with
that OF Rome. Also st. Augustine who speaking
OF decision that had come from Rome on ques-
ton then agtated, said, 1.-The now nnIsled,
He showed that the same dOctriue was put forward
IN several ancient Councils, and taught by many
Client fathers, and 1t WAS never attempted To over
rule any decision that had come from that quarter
CHURCH DEFINITIONS.
Ihe delinltl0n u made M9y be new, like many
Other definitions that have been made from time TO
time in tue Church. Then definitions are generally
made 10 oppose new errors, III defence Of old doc
trlncs winch were taught and believed before defni
ton or error were heard oil. On matters which are
IN enemseyes ), of t; secondary inheritance when
Church has frequently trusted To lime for a remedy
thus IN the days oi the Apostles themselves they did
jewish oDseVances For long time the
practlce OF celebrating Easter on the four
teenth day OF the month was tolerated.
1t was left to time TO correct the errors OF the IeT
Every thing essential was secured III the meantime
Thus with regard to the BOOKS that constituted tue
Bioe no universally binding decree was issued for
many centuries. The books were practically received
and tnar was deemed suihclent 80 win regard to
cepted by the wel-ninded. No definition was neces
sary i0r this. 1t was o pare and parcel Of the
beg inning. 1t was received by all who received
Christianity anu rejected with tie rest by those who
itself may be said or its prerogative5.
THE HOLY SEE LOSES SOME or IT'S PRESTIGE.
u was only In The fifteenth century, durlng the
some ol the pieslIge with which II ever re-
gardcd. Men began TO draw lines between the
rights OF The sec and The occupant aud endeavored
TO sink the latter below the Council, making the
Council alone InlalDe. But even the school that
would make the official teachings OF the POPE liable
10 error was comparatively insls nfcanI, and the
Reformation came, IN which attention was directed
to more vital matters. In the meantime,
as well as ever since, these teachings
have been pracCca.ly revived 0y all as
Iuy as If ali men were thoroughly convinced
OF their infaibiity. Ii Is SO III civil matters those
courts 10 which nave already compared the Cnurcl.
Erroneous opinions chat do little or no harm are
tolerated. when q decision by competent ausn usnorILy
s announced all adopt II unnesltatlngIy Hence tle
practical working OF tue school which denied the
PoDe's iniaibliiy has not been lelt. 1t was mere
speculative theory, and even tat confined to few,
though being taken up by secular governments
particularly IN France 1t had an appearances OF re
wnlcn did not belong to It, it can be proved most
satisfactorily that the great mass OF the Church
even in France never espoused what are called
GALLICIAN PRfNCIPLES
Nov that the bishops have come together In cOun
Gil they can compare notes more easily and an-
nounce the doctrine which il everywhere believed.
IL Is for them 10 say what the general faith this
subject. God, no doubt VIII direct their decision.
We Will await 1t without uneasiness or lear. What.