New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-09-19

The October number of UdrpcT'S Monthly
contains an article on the conquest of heand,
by Mr. Eugene Lawrence, which is sure to at
tract attention by the novelty of its CONCLUSIONS
no less than by the elegance OF Its style ana us
wealth of historical learning. Mr.. Lawrence maintains
that the original church of Ireland, founded by st.
Patrick in the year 432 entirely independent OF the
Roman See that noble missionary brought to ireland
the simple elements of apostolic faith he preached
only the doctrines fPaul, and with almost equal
cess and ireland 'becamc Christian country, re-
nOwncd for its intelligence, its pous genius, and It's
missionary ZEAL with pOmpous ritual, no spiritual dcs-
potism mora; corruption cmanating from Rome. For
many centuries the island of the saints abOun1ed with
celebrated schools to which pupils came from all the
neighboring to study at the feet Of tie most
accomplished professors of the age. and while Rome and
Italy had sunk into new barbarisn, Ireland had re-
vived the for classical learning, and was filled with
a thoughtful and progressive population. COLUMBIA the
missionary of Iona, educated at the opening OF the
sixth century IN the pure religion OF the Irish church
1t was not until late in the seventh century that the
maariOus influence of the italian priesthood began 10
suhdue the British churches, and reached even to
the rcbClliOus presl yterS of Iona. To Rome, they
had always presented a silent opposition; they
yielded it allegiance; they followed none Of
the Roman rites. They had scarcely heard of the
primary OF Peter, ana it was by force and fraud
that the interruptions prcates Of Rome pursued and
suhugacd the primitive Christians, and at last ntludcd
Roman bishop and Italian rites into halloWed seat
Of Columbia which lost its reputation for scholar
ship and sancty, Willie It's moral yisor was dispated
hy the Presidential breath OF Italian corruption. The
progress Papal influence in ireland described by Mr.
Lawrence with q mastery hand. until its full develop
mcnt I'm the ccasctss tide Of Celtic bondsinen which has
poured into the cities OF the New World bringing with
them an insane devotion TO the Ronish Scea strange
hostility to the free Institutions OF their adopted land
They have abOrcd TO destroy that wide system Of public
instruction by which alone they hope TO rise from
their mental decay. They have proc nuicd their hostility
to the Bible whose pure lessons had made ireland
island OF the saints. TnCy have chosen uger
vicious ignorance and to MI the prisons and the aims
houses instead Of rising bv education and industry to
the dignity OF frcemcn They have become the servlle
tools OF corrupt politicians foreign priests and when
danger hovcle the nation the votes OF Irishmcn
were uniformly aimed against the Government, and
proved often fatal to the hopes Of freedom than the
plots Of Davis the sword Of Lee" Mr. Lawrence
concludes his remarkable essay with the suggestion
that "it il possible that from Iona and Armagh, from
Patrick and Columbia from the free school and the free
church may come the restoration Of the Celtic race
that fallen but vigorous people, long corrupted and
degraded by snperstiti0us ignorance. may submit to
nober conquest Of aud humanity and that Irish
men, every land, may learn from their
Gent teachers nodesty dociity. genenessthe ounda
tons Of mental strength"