Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-11-09
IGtlD S<EDuD.
AN HONEST METHODIST

What Good he can see in the Catholic Church |
THE Purity, Piety and Zeal of Genuine
Catholics.
From the Pittsburgh Methodist Recorder /
Protestsnts might we'll take lessons from |
Catholics in some things
/. In Organized Christian Work. The |
priest patrols the parish He knows the
people. He looks after The poor. He insists
upon cs,echetieal instruction in the rules
and regulation of the church. He provides
especially for the sick and the suffering. At
ter ali, where has Protestanii.m such COM
fortA BILE hospitals and systemlzed labor as
Romsnism can show in our cities? We
have frequently been called TO visit Protest
aut patients in Catholic hospitals, in answer
to their own request; and We have been re-
ceived by the managers with genuine Chris
ian courtesy, and permitted TO read the
| Bible to converse, and TO pray with these
homeless ones whom Protestantism nsglects,
and all this inside Roman walls. Patients
picked up by these Samaritan hands, are al
ways allowed their choice OF religious ad-
visers. II they make no choice, or ii tbslr
pact history can in NO wise De traced, thea
the priest Is sent for TO instruct and comfort.
| This statement we make from Ke souel
knUwledg- and any mere pref udiced dIsaVow
al Of its ruth, AmouLtE TO nothing, unless
1t be that much more sin to be accounted for
in the dgment. We have found this sys-
tenn uniform in different cities. 1t is Slse
ly and more ChristIy economy than that Of
any Protestant organization with Hhleh We
are acquainted.
Romanism may have grievous faults and
even superstition; but its plan # Iouchirg
and teaching the masses, OF bringing aud
holding people Within The pale of the Church,
of forbearing with sinners, of uniting COM
mon in erests and of looking after the I'M
fortunate are such, in many respects, as
commend themselves to angels and men. If
a Methodist we're TO fall among thieves and
be robbed and wounded in some city far
from home, ten chances 10 one that he
would find his first friends among the Sis
teIs of Charity In some Catholic bospital-
and one cha0ce TO ten that some Protestant
hand would help him to pillow or a plate.
While Protestant brick and mortar 20 e1-
clusively Into church houses to be opened to
fashion on the Sabbath, Roman CaIhohc
money and material protf-r schools for Il e
orphans, refugees for the sthcted tree ssnctu-
aries tor all, aud open every day, wI,h ca
der hearts aud helping hands for the slck
! every ulsrAsc, anu TUG UEblscO huh LDAlutu
from any cause. We should take q prAc-
Iicsl lesson in Christian work, even from
; our enemies And If they are really dong
God service, let us not binder BY any sueer.
or frowD, or iii pant criticism for it ia easy
and cheap to talk while it is costly and
sef.denyIng to work
.. In peU0tion. Roman Catholics are
not mere far weather Chrislisns. The
1 h.r ID " IN rnylo
sun TO sun aud late into the night, does 1 OF
make excuses for staying sSay from Wit e
service. Religion is noE & mere matter OF
4ssie or personal convenience. Catholics q
I not attend Church because DIR. SC 70 -dso
. IS going to preach They may revere
.aints and respect ststusry; but they do not
~orship men. They go early, promptly, regu.
n Iarly to Mass, as q reasonable service al d
~hAtever may occupy the thoughts OF Casho-
e lies 10 and from, it is not such qusstio as
f Who's TO preach What 8 splendid ser
! mon, or Ho~'s this for dress? They 90
y as they are aud to W, rsbip; not as be-raIlored
;, and be frZzled autCm tons. to bow, and
Y stoop, and strut, aud be seen of men and
L women. While we make great ed over The
y little images which ornament the inches in
y Catholic cAthedt ais, and accuse ths bsbitus
4ttsndEnis of idoatry, We should take
. thought that such devotion lie safer than If Il
II -ere gwen to fuif-gro~n living idols III ou
own churches. The little wooden fellows
re make no intrigues They gst admirers
r INTO 90 scrapes. Whereas when the hear
J. 10 fixed upon a darling preacher, teacher
- or leader, who stands as mere IDOL imsg,
for the obeissnce and affection of the hear
le be Wordhip is more dangerous mockerl
e, than that of any OF the Roman fobles. ",
Is msy study the simple devotion Of the Cstbo
lies and be pro6ted. Until can come dowI
: o some such constant, Undivided, TN
sverving attachment to Christ, as the,
manifest towards the Church, and take up on
cross and follow him daily, putting asid
our prejudices and consecrstiug ourselve
-holly TO the Masters service, we may VEL
blush al our ease in Zaon and lament on
lack Of JOY and peace in discipleship,
A, MethOdists, need more thoroug
Christian Work and deeper and more cou
stant devotion TO 0ur Saviour.