New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-09
ROME's APPEAL TO EDUCATED PROTEST
ANTS.

BY THE REV. r. s. sTORRs, D. D.. BROOKLYN.
II is always easy though always unsafe to
underestimate the attractive force OF system Of beef
adverse 10 our own.
Standing on the outside OF IT, only its exterior
aspect one must have remarkably sympathetic anu
commemorative mind to be able 10 enter into IT, and re-
gard IL as its inhabitants do It is especially difficult for
rs as Professionals to understand the attractive form OF
Romanism 1t seems distinctly 10 antagonize
the Gospel so positively contradict the fundamental
ideas OF the Divine government, dissoclatng religion
from morality, and destiny from characier-ts deAcrlp
ton and its sentence horribly indehy written
in history that we cannot easily uhuerstdhu no" any
We have been wont to regard the Roman Church
the church VI the ignorant ana the suerstlos alone
TO expect that those born and trained Ia IT. VIII
leave it with indignant protest when they shal nave
gained brighter line OF education ana moral lore
Gated among Protestant Influences should ne aIiuied
from It's fold. When such one has gone o. ROmanisin
we have been apt that he was moved by desire
for political influence bv desire for easier terms 0i
ssiYntion or by regard for particular teachers
"a 'si Fabr Brownson. or Harris or that be was
attracted by the pOmp OF the outward spectacle or tat
he moved by general eecentreiy OF nlnu' HniSa
chance made him Papst; or that lt has been with
him desperate reaction from lnhdey IN one Oh .nese
and leave IL at last strange phenomenon But some
40 who are certainly NOT tnus op i
best and nobest OF the time whom II II serious loss To
lose. and there is nothing OF Sngnor or reserve IA ne
aud practice what seems 70 US the merest humnery,
and confess doctrines which appear 10 Us Incredible,
with gladness aud pride.
Naw what moves these men What Is the attraction
which the system presents to them, 10 Germany En-
gland mis- countryf IL IL to this question TO which
am 10 give brief and rapid answer or course IL must
he imperfect since not Romanst IN any sense
any measure on the other hand, an Congregation
alis eI dnlo believing, for myself that each local
socisV OF brethren assembled for worship and the cee
braon Of their ordinances, Ia complete Church. hav
ing the right 10 elect and Urdan its
Orficers, 70 administer its Sacramento, and
TO estabiah its rules and ritual. while
bound TO maintain and inoulcate she truth,
and 10 live liberty OF spirit, aud fellowship OF
good works. with all other similar socletes.) far
the organization IL therefore stand at
frthes possible from IL, with nobody
beyond me- far know unless 10 be the society
OF Friends 30 t cannot be said thai should under
stand the system "a they do who live 10 IT, But can
OF tho attractive features which 10 offers 70 It's
disciples. and understand IN measure the appeal u
makes 70 educated Protestans, and Of these selecting
them from Others shall specify eight.
The prime merit OF Its sJraotiveness 20 such minds Is
think, that IL seems 20 offer them present nvins
authoritative Teacher, which has the mind Of God I'M
minent in H. which is the witness and interpreter ~
Revelation, and in itself the living medium VI
such Revelation, which thus authority 70 deoiee
all questions OF religious doctrine and duty anu ro
decisious are ufalliby correct and ansPeakspS IT'D
portant This In iss nrst claim, and very s -
According % It. Bishops In communion Win W. %. "
Pcter are the Eselssa dozens. the dv,nSD CONSTITUTED