The Portland daily press., 1873-07-21
Romanism and Professionalism

The notice taken in the British House of
Lords few evenings since of the tendency
of the English Church towards Romanism, is
only one indication of the alarm that exists
respecting the rapid progress made by that
church in England, among all classes OF intel
lgent Protestants. Only few years since
there was scarcely a monastery or convent in
England and Catholic churches and schools
were few, while now all Of them are numer-
Gus and their wealth is great. The secession
of number of men like DIR. Manning from
the English Church and their adhesion to the
the Romish, has had powerful influence up
on all classes, and their proselytes arenum-
bered by thousands. The attempt, or rather
petition OF a large number of English clergy
men for the adoption of the confessional and
other forms and ceremonies peculiar to the
Papal church, we are Informed, is not 10 be
taken as an Indication that the Anglican
clergy are drifting into belief in Romish
forms, blu. is advocated as the best means to
check the current now setting toward Rome.
1t is hardly possible that the clergy of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in England are
In eainest, or if their attachment to its dec
trines is Of the Martin Luther or John Cal
win order when they propose to fight their
foe by practically putting themselves under
his banner. Hoi a.r
If we turn to our own country, we will find
that the Roman Catholic church is far from
declining en- the other hand it must be evident
that it is gaining strength in greater ratio
than the combined churches that are classed
as Protestant.
In both England and the United States
there must be some cause for this state of
things; and we think that the most superb
cial observer will easily discover some of the
leading agencies that are effecting it. The
Catholic church is united and thoroughly in
earnest. its organization is complete; its
houses of worship are never closed and its
priests can stand the summer heat. On the
other hand, the Protestant believers. if they
may be so called, are divided against them
selves and but small part of them can he
said to be in earnest and very few in any de-
gree, emulate the inspiring examples and ex-
hibt the noble devotion Of their illustrious
PACuoCSoSOIS vi bLe hblOIIHdIlOu. III our Cit
les there are churches into which the poor
cannot 60, and others into which the rich
will not go. The apparent strength of Prot
estantism in numbers and wealth in England
and America is its real weakness. ~
1t is not little remarkable that while Ro-
man Catholicism is gaining ground in Prot
estant countries, it is evidently making none,
and even waning in the lands where it has
hitherto borne unlimited sway. In Italy, its
seat, it has for years been losing power and
numbers. In Germany, it has received
check, and if the apparent spirit of proscrip
ton by the government does not fan it into
new life, it has seen its best days. In Spain,
its ancient ascendancy is lost, whoever may
come into power. Doubtless this loss of pow
er in its own lands and the increase of Prot
estantism is due to many of the same causes
that have contributed to its progress in lands
nominally Protestant. In Europe, where it
has been powerful and protected and nourish-
ed by the temporal governments, and adhered
to by large majority of the people, it has
lost its aggressive and PROSECUTING power, while
the weak and struggling believers in Protest
ant creeds have retained something of the
spirit and energy Of the Reformation.