The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-16
GLADsTONE'S PAMPHLET AND TIE
ROMAN CATHOLICS.

ROMAN CATHOLICS.
From an article in another place it viii be
seen how deeply this production has impressed
the Roman Catholics Of England. It's well
known that people do not always practically
set upon their avowed principles; and in this
case there are Catholics who are not willing
TO profess the doctrine Of the Popes infali-
bility. 1t was bitterly resisted in the COun-
ell, and the wonder is that such men could
blindly submit to what their judgment and
conscience condemned as absurd and wrong.
The enormity of the claim has sent off thou,
sands in Germany into the organization of
the Old Catholic Church, and the indications
now are that this pamphlet of Mr.. Glad
stones viii lead to a similar movement in
Great Britain, contamination devoutly to
be wished for.
Mention was made last week that Arch
bishop Bailey, of Baltimore, had written
letter on this subject. 1t is said that it was
written ito a prominent gentleman of Wash
ingtOD, who had asked his views; that it
was "in the shape of private letter. 1t
is presumed, however, that it was not pub
hshed without the authors consent. If this
production is to be taken as a specimen of
the authors ability or his taste, it will not
be easy for either the present age or ages
coming to say that they were by any means
irstrate To speak plainly the Archbishop
descends to downright vulgarity. He is
filed with wrath at Mr.. Gladstone, or to use
his own expression, the old Adam comes
up in me, and feel more disposed to pull
bis nose than answer him politely" We
quoted last week Mr.. Gladstone's assertion
to the effect that since the action taken by
the Church Of Rome at the late Council,
"no one can become her convert, without
renouneing his mental and moral freedom,
and placing his civil loyalty and freedom at
the mercy of another" This the Baltimore
prelate pronounces to be "false-a shameful
calumny." He is distressed 4" to see dis
tinguished statesman like Mr.. Gladstone,
who has always enjoyed the reputation of
being a heightened and honorable man, put
ting on the cap and bells, aud attempting
to play the part of Lord George Gordon.
Lord George Gordon was a fanatical incen-
diary OppOser Of the measures for Catholic
Emancipation by the British Parliament
about 1S30) He doubts whether the Eng
Ish xviii dance to his (Gladstone's) music. -
As to the allegation the Archbishop de-
olares that cit has no foundation either in
the words of the decree, or in any possible
logical deduction from those Words" and
more to the same effect.
It is curious to observe that while Arch.
bishop Manning and Archbishop Bailey deny
the truth of Gladstone's assertion, laymen
in England and elsewhere admit that it is
correct. Lord Acton, for example, says in
his letter to the ex-Premier.
The doctrines against which YOU are
eOntending, did not begin with the Vatican
Council. At the time when the Catholic
oath was repealed, the Pope had the same
right and power to ex-communicate those
who denied his authority TO depose princes
that he possesses now. The writers most |
esteemed at Rome held that doctrine as an
article of faith a modern Pontiff bad af- |
frmed that it cannot be abandoned without /
a faint Of heresy, and that those who ques-
toned and restricted his authority in tenn
Doral matters were worse than those who re
jected it in spirituals, and accordingly men
suffered death for this cause as others did for
blasphemy and atheism.
Many other testimonies might be multi
piled to the same effect. There are two re-
marks to which it may be we'll to call atten-
ton.
First, we ask Archbishop Bailey or any
other person to prove that intalh6ility was
ever established as an article of faith in the
Roman Catholic Church before it was done
by the late Vatican Council This may
seem strange, but We venture to assert that
no such article of faith was ever before au-
prOpOunded. More concerning
this when the proposition is denied.
In the next place it is to be remarked
that since the dogma of infalHbiity has been
defined, it has been located in
one man. Roman Catholic writers have
long asserted that it was unquestiOnably in
the Roman Catholic Church, somewhere but
precisely where, whether in the Pope, or in
a general Council, or in both together, they
never could agree. Now it is defined as be
ing in the Pope-in one man. This concen-
.ration Of power has awakened the attention
Of European governments to the new danger
by which they are surrounded. The actual
claim of the Rouish Church to interfere with
questions of civil allegiance may be no greater
DOW than heretofore, but while the seat of au
.boritatiye decision vas uncertain, the dan.
ger may not have been so practical. Now
that it has been fixed az inherent in the
Pope aud the Pope alone it becomes a very L
different matter.
Public Schools.-The annual report of DR..
William H. Ruffner, as Superintendent of Public