The New York herald., 1874-12-13
Topmost Thoughts OF tho Religious
Presa.


Our religious exchanges this week indulge
in comments on variety Of topics, among
which are the Presidents Message to Con-
gress, concerning which the Independent says
it is brief, business like, and in the main
sensible review of national affairs. He makes
the currency his chief topic but the Lpdepen-
dent cannot compliment him upon anything
new that he advances upon this threadbare
and tedious question. The legislation recon-
mended by the President in regard to Chinese
women, this journal says, touches the correc-
ton of an evil that has never been limited at
in the Message of President.
The controversy between Mr.. Gladstone and
Archbishop Manning receives the continued
attention Of the Examiner and Chronicle,
whose editor thinks that the result of the dis
cussion thus far is that Mr.. Gladstone has the
best OF the argument, and, whatever may be
the political result of this agitation in Eng
land, there can be no doubt that it will have
reaching effect upon the convictions of
the people.
The Church journal, discussing the same
topic, thinks it is idle to say that the personal
infallibility of the Pope was the doctrine of
the Church before the Vatican Council issued
its DEGREES. If it existed at oil it was mere
matter Of opinion, and not binding upon any
conscience. But, to bring it into the realm
of faith, says the Journal, and require its ac-
ceptance on peril of damnation is surely to
give it new status, aud the Church which so
adds it to the faith is not declaring the same
terms of salvation which she announced pre-
viously.
The Observer, which appears in q brand new
dress, adorned as bride for her husband, and
enriched, as usual with good store of intelli-
gence and learning. puts the controversy into
this shape: :-"To what extent does the Roman
Church, now represented by the Sovereign
Pontiff, claim authority in the domain OF civil
authority? whence does that Church profess
to derive that authority and how does it hope,
in this age to maintain that authority in Eu-
rope and the United States2" These questions
the Observer considers in detail, and con-
cludes that civil and religious government
are wholly distinct in their sphere and opera
ton. The Catholic Standard, of Philadelphia,
argues the distinctness. Of the two govern
nents, but that civil government being limited
in it's sphere must Of necessity have some
superior power which imposes its limitation,
and as the individual conscience is con-
fessedly not that power it becomes the duty,
as it is the prerogative Of the Church to do
this. The Tablet, referring to the deposing
power of the popes in the Middle Ages,
thinks this power belonged to the successors
Of St. Peter by divine right; that they were
the lawmakers and Interpreters of the laws Of
the Church and had to pass judgment on
transgressors Of those laws and their de-
cisions were consequently final No dissent
from the infallibls Church would be tolerated
in things pertaining to her sphere, and she
was willingly consulted in things that perhaps
did not come under her control.
The Eeemdn's Journa, the Catholic Revie,o
and the Cataolic Mirror Balimore) applaud
the perseverance, and energy of their CO.
religionists in Rochester, N. Y, who have at
last secured for their clergy equal rights with
the ministers of Protestant denominations to
visit and hold religious services in the Western
| House Of Refuge.