The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-09
MR. GLADSTONE avn THE POPE.

The pamphlet Of Mr.. Gladstone has been repub-
hshed and is now for sale IN this country according
to notice in another part of this paper He is not
now in power, having been succeeded by Disraeh,
a man whose convictions are hardly less intense
than are those of the late Premier concerning the
evil character Of POpish claims, as may be seen in
the pages of his - Loshair, aud from his recent
public declarations. But though not now in office,
Mr. Gladstone has probably more ioauence than
any living name in Great Britain. He is not only
a man Of great natural endOwments Of intellect, of
the highest literary culture, Of wide experience as
4 statesman, but of profound acquaintance with
ecclesiastical matters. When such a man speaks
on such question to his eountrymen he is sure to
be heard. As some one says, He hits the mon
ster in the eye, as Ulysses did the Cyolops." He
maintains that no one can become a convert to
Rome without reuOuneiug his moral and mental
freedom, and placing his civil loyalty aud duty at
the mercy of another. He declares that the Yati
can Council established even a wider claim than in
falibilty, viz OF absolute and entire obedience.
De therefore calls upon Catholic citizens to demon
strste TO the contrary or reject it. He expresses
decided opinion that the real object of the Vatican
policy Is to renew the struggle for temporal power.
He ridicues such project, but adds that it is diff
cult to over estimate the effects of the strife. 1t
would probably jeOpardize the peace Of Europe.
He closes With an appeal to the Englishmen of the
Nineteenth century to follow the example Of their
fore-fathers Of the sixteenth, when marshaled to
resist the Armada, declaring that Eogland' stout
hearted race is not to be hindered by foreign nAu
ence from accomplishing her mission 10 the world
The London correspondent OF the Nel1 York.
Times concludes letter on Mr.. Gladstone's pam
phlet BY saying
The appearance at snch a moment of such 3
manifesto seems to me an event OF which the i'm
portance can scarcely be Overrated Mr. Gladstone
IS 10 longer Prime Minister, but he is still the most
powerful man IN England. He might have re-
NAMED silent, but be has chosen to come forward
at critical instant to throw all his influence In
the scale against Rome 10 the conflict she is wag-
ing not in England only and mainly, but on the
COntnent-and elsewhere. Such al act is not
done without clear aim and careful weighing OF
the consequences, and this pamphlet has, believe,
far m6re than mere aTgumentative purpose.
In his articles published in the Contemporary
Rsviac, Mr.. Gladstone, in referring to the AFRO
CANT claims Of the Church Of Rome, had said that
ing his moral and mental freedom ard placing his
loyalty and duty at the mercy of another" 1t is
TO establish this declaration that the pamphlet be-
fore Us has been prepared 1t is written with great
ability, and the author shows at every step how
thoroughly be has studied the question before
him. A few extracts will show his drift:
The Pope's infalhbiity, when be speaks erca-
Meord on faith and mOraS, has been declared, with
the assent Of the Bishops Of the Roman Church,
60 be an article of faith, binding on the conscience
Of every Christian; his claim TO the obedience OF
bis spiritual atjeets has been declared in like
manner without any practical limit or reserve;
aud bis supremacy without any reserve of civil
rights, has been similarly affirmed to include
every thing which relates TO the discipline and
government Of the Church throughout the world
And these doctrines We now know on the highest
authority, it Is Of necessity tor salvation to be-
heve
"Will it be said finally that the infalhbiity
touches only matter OF faith and morals? Only
matter of morals VIII any Of the Roman easuists
kindly aCquaint US with what are the departments
and functions of human hie which do not and can
not fall within the domain Of morals - The
reach of the inialhbihty Is as wide IL may please
the Pope" "On al matters respecting which
any Pope may think proper to declare that they
concern either faith or morals, OF the government
Ut QlcllkNut VI Tue NuulOhs NC Cialuet viii the
approval of Council undoubtedly eeumenical in
the Roman sense, the absolute obedience, at the
peril OF salvation, Of every member OF his com
muniOn.
&c / am no longer able to say, as l would have
said before lS7O-'There is nothing 10 the neces-
sary belief Of the Roman Catholic which can ap-
pear to impeaeh his full civil title: for whatsoever
be the iolies Of ecclesiastical power In his Church.
his Church itself has not required Of him. with
binding oufhOrIfv. IN assent any DrlnciDlpS
consistent with bis civil duty. That ground is
now, for che present at least, cut IRON under my
feet"
Archbishop Manning has given brief reply to
this pamphlet 10 this country also we have a
letter from Archbishop Bailey, of Baltimore, and
another from Bishop Gibbons, Of Richmond
They furnish matters for some notice which it is
our purpose to give. The question is one Of the
most important belonging to the discussions Of the
present day, and it is well if Mr.. Gladstone's pro
ductOn is made the occasion of attracting to it the
scrutiny OF the world.