The Portland daily press., 1875-05-10

trusted to them for other generations. Mr..
Buck said he had no warfa,e to wage against
Romanism as religion. On general and on
special grounds he refuses to share in the hos
tility which it is so easy to arose against Ro-
manism as religion, and so difficult to arouse
against RomaniSm as a social factor ana poltl-
callpoitent. on the general grounds that relig-
lous preferences, like other preferences Oh d
be proftably disputed; and on special grounds
to be found in the religion itself. Catholicism
as a religion is cot SO inferior to Professionalism
as Protestants are prone to think. 10 Inc
Catholics cherish Journalism and symbols! 10
they inculcate asceticism? Do they offer the
imposing mystery of dogma? So also do Pro-
testants. In one respect, at least, Catholicism
is more reasonable than Professionalism to the
uneonverted it threatens purgatory instead OF
hell To the question, rs not Romanlsm
absurd with its pretence of an infallble Pope?
Mr.. Buck replied, 'Perhaps so. but how stands
Professionalism in that respect?' To illustrate
the Protestants position, he related an anec-
dote of Mr.. Marley who, in reply to some one
who intimated disbelief in the doctrine of hell,
responded, "Say that again, and tell you that
you call Jesus Christ lar"
Mr.. Buck thinks Mr.. Marley assumed two
infallibities: first, that the record which pur-
ports to give the words of Jesus is an infallible
record, and preserves his very words; ana
second, that he, (Mr; Varey) or some some cnurcn
council which he follows, is an infallibe inter-
prefer of those words. To those who ask II
tae Roman Church has not always been the
enemy of learning, Mr.. Buck replies Lit IS
true that superstition is always the enemy OF
learning, and Professionalism can hardly throw
the first stone at Romanism for REFRESHING
freedom of thought, or for blocking the course
of knowledge with false infalli5ility so long
as it mathematics science Tor removing the
last vestge of credblity from many OF the
legends contained in Jewish literature, such as
the fall of Adam, the arrest of the sun, the
story of Jonah, &c.
Romanism, there fore, as a religion, should be
welcomed to an equal footing with other re-
lieions. but as an interloper in public AFFAIRS 1t
Should be jealousy suspected and vlgllantly
watched The chief difference between Pro-
testantism and Romanism appears to be this:
Professionalism, if it may be called in any sense
a body, is a body without organization-a cody
whose parts so loosely cohere that through the
chinks the light of the present century freely
penetrates. On the other hand, Romansm is
compactly organized, so that it is comparatively
impervious to contemporary influence. Roman.
ism holds back, resisting the Onsweepipg tide
of progress, and by force of organization resists
successfully. Professionalism also holds back.
bat, for lack of organization. resists unsuccess-
fully, and is borne on, in spite OF ITSELF science
by its side. In this difference between the two
religions may be detected the subtle menace of
of Romanism; its organization gives 1t power,
not alone to resist surrounding Influences, Tut
to support them by influences of its own. And
organ ization ensures a perpetual identity. all
that it gains remains. By its coherent organ
ization it is enabled to be its own heir from
generation to generation; and itsaproperty ac-
cumulations arising in that way constitute
most serious damage to American society. And
for these reasons-because, by virtue OF its Or
ganization it remains strong cOnservator OF
ancient supersttions, because it is secret, pa
tient and far-reaching plotter against republic
can institutions, and because it is fast acquiring
a dangerous predominance in the power OF
wealth-for these reasons. Romanism in Amer.
ca should be watched, and when it puts its hand
to secular affairs should be withstood.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
Yesterday was observed at this church as
Chidren's Sunday. There was an unusual
fine display of flowers in the church. The
baptisimal font was literally covered with rare
and beautiful flowers Five children were
baptized at the morning service. The pastor
gave the children a very interesting address
upon the life of Samuel. In the ev ening the
lecture was continued.
SECOND PARISH.
The Sunday School anniversary of the Sec
ond Parish church took place last evening and
was a very interesting occasion, showing an en-
couraoinq interest.