Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1875-03-22

BISHOP LEES RECENT VISIT TO THE LAND OF THE
AzrEcs, THE CONDITION OF PROTESTANT EpIsco-
PAL MISSIONS IS MEXICO.
The arrival of Bishop Lee on Saturday from
his mission to Mexico, after two months alb
sence, and the announcement that he would be
present at st. Andrews, last evening, drew to-
gether large congregation. The Bishop did
not seem the least fatigued from his long, ted-
GUS and somewhat dangerous journey.
After preliminary serYices,by Rev. Mr.. Arnold,
the Bishop, without selecting text said he i'll
tended to speak of his visit to Mexico, not
with reference to the romance or the charms OF
nature which surrounds it, but In religious
aspect and to give some idea of the religious
movement which he believed to be the begin
ming of glorious era for Mexico. Before pro-
ceeding, however he wished to acknowledge the
leading hand of God, which he believed to be in
answer to the prayers of his friends.
He here related an exciting incident
of his voyage. Before entering the
harbor of Vera Cruz, a storm arose in the gulf,
which lashed the waters into a fury and bid
from view a long line of white reefs usually
seen, and which were not at the time discovered
until the vessel was almost upon them. LII three
minutes more the vessel would have struck and
destruction been almost inevitable. But by
sudden lurch by the pilot the vessel cleared and
was saved. In this he acknowledged the inter-
position Of Divine Providence in answer to
prayer.
religious Instinct Ill man, which If carefully
guarded is the source of much happiness, but il
not carefully controlled, it WIS the source of
much misery and woe.
The old Spaniards found the Aztecs in possess
sion of the country, and i'll both races this
religious instinct was strong. II was the speakers
fortune to see in the court OF the National
Museum the stone altar, upon which thousands OF
human victims had been sacrificed to appease
the gods. In the centre of the altar was the cav
itty in which the hearts Of the victims were
placed and there was trough which conveyed
the blood from tho altar.
We ascend, continued the Bishop, to IAN upper
room, where were to be seen the bodies taken
from the Inquistion, bodies taken from cavities
in which they had been walled up with solid ma
sonry, while living and left to perish From
ne of these cavities in the wall were taken the
bodies of woman and her child which were
preserved in the museum. In this instinct the
Aztec differed but little from the Spaulard In
both cases we see the powerful instinct OF rel-
gloi, but 70 perverted as to show a lack Of the
light of heaven.
There has been revolt against Romsh in
situations, but 1t is only political in its signif-
canoe. The land had been so impoverished, for
The support of converts, churches, mouasteries
nunnerles, and other religious institutions, that
the government was compelled, in self defence,
to adopt Its policy of coniiscation. In 1857, the
new constitution which couii5cated for the use
OF the Government the converts and monster
les WAS adopted
The revolution was entirely political one
made i'll the interest of the government without
any desire to injure the established Roman
Catholic church. The intervention of Napoleon
IN the affairs Of Mexico, resulted in an opening
Tor the introduction of the light OF the Bible
truths, and this was followed bya sincere inquiry
after truth, which inquiry Increased more and
more until 1860 when priest by the lame Of
Aquila gathered around him congregation and
secured room III which to hold religious wor-
ship. lie labored with uncommon zeal i'll the
course Of a year. when he ceased to labor and
went to enjoy lis reward.
The new church was now left without a head
until they heard OF DIR. Riley who was officiating
with great success amongst the Spaniards of
New York. When the call made for Dr.
Riley he considered it impossible to go, but af-
ter more mature dellberation and earnest
prayer he concluded to enter upon mission for
Which lie was so well qualified. The entrance of
Or. Eley into Mexico vas slgnalzed by much ex-
ctement lie entered with much earnestness.
upon his labors, and had tracts published and
spread broadcast amongst the people.
DR.. lilley was protected by the newly adopted
Constitution from violence, but such was the
state Of the public mind that freedom OF thought
and speech had to be INDUCED in very careful
~ The Romleh people gathered up few Of
the tracts aud took them to Dominican priest
by the name of Argos, who after due prepare
tlon, challenged DR.. Riley to public discussion,
which challenge was accepted When the time,
however, arrived, Argos Instead Of opposing the
new movement, had been convinced and came
out as its champion, entered at once into the
new work. He challenged the Romish Arch
Bishops and ecclesiastics to public discussion,
which they at first accepted, but ultimately failed
to respond to-, DIR. Riley, about this time
came home to New York. and Argos being left
i'll charge, labored with such zeal that lis Health
III manner not to be accounted for, gave way
and he eoon died
This IS branch Of the church which was not
transplanted, but built up of natives of the coun.
nv. II is acknowledged as an independent Ma.
tt.onal church, and not as part Of the Episcopa
church Of the United States, the only object OF
his visit being to establish such an intimate re-
latIonship as TO make it sister church.
The Catholic priests are continually annoying
the little church and imputing everything which
happens to the introduction of the missionaries
Ihe Sisters OF Charity being given the choice
either to take the oath of Allegiance or leave
the country, this was construed into ali expulsion
from the country. An earthquake which hap
pened III some Of the provinces, the priests said
was a Judgment foI admitting the missionaries
and ALEC said that the word missionary
meant " annexation
1t has been named 1.-THE Church OF Jesus,
the word protestant being left out as in that
| country 1t was synonymous with politics. The
first publication in defence of the new move.
ment was by Aquilla, and was entitled " Mans
| night to read the Holy Scriptures" The church
| Is based upon the righteousness Of Jesus Christ
| Hlutslcal III lis clhTdcpeI, III WHICH Dellef OF
the Holy Trinity is fully set FORTH and con.
forms to Episcopal customs. The new move.
ment now embraces SO congregations. three OF
which are in the city of Mexico. There are
about 5000 persons who can be relied upon, and
| others who attend would swell the number tc
| 5000 souls.
| During his visit, lie ordained seven persons tc
take charge OF the work, one of whom is Il pen.
stoned officer and another having means of hi
own. Some of these persons had been disowned
by their parents OH account of their religion
He confirmed class of 90 and then an addition.
al class of ~ and before he left he had confirmed
1870 for the City alone. Dr. Riley saying that il
| fuller notice had been given, 1000
persons would have come in from the surround
ing country. Some had even come over l0C
miles, aud appeared from their dress and man.
ner to belong to a different nation. One OF
these was man over 70 years of age and an
other was an Indian of pure blood.
The Bishops remarks, throughout were lis
tened to with the greatest attention.
CIVIL RIGHTs AND No MEALs.-The Chester
River Steamboat Company has abolished pub
lie meals. On two occasions since the passage
of the Civil Rights bill colored persons have
a ~ ~.