The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-27
MR. GLADSTONE ON THE CHURCH
OF ROME.

The following letter Is prenxed to a pamphlet
entitled "Protestantism and Catholicism, In 7 hsY
Bearing Upon the Liberty ana Prosperity or Ma
tlons: q STUDY OF social Economy, by Emile 90
Laveleyen member OF tue Institut de Droit Inter-
national or the Royal Academies OF Belgium,
Madrid and Lisbon, &c, which has Just been pub
llshed by Mr.. Murray, OF Al6ermarle street,
MY DEAR NJ. DIX LAyELEYR-I thank you for your
prompt assent TO my request that your tract on
tue relalions OF reformed and unreformed Christ
isntty respectively, in tue West OF Europe, to the
liberty aud prosperity OF natIons, might be trans
lated into EnglsD. need hardly say TO any, least
OF al 10 you, laat this request did not imply adop-
uon Of your precise ponto view or Of each Of your
opinions IN al. You nave not. believe, been
governed Dy theological paTuallties In the Judg-
msut az which you have arrived; nor have !, IN
the desire 10 give currency in this country 10 q
tract which includes your rather uufavOrable estl-
mate OF Its Cnutcn IN comDaTlson with the other
reformed communlons. But nave lelL that de-
sire very strongly, because, within compass
wonderfully 0rlei you have lnltlAted In very
vivid manner, aud nave even advanced to cer-
tain point, the discussion OF question which
heretofore can hardly re said 10 nave been pre-
sented 70 the pubic mind aud which 1t seems 10
me nigh time TO examine. That question 10,
whether experience has now supplied data suffi-
Gent Tor trustworthy comparison OF results, IN
the several spheres Of political liberty, social ad
vancemenL meatal Intelligence and general
morality. between the Churcn or Rome on the
one hand aud the religious communities cast on
by or separated from her on tue other.
Mr.. Halam stated many years ago the dlni-
Guilty OF arriving at a conclusion on the eth cal
DAY remained obscure nas been considerably euci-
dated 0y recent experience. AID trust that tire
brief but significant and weignty indications OF
your pamphlet, especially II t4ey snOuu not be
followed Oy fuller treatment from your own pen,
may turn the thoughts or other students OF MS
tory ana observers OF life 10 a thorough examina-
ton OF this wide ana most fruitful field. Inere
are other features ia your mede vi handling the
case iron wnIca England In particular may de-
rive mucn instruction.
Win reference to the political and social fruits
OF religion We have been accustomed to regard
Belgium as the one choice garoen OF the Roman
Churcn; and ~ has Afforded q ready answer 10
May WnO entertained strong suspicion OF her
Workings. IL will be well Tor us TO have a lew
words TINS subject from Belgian Of
known liOerahty and tolerance, who knows wnat,
aud under what difficulties the wisdom oil two
successive kings has doae Tor Belgium, ana who
Is TOO acute eItner TO undervalue the power ana
fixed Intentions OF the ultramontane conspiracy
Or 10 hRd comfort In the visionary nOuon that
any security y Afforded TO European society
against that conspiracy Oy any system OF mere
nekatiOns IN re igIon. TINS last named error 10
wIoely prevalent ia England. There is an impress
sion, wnIca II not worthy TO be called convIc-
tlou. but which holds the place OF one, that the
indinerentsm, sceptlcsm, mateiiasm and
iasnionable afford, among them, an enectual
defence against Vaticantsm But one
truly sald that the yOtaries Of that system have
three elements OF real overwhelmingly, faith,
selfsacrince aud the spirit OF continuity. None or
the tnree are to be found In any OF tRe negative
systems; and you have justly and iorclely pointed
out that these systems, through the feelings OF re-
pugnance and alarm whicA tney excite ~ many
religious minds, are efiectual allies Of the Roman
Ism Of the day.
ia obligation Dy making its censure OF these evils
s1ncere, no DOUBT. out only ltgnt aud rare IN CON-
parison with the anathemas winch y oestows
upon liberty ana lis guarantees, most OF all when
any tendency 70 claim them 10 detected within Its
own precinct. remain, nv Gear N. de Layeieye,
No. % CAELros House TERRACE, LosDoS, NAY
g. 1875