The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-28
AN ATTACK ON R0MANISM.
AN Address THE GENERAL Assem-
BLY, DID NOT WISH TO HEAR.
A Brother from the West Carrying Out
Instructions - A Cicrgvmsn who saw
Much to Admire In the Catboitc Religion.


A Brother from the West Carving Out
Instructions 81 CLERGYMAN who saw
Much to Admire In the Catboitc Religion.
After the hearing of several brief re-
ports from standing committees, the General
Assembly OF the Presbyterian Church yesterday
morning took up the consideration OF the over
ture from the Synod of Missouri regarding
"Popish Baptism" This overture, az read by
one Of the secretaries, was, in effect, recon-
mendathon that in view OF the Church of Rome
being no part OF the Church Of Christ, its hap
tism SHOULD not be considered valid, and con-
verts from Romanism to Presbyteranism
should be baptized as though they had come
directly from the world, and had never before
been members Of any Christian church what
ever.
The Rev. Or. VIM. l.. BreckinridRe, on behalf
OF the Synod OF Missouri, addressed the Assem-
bly, and offered a resolution that It was their
| deliberate judgment that the Church Of Rome
had apostatlzed from our Lord and Saviour
| Jesus Christ, and therefore could not be recog-
nized "a a Christian Church. IL was no defence
OF the Roman Church to say that It held much
truth, DIR. Breckenridge added there were
many bad societies OF which this could be said,
| Even the devils themselves held much truth.
| Everything was asked by tho Roman Church in
| In the name OF Christ. And IN this worship they
were "a certainly guilty Of idolatry II they had
| bestowed II upon the lowest thing on earth, for
| II was robbing God OF the veneration due to
| him alone, to bestow IL upon one OF his crea-
| lures
As the speaker went on TO read extracts from
! the devotional exercises OF the Roman Catholic
Church, the growing impotence of tho dele
| gates began to show itself In various ways, and,
| finally, one OF them interrupted him to say that
| the Assembly was perfectly well acquainted with
| all that DIR. BreCkinrdge saying. and a
sary waste OF time. The SPEAKER however, in
| sisted on proceeding. lie sorry, he said,
that he had not been able to interest his audi
| ence. many of whom he observed were reading
| newspapers, containing doubtless much more
Interesting matter than he was laying before
| 1.-THE GRANDMOTHER OF GOD"
He went on to say that the Roman Catholics,
| not content with worshipping the Mother Of
| God, worshipped, also, her mother. whom they
called st. Ann in other words, he would go so
far as To say they extended their worship to the
OF the veneration Of relics, the attention paid
| To the Rope's toe and the use OF such express
| serving the increasing inattention Of the Assem-
bly,, lie said, must skip great DEAL at which
there was vigorous, but very unhattering burst
OF applause, at the expiration OF which tho
speaker lost several pages OF his manuscript,
and occupied some minutes In looking for IL.
After dwelling upon the insuffcency Of Roman
Catholic baptism. he reviewed the connection
between 81. Peter and the roman Church.
when Peter denied his diving Lord, and began
the Roman Catholic Church had adhered to
ever since, much moro faithfully than to any
other lesson he had taught it. Dr. Breckenridge
added that lie hoped the Synod Of Missouri
would be satisfied with his discharge OF the duty
to which 1t had assigned him. He had been har-
assoc and hcmmcd Ia on all sides, and had not
said half he had intended 70 say. However, the
whole address would be published in the Assem-
| bly, journal, whore the delegates could read II.
Dr. Knox said he agreed with Dr. Breckln-
ors n every s out ne resreded ,hai
sary TO lay 1t before the Assembly.
The Rev. George W. Chamberlain, from Brazil
spoke bitterly OF the lnndelity Of the Roman
church. II the edict Of the General Assembly
he said, should show that Roman Catholic hap
tism was valid. and that, therefore, Brazil wa.
Christian country, he did not think he would
ever go back to his old field Of labor but could
petition the Assembly to send him To som,
country where the light Of the Gospel had never
sbons.
THE OTHER SIDE.
| The Rev. william Wallace Tirier Of San Jos<
was the first speaker who opposed the overture
from the Synod of Missouri. Roman Catholic
| baptism, he said, must he considered valid. be
cause II was not affected by the moral character
of the clergyman who administered II. Perfec-
tion could not he expected in Romanism or any
baptism. and the Presbyterian Church could not
afford TO he less liberal Let us he said
drop all these harsh terms we have been "a the
habit OF using toward our Roman Catholic
brethren, and labor with them hand in hand
Let tho delegate from BRAIN cease to
| denounce. and try to purify them" ~,
spoke of an old Roman Catholic priest
who had passed the best years OF a
long life among the Indians, bapizing them
teaching and converting them marrying them
and burying their dead lie was loved ano
yenerated by them all, and. II God willed 1t, h,
would die among them. Long ago. the speake
said. he had visited the old clergyman during
season Of conversion and revival. This priest
not knowing him, spoke a. 10 u man requiring
religious consolation, hut when he made h.msel
known they knelt down and prayed for eacl
other, and for the success Of the work anon.
the Indians. And will you say OF this man,
asked MIR. Iiricr In conclusion, THAT TIT
doctrines he taught were false. that his wurl
among the neglected Indians was anti-C hristian
and that the baptism he administered was no
i yaldY tApplause.
After few more speakers had been heard. /
was resolved to refer the whole matter to
committee, with instructions TO report at tn
next General Assembly.
The delegates accepted an invitation TO hav
their photographs taken, standing In front q
the Tabernacle, tomorrow morning. In tn
afternoon many Of them were conducted by MI
Williams a visit to the Bruohlyn Navy Yard