The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-04
ULTRAMONTANISM.

INTERESTING LECTURE By DR. JOHN HALL
The torrents OF rain which fell last night had no
effect the attendance a. the closing lecture Of the
Science and Art Series, at Dr. Rogers church, corner
Of Twenty nrst street and Fifth avenue As had been
announced, DR.. John Hall lsctured on Ultramon-
tanism. and the interest felt the subject less
than the fame Of the lecturer. drew an intelligent
audience. Dr. Hall in opening his lecture
spoke In general way about the Importance Of the
subject in hand and stated that although Of late II had
excited much public attention. IL was by no means new
one He claimed that the idea OF the accepted novelty
OF the subject erroneous the conflict between
priests and laymen which had Its origin long
before the Christian era dated from the time the
distinction between priest and layman was first c.
tablshed srhe question OF Ultramontanism," con-
tinued tho speaker (which Is the latest
phase OF this old priest-iaymen strife.
is the one which interests us to-day, and to per-
feet understanding Of all the bearings OF the subject
Il is necessary go back through the centuries and
the gnt OF history examine the origin OF the pres
cnt condition OF affairs existing between
CHURCH AND STATE"
Tho lecturer here gave q succnct narrative Of the
carly history of the Church. dwelling at great length
upon conversion OF Constantine and the patronage
and protection extended by him 70 the then infant
giant He. like Henry VIII. OF England. Was = man of
keen perception, and recognized in tho church pow
eriul instrument the virtual control Of which he
sumcd by becoming It's guardian. In the opinion OF
Dr. Hall the Church lost more than she gained by the
acquisition OF this royal convert Her simplicity was
lost from that time The Emperor ruled her councils
and had to do with the direction Of her course
and the forming Of her policy. Through tie temporal
element assumed unto the Church by Constantine was
due great measure the future temporal supremacy
Of the See OF Rome. In those scmi-barbarous times
disputes which were by no means nrequcnt, between
been settled by bioodshea were submitted TO the
Church UMPIRE and no by the accumulation OF pre-
ccdcnt during the sixth and seventh centuries, the
Church claimed as right that which had been hrst
accorded her y courtesy.
Here the lecturer drew in plain terms the broad dis
tLction which ox,s.s between papsl sovereignty
temporal power the latter was u broader and moro
comprehensive term, meaning the spiritual power
the world, within and beyond the limits OF its TEN
poral possessions '.The first has virtually passed
ns IN v hs OF had shs
sumo right to his possessions as any other King in
Europe has to his. But his subjects had the same
right 10 change their ruler and dispossess tho Pope as
the French had Danish the Bourbons, the English
break the sway OF the Stuarts, tho Americans
rebel against aud Danish the English domination"
AVAILABILITY.
Although this word did not occur once during the
long lecture the text Of the concluding remarks
in which considered the rights of the Pope dc
tate with infalble tongue what right and what
wrong IN latin and moras ''How shall we know
what 10 true aud what Is false In faith and morals -
asked the lecturer The speaker answered his own
question by saying, "From the Church OF Rome"
He continued:-They tell US the power was given
TO Peter and for tho sake Of argument let acknow
edge was and then ask If II has not been forfeited
again and again. by the crimes some too awful TO
ton IN public, winch have been committed by tho
successors OF Apostle OF Jesus The HERALD might
publish something. In its broad berxlty which you
and and others AS liberal In mind, might consider
proper and just, but the Pope might In
Il that which, to his mind, subvcrsive
Of faith and morals, and SO order the HERALD sup
pressed I am asked do ] think the power OF the
Pope will strongly affect here In America and
answer that do believe 1t will direct our
courts but II may make road TO the position
should occupy the rank Of nations dificuls
travel