The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-17
SentlmentaIlsm in Place Of Religion.

|
that society has ever known. There is no
society possible without g God. Before the
present there have been but two eras when
divine influence was SO generally and 30
scornfully ignored. Atthe time of the food
God was almost forgotten and universal
wickedness prevailed, and when at last So
ciety had become pandemonium the De-
luge obliterated its footsteps from the earth.
Then, again, in the naughty days of the
Roman Empire, sects sofPhilosophers taught
and popularized Atheism and Pantheism.
Religion, even in the false and distorted
form hitherto known among the Romans,
fell into contempt with the learned and in
fuential, being retanedsby statesmen as a
means only of controlling the superstitious
masses. But the dry rot Of Atheism soon
| infected the whole social fabric, and it fell
to the earth, a helpless prey to Barbarian
hordes.
Now, again, in this Wanted age of boast
ing enlightenment we find society tainted
with the same frightful blight of Atheism,
though not to any ything like the same ex-
tent. The Catholic and Greek Churches
control the active faith of the vast majority
of persons living under their influence. In
countries called Protestant it is unfortu-
nately different. Germany, where Protest
antism fret took its impulse and which was
always formerly looked upon as the central
stronghold of its power is now and has
been for many years the great school of In
fidelity. Its philosophers have taught
Deism, Pantheism, Atheism and all forms
Of 1ntidellty most openly and earnestly.
The students of the universities pride them
selves on being Free thinkers, and men of
fanatics. We speak of Protestant Germany.
Bismarck and his colleagues evidently follow
the statesmen of imperial Rome in tolerating
religion only as superstition useful in con-
trolling the masses.
The fact is that on the continent of Eu.
rope Professionalism is considered vulgar.
1t is the kitchen religion. Parsons, as
class, are not admitted to genteel society,
but rank with tradespeople and upper ser
wants. Protestantism itself is glad to nestle
under the wing of Intidelity for protection
and to drag out an uncertain existence by |
sutferance. In Belgium, for instance, We
find the bitterest Infdes warmly canvas
sing for the erection of Protestant meeting |
houses and literally subscribing to the
funds, on the ground that Professionalism ia
the natural ally of Infdelity.
There is not, however, unanimity of
opinion among the Infldels as to this policy
and, 80, public attention is drawn to its
existence. Thus, Mr.. Laveleye, himself,
opened a su description for the building of
Protestant chapel, while his confrere OF
tho Chroniquc opposed it on tie ground that
pure Rationalsm should not be compro
missed.
The exact position of Protestan tism on
the continent is depicted as with masters
hand in what hereupon followed. The
friends of the alliance policy replied to the
Chronique that the road of Protestau tism
led by a more circuitous route to the
very end championed by that paper,-Infi-
deity. That is, cay they, it leads to " free
thought and thence to Atheism. Upon
this plain talk the Ohronique comments as
follows:
tonishes us: it is that the Protestants do not
think that their own dignity req aires that they
should protest against this openly avowed sys-
tem which oonsists in making of their re-
lgion in order to reach with the greatest GER
tainity absolute free thought and Nlhilism.
We do not understand why Protestants should
feel happy and proud at seeing Catholics DIS
gusted with Rome throwing themselves into
their arms, not through attachment to their
convictions, but as q matter of policy and cal-
collation.. How can the Protestanis expect
their religion to be respected, if they them
selves respect it 30 little as to congratulate
themselves on seeing it adopted as q pis Gller
by some, and as an engine of war by Others3
The same contemptuous use of Protes
tantism as q make. shift exists in Italy. In
the interesting article copied by US to-day
from the London Tablet and entitled "The
war against the Church in Italy," leading
Intidel Revolutionists are quoted as urging
the temporary adoption of Professionalism
for their wives and children, not at all be
cause of the truth of Professionalism in a
religious sense, but as step to the destruc-
ton of the Church.