The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-05-19
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
THIS COLUMN is OPEN TO ALL.
For The Cecil Wing
REV. MR.. HEBERTON'S SERMON.

G"The Peoples Column" of this paper
being open for a free discussion of all mat
tiers of public interest, we give the follow
ing communication space, with the simple
remark, that we hope it may not precipitate
local UNCONVENTIONAL or church discussion,
so generally provocative of individual feel
ing. Its insertion, then, is not to be under
stood as in any sense an endorsement by us
of opinions the result purely of denomina-
tonal preferences. Ed
Mr.. EDIToR:-On Sunday morning last,
the Rev. w. w. Heberton, Pastor of the
Presbyterian Church of this town, deliv-
cred lengthy, and, we may say, in man
ner instructive, discourse, taking as a text
the words: EITHER make the tree good,
and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree
is known by his fruit. st. Matt. xii, 49,
We have not even synopsis of the ser
mon at hand, but from the few notes in our
possession, we conclude that it was simply
an attack on the Catholic Church; filled with
error, and composed of unfounded declara-
lions and untenable propositions, with
truthful statement here and there. We are
by no means disposed to treat the Reverend
gentleman uncharitably, or make him the
subject of unjust criticism, but the fact is
plain that he has misrepresented and vilitied
a portion of the respectable and law .abid-
ing citizens of this community; and that,
too, from the position to which he processes
to be called by the Holy Ghost-at a time
when it was to be expected he would, as
the representative of Eternal Truth Him.
self, deliver "the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth And it is only
because he has thus acted, Mr.. Editor, that
we feel constrained to give publicity to the
matter. Had he represented Catholicism
in its true colors, and not given vent to
assertions that place Catholics before their
fellow citizens as persons not to be recog-
nized in a civilized and Christianized So
ciety, it would be impossible for us to say
a word in reply; but, as it is, we feel it
duty, not only to ourselves, but also to
those with whom we mingle in every day
life, to bring the matter before the public
and to this end we ask your kind indulgence.
The Reverend gentleman said, that Cath
olics have many secreted dungeons where
the innocent are cruelty treated. We sup
pose he meant, that in the converts and
monasterles there are underground apart
ments or large rooms, into which the genial
rays of the glorious sun are never admitted,
and in which is confined-well, we scarcely
know who! Let us see! Sure enough
Some pious Sister, who, Mortified at the life
she is compelled to follow, has been making
attempts to escape, and embrace again the
more agreeable ways of "the world" An
Edith O'Gorman, for instance. Or, per-
chance, some disobedient Brother, whose
conduct has not been entirely pleasing to
his Superior, and who has been sentenced
to pass the remainder of his days in such a
place, on the small allowance of a cup of
water and an oyster cracker every other
day, and after death to be devoured by the
hungry rats which doubtless iDhabt places
of that kind! But what sensible man or
woman will allow himself or herself to be
SO far lost to reason as to believe that such
thing as "secreted dungeon " is part
of any convent or monastery, in this or any
other land, where civilization exists? Is it
to be supposed, for one moment, that the
officers of the law would allow even the
rumor of the existence of such places, much
less the positive declaration of reliable
witness to that effect, to go unnoticed?
Would they not be false to their sense of
duty to their God, upon whose Holy Word
they have sworn to defend the majesty of
the law, to their fellow creatures, and to
themselves, if they were to neglect to in
vestigate charges of this nature Some
people are foolish enough to believe that
Logan Square, opposite the Catholic Cathe-
dral, in Philadelphia, is undermined, and
that under it the Catholics have an arsenal.
! But can it be thought, that if this was any
thing more than the midnight dream of
some pious old Non, Catholic lady, the au-
thorities of the city would allow the matter
to rest unsettled We appeal to every
! 1l Al
that they would not. If converts are such
terrible places rs the Rev. Mr.. Heberton
would make it appear they are, why, we
ask, are some of the finest ladies in our
country sent to them to be educated? The
late Horace Greeley was, We suppose, as
good Judge of the character of our public
| institutions as he, and yet his daughters
were educated in convent. The same may
be said OF many other Protestant gentlemen,
who themselves have been tutored in Cath
olic institutions, or, knowing their great
worth and usefulness, have sent their chill
dren to them for instruction. 1t is fact
well-known, and no vain speculations can
drive it from the minds of consistent and
| liberal persons, be they Protestants or what
they may, that the Sisters of Charity are
noble and self-sacriticing association, whose
grand work is plainly felt wherever they
labor. Look at the great part they per.
| formed on either battle field, in the late
civil war in this country; hear the testi-
mony OF the brave soldiers who received
from their hands, when they lay bleeding
ill many part, kind and loving treatment.
Again. 60 to the hospital, to the orphanage,
or to the school, and You will find them
still pursuing their noble work of devotion
to the wants of suffering humanity. STILL
preachers of the Gospel will revile them
Another point raised by Mr.. Heberton
was, that Catholics did not believe it wrong
to commit any crime which would further
the ends of their Church, and think all they
have to do is to pay the fees demanded
by the Church and 60 to confession-the
Priests absolution forgiving all. We do
not suppose that Mr.. Heherton, in raising
this point, sought to insult the Rev. James
Mclntire, who has now, and has had for
long time, several Catholic gentlemen in
his employ; but he certainly reflected greatly
upon his Judgment, not onl y as minister
OF the same church, bat as Il man of bust
ness and one we'll acquainted, both from
theory and experience, with the ways of men.
We hesitate not to assume, that Mr.. McIn-
tire will support us in the declaration, that
he has found his employees to he very diff
ferent men from what they must be, if they
hold the principles attributed to them by
Mr.. Heberton. Such folly! The idea of
the Priests absolution furgivng, without
repentance, without prayer to God, the sins
of person! This is not the teaching, nor
the practice, of the Catholic Church, No
man can be saved, saith the Church. except
through the merits of the Redeemer, aud
the Priests absolution-no, not even the
Pope's absolution-would be of avail un
less the sinner is peniteut, aud willing to
make satisfaction, by penanoe, 30 far as he
is able. Further. it is not true that Catho-
lies will do anything-no matter how great
a crime it may be-to support their Church.
This, again, is not the Church's teaching
She teaches us to love all mankind, without
respect to person-our enemies and those
who differ from us in religious matters, as
well as our friends and those who are of
the household of faith. Do not the Catho- |