Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-07
"The Priest in AbsOIutiOH.s'

A meeting convened by the Holborn branch
of the English Church Union was held last
evening in the st. Alban's school room, Bald.
wins Gardens, under the Presidency Of Rev.
A. H. MackoDochie, TO discuss the book knogo
as s'The Priest in Absolution.' The Chair.
man explained that two resolutions would be
submitted bearing upon circumstances which
had occurred lately with regard to the book in
question and to the Society of the Holy Cross.
The attack made uroa the book could hardly
be supposed to arise from any great zeal for the
purity Of public morals, as tor ao intention,
either known or unknown to those who cou,.
menccd the agitation, of attacking the Society
Of the Holy Cross. The Society was an ASA.
citation of priests for the deepening of their own
spiritual Lille, and in order to aid one another in
their work such subjects as that Of the way Of
getting souls would very often come before
them 1t was found that young priests txpe
rienced great difficulty 10 gaining instruction
as to that part of their duty, Notwithstanding
Que or two old books on the subject, whlc
touched rather on abstract principles, aud It
was suggested that some book should be PIE
pared for the purpose. The Society was re
spoDsible for mooting the idea, and it had been
responsible during the last two years for rIh
fishing the book 10 order not To extend, Lu 10
limit its circulation. The Chairman havag
quoted some portion Of the book to dispute t,r
charges which had been brought aeaiGs! tt.
! argued that physicians had to deal EIth w,:lks
which the world called indicate. but it w0uj
not be thought that medical student va d;
charging his duty to the public il 4 feeling ii
delicacy prevented him from acqualulos hIn:
| self with facts appertalDlUg 10 his prolrs>!"a.
! He thought they you'd agree with him Gha.
| the Society of the Holy Cross WAS not n:'
| which would be likely to issue al Immoral "
| indecent book. Col. Childers did not lLiah
this was time for them TO be dcSpoulen ir
| they had arrived at point on which thcy wsrr
| i'm pre- uable Referring 10 the recent ;rcr;n&
| at Exeter Hall, lie said it made Que qllllc ia
| inc about what they we're speaking should la,r
| 10 question the purity of those who laugh. a.,:
practiced confession If they were to question
a man privately 90 this subjec. he woud almjr
that he had no ground to sand upon bat ofi
| nary report. Mr. }. a. Heaton argued shu1
the first remedy was to take from The l},sLQpS
the privilege of sitting 10 the House pI L.,I>,
| because that would teach them they we've $40.
first of all peers and then ministers Of God hn,
that their political power as ministers ii t't!
came from their being such and their prop.r
| exercise of it. 1t would rcmJVe from thea ia
great temptation to throw lhcmaelv2s iIto til
| life Of those around them. aud thus becpHly >.
litica representatives ofthe E'!a5!is',2,! thar@.
OF EagIand in the House Of Lords ..i.,
further remarks % the same subject ny &Ir. i!
| G. Richards aud DR.. CowelI, Resolutions al,
proving Of the fra action taken ty tA2 Sn,ip}
Of the Holy Cross in refusing, il apita oi IL.
strong pressure put upon them il rai'u!.ara
the book called "rhe Priest u Ajs,lu'on.
and regretting that the Bishops shout ".,s
allowed the subject Of confession j. b, hrea:h;
before the House Of Lords without prrv,or.
consultation with their clergy, were a1opi".'.
| L0nl0n NelUS