New-York tribune., 1878-03-18
THE RET. DIR. HALL on CATHOLICISM.
March 16.-The Rev. DR.. John

NEw-HAvEN, March 16.-The Rev. DR.. John
Hall delivered the first of three lectures on
Roman Catholicism 10 the students OF hale
Seminary yesterday afternoon. Since hlIing the
iectureship on preaching three years ago. Dr
Hall has each Winter given lectures IN inc
Marduand Chapel, and his coming is always aitehocu
with interest The following is the substance OF En-
days lecture: There is need for more study or
Romanism than is usually given TO it, Many are CON
yered from Professionalism 10 R0mansn by finding that
there much TO De said in favor OF the latter tbah
fhev had supposed II may that shall have TO say
something w1ch will not be agreeable to those VINO iOoA
with affection on Rome shall try to DC calm and DIS
passionate in my judgments. The first thing is 10 eet
an idea that Rome has actual system. For centuries
many of the acutest minds were eh6"%0u
In building 1t up. For example. the claim
for infallibnity in the Pore, was not SCI
up for eight centuries, and was originally fouhoed Oh
forgcries. The sch)olmen devised arguments by "hc"
A. o be sustained The system OF ROmansm Is III re-
marksbe adaptation 10 human nature, as may DC seen
from this same doctrine 1t appeals to human h"'ure
not as should be- it is Men desire TO nave re-
Ngous questions settled authority The human hlhu
Graves rest This corresponds 20 the desire OF man oI
q through ticket ontakng long journey. The doctrine
Of Papa infabty meets this wish. The question was
Where is this 10 be lodged Six different answers were
given according Us prominence given to the Pope
the cardinals councils separately or in ooDnncti"
Even the Council of Trent though under great pressure
did NOT settle the dispute But II necessary 10 locac
1t TO satisfy this desire OF for definite authority
One other thing must be borne in mind Near every one
OF its great distinctive dogmas there lies some great ac
knowledged scriptura truth. they found church au-
thorty on tho phrase Hear The church" The Roman
Church embodies in her confessions and rituals many
seriptural truths. When we are in intercourse
with Roman Catholic people, should make lhtin ui
derstand that accept these truths Ihey are DrOuS
mn 10 believe that Professionalism is synonym Tor lhI
delty We are compelled by justice 10 say that WINE
these truths held they Obscured anu ~ some
cases practically nuled by the he'd Win them
Take the doctrine OF the Trinity, tfat mysterious Oou
head winch wOrshp to say nothluS OF the intOed-
ZION of saints the Virgin Mary is made TO lie what the
seriptures represent the mediator beng f o grace
and truth Everything done in the Roman Catholic sys
TEN is calculated to magIfy and perpeuate tue system
itself No matter how penent man may DC or sl ne
must receive absoutOn at the hands OF the Priest who
is but a>pOrtion of great machine, which, claiming 10
be in the Lords place and invested with the LOrds
authofy holds in its grasp the judgment and feelings
md fortunes here and hereafter OF those under s sway
You, students OF theology, ought 10 he at ttle
rans the texts and fragments OF texts aUduced
In favor this system Ii viii be good Tor you 10 study
the system as IL presented the hooks of theology
and especially of devotion which represent IT, You w
never fully comprehend the truths OF Protestantism I'LL
Won come 10 know thar against winch thcF are a pro-
test. You should study the system for three reasons
~ Such great OF protesting Christians adhere 10
this creed (2) many Protestants coming 10 look
with more favor il and TO dsapprove OF the Reolma
ton: 90 large number of American citizens "a sub
iect to Rome all controlled by OvermnS mind The
coach may not be overturned, bur its motion may De
made iotng and uncomfortable In the second lecture
shall trace the natural history OF ROmanit, and In the
third its practical influence on its adherents