The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-02-01
SERMON
Origin OF f'rOtCstdptfsnl.*
BY IRVING A. sRARLEs.


During the days Of the apostles there was no
very marked distinction between the laity and
clergy Indeed, those terms we're not then
current. No one was called Reverend except
the Divine Being. No d. d. was then heard
Of. Theology wss not sick then aud needed no
doctors.
But very soon in the history OF the church
we find lay-members, preachers, bishops, arch
bishops and patrisrchal bishops. In the third
century there were four of these last named
church dignitaries-ohe at Constantinople, one
at Antioch, one at Alexandria and the other in
Rome. In process OF time the three former
were swept away and the pstriarchal bishop at
Rome became the highest officer in the church.
We now reach the epoch when one individual
the pope, rules almost supreme.
There is connected with the Romsh church a
college OF cardinals. There are seventy OF
these; they are elected by the pope. Upon
the death OF the pope his successor must be
chosen by these cardinals from among their
own number. You would scarcely think that
political trickery would find any place in the
proceedings Of this conclave; but history tells
us that such things have occurred. On one oc-
casion when the cardinals were about TO elect a
new pope. one cardinal knowing himself to be
go unpopular as to stand no chance OF an
honest election, hired boy to go to each Of
the other cardinals and say: Now you know
that my master is so unpopular there is no
possibility of election; but ne will feel very
badly indeed If he does not get single vote.
Won't you vote for him ?" Out OF mere pity
the cardinal agreed to do as requested. IN this
way all OF them consented to vote for him.
Each supposed, however, that he was the only
one who was thus accommodating. They dis
covered the fraud only few moments before
casting their ballots. By mere luck and chance
that unpopular cardinal was prevented from
becoming an infalhble pope
This unlimited power invested in one indi-
vldual was productive of much evil. Then
came the doctrine Of apostolic succession OF
priestly forgiveness Of sins, and others OF al
least doubtful propriety.
But God brought forward one who struck
boldly against the corruptons that had crept
into the church. Martin Luther Was endowed
with good brain and healthy body he was
80 poor that to obtain means to defray HE
school expenses he had to sing songs from
house to house, but he was man Of nerve-one
who dared speak out against error wherever be
found it. He was sent to Rome on some busi-
ness connected with the church this proved
very important step in the Reformation that
ensued. Prior to this, Luther had regarded
Rome as second only to Heaven itself but in
this case distance lent enchantment to the
view. When he reached Rome he found that
the pope and bic cardinals and bishops we're
neither gods nor angels, but human beings
1t was even doubtful whether they were the
best specimens OF humanity extant.
On his return to bic home in Wittemberg
occurred well calcultted 10 lessen
his respect for the papal power The pope
was building st. Petersburg ehuIch--sn edifce
that WAS TO rival all others 10 the splendor OF
its construction. TO prosecute srch a work re-
CURED money; agents OF the pope were there
fore sen. out 10 sell what were termed In
dulgences." These were certificates Of par
don. They could be procured with money. II
a man bad stolen sheep be could, by the pay-
ment Of a certain sum, receive certificate
signed by the pope blottng ont that traDsgres-
sion forever. No matter how great the CRIME
MONEY would bring pardon. When luther
reached his home one Of these agents, John
Tetzel, was there selling indulgences."
large sum Of money soon went into the Golfers
Of the pope Luther, with many others. was
greatly indignant at this sale OF iDdulgeuces
One man asked Tetzel If he could sell ndulg-
ence granting him pardon for a Sin that he
wanted to commit in the future. Tetzel thought
For moment and then replied, Oh. yes. paw
enough and that can be done" The man
bought the indulgence, paving good price for
t. When Tetzel, leaving town had reached
oc alitv few miles from Wittemberg this man
bounced upon him and gave him a severe horse
Tetzel had him arrested; but when
brought before the magistrate be presented
he indulgence" granting pardon for Gin be
Intended to commit in the future, and then
luietly remarked that to horsewhip Tetgel was
he sin There was no way to galnsav this, for
here was the certificate signed by the rope |
aud Tetzel himself
On the 31st OF October. 1917, Luther nailed
o the church door IN witteuberg his famous
linety-fve theses, in which be denounced the
.ae of indulgences with all the powers OF his
strong mind. People passing by the church
,aw these. read them, aud in short time in
ense excitement prevailed throughout the
community.
Luther is summoned 10y the pope to appeir
,efore council lie obeys the p'pai man
late. lie is asked If ne wrote this or that book
md answering IN the affirmative. he is asked II
,e will retract certain uttersnces, but replies
Never. until you prove to me that ! am m
he wrong" Other countries soon Joiued IN
he movement now inauguratea and thus org
mated Professionalism
But we find Professionalism divided into nun
,reds OF denominations. These, instead OF
icing one. as Christ prayed his followers might
,e. are sometimes warning against one ano'ner
.fter the manner of rival political parues-
economy suggests that these DENOMINATIONS
bould be one. Iu this town are SIX fro'es'-
mt churches. One-fourth the money now in-
,ested In them would build splendid churcn
dfice sufficient to accommodate the church-