The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-28

STILL think it must be admitted by all scholars that
the traditions of the Church in the earliest ages are
IN favor of the bishop rather than the presbyter
"But that there are great perils connected Win
that form of government" said. 'you have already
had ample experience SO long the Church adj
vses all goes well but is it not true that she is In
clined to usurp an authority which does not DeionS
to her. and that she then commands and entorces
her commands, whether they are just or UNJUST!
'That. of course, cannot be denied" he reJoined
''Yet think the Episcopal churches of England and
America are not troubled in this way. There are or
course, difficulties in all directions. Still the form
of government which have indicated is historically
the correct one. and feel thnt we have, therefore,
right to change it. 1t is less liable to abuse than
any other. The epscop1cy is the meeting place OF
theocracy-I mean. OF course the true theoeracy OF
God-for the bishops are elected by the people and
consecrated from above"
= COMMUNION WITH GOD FOR ALL
"And ret" said. II have read your sermons, ana
find not a word OF denunciation for any other form
"No. no." he answered, al believe that Protes-
tants enjoy communion with God according to their
aspirations all the rest of us do. There is
difference between them and in the all important
matter OF faith, and they are just as truly on the
way to heaven as we are The blessing of Heaven
has attended their labors. and in perfect accord
with them in the various good works which they
have undertaken and accomplished. respect and
honor every Christian man who is Gboring tor his
Master"
Sand furthermore" he continued. II am always
glad of opportunity to take by the hand all who
love the Master. and to wish them. Christian
brethren. God speed in their abors Still it cannot
form Of government which the Bible indicates. The
Protestant ministry Is godly ministry, but it does
not labor IN the line or the apostolic succession
necessary. and were to doubt that it is apostolic
injunction. you must certainly admit that it has
very important mission in preserving the unity of
the Church. and that throughout the Gen.
turies it has indicated its right to be
the Coptic and the English Church. sufficiently
prove, seems to me. its value the best form Of
church government / cannot resist the conviction
hat ha al w fleG al
when it first began to govern itself was mild form
OF episcopacy Still. would not for moment insist
that St. Peter and ST. Paul taught that it the only
form of government or the Church. It seemed,
however. to the early Church to be expedient to
foundest respect for those who differ from me- it
seems best adapted to meet all the wants Of eccles
astical organization"
THE PLACE on ROME.
"One would not be surprised" said, eff you were
to think very differently, considering the persccu-
tons which you have suffered during the last few
years."
perhaps not. and yet the chief difficulty is not
with the system it was originally intended that
it should be administered but rather with the way
1t has been maladministered. Let me refer to the
is unaoubtedly true that the disciples Of Christ
were al on an equality In point OF authority. He
did not make s master the others but
early Church were all equal In the course
OF time. however. it became necessary. or
rather it was matter OF expedency, to
appoint overseers. We find the Bishop of Rome
the Bishop of Alexandria, the Bishop Of Antioch the
pie. When convened to consult together for the well
fare of the Church the Bishop OF Rome was chosen
president OF MODERATOR. ne held TINS peculiar posi-
cal right. And 1t was at this point in history.
whom the power Of the Church began to centrsize
itself. that the Bishop of Rome began to misinter-
pref that passage in which the Lord speaks Of found
ing the Church-not on Peter. they interpret it.
but on tie faith which Peter confessed.
THE TENDENCY TO GENERALIZATION.
"But the tendency" broke in to say, toward
Capitalization is almost irresistible and with cen
frnl kinO inav
table,.
'.And therefore" he answered. '.you would think
mentY' ''' -0'''' 800 49, - y 'O''-'
"Yes," said. 'at would seem natural to do So"
II am of the contrary opinion" he went on. eff
the epIscopate is not what it should be the best
remedy. it seems to me- Is not in abolition Of
bishops. put IN multiplication OF Them.
"That seems Q strange kind Of remedy, does 1t
notY' l said.
.'And yet it is precisely what you have done on
OCCASION and. believe, with great success. in
the political history Of your own country. When
one OF your States became unwieldy. and certain
dangers arose from its size and from other causes
you did not abolish the State, you divided it into
two parts, and the experiment gave entire satistsc
ton. In the same way 1 would multiply the
ioceses of the church and so break up the tendency
to Capitalization of power and the abuse Of it, Thus
you see. he added. that it is after all rather the
affair OF church government than of faith which
separates us Catholics from you Professionals"
did not care to pursue this topic any further.
portant upon which desired to get full and free
expression OF opinion. 1t has already been seen
no means Roman Catholic. Up TO this point he
has hardly uttered anything more conservative than
what might be expected from tho average church.
man OF the Protestant faith.
REAL PRESENCE.
I said to him. in furtherance Of my object
an Loyson, there are certain Of the sacra-
ments OF the Church in connection with which
should BIO glad to ask few questions. For ex-
the Real Presenter May say that Of COURSE n wong
do not believe in transubstantiationr
''ln the coarse. material sense" he replied, ''in
icb dofY
and yet in "A very important and vital sense l do
gladly accept the real presence of my Lord in the
consecfated bread and wine. That at the moment Of
conservation a miracle occurs by which the bread Is
no longer bread and the wihe is longer wine is
belief gross and material that it has been cher
ished only by the uncultured and superstitous. No
Catholic scholar or theologlan. Of the Roman
Church. has ever taught it, That several persons
have avowed their belief in the purely
view cannot be doubted. but that the Church has
ever authoritatively taught is equally untrue"
"And yet you say that you do believe in o real
presence p suggested.
Eyes, but in the same In which the most de-
in it," no answered every sincere Chr soul
comes to the table Of the LORD, expecting not only
to meet Him. but also to receive Him. I am aware
that this Is matter Of faith, which is easily ex
planned from purely philosophical point of view
but as matter OF faith 1t Is very dear to me. in
deed"
THE NECESSITY OF yA1rH
II can only ask. as another doubter did In the
THAT cannot tell" he frankly answered. "You
are aware that various explanations or the mystery
have been made which seem TO be satisfactory, at
least to those who have made them. For myself IL
Is enough to knowthat my Master has promised to
meet me in that sacrament and that have nvaria-
bly, met HIM there. l regard 1t. however, as mys-
terry which no wise man would ever be rash enough
70 even hope to explain. II God has cast a
veil over 1t let no unhallowed hand at
tempt to draw II aside. aware that in |
thus emphasizing my belief in real presence
may lay myself open TO the charge of Remaining,
but must hold fast to the Bible truthto Chrst's
own words. this Is my body aud my blood There |
is certain class Of people who so strong their
prejudces, lift their hands in alarm at such
nouncement as have made, and feel that all the |
errors of the Middle Ages to be repeated. I |
should myself be alarmed IL my views were in the |
slightest degree materiaiistic on this sacred |
subject but while rejecting unworthy Of |
q thcologian everything gross and physical, 1 |
nevertheless do believe. as indeed you must your
SELF that Saviour is actually present in the br I'd
and tho wine Nothing. 1t seems to me- can be |
more sad to devout man than to In certain |
quarters Christian people making the Lords Supper |
merely commemoration. sign or symbol, just as |