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

within the next decade to produce great results.
ieving this. and desiring 70 learn as much as posi-,
work of reformation. determined to seek inter-
view. Happily found myself not quite unknown
to him. tor he had. he said. been made acquainted
with the change that had occurred in my own lite.
aud we were thus brought into closer Intellectual
contact than had dared to hope.
PERE HYAcISrHE AT HOME.
The Pere lives in q modest mansion, built in the
midst Of a we'll cared tor garden, situated on the
boulevard Eugene, in the Park OF Neuilly. had
certain questions in my mind which wished to ask,
and am sure that his religious friends in America
will be glad to see his answers. II seemed important
to arrange my questions with some sort OF logical
sequence. that one might naturally be the key to
another. and SO save US both the embarrass-
ment Of going the same ground second
time. l confess to feeling of great hesi-
fancy when recognized myself theological
interrogator, but he soon put me at my ease. and
long talk-tor the first interview lasted more
than three honrswas too delightful and instructive
to be easily'or soon forgotten. There moments
when he seemed to be borne along unconsciously
by the grandeur OF his topic. and then his flow Of
language and beauty of diction showed plainly
enough that he is master Of the intellectual
which he has taken, that he has counted the cost
and that he is completely possessed by a devotees
enthusiasm Tor u great cause. In order to enter
properly on the matter in hand said, Monsieur
Loyson. you seem to be engaged in no less enter
things. speaking enthusiastically. You do not, as 1
understand it. propose to found new Church, but
rather to reform the old one."
THE PERE's PLANS HOPES
EXACTLY. he replied, ~ am well that the
work winch nave undertaken is u very serious and
solemn ore. and would not dare to enter upon 1t
were it not for the compulsion OF conscience and
what believe to be the commands OF God. You
will perhaps be better able to comprehend scope
of my work. and also my hope Tor the future, il
begin by definition OF the word church. Talking
in this familiar way it is of course almost inpossi-
BILE to give definition in few words W hch shall
be accurate and satisfactory, and you clergymen
know that the conditions Of language such
that definition is both difficult and DANGEROUS.
1t il my conviction however, that the Church of
Christ consists Of that vast assemblage OF persons
of our Lord, and who accept the Bible AZ a revea-
ton from Heaven containing the precepts by which
human life should be ordered"
"Do you believe" 1 asked. "that all men who
have accorded with these conditions members OF
the Church and to be regarded as acommon brother
hoodY'
"All men." he replied, "of Whatever nation or
sect. There can be but Church. Look for
moment at the figure which st. Paul employs with
which to designate it, 1t is the body of Christ he
says. Christ had not two bodies nor six, but only
one and every member is a component part OF that
body The true Church of Christ is therefor. only
one. and all are members thereof who have been
baptized and who have received Christ as their
deemer.
CHURCH FELLOWSHIP AND UNITY.
1--WE have touched on very important topic"
said, ''and one on which your American friends will
be glad to have YOU say more Permit me to ask you
this question do you and the Church which you
represent. regard ecclesiastical names OF such in
ferior consequence that you can work with other
churches generally considered evangelicalY
"Most assuredly!" was the quick reply. 'rhe
spirit Of Christ is everything and UNCONVENTIONAL
peculiarites ought not to separate those who love
common Lord"
"Aud would you." Persisted. "inciude in your
definition OF the Christian Church every sect which
il known to believe in and to preach CHRISTI
"EmphaticaLly yes,n W. was the rejoindsr While
ment concerning the best form OF church govern
ment, and while have very clear conviction. per-
sonally, rs to the kind OF government which is
indicated in certain parts of the Bible still believe
that every man throughout the world who has been
baptized into Christ, whether by priest minister or
layman. is member OF the Christian Church and
entitled to all the privileges OF common brother
hood
'.That is certainly not Romanism." suggested
perhaps not Rouanism" he answered. 'but it is
nevertheless the truth it taught by the print
tive Church. And furthermore" he continued.
'this great body OF believers. hidden under OF
many sects, constitutes not the invisible but the
visible Church. A great many people are looking
into the air for the invisible Church. which, it is
imagined. is composed Of those of all ages aud
chimes, who have truly confessed the name of
Christ; but. to my thinking. the grander Church.
and the one which ought to excite our utmost
thusiasm, is that vast assemblage of the faithful,
scattered throughout the numberless sects and de-
nominations Of the earth, who in point Of fact
visible body, the Saviour himself being their high
priest: Holding these views very gladly admit to
members OF every evangelical orthodox denomina-
ton"
REBAprrsM NOT NECESSARY.
'But when person leaves one OF the Protestant
denominations and makes application for admission
to your Church, do you feel that he needs rebap-
| tismY'
'.By no MEANS" was the reply. IT will give you
an illustration Of my position by an incident in the
life OF the late Pope Plus * On q certain occasion
he wrote letter to the Emperor William, in which
he used something like this remarkable express
sion :-Thcre Is but one baptism, and you have
been baptized, and therefore q subject OF the
Pope 1 agree perfectly with the first statement
but of course do not accept the last. Aud let me
add here what of you already know that this
has been the belief OF the Roman Church from the
beginning. As matter of Church history it is true
that in the Church OF Rome baptism has been con-
sidered valid when administered by pagan. II
it administered sincerely and in the pame orhe
Father. the Son aud the Holy Ghost 1t is taught in
the catechsm that child Is in peril of its lite any
layman. the mother. or even the nurse may perform
the ceremony.
'But it Is certainly the practice of the Roman
Church in these latter times. it was suggested "to
rebaptze all converts from Professionalism. even
though they may have been members OF evangelical
churches" q
yes" he replied. ga change has taken place in
the practice though not in the belief OF that Church
within few years. and it is change tor which
Professionalism may be justly held responsible Ger
tain denominations have admitted into their creeds
aud standards such loose opinions concerning
Christianity, and indeed have become tolerant
even ofathe various forms OF deism, that the Roman
Church has taken fright, and rebaptzes her
in the fear that the first baptism may have been ad
minissered under circumstances winch admitted Of
less doubt to whether the prescribed
Scriptural words and the water, both OF which are
essential. were used.
HE DOES NOT AGREE.
1t again suggested III view of the recent action
of Presbyt terrain Convention, which declared by
majority vote that when n person LETT the faith Of
Rome and became Presbyterian he ought to be re-
baptized. that Professionalism in OF its most i'm
portant phases and Romanism were both actuatcd
by narrow sectarian spirit.
The Pere became very grave and answered. EYES,
i both surprised and inexpressibly panied by
the opinion which was expressed by that Conven-
ton in New York. Icould not at first make yself
believe that SO thoughtful body OF Chris
tans rs the Presby ierians would take such
o step. for it step in the direction
OF the sixteenth century. I cannot conceive
the why that Convention did not listen
to tho counsel of the wisest among them. who pro-
tested, but. alas in vain. against the measure. I
very unhappy to hear OF this uncharitablc and
unchristian action Of such respectable body.
This was one of the points which caused my rup-
ture with the Roman Church. and could not bear
TO think that Rome and Presby terisnism had joined
hands in such an unriehteous work. 1
both are wrong. Scripturally aud logically 1t is
more than aosurd to deny valid baptism to that
army of holy Christians who have died in the Ro-
man Churchi'
..Allow me to ask you this question. them"
said iii person should present himself to you
convert to Catholicism. and you were thor
oughly acquainted with the circumstances under
which Inc was baptized when he entered the Prcsby-
terrain body. for instance would you deem IL