The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-04-23

heather Romsnism then, and truth requires
US to assert that it is the creed of Christian
Romanism now. The principle iS one and
the same, the only difference is in the de-
tail of the names. When the Church OF
Rome finds deceased members of her com
munion, whom she regards as sigaally pious'
she holds that they may be csnonizsd and
enrolled among her saints; that they can
mediate between God and man, as mediatoTs
of intercession that they have special favor
and influence with God to obtain compliance
With our prayers, and therefore they are
suitable objects of our suppliCations or as
it is expressed in the creed, "that the saints
reiguing with Christ are to be honored and
invoked, aud that they offer prayers to God
for u.s." The most distinctive doctrine Of
Christianity is that "there is one (mesn-
ing but one) Mediator between God and
man, the man Christ Jesus" The Church
of Rome has abandoned this distinctive pc
culiarity, and has thus far apostatized into
the idolatry Of hesthenism.
The origin of this practice demonstrates
what has been said. 1 beg leave to give the
statement of this important truth in the Ian
guage Of one who had investigated the whole
subject profoundly.
"When it was found, after the establishment Of
Christianity, in the times of Constantine, when the
great object Of the court was to promote unlforml
ty of religion that many Of TIE heather would out
wardIy conform to Christianity, if allowed to retap
10 private the worship Of their guardian or tute
larry divinities, they were so allowed, merely or
changing the names of Jupiter TO Peter, or Juuo
to Mary, still wOrshipping their old divinities uu
der new Names and even retaining old images thai
i were baptized with Christian names. This is ap.
| parent in the writings of those times, and was
thought a measure of WISDOM stroke of pro-
found policy, as tending to produce uniformity Of
religion among the unthiDkiDg masses. The invoca'
tons of Juno have been transferred to Mary; the
prayers to Mercury have been transferred to Paul
We see not how the substitution Of the names OF
Damian or Oosmo for those of Mercury or Apollo
or how the substitution of the names of Lucy or Ce-
ella for those of Minerva or Diana, can alter the
idolatrous character of the practice. In some In
stances they have not even changed the names,
and Romulus and Remus are still worshipped 10
Italy, under the more modern names OF st. Rom
ulo and St Remigio The simple people believe
them to have been two holy bishops l have my
self witnessed this near Florence and even Bac
chus is not without his votaries, under the coolest
sstioal name of St. Bacco The principle and the
practice of papal Rome are Identical with the prin
! oiple aud practice Of pagan Rome. Every argu
ment to Justify one may be equally urged to justify
or extenuate the other. And if the principle and
practice of pagan Rome are to be denounced az
dolatrous, see not why the very same principle
and practice in papa Rome should not be de-
nouuced as idolatrous likewise.
This is certainly far from being hatter-
ing account of the origin of the invocation
of saints erjOined and prachced in the
Church of Rome; but the dreadful indict
men: stands upon the face of history.
We have now approached the bart of this
momeotous subject, and are prepared for the
decisive question whether Roman Catholics
are really encouraged to offer prayer to the
Virgin Mary in terms and forms which are
not sanctioned by the Word Of God, and which
are fairly Chargeable with idolatry. This
question will next engage our attention.
1t gives me pleasure to recognize the
courtesy of your communication, and to ex
press the desire that it shall be reciprocated
on my part, although your doctrines must b.
confronted by the sternest truth of Protes
tsntism.
1t will be observed by our readers that you
: append to the signature of your name th'
title of " Bishop"-not of the Roman Cath
olic Church IN Richmond, but Bishop o.
Richmond Now hope it will not be re
garded as violation of courtesy if | remint
you that there are about fifty evangelical
scriptural Bishops in Richmond, and thou
sands of Christian people who would earnest
ly beg to be excused from being thus sum
marily taken under your episcopal wing
At any rate I take the liberty of requesting
, you to consider me as one modest exception
and therefore subscribe myself,
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM Brown,
p;sbon &c kba Central PrpsbDferf1n