National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-26
THE ROMAN CHURCH.
Some Startling Statements Made by
Father Quinn.
His Arraignment of tho Pope and tho
church co. The Secrets of tho Confess
sional-Licentiousnrs IS In the Priest
hood-Dangcr to Americana
stitutiOns-A Man who
Claims to Know All.
"Reminiscences OF Romanlsm.

"reminiscences of RomRnisni.
The announcement of addresses on "Rcmi-
nisCenCes of Romunism' to bo delivered 10y tho
Rev. Fathers b. l.. Quinn aud Fred w. Wood,
eN-priests and converts to Professionalism, drew
to Lincoln Hall last evening an assembly that
packed II to its utmost capacity, and probably
rs many were turned away Rs found admis-
sion. Before the addresses devotional eNor-
cses were opened by u prayer from Rev. s.
Kramer, and continued by singing and read
ing chapter from the Scriptures. Father
Quinn was then introduced aud commenced
his lecture by stating that the work he and
Father Wood were engaged in was
conducted under tho auspices Of a
supervising committee Of leading Protes.
tants of New York aud others cities, and that
they intended TO carry the war against Ro.
manism into the very camp Of the enemy.
The Roman Catholic Church, the speaker said,
was the greatest organized enemy of liberty
that existed, and the work against its power
| for evil was one that required brave, earnest
and fearless men-men, in fact, who did not
| fear DEATH The speaker created quite sem
sation at this point by warning the audience
to remain perfectly quiet in case of an alarm
of fire, as it was n regular artiico of their
enemies TO create such alarms ut their meet
ings
The lecturer continued IN n most scathiug
and sweeping arraignment of the Roman
Church, which, he said, was founded in dcccp-
ton and fraud but directed his remarks chiefly
to the subject of the great power welded by
! the Church through the medium of the con.
fessional. Through this channel, the speaker
said, the secrets of Protestant families were
carried to the cars of priests, and that inn
portant matters We're passed 10 tho bishops,
and even to the Pope, who the speaker said,
was better Informed in the affairs of this
country than many OF our own public men,
! his eye fixed on this District for many
years. He sud that a priest who does not
know the secrets Of every family in his parish,
| both Protestant aud Catholic, was disqualified
| for his position. According to the speaker,
| the Roman Church was not 50 much reli-
| giCus organization as q political government,
aud one which required the sole anl exclusive
allegiance of its subjects. 1t is a fundamental
| principal of the Church that 10 oath between
n member anG hereto or horetical govern
ment is binding, and the speaker boldly as
serted that the Roman Catholics do not respect
their oath Of allegiance to this Government.
He cautioned the people to beware OF eleCting
Il Roman Catholic OF anyone who leans to Ro.
manism to the Presidency, rs such Il man could
not be otherwise than tool in the bands of
the Pope. The speaker dilatod at consider.
able length upon the demOraizng influence
Of tho beliefs in tho power of absOlution by
the priests, and claimed that it was destructive
Of virtue aud integrity, the most depraved
creatures, no said, going for absolution week
after week, and finally dying in their iniquity
with the assurance that their sins have all
been wiped oat. The lecturer made some
most startling statements in relation to the
morality of the Catholic clergy, asserting that
their power over the women of their fiocks
was too often perverted to base uses The
lives OF priests, he said was calculated to sub
vert morality and the characters of
| xprf vyn nptar thn 81 ,nnl
with the highest and purest aspirations are
often entirely changed by the influences to
which they are subjected. Among other
statements upon this point the speaker as.
serted, as u fact within his own knowledge
that there now existed in Canada u secret re.
ligiOus order of women, who dedicated them
selves to serve the lust OF Catholic priests
aud this order, lie said, was now becoming es-
tablished in this country. Tho speaker
claimed that the Roman Church had proven
curse wherever it predOminated, aud mem
toned Spain and Ireland as instances of
the mlsory it has ontaied upon the
people over whom it has had tie ascendancy
and concluded with fine peroratOn to the
effect that the only security OF our institu-
tions lay in the prevalence Of the principles
of honor, integrity and purity among the
people, and not in the power OF priests.
Father Quinn has a fuo delivery, and
spoke with evident earncstness and sincerity
Az thB COnC!uslOu OF rather QNlnh5 address
n collection was taken up, after which Father
Wood was introduced but made only few
remarks, owing to the lateness of the hour.
lie Is German aud speaks with a decided
accent. lie said that he was com
7 polled to indorse the statements OF
Father Quinn. They were working, he
stated, against the system of the Roman
Church, and not against the people. He was
=, for many years priest devoted to his Church
and came to this country to spread its doctrine,
here, but claims that revelations of the i'm
inoralities Of the priesthood which he re
ceiycd in tho capacity Of coniessor drove hin
from his faith The audience was composed
chiefly of persons in sympathy with tht
70 speakers, and frequently applaudcd. Father
Quinn aud Wood will speak at tho Union
chapel, on Twentieth street, this evening, ant
tomorrow at the Congregational church.
ASK your druggist for Durang's Rheumatic
l. 4. 4