The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-25

1T is curious fact, and one worthy of
serious attention, that Pope Leo XIII
has permitted the publication of new
translation of the New Testament by
Father Curci, Jesuit priest of remark
ably liberal views. The most noticeable
feature in the matter is that in the intro
duction to this work Father Curci speaks
OF the Italian priesthood in a way that is
by no means complimentary, while he in
slsts on the Importance of the study of
the New Testament.
Without exaaggeration The says it may be as
serted that, in the worship of the present dav
the Divine Person of Jesus Christ, his doctrines
and his example, are the least known and the
least considered n among Christians"
Meanwhile, to divert more and more the at
tention of the faithful from the adorable Person
of Jesus Christ, from his teaching and his ex-
ample, new devotons and new practices are I'M
ceaslngly arising on all sides which having al
ways enthusiastic promoters to point out the
practice OF them, never fan of attracting a nu-
merous following, enticed by the appetite for
novelty especially when these practices come
from that country so fruitful in female adorn-
ments and so well recognized as giving the law
for them"
Father Curci is here referring to the
practices in the Roman churches of Italy;
but his words are equally a rebuke to
some of the Protestant or semi-Romanist
churches of our land, where "new devo-
tons and new practices are INCREASINGLY
arising on all sides, and never fail of
attracting numerous following, enticed
by an appetite for novelty"
Again:
The sole means of restoring the lost Christian
conscience in human civil societies must be bv
promoting the study of the New Testament In
short, it is evident that that SOVEREIGN monument
of the divine providential mercy toward men
ought to be the principal object of the study of
eccleslastlcs, and to be constantly, if not in its
entirety In part, at least in the hands of the
faithful according to the capacity of each indi-
vldual and in obedience to the extremely prov
ldent rules made for such purpose by the Church.
Nevertheless, it is useless to dissimulate the mat
ter Also, in this respect what is is in direct on
position to what ought to be the case. The
ordinary practice is Numerically opposed TO
that which ought to be our conduct For the
New Testament is the book of all others the
least studied and least read among us. So much
so that the bulk of the laity-even of those who
believe they have been instructed and profess
Religions not aware that such book exists
in the world and the greater part of the clergy
themselves scarcely know more Of it than what
they are compelled to read in the Breviary and
the Missal"
If those Protestants who feel attracted
towards the Roman Church would 90 to
Italy, the centre of the system, where
they would see Romanism in full flower,
they would find less to admire than they
do under the softened light Of distant
observation. 'TThe New Testament, F."
says this bold and earnest Romish priest,
is the book Of all others the least stu
died and least read among us. So much
50 that the bulk Of the laity is not
a10ore that such q book erist8 IN the world.' ,,