Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-13
Pretensions of Romanisna.

The Rev. Samuel G.. Smith preached to a
large congregation at the First Methodist
Episcopal church last night on the subject of
the confessional" being one of his series Of
sermons on "Pretensions of Romanism."
The sermon was as follows:
In the former part of this series, l have
shown how utterly hopeless it is to attempt to
reconcile the dogmas of Rome with the historic
record which the Roman church has made;
and also how hostile the principles of the
Italian hierarchy are to American institutions
and civilization.
We continue our inquiry tonight, by con-
sidering the means which are used by the Ro-
man church to establish its control over the
individual. For the present, we will disre-
gard the attempt at diversion from our pur-
pose gotten up by gentleman down street,
who imagines be is conducting discussion,
after having refused an opportunity for a full
examination of these questions, much to the
chagrn of the intelligent part of his people.
That functionary is like the well-known
doctor who was anxious to throw every pa
tient into fits, because he was death on fits.
So he seeks to throw every question into in
spiration because he thinks he is a terror on
inspiration.
In the near future l shall exhibit to you
once more the proofs of inspiration, but for
the present we will continue the consideration
OF our series on the pretentions of Romanism.
We have for our theme tonight, that amazing
engine of papal power-the confessional of the
church of Rome.
| shall seek to show you that this institu-
ton has no warrant in the apostolic church. is
repugnant to the interests of true religion, and
great danger to public peace and private
morals. Like almost all of the Roman pc
culiarities, the confessional seizes upon GER
tain undoubted facts of human nature and
revelation, and then adds its owA corruptions
and perversions. In this way color of devo-
ton is furnished to the sincere and pious RO-
manist, and sPecious pretense of authority
10 The ceremony itself. | will show
you how delusive is the one and how base
les, is the other. First, l will give you this
l. stiution and its defense from the Roman
st nspuiBt
The so-caIled sacrament of penance is rather
a complex affair." 1t is established for believ-
ers that they may be freed from the sins COM
United after entrance to the church.
The Council of Trent decreed: "If any shall
deny that sacramental confession was institu-
ted and is necessary for salvation by divine
right, or shall say that the custom of con-
Tossing secretly to the priest alone is foreign
to the Institution and command of Christ and
is of human invention, let him be accursed."
Again, the Lateran Council decreed that
those who failed to confess at least once
year, slIving should be denied entrance to the
church, and at death should be denied Chris
tan burial.
Thus the interests of the present and the
future are brought as sanctions of this insti-
uiion.
In order to escape from sin, we are taught
that co3trition or sorrow for sin is first OF all
necessary; then the confession to the priest OF
those sins; also satisfaction, or certain ap-
pointed works; and as the efficient agent, the
dissolution of the priest, who is regarded as
the representative of Jesus Christ.
The supporters of this institution tell US
that it was established by Jesus Christ, and if
asked for their authority quote these texts:
"Whaisoever We shall bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall
loose on earth shall BE- loosed in heaven."-
Matt. xviii, Is. And, "whosesoever sins ye