Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-04
IN THE CHURCHES.
Is Our Church the Next Door to Rome?
Considered by Rev. M. N. Gilbert-Rev. s.
G. Smith Explains Jonah's Journey
Bethel Mission Work.

Is Oar Ohwroh the NeDt Door TO Rome.
Alarge congregation assembled at Christ
Episcopal church, corner of Fourth and Ex-
change streets, last night, fair proportion of
which was undoubtedly drawn thither by the
announcement that the rector, the Rev. Nah
lon n Gilbert, would preach in reply to the
interrogatory, "Is our church the next door
to RomeY The question was considered lat
sound, interesting and exceedingly able dis
course.
In commencing his address the reverend
speaker alluded to the gross misconceptions
and absurd prejudice which existed to some
extent about the doctrines and teachings of
the church. The misunderstanding chiefly
arose from the fact that while her policy was
eminently conservative the fundamental prin-
ciples did not make the belief that change of
heart on the impulsive theory, was requisite.
In reality the church taught and believed In a
change OF heart. But the belief WAS in ac-
cordance with the laws of spiritual growth
gradual improvement; first the seed, then
the blade, and then the corn in the ear.
As to vital piety the church should be
judged by its fruits; 1t believed in the deepest
religious feeling, but not in the agitation
which manifested itself In foam.
The reverend speaker then proceeded TO out
line the points of absolute difference between
the Protestant Episcopal church and the
Church OF Rome. In celebrating his subject
he alluded to sixteen points of division or
clearly defined difference. The word Protest
ant was cited as clear and emphatic denial Of
affinity of doctrine TO the Catholic church.
The difference first commenced in the doc
trine of transubstantlation, by which the
Catholic church held that the bread and wine
became the actual blood and body of Christ.
The reputation of this and other teachings
OF the Catholic church was substantiated BY
citations from the Episcopal catechism.
The second and third points of divergence
were given as the invocation of saints and
treatment Of the laity; the fourth and fifth
points Of variance were the articles Of the
Nicene creed Of the Episcopal church and the
belief OF the Catholic church in images and
the worship of the Virgin Mary. The sixth
Difference was that the Catholic church granted
indulgences; the Episcopal church held that
remission OF sins and absolution came from
Christ only.
fessional as requisite, while the Episcopal en-
couraged no intermediate power Of the priest,
but repudiated the same.
Eighth-The Roman church encouraged
celabacy Of its priests; the Episcopal be-
lieved in marriage.
Ninth-The Episcopal church had but two
conditions, baptism and the Lords supper;
the Roman church had nine requisites before
communion.
Tenth-The Roman church taught the in
termediate condition of purgatory; this was
repadiated by the Episcopalians.
Eleventh-The service of the Roman church
was in Latin; the Episcopal service was in
English for the people.
The other points of difference held by the
Catholic church were given as the beliefs in
the immaculate conception, the divine cultus
and adorable character of the Virgin Mary,
the apostolic claim of the church as derived
from st. Peter, and the doctrines of infalla-
bility which taught, ,e1. cathedra, that the peo-
pie could not err. In alluding to the latter the
speaker said that his church had been the
most active agg.'essor against this doctrine.
The reverend speaker then alluded to the
similarity between the vestments and symbols
of the two churches as creating vulgar
prejudice.
The principal vestment, the robe, had been
retained at the time of the Reformation, and
was worn because 1t most resembled the habit
OF Christ.
He closed by defining the word "Catholic"
as used in the catechism of the church, and
closed with fervent exhortation.