The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-08

the memory of the popes. st. Peter
Cathedral it is, but his own statue, fig
ure of barbarous workmanship, has been
placed in recess, while the monuments
OF the Pontiffs are thrust into every pos
sible position of conspicuity. The collos-
sal statue of Peter is not neglected, how
ever, but is always surrounded by devout
persons who kiss, with great fervor, a
projecting toe of the Apostle, and the
bronze has been actually worn off a full
inch by the kisses of three hundred years
1t is affirmed that the gilded balustrade
placed before the high altar, covers the
tomb and the body of st. Peter, and a
tradition also has it that the Apostle
used to sit in the arm chair now placed
in the pulpit. AS we thought of this
grand temple reared to the name of the
fisher-Apostle, who without sword or
scrip carried the new gospel to Rome
the centre of power and wealth, and
planted therein the seeds OF Christianity
though all were arrayed against him
and the circus was full Of ferocious beasts
awaiting every one who dared avow the
new faith, as their prey-we were moved
to bow down and worship him whom Peter
first avowed with such manly speech
the Christ the son of the living God
But the great Basilica chilled, with its
majesty, the warmth of our devotion.
The monuments of bronze and marble,
rich in mosaics and bass-reliefs, dazzled,
but did not affect us. The coldness of
the marble touched our soul The re-
naming spiritual emotions within us
were utterly put to flight as we saw
great company of priests file into small
chapel, some attired in purple and ermine,
and others in garments of gold, as if they
were courtiers of an earthly king, rather
than servants of spiritual God. The
service, aside from the song, was literally
nothing but display of these rich and
luxurious garments. Not word of in
struction or comfort to the throng of
worshippers, only an occasional exclama-
tion of Latin and many turnings of the
back to the audience, and anxious adjust
ments OF the pompous vestments. Is it
as the successors Of st. Peter that they
clothe themselves with purple and fine
linen? Is this age less material than that
in which Christ said, God is spirit and
they that worship him must worship him
in spirit and truth? Does this genera
ton desire less a pure worship and can
that desire be satisfied by the vain and
pompous luxury with which Rome adorns
her ceremonies, changing the disinterest-
ed service of Christ into the worship of
sense? Is this luxurious tendency in the
Catholic Church likely to correct the
tendency of this materiahstic age, which
inclines to industry and progress, revels
In the marvels of modern invention, and
forgets the spiritual sentiments hidden
in the depths Of eternity? This unre-
strained luxury, this painted fnery, this
pagan ostentation, may lead humanity to
Heliogabalus, but never to the Christ at
whose feet st. Peter fell and adored.
Nor had we better success when we
turned with disgust from the mediation
of the priests, and thought to rise in our
devotions by the aid of
The choristers of the sistine Chapel
on the wings of sacred song, aided by all
the enchantment of cathedral splendor,
and the philtre of mystic nature. But
the famous choir of st. Peter has greatly
degenerated. The sublime inspirations
OF ancient masters can no longer find
modern interpreters This decadence is
explained by the fact that the Papal au-
thorities experience difficulty in finding
the singers they require. Women are
not allowed to sing id the choir of st.
Peter, and for tenors they have recourse
to lads reduced from infancy to the con-
dltion OF the unfortunates who guard
Eastern harems. We listened to a Choir
lister from St. John Lateran of this de-
scription, the only member of the choir
whose voice was worthy of the place
Pity took the place of enjoyment of his
marvellous fights of song. Though the
choirs decay, we are reioiced that there
are no longer families so despicable as
thus to sacrifice their sons for money.
Gould anything more fearfully illustrate
the pernicious results of the Roman dog
ma that the ends Justify the means, or in
dlcate more plainly how far an Ecclesias-
tical tyranny will 60, in a society without
a press, without tribune, and without
the rights which constitute. the personal
protection Of every people
We grow weary of st. Peter and its
barbaric splendor and worship, and move
forth from the crown into the fresh air.
On turning to take last look Of the vast
outline of the cathedral, we are arrested
by picture of another kind from that
which we have Just witnessed, and far
more interesting-the sublime represen-