Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-04-05
1.-The Historical Discussion"

The historical D1ScuSS1OQ.
Ed Register-Some weeks ago you pub
rshed in your paper report of the proceed
ings of the Clionian Society. In the report
was announced the subject of debate for the
next meeting; and "Absurdum," feeling no
doubt that his ecclesiastical hide had been
abraded, attacked the report with much bit
terness. The spirit of the article was to the
following effect: 81 am Sir Oracle. do not
belong to the Clionian Society, but do pro-
pose to dictate what is proper and improper
for the Society to discuss; and if the subject
of debate is unseemly, will visit the dis
putants with my displeasure."
The rulings of this sef-cOnstituted judge
Of history were not received with entire do
cilitv. Some m,lrmitrings were heard, both
among members and those not meiabers of
the Society: and /, being one of the latter
class, and more adventurous than should
have been, thought "AbSurduna" should be
answered published an answer, and did
not intend thereby to affront amy church or
insult any church member; but simply to
discuss history rs laid down by standard
historians. I did not then know that we
had in this little burg one greater than
L
been awaTe of this fact, would have gone
to the fountain head for enlightenment.
Again (if 1t is aimissible) l would suggest
that "Absurdunf'' change his title. 1t is diff
ticuft for community to expect mighty
prophet to bear the name of Virgins; it is
equally difficult to expect finished historian
to have "Absurdum'' as the handle to his
name. If the title "Asurdual" should be
retained by the disputant will be deprived
Of proper term for his argument.
The writer of these lines waited patiently
for "Absurdum" to finish: followed him
carefully while he described the kicking
propensties Of an old lady, and analyZed
the bright intellect of 4 member Of the Gil
oman Society. Perased With amusement
the article wherein he attempted to fire the
religious prejudice of the community against
"Clio;" and noted, when to accomplish that
purpose, what NClio" did write was mis-
represented.
In my former article 1 wrote that 18Th e
faith of the Church WAS the faith of Henry,
and history asserts that not another man be-
sides Hal the Pious' could be found in adj
England honestly believing what the book
contained at the time Henry promulgated it,"
"Absurdum" quoted this, leaving out the
portion now appearing in italics, and wrote
Il lengthy screed about "perjured wnetches,
hypOcrites,' &C., and BY SO doing was guilty |
of what she lawyers term "going beyond the /
recOrd' to ta4se undue advantage of an adj |
versary. I think Just rs many good menand |
true can be found in the Episcopal Church |
rs any other, and far be it from me to wound |
their religious sentiments. invited him to |
put religious prejudice behind him, aud dis
cuss historical facts and l submit that he /
has failed to respond with fRankness to my
invitation.
"Absurdum" now maintains that Henry
was not the supreme head ON earth of the.
Church Of Englad; and to sustain his asser-
ton attacks the veracity of Hume and Ma
caulay. Hume is scoffer and MIacaulay un-
reliable, because, fOrsOoth! they assert Just
the contrary to what "Absurduin' wishes to |
isapOse upon us. l.
Hume writes ''that by act of Parliament
Hen-y was declared to be the supreme head
on earth of the Church, and to deny his SUI
premaey WAS treason. The lower house of
Convocation framed list of opinions. =
These opinions they sent to the upper house
to be censured. In the preamble they said
that they intended not to do or speak any
thing which might be unpleasant to the King,
whom they acknowledged their supreme
head, and whose commands they were re-
solved to obey"
"The ConvOcation came ut last, after some
debate, to decide articles of faith ;, and their
teretS were of as motley kind rs, the assem-
bly, itself. or rather as the Kings system of
by which they were resolved. en-
tfrely to square their principles. These ar
tieles when framed by the COnvOtation, and
corrected By The King, were subscribed by
every member Of that assembly; while, per-
hapss peither there nor throughout the whole
hln2dVR coHld ope man bs found, except
aienr, him>ef. who had adopted precisely
these very doctrines and opinions" iPp. 232
and 233, vol. n.y.
But "ASspfeum" teiss us that Hume ia a r
scqffer, and surely he is .sutbority.
Green, In his "4istory Of the English Pso- =
ple," writes: "lIenry was the head of the !.
Church. FROM the primate to the msapestt
deacon every minister Of it deyiyed from him II
his sole right to exercise spiritual Powers, ..
he Hel@e OF lie preachers was the echo of | r,
ais wiz, He alore eoulG ds6geIofthodoxy on
declare hereSy. The form CT its worship p
and belief were changed and rechanqed At n
the royal ssprice.'' "The voices of
Statc>mep and priests eHtolled bis wisdom 8
and AUTHORITY aS mere than hursan. The 81
Parliament i:eei; Fese and bowed to the va n
r.nt throne whsa biS name WAS men, II
Toned" (Vol. H., p. By "
Macaular writes; "Tle King Mas the s,5r- =