National Republican., 1883-11-08


ing principles of the reform ] advocate"
And how Is tho movement progressingW
For the first time since the separation,
over three centuries ago, intorcommunion is
established between the Anglican aud tho
Latin branches Of the church. The initia-
tive was taken In 1873, on the occasion of the
resolutions promulgated on the part of the
Pan-A nglican council at Lambeth palace to
give aid to all persons and bodies seeking
to rid themselves from the domination of
Romo for the maintenance OF the Chris
tan faith. My example was followed by
Bishop Herzog, Of Borne, and thon by Bishop
Reinkens, of Bonn. With the necessary ma
tonal notifications of rite, perfect unity
reigns between the old Catholics of France,
Germany, and Switzerland. Swiss and An
glican bishops have ofliciated at the Gallican
church in Paris; their priests are often seon
at It's altar, and their laymen at It's table of
communion. Bishop Herzog has confirmed
its catechumens and ordained its priests.
Friendly relations exist between tand prom-
nent members of tho Greek and Swedish
churches. Thus you see how Providence is
building upon our efforts to propagate Christ
tian unity"
"Are your efforts of q missionary character~
"Yes, we began mission work in Paris
| three years ago. Its progress has been slow,
but it has borne good fruit. Tho danger
in France in the beginning of any reform
| movement Is in going too fast and too far.
| The Galican church, as it namo implies, is
neither sect nor n schism but keeping OF
| the old faith, work of gathering in of souls,
who for the most partsavo wandered away
from all Christian faith. II Is an evangelical
work within the Latin church, which may. in
Gods own time, we hope not far distant,
| prove q solid basis on which multitudos may
stand. 1t is return to the old faith, adapted
to tho times We live in. The movement is
really not of to-day but had its beginning
in the time and noble spirit of Port Royal,
| which gave birth to Pascal and Arnauld, and
u considerable remnant OF that school exists
to-day in France One of tho descendants
| of Port Royal bequeathed me valuable
library as n representative of its principles"
You are of course, opposed by the adher-
ents of the paDacyW
Bitterly IL could not be otherwise. As
we refuse to accept the new doctrines of the
vatican our whole work of course is under
the interdict of the bishop of Rome. But in
awaiting the autonomous organization of the
church we have another and truer bishop who
| will not cast off or forsake His children. Re-
fusng to accord infallibility to the pope
don't claim 1t for myself, and believe that
| with Gods help time will develop in the right
way what l fail to do at present.
| -" You feel encouraged at the progress of
| tho movementW
Every much SO. In spite of the efforts of
ultramontanism to crush it, the betrayal of
pretended friends, the opprobrium of trifling
world aud its lack of means, the little church
is growing and counts at present about 1,200
inscribed members, many of whom have been
outside all religious rule and practice for
years, some, indeed, for half a century"
SIS the reform work confined entirely to
Latin Catholic" p"
mot entirely although nearly so. Many
| Protestants and lsraelites attend the services.
Anglicans are particularly at home there, and
several of their number who had been led
! into the Roman church have returned to their
old faith by way of the Gallican church.
Others have been brought back from unbe-
| lief"
"Are you subject to persecution from the
Latin churchW
"As far as the free spirit of the age will
permit. But neither the age nor the people
permit what was done in the past. But not
only is the apology of the Inquisition made
openly in the pulpit of Notre Dame de Paris,
its spirit is to-day as vigorously alivo in the
Roman church as three centuries ago. Here
is an instance: lady of ripe age, cultivated,
and of rare Scriptural knowledge, was re-
Gently formally excommuncated for attend.
ing the services | conduct Like a true
daughter of Mere Angelique she contested
face to face the injustice of her bishop, with
the Holy Scriptures in one hand tho ecclesi-
astical history Of the church in the other.
"If its principles were known it is very
certain that the majority of France would be
with this movement" continued Pere
Hyacinth, his expressive face conveying the
meaning of his words almost as well rs his
mellow, musical voice. Unfortunately VIC
have not yet means for publication. There is
only one voice crying i'll the wilderness oil
Satan-spiritual oppression and supersti-
tion."
"Are not the friends of pure Christianity
elsewhere alive to the necessities of the Gallic
movementP
"Yes; but the necessities of the movement
are increasing with its growth. Many things
in it are not understood by Christians else
where. 1t must be borne in mind that while
Roman Catholics are forced TO pay heavily
for the sacraments, they are not accustomed
to give anything to support religion or their
churches, and hence time must be given
them to learn their duty"
zone feature of the times" continued the
Pere, "is that the masses in France are
rapidly breaking away from Rome. And as
they have confounded papisn with Chris
tianity they are rapidly drifting into in
fidelity. Nothing but the prompt and faith
full preaching of the gospel can check this.
And preaching can. The great majority,
oven of those who have wandered
away from Christian faith, cling with
tenacty to the traditional rules and
name Of the Catholic church, Then, hap
PLY, infdelity is most frequently superficial
by lack of knowledge Of the true faith, OF
assumed as the fashion, and can be dispelled
by an intelligent preaching of the living
gospel, which does not separate, but unites
science and faith. Pure, positive, progressive
Christianity opposed to fetichism and negation
cannot fail to triumph
The Pere and Nine. Loyson leave Washing
ton on Monday for New York. They will,
however, return to Washington; at what date
they have not yet determined. Both Pere
and Mme Loyson speak with enthusiasm OF
the beautiful city they are now in, and Of
the hearty and genuine kindness they have
met here.