The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-04
IOWA LETTER.
Roman Catholic Extravaganza.

IOWA LETTER.
Roman Catholic Extravaganza.
A few weeks ago the newspapers called
the attention of the general public to an
extremely extravaganza exhibition of di-
vine nonsensia," in the form of Roman
Catholic ceremonies at Baltimore. And
now these same media of intelligence
raise the curtain on the second scene of
the nonsensia performance by report
ing in detail the reception given to Car
dinal Taschereau, at Montreal, July 81.
1t can not be improper, in the face OF
these things, to ask whether the Romish
Church is laboring to promote the king
dom of heaven, or simply to exhibit to
the public gaze her worldly grandeur.
Which? Surely Car linal Taschereau,
seated on silver throne heading pro,
cession of people under the spell OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, does not in the least
resemble the earthly career and example
of the great founder of Christianity. His
example was entirely in the lines of I'M
ostentatious devotion and the practical
humanities So far as the Roman Gath
Ollie Church applies herself to teaching
the people righteousness OF personal life,
and inspiring them to the practice of the
humanities, she ought to be literally
commended and supported. But when
she dissipates Der energy and substance
in such prodigal displays as those at Bal
timore and Montreal, she merits only the
severest condemnation of an outraged
Christian sense. We can not excuse such
egotistic extravaganza when INDUCED in
by rival partisans in political cam
paign; but when transacted in the name
of the Church it becomes downright sac
rilege. But it has ever been the peculiar
sin of Romanism to permit itself to be
seduced by every form Of political ex-
cess.
Raised Assessments.
The mayor and city council Of Des
Moines, acting as board of equalization,
recently raised the assessments of some
of the Des MONIES property holders with
vengeance" The State Register of
July %, reports list of the raised as
sessmeDts which forms an interesting
subject of study from moral as we'll as
business point of view. The list as re-
ported is by no means complimentary to
the gentlemen interested. One assess.
ment was raised from $1,000 to $4,000;
another from $4,000 to $4,000; and still
another from $4,000 to $4,000. These
figures show that somebody has lied and
attempted to steal. They are sad COM
ment on the business integrity of the age.
They discover to the ministry an oppor-
tunity to do missionary work. No doubt
great good would result il one were able
to instill into every business mans mind
the wholesome doctrine taught in DR..
Dewey's sermons: "a record of unfair
nished honesty is one of the marks which
point out the highest type of manhood.
Where deceit and dishonesty are, there is
neither moral beauty, nor symmetry of
character"
An Amusing Incident.
A short time ago, as I was spending a
Sunday afternoon in the home of one OF
the families who regularly support Uni.
versalist services in an Iowa city, the
head of the family, gray haired gentle
man, handed me a book, remarking
There, my friend, is one of the most in
teresting books 1 ever read" The vol
ume contained portraits and brief bio
graphical sketches of the principal actors
in American history. Looking through
the book l came upon a portrait of the
elder Ballou. Somewhat surprised, re-
marked: Well; here is picture and
sketch of Father Hosea Ballou." ale
was minister of the gospel, suppose?
said the old man. Yes, sir" 1 answered
"For what denomination did he preach? >
l was asked. "For the Universalist de
nomin alton; he was one of the most noted
of the early Uniyersalists in America; in
deed, he was really the founder of oul
theology" 1 said. "Ah," said the ole
man, is that SO? guess l never heard
of him beforeP'
Prohibition and Politics.
The Dubuque Times recently dis
coursed somewhat exultingly about the
Republican party having weathereG
the storm of prohibition" and "com,
safely through its perilous undertaking
with "good working majority" The
"perilous undertaking" was the father
ing" of prohibition as a political issue
And seeing the earnestness and ap 1aren
good faith manifested by most of the
Republican leaders during the storm,
contest of the campaign, many of us wer,
led to suppose that the Republicans be
lieved in prohibition as a principle. Blu
the Times rather leaves the impression