, 1891-10-16
SCORED on ALL SIDES.
The Methodists Consider the
Question of Catholicism.
Praised as an Organization
and Has Good Points,
But on the Whole, They Say,
the Effect is Evil.
AS TO Romanism.

Myers of the Primitive M. E. church
spoke at length about "The Present Posi-
ton of Romanism." In the course of his
remarks he said the present occupant of
the chair OF st. Peter Is a man in every
way worthy of the position, but discon-
tented. He lives to regain his temporal
power lost more than twenty years age.
Ii we are not mistaken there is no need to
fear any attempt On the part of Romanism
to usurp temporal power either in Great
Britain or America. For once his holi
ness has spoken put with intelligence and
precision that must command respect.
HIS encyclicsl touches questions that lie
at the basis OF our social fabric which will
have to be faced and dealt with by both
church and state.
But the subject of education is that
most likely to form a battle ground be.
tween the two great contendlng parties
into which we are naturally dividing our.
selves both in England and America.
Make all the churches equal with the state,
give all fair PLAY, and if IN the race
Homanism can Outrun us we shall have
only ourselves to blame and on the head
OF Protestant Christendom be the eternal
disgrace. 1t is universally admitted that
a new era of clearer light is bursting upon
us. As the light increases Rome moves
in parallel lines and tries hard to show
that she is in favor of the rights and
liberties of man as man. Reformation or
extinction are before her.
Red as she is with the blood OF martyrs,
we would charitably hope that in the
advancing light which will beat upon
thrones and rulers and governments, Rome
may see her deformity and be led to pen
itence and reformation. In view of the
impending struggle, one thing is all but
essential to the success of the cause OF
truth and the speedy realization of all
hopes Of our ommon faith-a united
Methodism.
Rev. d. Fisk of Albion, Mich. spoke
on "Romanism as a Political Power"
Viewed historically. he said, the Roman
church appears as the most determined
and at times the mightiest political power
on the face of the earth. Palliste it much
us we may, hers has been a career of at
tempted usurpation OF political preroga-
tives. In these United States she has
been persistent in her demands for a
share. pro rata, of our state school funds
for the support of her parochial schools.
At the polls and in the court she has
sought to eject the Bible from the public
schools, 30 that under the plea that they
were Goddess, to destroy them.
Her priests are known to dictate at po-
litical elections. But the political vanity
of Romanism is becoming depleted.
There are intelligent Catholics in this
country, like Cardinal Gibbons and Arch
bishop Ireland, who plainly see if the
church is to flourish and get the most
out of the times as they sweep onward,
she must not waste her energies 10 the
unequal fight with enlightened and pro-
g~ressive civilization, but must clasp hands
with it aud make it her sllv.
Rev. Nicholas of the Irish NJ. E.
church delivered an address on Roman
ism as a Religious Power" He admitted
at once and without hesitation that there
is much that is true and good in the
church of Rome, and he desired this
admission to modify, so far as necessary,
his further statements. Rome is %intoler-
ant, but in one direction only, intoleiant
toward independent thought, but very
l%enient toward superstition. Hence the
belief in ECCLESIASTICAL miracles.
Rome uses expediency and often let's it
degenerate into deception. Rome has
addressed itself to the carnal craving for
materialistic realizations of invisible
things. Not DENYING that she in different
ages aud lands has done good work, her
influence on whole is and has been evil.
She has led many to skepticism. the nat
ural rebound from superstition. She has
pronounced a religion more devotional
than moral and hindered the progress of
humanity.
In support Of the view that Rome is
moribund may be cited her inability to
maintain her relative position in the mis-
sion field, the comparatively small number
Of her adherents among the English
speaking peoples, her loss of political
power and loss of numbers in immigrants
to the United States. On the other land
may be cited her progress in England, her
increasing hunter of churches and
schools, universities and religious houses,
and the zeal OF her priests and people.
Rome is still vigorous and the conflict
may be long but the issue is not uncertain.
The evangelical churches need to have all
their wits about them.