The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-01

The Catholic believes that an infalliblN
certain knowledge OF the truths of rcyela
ton il necessary as the basis OF any super
natural faith at all. lie believes also thai
God has appointed means by which sucl
absolutely certain knowledge may be al
tanned in every age OF the world. But he
sees clearly that that means cannot pOssi-
bly, be the study Of the Bible alone. For
that has never yet ended IN anything but
confessed uncertainty. sooner Or lat r. An
unbrOken series Of failures, extending
through nineteen centuries, is enough 10
convince him that the human intellect,
no matter how illumined by learning end
piety, can never build up a consistent and
lasting system OF beliefs out OF the irag-
mentary AID unsy stematic statements of
doctrines contained in the Bible. IL needs
the illumination of che spirit of truth. But
that illumination must make those VINO re-
ceiye IL intallible teachers. Il, VIII not do
20 say that this Is true so far as they deliver
their divine message correctly, but that,
through human imperi,ctiOn, they may
misunderstood some paris OF 10, and so
may mix error with truth In delivering IT,.
For even an imperfect instrument can, and
indeed must, do perfect work In the
hauds of an infallihle workman; II not,
then either his wisdom ln selecting
IL, or his power & control ii, is al
fault. and therefore he is not himself a. falll-
BILE. To Catholic II Is seli-eNident truth
that all things whatsoever that are taught
by Gods chosen ambassadors must Ice just
as infallibly true ana just as auts0rita-
tive and bindin upon his belief as Il God
spoke directly 10 hin by voice from
heaven. He that heareth y0u heareth
me-" These words are the rock upon which
The faith OF the Catholic Church has stood
through all the centuries. unmONed aud
unchanged, while time has swept away sys-
tens founded upon the idea that c0nmig-
sion 10 speak In Gods nam did not neces-
sarily carry with IL inlallihle certainty
and authority In teaching. But the Pro.-
cstant believes that ,se<e words apply only
20 the writers Of the Bible ana not 70 /
those whom tiod called 10 interpret IL 20 the /
people. lie objects that II the guidance OF 4
the spirit Of truth made the latter as infalli. 4
BILE as the former, men would be Obliged 70 I
accept all they taught with unquesli0ning
faith and thus there would be an end Of all
%'religi0us liberty" But this is 20 mistake II
license for liberty. For il God speaks to
man at ali. either through book or through
its authorized Interpreters, he leaves him no
right 10 do anythiGg bat believe and obey.
TO deny this is uncCpsciOusiy 10 revolt
sg ainst his authority. IL ~ ustgally 20 deny {
that be has divine right 10 take away
from man the privilege OF having any opis. !
on be chooses about the meaning Of the
iiyine revelation. But there Is no ne 10
,0aiyze the theory. ''ijy their fruits ye shall q
Know them" What have been rs Tesultsi Y
L has sacrificed the certainty OF divine
ruth and the unity OF Christian faith \
lpon the altar OF a false intellectual tree d
Om. It has destroyed the value OF the Bi. n
lie by declaring that, th0agb given 10 the q
World as a rule Of faith ~ all ages, it, true b
meaning has never boon known with iufailI-
le certainty except by lbs Inspired writers