The Irish standard., 1892-02-20

quer.n But were the sects Of Protes-
tantism able to form an aggregate union,
it would not constitute the unity OF the
Church OF Christ. These Protestant bat
talions may resolve to cease their guerilla
war, waged among themselves ever since
they received their commission from
Martin Luther or John Calvin. They
may come together in some Evangelical
Alliance Association and, by agreeing to
disagree, propose to form the unity OF the
"One Catholic and Apostolic Church. :
They might as we'll attempt to form the
orb Of light by collecting together its
scattered rays. The unity OF the Church
that Christ built upon the rock, was
never lost. Like the sun in the heavens,
it is divine creation. Men may resist
it, may depart ftom it, but they can no
more destroy it than they can blot out
the sun by closing their eyes against its
light. / have, therefore, renowned Prot
estantism, and embraced the Catholic
faith, because nowhere else but in COM
munion with the Church OF Rome could
find that Apostolic unity which Christ
gave to His Church as the visible mark
of her divine mission to the world. Here
found not the ''branch'' I had 80 long
sought, but the living tree itself, lts
trunk, rooted in the martyred ashes OF
Him who was chief among the Apostles,
and first bishop Of Rome, growing more
vigorous with every storm that assalls
it, it's branches, its living branches, still
spreading and growing mightier as the
centuries multiply upon its venerable
head, and the millions that seek shelter
within it's saving shade becomes more
numerous from age to age.
Another question of great Importance
demanded my very earnest consideration
Admitting, as Professionals do admit, chat
the Church OF Rome was once the living
representative of the visible unity OF
Christs kingdom On earth, [ was taught
to believe tina this Roman Catholic
Church had erred in faith, has aposta-
tized from the truth, and has become
hopelessly corruptin doctrine, discipline
worship and morals. This certainly
seemed very formidable arraignment OF
the Catholic Church, and If these grave
charges could be sustained by competent
evidence the result might possibly enable
me still to retain my ministerial posi-"
ton and the e,noluments of my profes-
sion. For the purpose of examining the
charges alleged in this Indictment against
the Church o. Rome, began by investi"
eating her claims to infectibility and In
defectibility, because if these claims are
valid thecharges Of error, corruption and
apostacy, must be false. [ first consider
ed the question as to what was the char
acter of the Church which Christ founded
when He formed to Himself Il diyinely
strengthened rock, and upon that rock
He built His Church, and On it's portals
He Inscribed Ills divine decree. "Ihe
gates OF hell shall not prevail against it, ,
Was this Church fallible? God has ap-
pointed but two principles OF guidance
for the judgment of the human mind
the principle of reason and the principle
of authority. Il ever conclusion was
founded upon the testimony of both
united, that conclusion is the in
fal|ibility of the Church Of Christ.
Every dictate reason tells me that a
Church founded by Him who was truth
itself, and founded for the express par"
pose of teaching the great mystery OF
salvation which He his revealed, must
be SO guarded by the wise provisions OF
Almighty God that those who are COM
manded to shear the Church." and to
abide by her teachings, could not be de.
ceived. And [ found, upon exayaination,
that every page Of Sacred sci btures re-
]ating to this subject is in stGct accor-
dance with the dictates of reason, and
tells me that Christ so did establish His
CnurCQ, dUU mhu0 llSi WAdU NJ l. duA
claims her to be-the pillar and ground
of the truth" To prove this [ opened
my Bible and read the divine commits
sion, by virtue of which the Church OF
Christ exercises her prerogative of infal-
lible authority. Our Lord, after His
resurrection, and Immediately before His
ascension gathered around Him His
chosen disciples and gave them their
Apostolic commission in these words:
GAIL power is given to Me in heaven and
earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all
nations, baptisiug them in the name OF
the Father, and of the Son and Of the
Holy Ghost; teach them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded
you, and, behold I am with you always
even to the end of the world. He that
heareth you heareth Me, and he that
despiseth you despiseth Me. These
things I have spoken to you, abiding
with you, but the Holy Ghost, whom