Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-07
From n Catholic.

Having read in your last issue an article
entitled, "Why I Am Not Churchman, s" it
suggests a few ideas as to why l am q
churchman. In that article great stress
seems to be put upon the fact that the
doctrine of Christ is not preached in the
pulpit, and that many who do preach it do
not practice what they preach. These facts
should deter no man from being q church
man. Every rule is known by its eXcep-
tions. While religion is the creature of
God, and its doctrines are overlooked by his
eye, and can, therefore, not be wrong, those
who practice it are mortal; they are en-
dowed with q free will and reasoning
mind. Strange, indeed, would 1t be if all
the millions of men who profess to believe
in Christ and his teachings were perfect,
and stranger still if every man so believing
always acted in such q manner as to keep
himself free from the censurC of his hyper
critical fellowman.
The abolition of the law of Moses by the
New Testament does not cause the destruc-
tion of any of the principles, truths or
maxiEls of the Old Testament. The Old
Testament becomes in the light of the new
a mere history which supports more firmly,
if it were possible, the teachings of Christ
as,they appear in the gospels and epistles.
The teachings of Christ are OF humility and
fOrbearance, III other words, of peace.
These teachings should govern our indi-
vidual acts and guide our steps. In follow
ing them we would attain degree of peace
OF mind which is uuattainable in any other
way. In support of this statement might
well cite the universally known state of
quiotude and peaceful existence OF those
who are holy in their lives with not a dis
turbing thought, those good men ana women
who planting their faith entirely on
the doctrine which they believe TO be right,
live in accordance with it.
Why should we not accept the doctrine of
N. = I. Y.
the Bible, well authenticated, ever so much
more so than the vague histories. the old
Inscriptions, the doubtful findings of an
cient things upon which the sieptics base
their theories. The Bible has come down
to us as the word Of God, written by men
whom he inspired. 1t bears upon its face
the stamp of inspiration, or at least of
something far beyond the human ability of
the men who wrote il. Its statements have
never been disproved, its teachings have
never made men worse. True, scientists
have attacked il with all the power of their
oft times very fertile brains; their theories,
sometimes plausible, have time and again
been thrown upon the world in opposition
to 1t, but these theories, plausible as they
may seem, after creating little stir, are
met by theories of other scientists, some
times srefuting, sometimes more plausible;
thus the battle Of theories goes on. The
Bible. however, stands. It has withstood
every theory and every attack, and to-day
is looked upon with reverence and conf
dence by all civilized people except those
scohers who, having so much confidence in
the creations Of their own brain, forget that
Whine they can theoriZe and speculate, they
only reason backwards from things that
are, and such reasoning is Of little avail
against the power OF God.
l am churchman because have faith
This is essential in religion, but not more
SO than in every dealing and transaction in
life. Without it the machinery OF govern
ments would STOP the foundations of So
ciety would be rooted up, and the whole
social fabric cease TO exist Life would be
unbearable. 1t is an innate principle in the
breast of every human being that there is a
life beyond the grave. Believing that there
is a life beyond the grave. we naturally
strive TO learn more of celestial things. In
looking for light on the subject the book to
which we naturally attach ourselves Is the
Bible. We take it, read II or have it taught
US, have faith in it and ITS teachings. Our
foundation is laid. Alter laying the foun-