The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-01
For The Herald and News.
Cardinal WoIsey.

| Cardinal Wolsey.
The subject of this sketch was a
priest politician whose humble origin,
Iuture rise, brilliant career and sad
downfall have been fruitful subjects
for the biographer, the historian, and
the dralnatist, for near four hundred
years. Thomas Wolsey was the son of
butcher, and was born in l47l, twenty
years before King Henry the Eighth,
during whose reign 'he became a power
behind the throne greater than the
throne ITSELF" He was educated class
ically and theologically at Magdalen
College, Oxford, and took holy orders
in the year 1900 at the age Of twenty
nine. He became an humble parish
priest for a short time at Lymington,
whence he was made chaplain to the
household of the Archbishop of Can
terbury, at whose death be was given
the same Office to the household of the
Governor of Calais. The Governor
recommended him to King Henry the
Seventh, who appointed him chaplain
in his family. The king discovered in
Wolsey an aptitude for State affairs
and be soon sent him on delicate and
grave mission to Maximilian at BIus-
sells. He entered upon this work so
promptly and so adroitly that be had
it accomplished, and reported in per-
son to the king within three days from
the date of bis appointment. The king
was so surprised and delighted with
this evidence of Wolsey's state craft
that he at once rewarded him with the
deanery of Lincoln. On the death of
Henry Seventh, which occurred soon
after, Henry Eighth, at the immature
age of eighteen, ascended the throne.
Wolsey had immediate access 10 the
gay and festive young priuce who soon
found the prelate "a hale fellow we'll
met" in fields of pleasure, and a most
capable adviser in grave matters Of
State. He was, at bound, the first
man in Herry's esteem, and in short
time, bis prime minister and master.
He was to Henry what Richelieu, a
short time after, was to Louis Thlr-
teenth of France. The king showered
honors and emolpnen upon him in
rapid succession, aud the church We'd
with the king in bestowing her favors.
Bishopricks and archbishopricks, grand
official sinecures, with vast incomes,
one after another, were bestowed, and
to crown all, Pope Leo x. adorned his
head with a cardinals cap. Before his
day, no such favorite had ever appeared
in England. His salaries from his va.
rious offices began to to equal the emol.
uments of the king, and his style of
living was as grand as his wealth was
great. With eight hundred servants
to DO his tidding-with houses fur
nished after the manner of oriental
kings-cupboards and tables dazzling
the eye with vessels of purest gold-he
rivalled not only the king of England,
but Solomon in his glory"
But the end was coming. He had
caused the death Of Buckingham. He
had quickened the kings conscience
about the legality of his marriage with
Catharine of Arragon, the pure and
royal wife with whom he had lived for
more than twenty years. The pope
was asked to annul the marriage, but
he hesitated and delayed when 1.-The
kings business required haste" as
Henry thought. Archbishop Cranmer
Ia Protestant (?l did what the pope de-
'layed to do. He divorced Henry from
Catharine, and Henry with indecent
haste, married Anne Boleyn, in one re-
spect none too soon. This was gaul to
Wolsey. His scheme was to have
Henry marry French princess, hop
ing thereby to further his cherished
purpose of reaching the papal chair
the goal Of his ambition. But Anne
had now the ear IF the king, and she
was not slow in filling it with her dis
like for Wolsey's character. Simulta-
neously, others helped to open Henry's
eyes to his duplicity and shocking
abuse of power. Henry's love quickly
turned to anger, and in bis wrath he
degraded Wolsey frem office. Most of
his estates were forfeited and being ar
raigned for treason, he died broken
hearted before bis trial came of.
Among his last utterances were these
Had I but served my God as dill
gently as I have served my king, be
would not have given me over in my
gray hairs" Wolsey's career and
downfall are replete with instruction.
The great lesson is, that ecclesiastacs
in charge should steer clear Of politics.
]. Their ordination VOWS require
their undivided attention to the spirit
ual Interests of their parishioners.
2 Political diversion, in the way of
office seeking, units for the pulpit or
pastoral work. 1t is exciting, de-
moralizing and degrading to the
pastor, filling his mind with political
themes and schemes to the suppression
of religious truth and purposes, and the
heart with love of worldly promotion
at the risk of losing heaven.
3. It is connected with practices d.
rectly snd positively immoral. Drink
ing, drunkenness, profanity, and III
lrigue are the common accomplish
ments of canvass for votes, and the
parsop candidate dare not reprove
them lest be ALLEVIATE some Of his
friends and helpers.
4. 1t tends to develop that worst of
human traits-duplicity-being one
thing, and seeming another, or, as the
common people express it, "carrylng
water on two shoulders" PLATE was
a type of this character. He was con-
vinced that Jesus was Innocent, and
wanted to release him. But the mob
cried 'crucify him." and he yielded to
the mob. Duplicity studiousIy carried
on for twenty years enabled Wolsey to
manage Henry Eighth so adroitly dur
ing these years, that Wolsey practically
reigned. While Henry was little more
than a figure head. A man, all things
to all men, to gain them to himself,
habitually plays false, ,and will ere long
lose all conscientious scruples.
5. 1t necessitates framing excuses
that do not stand the test of the moral
probe. The pastor of parish, if be is
in active politics, will be asked by Dis
parishioners and other people, how be
was led into this channel. Instead of
saving, 81 am fond of office, and
love it for glory as we'll as gain," he
will say, "Bro. -, a warm personal
friend, asked me to run, so as to stop
corruption and incompetency in the
Legislature. ] consulted with other
brethren. and they advised in the
same direction" These same brethren
meeting say to each other, "What do
you think about our pastor being
candidate for office?' "Well," says