The San Francisco call., 1896-01-18

nation, he says, from our Jewish fellow
citizens library he tells us he must postpone
his search to a more favorable opportunity.
Meanwhile, suppose, the learned Jesuits and
other doctors who presumably aid Father
Horke in his scholastic researches are ranSack-
ing the diocesan libraries and racking their
brains TO find citations and ingenious argu-
ments to break the force OF the plain, direct
utterances of their own Popes and church
fathers which | adduced. But it matters not
what they find or invent, 1 have plenty more
testimony to the same effect, and can verify it
to Father Yorke's content.
AS for Roman Catholic books if did not de-
pend entirely or chiefly upon them it was be-
cause, l regret to say, Roman Catholic his
torians and dogmatists are not ALWAYS trust
worthy Where the interests of their church are
involved.
"JANUs"
II any of my readers viii look at little work
called Janus, popularly written and easily
accessible at the public libraries Gor which
reasons refer them to it), they will find ample
confirmation of this fact. This book was writ
ten by the great church historian, Won Doel-
dogI, ggF, w Wn15 up TO the Proclamation OF the
guished and loyal son OF the Roman COM
munlon This dogma outraged his histor-
lGad & conscience Iit @ and better knowledge that,
unable like most OF the dissenting prelates to
accommodate himself to what he knew to be a
fiction, he left that church.
Janus" made prodigious sensation, and
Justly, for 1t IS an able, learned and courageous
book In subsequent edition, ,"Das Papstthum'
('The Papacy''), all its statements are verified
by the proper citations from the authorities
referred to.
Janus then, from pages rs to 122, and
later, is devoted to exposing the literary
torgerles OF the Roman church, on which, in
large degree, 1t bases its pretensions TO divine
right and absolute rule. These fabrications
are quite well known to Roman Catholic
scholars, and are yet defended passed over in
silence or condOned by them, while the church
continues to make use OF these fictitious docu-
ments to establish itself in both spiritual and
worldly power
Nor is the procedure confined to the Roman
Cathollc publications of former age. per-
sonal friend of mine, formerly ecclesiastic
OF some standing and repute in the Roman
church, found himself involved in his loyalty
ana zeal Tor his church. in a theological con-
troYersy with an eminent English Protestant
scholar. He quoted from standard Roman
Catholic works certain authorities in behalf of
the Rom1Sh claims. His opponent replied
that the quotations were garbled, falsifed
and untrustworthy. My friend, the Able,
was indignant beyond expression, and de-
MED the charge. Finally he was induced to
go with his opponent TO the British Mu-
scum and examine the oldest existing edition
to verify, ii possible, his quotations. He dis
covered to his amaZement and sorrow that
his opponent had stated truly. The more re-
cent Catholic editions were interpreted or
altered IN the supposed interests of the church.
| Intensely agitated he called upon q dis
tinguished Cardinal of his church. his ecclesi-
astical superior The latter graci ously listened
/ TO his story, condescended to compare his
notes, made in the British Museum Library,
expressed his inability to explain the dis
crepancies, but advised him most paternally
TO stitie his doubts, disregard his scTuples and
hencefOrth devote himself to the care OF souls,
leaving such controversial matters to the doe
tors of the church. Ny friend tried to do this,
but his individual reason and love of truth,
which not even Jesuit training OF twenty
years had succeeded in crushing out, finally
led him out Of Rome into freer and better
communion.
This is q true story and its moral is obvious
PARROT LEARNING.
xyIo &c -
many Catholic books when one is only par
rot-like repetition OF the other? The Church
OF Rome has long since elaborated its doctrine
and usage and determined the limits within
which its theologians and scholars may think
and write. 1t permits no freedom OF inyeStf-
CATION, no variations of opinion, except as
these tend to confirm its established dogmAs.
All expressions OF individual free opinion
which displease it are placed upon the Index
ExpurgatOrius, and its authors silenced For
this reason, there are few ii any scholars, in
the modern sense among the Roman doctors
Ihey Sre simply expositors and apologists. the
instruments OF their church. | do not denv
that there are some exceptions TO this, for the
church is not powerful enough in our day to
crush and silence everybody as it once did
Bvt such exceptions only establish more
clearly the rule.
owes its free scholarship, free science and free
literature. The great nameE in all these de-
partments are nearly all Protestants or free
thinkers The rise of historical criti-
cism, natural science and modern htera-
ture, which our age is Witnessing, is the out
come not OF the spirit of the Roman church, its
most determined enemy. but of the principles
and methods embodied in the Protestant
Reformation The dominant races OF the mod
ern world are the Protestant nations-Eng-
land, the United States, Germany and the rest
Tne Catholic people are slowly sinking in
eclipse. Their day is over. Light is breaking.
Freedom, not obedience; truth, not illusion;
reason, not sentiment; humanity, not hier-
archy, are the Watc1wOTds of the hour that
now is.
FATHER YoRKE's CRITICISM
Father Yorke's preliminary blast seems more
noisy than des tructive. Let us see He denies
my citation from j. 5. HitteIl concerning Aoui-
nas. VIII let Mr.. Hittell himself answer that
simply remarking that may have given-the
wrong reference TO his authority, as Hittell's
list OF sources is none of the clearest. Aquinas
did say, by the way, that all heretics ought to
be put to death He is just now the favorite
theologian in Catholic circles.
Second ly, Father Yorke denies nv second
citation from Hittell to the effect that Cardinal
BeIlarmine declares that the Roman Pontiff
has supreme power to dispose of the IMMORAL
affairs OF all Christians Mr.. HitteT may an
swer for that citation also, and we will in the
meantime, hold our judgment in suspense
But Doellinger tells us Up. 318, Janus) that
Bellarmlne says the Pope has full right to alb
solve the subjects of a prince from their oath
of allegiance. Bellarmine, who seems to have
held choice collection OF opposing views and
to have been most dishonest character was
the author OF that charming saying: 'Heretics
when strong are to be commended to God !;
when weak are to be committed to the execu-
TONER"
POPE LEO XIII
The only point which Father Yorke is as vet
able to find against my elaborate article, with
all its reasoning and many proofs is single
citation from letter of Pope Leo Kill He
acknowledges that quoted it correctly as far
as went, but asserts that did not complete
the quotation: ] admit made my notes of it
years ago, and did not have time to verify my
quotation. But let me see whether the com
pleted passage helps Father Yorke's contention
very much
l give my opponents rendering and COM
ments
DR. WENDTE LEO XIII.
Although in the ex- And although in the
traordlnary condition OF extraordinary condition
these times the church OF these times the chnrch
usually acquiesces in usually acouiesces in GER
certain modern liberties tam modern lberties
not because she prefers not because she prefers
them IN themselves. but them in themselves but
because she Judges il because she Judges IN
eXpedienC TO permit expedient to hermit
them-in better times thefn-she would in han
she would use her own pier times exercise her
Hperty. own liberty, and by per-
SuASiOn. X and