The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-02
more completely than anywhere else in
English-speaking America"
MIR. WEND1E's ATTITUDE,

MIR. wEND1E's ATTITUDE.
That have not replied to Father Yorke's
question, "What would do If own my church
came in conflict with the State,'' was solely
cessively absurd. l thought 1t only joke on
his part. But as he really seems serious in
asking it, will crafty him. / would obey the
State as the supreme power in the land, the
highest possible expression OF the popular
will. Having done this, l should yet not be
cut off from the exercise of my religion.
should follow jesus teaching and retire into
my own closet and pray to my Father which
seeth and heareth in secret. That is good
Christian and Protestant doctrine. 1t is only
the Romish church which persists in thrusting
the priest and the altar between the indiyid-
ual soul and its Maker. OF course, social wor-
ship is helpful and delightful, and / would
seek by every lawful means to recover. this
right of public worship for myself and my
ours that would not be dificuit. In
deed, true republic would never take
this worship was directly hostile to the safety
and peTpetuity of the State, in which case it
ought to be suppressed: So the American
mon Church. Some day it may intervene, as
European and Catholic Governments have
done again and again, in certain of the tenn
poralities of the Roman Catholic church in
this country, should these ever become a
menace to popular liberties. The state would
do this just as calmly and legitimately as she
would curb and restrain any other great cor
ii all my endeavors to secure freedom of public
worship were unavaillng / should emigra ate,
following the example of the Pilgrim fathers.
THE AMERICAN DOCTRINE.
To the theories of the Roman church 1 OPP
posed the true American doctrine of church
and state, VIZ: ''In spiritual concerns, the abb
solute independence of the church; in tenn
poral affairs, the subordination of the church
to the state" Moreover, l affirmed that the
power of deciding what were properly 10 be
considered temporal affairs was vested not in
the church, but in the civil tribunals of the
state. This last point is especially important.
because the Roman Catholic authorities, even
in this country, teach to the contrary. cited
in support of this the Jesuit Father JOHNS
work. which is used in the paroehial schools
and colleges of California. Father Yorke, in
deed, accuses me OF leaving out a final conClu-
sion OF JOHNS, which he quotes. But, in so
doing, he himself contrives to leave
out the opening and important pas
ment was chiefly built 1 shall not go
into Mysteries about the matter and tiercely
denounce my opponent for so doing, but will
ply the deficiency. Let us look at the whole
extract as now given by both. Says Jouin, p.
1854: 'The church has to legislate on all mat
tiers belonging TO faith and morals; she does
not frame laws relating to purely secular con-
Germs: she proclaims only the rules of right
and justice revealed by God, in accordance
The State, taking for its guidance this revealed
law, may enact its own laws and adopt what
measures it deems fittest to attain the end of
civilized society; and as long as it remains
within its own sphere 1t neither will nor can be
interfered with in the least by the authority of
the Church"
That is to say the church lays down the re-
vealed laws, which must control the legislation
of the State. Now, there is but one true and
infallible church, according to JOHNS pre-
vious reasoning, pat of Rome. The State
must take this revealed law from her for its
guidance, and remain within its own sphere,
in which case the authority of the church,
will not interfere with it. Does not this con-
firm my statement of Catholic doctrine? But
let US go on With Jou1n.
"When, in doubtful cases, collision might
arise, 1t IS evident that TO preserve the union
between both powers, the state must yield TO
the church, since she is the higher power, and
she alone is competent to determine the limits
of her own jurisdiction"
This is the main point, which Father Yorke
higher power" "The state must yield to herr
Could there be more complete vindication
from current Catholic and Jesuit opinion of
my theses-the Roman Catholic theory ranks
the church as higher power than the state!
But Father Jouinexplains: "No fears need
be entertained that the church ever will en-
croach upon the rights of the state and curtail
its authority, because, not being a human in
stitution, she is guided by the Holy Ghost"
Considering what mischief and wickedness
on this theory, the Holy Ghost has led the
surance will not be very comforting to the
American people.
But, finally, Father Yorke asks us to observe
that Jouin offers iurther proviso of safety !:
''If any OF the local authorities of the church
presume to interfere unduly with the rights of
the state, the Pope will ever be ready to re-
strain their ambition"
That is to say the Holy Father, in case in
justice is done our nation by the Roman Catho-
Itch church and Holy Ghost, will intervene IN
our behalf. How grateful we ought to be!
Picture the American people waiting submis-
sively for the Pope at Rome to decide whether
they or his Holy Ghost and Roman Church are
in the right about these temporal questions!
Truly, If did not transcribe this last sentence
of Jouin it was because itseemed too pitiful TO
quote. In calling attention to 1t Father Yorke
has greatly weakened his defense.
But Jouin adds: Moreover, the church
Yields spiritual power only; she has not, as
the state has, material power at her disposal.
Hence, as history amply testifes (sicD, the
encroachments OF the civil power are the only
dangers threatening the harmony between
church and state"
And to prove this Jouin IN succeeding pages
denounees the civil marriage and the "godess
education" now prevalent among us, two in
stitutions which are the cornerstones OF the
Republic, and which were in full vogue long
before there was Catholic church within the
limits of our young nation. Is not this an
tagonizing the state? What sophstry all this is |!
But let Americans reflect that this is the phi
losophy OF the relations that ought TO exist be-
tween church and state in this country, which
is taught to hundreds OF thousands of Catholic
youth. Surely, while such doctrines are being
instilled into. the minds of the children in
entire loyalty OF the clergy of that church to
our American political institutions? Must we
not regard Fathers Yorke, McGlynn and the
rest as the exceptions and not the rule? The
very fact that my opponents frank and man
full assertion of Americanism should have
created such general surprise in the commun-
ity speaks more eloquently than words the
prevailing and, as it would seem, not un-
justifable doubt of the entire loyalty of the
ecclesiastics of his church.
THE A.P.A.
l have q certain right to say this for was
one OF the first to protest publicly in the news
papers against the formation of the A. p A.
and its methods. There is perhaps score of
ex-Catholics in my own society, some having
joined it since this discussion began
represent in this discussion no party and
ne sect, but simply the interests of historical
truth, Protestant principles and the American
spirit. l am conscious of doing it very made
quately. am very busy man; within ten
days have made thirteen public addresses
Even this article has been written almost en-
tirely in the cars travelling through the San
Joaquin Valley, and have had no one to help
me with counsel or service Entirely without
prejudice or passion, love my Catholic breth-
rem. l would gladly see them adopt views
that seem to me more rational and truly help
ful. But 1t must be only through the force of
inner convictions. l would readily give nv
life, If it need be, to secure them ever that lib
erty OF worship which they now enjoy. ] be-
lieye them to be loyal and patriotic citizens of
the Republic, despite the ofttime misleading
counsels of their spiritual guides on this sub
tect. Unless their childrens minds are tam.