The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-10-20


tuition of any other permanent
government is proof of this. The
same principle ought to govern the
system of Christ that obtains in the
case of any other law giver. Now
the power Of forgiving sins given
to the Apostles Is general, not
limited either by the nature Of the
power itself or by the meaning of
the words used in comforting it.
Therefore the power to pardon sins
descended to the successors of the
Apostles. But clear and simple as
this reasoning may be, we might
feel ourselves less secure in sane
tioning 1t were we not so complet-
ly supported by the practice and
authority OF all antiquity.
Calvin was the author Of the
declaration that "Auricular con-
fession was unheard or until 1918"
If this be true how does it happen
that st. Bernard, who died in 1853,
has this to say of confession ?
"What will it avail you to tell some
of your sins and~hide others, are
not all things open to the eyes of
God? What! will you dare to with
hold anything from him who holds
the place of God in so great
sacrement?" st. Ansein, Arch
Bishop of Canterbury who died in
1909, speaks thus in his homily on
the ten lepers, "Show faithfully to
the Priests by humble confession
all the stains of your internal lep-
rosy that you may be cleansed from
them" In another work the same
Doctor adds GAS original sin is for
given in baptism, so actual sins are
forgiven in confession. 1t is true
Judgement" In the 11th Century.
we see that priest named Stephan
of the Diocese of Orleans was con-
fessor to Constance, wife of the
pious King Robert. In the 10th
Century st. Uldaric confessed the
Emperor Otho. In the 9th Charlie
mango had as his confessor Hide
brandt, Arch Bishop of Cologne.
In the 9th st. Martin rendered the
services of confessor to Charles
Martell. In the 7th Century st.
Ansberth was confessor to King
Thierey the First. In the 9Th
Century st. John Climocus express
ed himself thus, "It is unheard of
that sins acknowledged in the
Tribunal of penance have ever
been divulged. God so directed it
that sinners might not be turned
away from confession and deprived
of the only hope of salvation" In
the 5th Century we find St.
Chrysostomus in the east and St.
Augustus in the west, the first who
died in 404 says, "Man has received
from God, power which has not
been given to angels or arch-angels.
Never was it said to the celestial
intelligences, whatsoever ye shall
loose on earth shall be loosed also
+ in heaven and whatsoever ye shall
bind on earth shall be bound also
in heaven The second who died
in 430 addresses the faithful thus
"Let no one say, "I do penance
secretly in the sight of God, it is
, enough that he who will grant me
, pardon should know what passes
, in my inmost soul" if this were the
case then Jesus Christ would have
y said without reason, whatsoever W
f shall loose on earth shall be loOsed
in heaven, and whatsoever ye shal
bind on earth shall be bound alst
o in heaven, and would in vain have
1 confided the case to his church. I
is not enough therefore to confess
:. to God, it is also necessary to con
q fess to those who have received
d from him the power to bind and Il
/. loose" In the 4th Century 81
" Basil who died in 378 wrote, "It i
!. absolutely necessary to declar,
" ones sins to those who have receiv
n ed the dispensation of the mysterie
II of God" In the 3rd Century Origen
Il that brilliant light of the eastern
+ Church taught the same truth, 81
q we do not repent our sins and con
n fess them, not only to God but ais
q to those who can apply the remed,
a to them. we shall not be forgiven.
a In the End Century, Tertulla, tina
!, brilliant light of the wester
!. Church employed language no les
!. formal. "Many avoid declarin
10 their sins because they are NOR
= careful of their honor than of tlei
e salvation, herein they resembl
a. those who having some secre
disease, hide it from the physicia
.s and let themselves die. Is 1t the