Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-09
DE COSTA JOINS ROME.

III - now unnouuNtu Nuot iNNN' RN"S"-
min F. De Costa has identified himself
wlth the Catholic church. Some time
ago he created a sensation by leaving
the Episcopal church, because Dr.
Briggs, the famous higher critic" was
given fellowship there.
DR.. Costa, in explaining his change OF
faith, says he has no apology to offer.
standing In the midst OF modern re-
llgious systems topping to thelr fan
like columns in the temple OF Karnae
no defense need be offered for accepting
a firm and mistaken Catholic faith"
He declares that the Catholic church
stands before the Engllsh-speaklng peo-
PIE and Protestants everywhere as the
unique and solitary defender Of the BIZ
bic In its integrity and entirety. He
adds:
"The church never changed her me-
thod OF dealing with science, In TINS
city a scholar should not allow his mind
10 become befogged. The issue Is not
simply one OF science or simple Inter-
probation. Primarily, Il IL the mystery
M Inc incarnation that criticism puts
ON TRIAL The case Is dogmatlc. IL means
a revision Of the Bible. This the holy
Catholic church viii never approve
one would think the doctrine of papal
infalllbnlty would be highly objection
able TO one accustomed to the Protes-
liant way Of thinking. but the reverend
doctor meets this point as follows
,It ia time for candid non-Catholics
10 learn that the notion that II tlnfalli-
bllity1 interferes with individual liberty
Is as true ns that a mariners compass
renders TIC sailor an abject slave
1t is no great wonder that thoughtful
Protestants seek refuge in the out
stretched arms OF Rome, 1t Is true
enough that in Austria, where religious
life is not especially yerdant, no less
than 5000 conversions from Catholicism
to Professionalism are reported recently
bur in Great Britain. which for cen
turtles has been noted for religious ac-
tlvity, there is a steadily Increasing cur
rent toward Rome, In fact, some OF The
most prominent English clergymen have
espouscd the cause Of papacy and the
lfe.work OF Manning, Newman, and
others. has not failed to bear fruit.
There are numerous causes for the
Romeward movement. But one OF the
most conspicuous Is the Protestant de-
NAL OF visible church They have
all abandoned the Scripture idea OF
zone body with zone Lord, one iaith'
one baptism as well as the position Oh
the carly fathers who knew Of no
church except an association Of elect
or faithful Saints They have
set up theory about a mys-
tical. invisible body as the only
true church. "On this theory DIT
Costa well remarks. Christianity has
failed the empire that trIumphed over
the Roman empire has pershed. Re
formed rellgionism, therefore, offers no
moral or intellectual outlook for COM
Ing generations, and leaves the world
forced at last 90 choose between ration
allsm and the Catholic church"
This. we believe. Is the secret conyie-
ton OF a great many Protestant theolo-
elcal scholars. and II they were free 70
follow their own convictions, they would
abandon their pulplts. But what can
they do? With their locks shorn In the
lap OF Delllah and their feet tied with
a salary, no wonder II the mighty Sam
sons are found grinding grain In the
home Of the Phillstines!
The movement towards Rome how
ever Is one OF the signs Of the times
That. TOO. win hasten the day when
according 10 the Divine word, "ZloT
shall flourish, and the glory Of the Lcrd
shall be upon her, and she shall be ar
ensign unto the people. and there shat
come unto her out Of every nation un'
der heaven"