The Irish standard., 1899-04-22
Tho Two Great Champions we're
Pope and Mcguire.
IT ATTRACTED NATIONAL ATTENTION
The Debaters Displayed Ability
Of a High Order.

In the modest libraries of hearty, old
fashioned Catholics the report OF the
discussion between Pope and Mcguire
used to hold an honored place. Our
own novel-reading, Sunday-paper-read-
sng generation knows little and cares
less about this famous book. The
story OF the genesis thereof may, how
ever, prove interesting to some. The
year 1925 will long be memorable in
Irish history for the introduction OF
what was called the "New Reforma
ton" A formidable crusade was in
augurated against the faith OF the Irish
people by certain religious societies in
England Champions Of the Bible de-
scended upon Ireland sowing discord
and dissension as they went. "The
Trumpet OF Zion" resounded through
every corner OF the land, setting neigh
Dor against neighbor, and imperiling
the public peace. Conspicuous among
ahe apostles of the "New Reformation
were the Rev. Mr.. Pope, certain Mr.
Gerard Noel and Captain Gordon.
Scotch military fanatic Accompanied
by their disciples and aided and encour-
aged by the Protestant bishops and
clergy, they gave testimony against the
denominations of Popery and exposed
the ignorance and superstition fostered
by the priests. The Protestant land
lords of Ireland helped on the move
ment, and discovered great solicitude
tor the spiritual betterment of their
tenants. A religious frenzy took pos
session of the whole Protestant popu-
aation and the air was everywhere vocal
with the clamor OF party strife and po-
1cmical dispensation. The rewards held
out for converted souls were a sore
temptation to the poor Papists. The
convert was given guinea as soon
as he abjured the faith of his fathers,
and was provided with comfortable
blanket and six shillings week for
his support. Notwithstanding this al
turing program, the harvest of souls
was lamentably scanty. Then the boun-
ty was raised to five pounds. But as
these tactics proved utterly unsuccess-
yuI new line Of action was determined
s:pon The Catholic bishops and priests
were assailed with all the malevolence
which anti Catholic fanaticism could
inspire They were accused Of the
grossest crimes; they we're insulted at
their affairs, in the streets, and at their
very doors until human patience could
endure the situation no longer.
Public discussions took place in Cork,
Waterford and Kilkenny in which the
champions OF the Bible were signally
worsted; but, though humbled in one
place, they were not thereby discour-
aged from resuming their godly cam
paign elsewhere. The town Of Carlow,
the home of the celebrated DR.. Doyle,
whose exposure of the calulnnies of the
Protestant archbishop Of Dublin had
stirred up the wrath of the saints. was
the scene Of their most pernicious activ-
ity. The bishop disdained to meet ad-
versaries so worthless, but two OF his
priests took hand and acquitted them
selves so admirably that the gospellers
were driven from the locality covered
with shame and confusion.
The public press teemed with letters
and disputations, and the country was
inundated with pamphlets and tracts at
the expense Of the elect and to the de-
light of small shopkeepers. Daily bull
letins were issued announcing thou
sands of conversions to the joy of the
zealots across the channel. AS speci-
men OF the methods of misrepresenta-
ticn resorted to by the preachers of the
"New Reformation" the following
statement, taken from one OF the pub
lie records OF the times, will suffice: A
certain Protestant preacher introduced
into his sermon story which he de-
clared he had from a certain lady then
living in Dublin. This lady said that
on certain evening she attended a
Roman Catholic chapel to witness the
deliverance of number OF souls from
purgatory. The chapel was well filled
and brilliantly lighted. The relatives OF
the souls who were to be released gave
each to the officiating priest a we'll
filled purse which he deposited in a
place of safety. Then, after prayers
had been said, the lights were extin-