The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-22

To rHR EDITOR OF TIE SUS-Sir: Much Is
said in these days OF the failure OF the reforma-
ton OF Protestantlsm and Of the open Bible.
According to published accounts. this was as
serted In different Roman Catholic pulpits
during the past few weeks. 0 late Protestant
ministers and writer's seem to make no reply
to such assertions-perhaps because they arc
40 obviously untrue or, when a Protestant de-
tends his faith and Church. he is liable to be
accused Of Protestant bigotry and Intolerance;
or, perhaps, because OF Christian Difference and
courtesy toward dear and esteemed friends in
the Catholic Church.
While not a member Of any Church. I have
the blood Of exiles and martyrs in my veins.
and Il Is probably that that surgss up In
defence OF the things they lived and died for.
In one OF the sermons referred to the Profess
tant Church was spoken OF as a mere conglom.
Grafton Of some three hundred sects. Well. as
water cannot rise above It's source. so no
Church. not even the Catholic, can 60 higher
than its Founder. The great Head Of the
Church laid Town two avs for the rnls OF life
OF every one In It: Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God and thy neighbor rs myself" and He
supplemented these with. Whatsoever 20
would that men should do to you. DO ye even
so to them" He said not ono word about
organization. doctrine or discipline: not a
syllable about fast. feast or sacrament: gave
not q hint as 10 vestment. form or cers-
mony. Therefore, His two great command
ments stand out all the stronger, and in these
two. all Protestant sects howeverthey may differ
a. to non-essentials. are united. They are like a
band OF travellers bound for the same haven,
some going by land. soma by water. some 10y
rail, some on foot. In rich garments aud In
plain, each chooses the means and the that
seem best 10 him. and with the sam" journeys
end In view and the two great rules Of tho
road, there is friendly rivalry. but no
such sluabhling and contention a. now
Protestarts are led TO believe. A Baptist may
believe with all his heart iu adult baptism, but
let a Presbyterian ora Methodist start n new
church or church work In his neiGhborhood,
and II he Is a Christian as well as a Baptist, he
will be one Of the first on the scene with his
mite. a grasp OF the hand and a word Of en-
enlargement.
The reverend father spoke Of the Protestant
scattering Of Bibles" All honor TO thsm that
they have always scattered them! Compar
the nations to-day among which It has been
freely scattered with those among which. so far
IA Church and State can dictate. it is still a
thing debarred. The Hrotestants are tainted
with chopping and changing Of doctrine. but
how IL II with The Roman Church? Upon the
sim pie doctrine OF the Aposrles-''faith in the
Master and the preaching o. His Gospel'-has
not the Roman Church gradually added prayer
10 the Virgin. alteration OF the saints. venera-
ton OF relies and images, confession. indul-
gences. ~celibacy, purgatory, masses and a Pope
and his infallibllity and The simple worship Of
the early Christians has been transformed into
a gorgeous and sensuous rituali 1t was the
protest against these things rather than against
the authority OF the Church that brought ABOUT
the anesred. at Reformation.
The Protestant Church cannot claim. as docs
her sister Church. to be- intallible, to be the
only guide to faith and practice. On the con-
trary. she confssses to many mistakes. many
weaknesses: but so long as a tree Ia known by
its fruits. so long as 1t Is safe TO Judge OF dseds
BY their results. so lonr r'1v 80 Church Of
Luther. Calvin and Wesley 4. IA, /. ire - u