The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-10-10
PROTESTANTISM IN ROME.
Difficulty of the Task of Turning Ital-
ians From Catholicism.

ans From Catholicism.
In the first place, the religion of
American and English Protestant bod
les cannot hope to make an appeal to
any but the educated classes. 1t
presents itself at the beginning of the
twentieth century with as little mod
ern environment as 1t had in Cron-
wells time. 1t Is ignorant of Biblical
criticism while it definitely sets up the
unimpeachable authority of the Book
In place Of the authority Of the living
voice. There is a complete dearth Of
all help from the modern arsenal, and
the new convert must find himself
sooner or later entirely without equip
ment TO meet on an equal footing any
one conscious of the real problems
which in our day beset all religions
alike. The Roman church may not be
modern, but it Is more Gf only be-
cause more of all time) than untouch
ed Luther cum Calvin. Again, the
new convert may think he believes that
the worship of God in spirit and in
truth implies praying within four bare
walls, but it cannot be supposed that
the most artistic of European people
are able or willing to disepnse with all
external aids, If we all have les de-
faults de nos qualities, 1t is certain that
the Italians will not escape paying the
price of being the most exterior people
in Europe. In religion that price Is
heavy one; but the native sense Of the
ridiculous Joined to the instinct of self
preservation will surely maintain for
the italians their historic role among
civilized nations.
1t will surprise some to hear that
confession is another point in the
churchs favor. The Reorganization Of
confession asserts with the Germanic,
Kettle and Latin peoples in very vari-
Gus ways. Thus 1t suits the Irishman
on his genial, filial and expansive side.
The italian ras only one of these quail
ties, the practice for him; it is the alb
sence Of any neutrality-suspicious., and
the horror Of any personal responsible
ity In his religious life. This fact was
made use of in his State e Chiesa" by
Marco Minghett as illustrating the in
digenous character of confession in
Italy. The tendency to get rid Of bur-
dens on the conscience In this way Is
so ingrained that Waldensian pastors
are perforce pressed into the service as
by their peasant co-religion-
lists.
Once more the charm of fraternal
charity and brotherliness depends on
their sincerity; but 1T happens that as
all men are mortal, Baptists and
are mortal too, and the pet
ty intrigues, "the striving for the over
sight" the vexatious hypocrisies, are
no more alien to the propagandists
than to ourselves, while these defects
are more noxious In small COM
munity. and their interference with
the private religious life more CALLING.
Another point very germane to the
question is that the Latins are accus-
toned to a logical religion. There Is
not much to be said for the application
Of logic to religion; but, none the less, [
the differences between sect and sect (
10 not help the Protestant propaganda, |
and the want of agreement bewilders .
the italian. The less scrupulous play /
On these differences, and get them
selves converted In turn by the various
sects, if there Is any hope Of profiting
thereby. The financial standard is also
4 drawback. The Englishman or !,
American, with his family, has no idea
IF pitching his tent in another country
IN a few pounds year. The salary /
1aid to the Protestant minister, who
s away for three months In the twelve,
s absurdly disproportionate to the
Worldly goods enjoyed by his flock in
where event cabinet ministers
ire poorly paid.
The italian ineptitude for religious
'eform Is at least as discouraglng to
1ropa ganda as tehlr tendency to revolt
lgainst authority Is encouraging;
moreover, that ignorance Of their relig-
on which makes the middle classes in
Rome easy victims has an opposite eff
ect in the case Of tho illiterate; dense
ignorance is a drawback to the success /,
f Protesantism. which demands some
Of spirit--more, at least
han the italian clodhopper can boast
f. To the question, has the propa-
anda succeeded? mega tive answer
aust be returned. Professionalism as a
eligion has proved failure, for 1t has
lot succeeded in making Professionals,
hough it has succeeded in unmaking
'atholics.
The uneducated Italian not being an
ltelHeclll UT SeulleTL SUBJECT, announcer
eigion cannot be imposed on him; so
he Protestants have decided to edu-
ate him: they are contenting them
elves with creating an educational |
1rce in the country in lieu of direct
With these enter the
leas of modern civilization, freedom of
onscience and of thought, notions of
lie rights and responsibilities of per-
onality. The result of their activity
as been to force the Catholic party to
dopt some of their weapons. Is it too
luch to hope that it will produce a
ew method of religious instruction
mong US?
For the church in Italy has enor-
ous odds In it's favor-on one condi-
on. Religious Italy, like economic
ally, is a poverty stricken land in the
idst of material wealth; and the es-
initial condition is that the present in
lectual and moral stagnation be |
rust away, and the religious capital
Catholicism diligently worked. In
4lculating the chances Of another re-