The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-08-01
GOODWoRDs FOR OUR CHURCH FROM
A CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER.
The Rev. samuel Lane Loomis OF
Boston From His Pulpit Teaches the
Detractors OF CathoIicity n Lesson
In Religious federation.

tOntOh rum AAtn nsRsA 49,
Detractors OF cathoIicity a Lesson
In Religious federation.
A Protestant appreciation of Catho-
lies and Catholicism was preached on a
recent Sunday In a Boston pulpit. The
Rev. Samuel Lane LOOMS, pastor OF
the Union Congregational church, Co
lumbus avenue, had been giving Sc
rs-s OF sermons on the good points OF
hnr neighbors In other denominations,
and this on Catholics was the conclud-
ing discourse.
Roman Catholics" he said, "are
sometimes judged very harshly by
Protestants. The majority OF them are
immigrants or the children OF immi-
grants. and II is not 10 the discredit,
but 10 the glory, OF the Catholic church
that she has obtained 30 powerful a
bold on these humble followers OF
Christ. Again, we must not judge any
faith by It's poorest, but rather by Its
best. members. Nor In II fair 10 judge
church by what has been done In
days gone by. should not like 70
have Congregationalism judged by
what took place nj Salem or by certain
things that happened In Boston Com
mon, nor should like II 10 be said that
we are In favor Of hanging Quakers or
Baptists. II is therefore
unkindly TO point back TO
St Bartholomew. TO the inquisition, TO
the autos-da-fe."
Continuing he said: I'VE must not
judge church because OF what few
OF that church do. II Is not
fair TO judge a body by the acts OF one.
and any misconduct on the part OF
Roman Catholic is In spite OF the teach
ings OF the church.
You have seen the parish priest
who gives himself night and day TO the
people OF his parish; you have seen the
sisters Of charity in their devoted work
In the hospitals and you have seen In
the humble servant girl proofs OF In
tegrity that could come from nothing
else but real faith In a living God
The Roman Catholics are a reverent
people. Their church Is q solemn place.
II Ia Gods house. and they will not
profane H. They enter and leave with
reverence, and the acts Of the older In
the younger. We Americans
need more OF reverence, and we would
do well 10 emulate their example.
They have an immense sense OF the
worth OF religion. They are willing to
make great sacrifices for their religion.
How often while we are sleeping their
great churches are crowded. I won
dered why II ~as, and concluded that
II offers them something they are In
need 81. II does not give them fine
thoughts, but II Offers to them Just
what Christ said II should, forgiveness
Of sins. They feel the seriousness OF
sin. burning and soaring the heart. and
God has committed 10 his church the
power OF remission Of sins. And they
feel that where there liz a service where
they can have their Sins rolled away II
Is a religion well worth attending.
'It is a Misrepresentation TO say they
are permitted 10 pay for compromising
heir sins The Roman Catholic church
Is very aristocratic and yet democratic.
The son OF the poorest man may ait In
Peters chair. and you see the wealthy
and lowly knecling side by side. like
that and envy their success In bring
ing In the great laboring class TO their
church
Instead OF criticising we should re-
joice In the presence OF the Roman
church In this country and
also I'm It's concerted influence. What
would we ever do with this vast amount
of immigration but for II? They are
lot encroaching upon Professionalism
)ut they are holding their own. Let us
not be afraid of them, but pray for
hem and hope they may have success
boston Republic.