The Irish standard., 1905-07-22
HERE EXPLAINED.
Reply to Baptist Sermons for
"Non-ProteStants."
Better Fight For Americas
Churchless Millions.

L
at the cathedral took issue with the
| rev. A. w. Wishart, who has been
preaching series of sermons against
the Catholic church to the members
of the Central Baptist congregation.
Wishart's lectures are announced as
being particularly suited to mon
Protestants." The significance of this
| title is apparent when it is remem-
| bered that mission to on-Catho-
lies" was given in the cathedral some
| weeks ago.
The bishop said it would be made
in keeping with Christian spirit If
the critics of the church who were
delving into ancient history to find
weaknesses would bend their ener-
gies toward reclaiming the great army
of "churchless" people in this country
today.
I'VE have it on reliable authority"
| he said, chat there are 50,000,000 Of
Americans who do not go to church at
all. If the churches that are sending
their missionaries abroad to convert
the heather would seek to convert
this great body of Americans they
would be more profitably occupied. 1t
is only necessary to point to the ac-
tions of Catholics in the Spanish
American war to refute the ISLANDERS
&-> &no a1y 0f trio
people. Before that war we heard a.
great deal of the A. P. A; but where
they were during the war? That war
had the same effect on the A. P. A.
that Paris green has on crop of po-
| tato bugs"
The allegiance of Catholics to the
Pope was explained by the bishop. He
told how in spiritual matters Catho-
lies looked to the Pope for guidance,
but they were free to use their own
judgment in temporal affairs. With
reference to socialism, toward which
the Rev. Mr.. Wishart is said to have
decided bearing, inasmuch as he
charged the church with opposing
democracy because she does not favor
socialism, the bishop said:
"If socialism keeps within the
bounds of seeking only the advance
ment of the people it will not meet
with the opposition Of the church,
but rather encouragement. But So
cialism as at present advocated by it's
leaders, attacks government, society,
the family, marriage and the holding
of private property, and as these in
volve social and moral questions So
cialism is condemned by the church.
"Some time ago." the bishop con-
tinued, mission was given in this
church by the Redemptorist Fathers,
and it appears that very favorable
impression was made by the mission
aries in this community. There were
some converts, which is not unusual
at their exercises. The missionaries
explained the doctrines of the church
so as to remove Misrepresentation.
| L
in such revolving colors by her enc,
mics that were sensible, God-fearing
Protestants to learn what she really
| is they would be attracted toward her.
am satisfied that could We reach by
sermons or tracts the thousands OF
God.fearing men and women in the
n1lp NIL Jn1o on h
truth of Catholicity.
"The attempt has been made to test
| the claims of the Catholic church by
the New Testament. 1 wonder how
the test would have been made before
the New Testament was written or
by the thousands in every age who
cannot read. Now any one who knows
anything about Catholic doctrine
knows that we do not subscribe to
that test. 1t has no convincing value
when addressing Catholics; and, 1t
may be added, it has very slight
force among Protestants who are
questioning the truth and inspiration
J of the Bible.
"Who is to decide, for instance, be.
| tween two Protestants, the one at
tirming and the other denying the
necessity of baptism? They may go
to ministers, and each one Of those
disputing the question will find one
agreeing with him. No decision can
be reached with certainty. Why?
Because the minister has no more
authority to decide the question than
either one of the disputants. If a
doubt arises in the mind Of Catholic
ne finds duly authorized body speak
ing as the mouthpiece Of Christ. How
does he know that this body is speak.
ing In the name of Christ? answer
tnat reason and history of scripture
show that Christ established an infall-
ible teaching body. The rule of faith
adopted by Professionalism, namely,
scripture interpreted by private judg'
ment, has no foundation in the Word
of God; on the contrary, it Is con.
demned by it. 1t is the cause Of the
numberless sects which we find
around us, all claiming to be the
church of Christ and teaching con,
Trajectory doctrines. The state is
much wiser than Professionalism and
approaches closely to the system of