Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-09-14
scusNs AND uE REMEDY.

loanings toward Roman Catholicism
seems rather Oh bt Ono favor OF grand
reunion of an the divisions OF the Chris
tinn world
in an article iu the North American
Review, in answer TO Archbishop Tree
land, De sets forth what ne considers
% De the chief obstacle 90 such unity
tic suggests that the Roman church
be- given "a written constitution. denu-
Ing the Jurisdiction OF the Pope. Arch
bishop ireland, Dee says limits this
Jurisdiction by ruling out jurisdiction
IN civil affairs. and dominion over oivI
government and by agreeing to %
number of other limitations. cordi.
ally accept the Professor nys the
statement or the Archbishop that
IF purely civil matters are 600 issue the
Pope has mo- right whatsoever 90 give
directions 20 Catholics" Dr. briggs
admits that the question changes
when issues under consideration arc
such as appertain Co the religious cone
science. aud demand solution Don the
light OF religious principles" Hc also
endorses The proposition that "the
papacy possesses no right TO determine
questions of science and philosophy. OF
sociology and economics Tho realm
OF the papacy Is faih and morals-that
much ana nothing more The sltua-
tion changes, Of course, when spocula-
ton, clothed ln the garb Of science or
philosophy, OF sociology or economies.
Scars into the domain of faith and
morals. and challenges tho church with
in its own sphere A written Constitu-
tion cmbodyiug those and similar lim-
itations Or Briggs holds. would ma
tcrially aid in the work OF removing
the barriers that now prevent gem
eral reunion Of Christondom
But difficulties would stu remain.
papacy would also have TO restore. he
argues, to the episcopato IFS historical
and Biblical rights. and TO the people
their rights which were formerly exer-
clsed through the Christian emperors
and other soyereisns N this were
done. eve may hope for a. speedy re-
moval of AN the other minor difficulties.
and the unity OF Chusts church. Tor
which He prayed. and died and now
reigns. will be- secured"
This Is very interesting as rejecting
the views Of an eminent divine on the
obstacles to Christian unity. and the
remedy Of schisms. But. is it prob
able that constitution. as suggested.
would remove the real cause OF dissen-
siun2
The spirit Of division operated long
before papacy had established itself in
christendom IL Is found IN the days
Of the first Apostles. When the Apos-
Ties. however, were no more. and the
light Of revelation had been extin-
gulshod IN blood shed by the perse-
cutors. except for the inspired writings
that were saved from destruction. this
spirit operated more freely. Early
Christian writer's spend much OF their
time and talent in refuting heresleG |
The Bishop of Brescia, Augustine says. |
discovered not less than l28 IA the /
christian church. The theologians /
were busy defining the nature Of christ /
and His work; thn relation OF spirit TO /
matter, and other similar questions. |
They had very often. bat poor oppor- /
tuniuos Tor studying the Scriptures. /
and We're forced 90 rely largely on tra- |
ditious and their own spcculatous The /
Apostles being removed. aud with them /
the Priesthood they held there WAS ub |
sure and speedy way ot settling dIs- /
putes on doctrines The consequence /
was that each philosopher maintained /
the view that seemed best lo Mm |
Even the decisions of ocumeulc couu- .
ellis failed 90 settle disputes. The dicta /
of "a majority were found t0 be poor |
substitute for thr Apostolic mternr-- |
tatlon of the mind and win of tag lord. |
IN seemed good to che Holy Ghost |
ana To- u.s. tActs Do. 2sl Consequent |
~ schisms nouri-hel. Th, outward I
unity of thc body became but dream.
This condition Wos 70 result of tue
Destruction ot thD divine organization
of the Church. 9he Lord "Elvc some
apostles and soma prophets. and
some. evangelist lnd SOME, pastors
aud teachers, Tor tho perfeotng ~
the Saints far tH. W0is u. t1e muis-
lry for the cdIfyng of ths body nj
Christi uu $500 goo come m thc unity
of tho miJh" o. ths a not tre divine
REMEDY against conflicts 900 matters of
mlth. vc uI Eco understand why he
Spirit of th. Lord made thH part of
tine inspired record.
d. uusg ,.muIs H.s ralDs 1t
historical nets when he sa}s
.Tbc primitive church does uot
favor but condemn. with no uncertain