The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-01-24
ON THE INQUIsITIoN-
(By James C Beissel.)

Nearly all the prejudices against
Rome. its religion and institutions arise
from misunderstanding them: some
times through ignorance. and sone-
times through malice. II Catholieity,
its history. its teachings and its meth
DDS were what they are frequently
asserted TO be by the enemies OF the
Church, our separated Christian breth-
rem would be entirely justified in their
hostility. II would then be not only
their right, but also their duty 10 do
everything in their power TO counter
act the hanefuI influence of such an
institution. But as it has been shown
hundreds of times, it is not the reii-
gion, the doctrines. discipline and IN
stitutions of the Catholic Church, tnat
our adversaries persist in denouneing
and reprobating, but their own miseon-
ception Of them founded upon igno-
rance. bigotry and deep-seated pref
udice. Such is the case for instance
of DR.. s. E. Bishop and his malady
is simply incurable. Protestant preach
ers are usually great sinners in this
respect and God knows how far igno-
rance can be admitted as an extenu-
ating plea TO paIliate their wrong
MI. Noberg calls me very aggressive
The guilt I willingly confess. is thae
I do not intend TO sit silent like
lamb under unwarranted attacks upon
tke Catholic Religion. I am willing to
examine all charges in the light of
truth and distribute credit as well as
blame according 10 merits
The enemies of the Catholic CHURCH
are in the habit OF casting up against
her the word "Inquisition" as If It
were a condemnation without appeal.
All fair-minded men VIII agree that
this subject must be approached with
the eve of calm reason. and not OF
passionate prejudice; and that history,
not party spirit, must sit in judgment
upon it. II is painful for all lovers OF
honor and truth 10 witness the hoods
OF calumnies, Misrepresentation ex-
associations and falsehoods perva1ding
in a great measure the literature Of the
inQuisition; but il is still more painful
to see held accountable for all real and
imaginary evils OF that tribunal. the
very personages who constantly fought
against its abuses. the Popes OF Rome
II Is well 10 remark at the outset
that, except in the case OF few peo-
pie, Of slight education at best, who
permit themselves TO be taken IN
awares and led away, the hatred Of the
inQuisiticn is COMPOUNDED with the
hatred OF the church.
We know from their literary works,
novels, plays. journals, etc, the tactics
OF the enemies OF that institution Their
aim IS TO strike al the imagination
and excite the feelings by = moving
picture or by q skilfal and dramatic
arrangement Of Incidents These writ
ers are careful not 10 inform their
readers that the use Of the torture and
other severe penalties, resorted 70 at
the time Of the inquisition, entirely OPP
posed as those means are 70 modern
customs. was in full conformity with
/ the penal code OF past centuries. and
/ habituaIIy used By All the tribunals OF
those times IN AL countries In the
eyes OF these writers, the moment
] blood Is shed OF frs lit, the cause :
/ judged and the tribunal Is held 10 be
IN the wrong They do not reason they
| declaim, they do not try TO convince
/ their readers. but only seek % arouse