The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-01-16
EATING HIS OWN WORDS.

We very glad the sterling Catholics of BIZ
loxi have administered castigation to the Rev. W.
A. Roper for his unfounded assertions in relation
to their church and themselves. Writing for the
Baptist Record a report concerning the revival in
that town he ended that report with these words:
'Our growth is slow down here There are many
things against u.s. chief among which is the FREEDOM
mating influence of Catholicism, which has ruled
here for than two centuries. Catholicism does
not stand for the Bible nor for personal response
bility for moral living. Do as you please only
make your confession to the priests and look to
them for salvation. 1t is but little removed from
heathenism and is less excusable for it is sin
against the light The standard of morals is very
low here, as Is always the case with priestridden
districts A pure gospel and high standard of
moral living therefore, have not but little welcome
among such people"
Mr. Roper is evidently disappointed man.
That revival of his must be like those other revivag
that we read so much about in the newspapers
all sound and fury signifying nothing He must
show something for his money, something that will
satate the ntoerant and bgoted appetites of those
who furnish the cash and being able it seems to
drag many wayward ones into his net, he breaks
into vetuperation against the Catholic church ~Our
growth is slow down here" We would be surprised,
Mr.. Roper if it were otherwise. The people now
adays will not have the chaf, especially your chaf
they must have the grain the truth nothing.
Give them Christ's doctrine, preach to them the
truth about baptism and penance, the sanctity of
marriage the eternal truths they will receive them
for they are wise and educated enough nowadays
to know that there is very little truth indeed if any
4lo
who chooses as his subject lying TRADE against
the Catholic church. Catholicism does not stand
for the Bible nor for personal responsibility, nor
for moral living" We are Catholics Mr.. Roper
and we confess that we are taught and were always
taught that Catholicism stands for the Bible, in
fact that every doctrine which we profess today
has its foundation in the Bible Ali Mr.. Roper.
if you turned the phrase the other way about and
said Professionalism does not stand for the Bible
you would have just placed your finger the
damning spot of the Protestant faith. Whisper.
Mr.. Roper, is there anything in your Bible about
penanee confession the sacraments, especially the
unity and sanctity of marriage church. its
ndefectibility, its unity. apostocity, the eternal
truths, the hoowness of faith without good works,
above all the qualities of that queen of virtues
Charity. We think there is but like many of
your kidney, you close your eyes to those truths
and take out of the Bible just what suits yourself
Be consistent, Mr.. Roper, and accept the whole
Bible or nothing for we see no reason why you hug
special lines in the Bible TO your breast and reject
many weighter and graver lines, but forget
4you are one Of those who go in for personal re-
sponsibility," that's the rub Did you ever hear
Mr. Roper, what Volture said to the young
who with satisfied smile assured him that he'll
was a myth of weak minds!
"Ahl my dear young fellow" Voltaire an
swered, 81 wish l could think So"
We, Mr.. Roper, if consult natural incli-
nations, would like very much to brush aside GER
tain texts but we cannot consult our convenience
we cannot each of us form little church of our
own with our own easy doctrines. Gods word is in
the Bible and Gods word cannot be set aside to
suit our every whim, it is the whole or nothing
The Catholic church accepts the whole and is con-
sistent the Protestant church accepts part and is
inconsistent and hence its followers are constantly
moving in a sea of doubt without any pillar of