Year: 1870

THE PRESBYTERIAN CLERICAL ASSOCIATION - A


DISCUSSION on CHRISTIAN CHARITY.


The regular weekly meeting Of the Presby-
teran ministers OF NewYork and vicinity held yes
terday morning the Chapel of the Union Theological
Seminary, Dr. Macse in the chair. The attendance was
unusually large The question for discussion The Limits
OF Christian Charity in our Treatment Of Roman Caho-
lies had been continued from the last meeting, and Dr
j. A. saxton had been appointed to open the debate Dr.
saxton said that he had taken occasion to see Dr. Bacon
whose appearance at the dedication OF Roman Catholc
cathedral in NewHaYen had originated the dscusslon
and had asked for explanation OF the Affair." Dr. Bacon
stated that he had received very polite invitation from
the Roman Catholic priest OF New Haven TO attend the
dedication, and to be present the platform The inv
taton was also given to President Woolsey OF Yale
College and some Episcopal cergymcn. BY tho advice
of his colleagues the ministry he accepted the invita-
ton and appeared there. They felt that when such
kind invitation had been given, 1t was nothing
more than Christian courtesy to accept It, They
we're not ntmidated, as some OF the New YORK YORK
ministers had thought They acted IN ace3rnaco Hl1n
"If whei this cathedral in Fifthave is dedicated Dr.
SaXtOn said We should be invited TO attend, shoud
feel disposed TO accept and not feel that was COM
nromising INV Protestant sentiments at all In this
ghtened age In which we boast so much or religious
freedom, We ought TO adopt higher standard In our
treatment OF Roman CathOhcs We ought 70 cherlsh IN
our hearts Christian toleaon Tor the very purpose OF
eonsciences. Shall then be lords the conscences
OF our Roman Catholic brethrenl They have right to





them The very way TO give Us opportunity OF cor
rocng their error, if they arc in error, is g cultivate
summary way OF turning of pagan nations to eternal
condemnation Some people have expressed the fear
idOatTOu5 religion into our country. well, let
it come. We encourage our sabbath-schools
Impression received there will last through life. Shall
We forget that very fact in our treatment OF Pagansi
Are we to expect them forget In moment all the I'M
prssons Of childhood We should not wish them TO come
here without these Impressions Let them build IN fhsr M
intercourse they get light into their minds More Atrl.
cans have become Christians because they were DloIgh
TO this country than were made SO by the work OF
missionaries in Africa ITSELF just so IL ls WIN roman
Catholics We cannot expect tno9 @ M MtS So nave e pign m
pressions. Let hold fellowship with them We shal
Then have an opportunity of bringing them TO the truth
We have nothing to fear from the contact We have an
open Bible and can run no hazard In reply TO an IN
Inc to attend the dedication of his temple should
tauly do it, and preach too, if he asked me-"


thought e ' m would be better for the Country # every
vestge OF Roman Catholicism were swept away 1t would


lie. Those who Catholics might better drift into
inadety, athelsm-anything rather than Cathoiesi' %
Then Protestant clergy men might De able TO eaeh the
whereas now they cannot Now we cannot get access 10
ton II the people relieved from the tyranny Of
the Roman Catholic system, many might 50 among
reason why Catholicism might better be de
stroyed. There is an irreconcllabe conflict be-
prominent tenet of the Roman Catholic church that
there should be close connection between Church ana
State. This Repubcanism forbds. This much is clear
We must let our Catholic brethren severely alone ana
ask them to 90 he same by qs Mt Step5s m o8
Protestant servants would rather cook my own food
know would go to the Church would rather not em-
poy Roman Catholic TO do anything say this as an
American citizen and not as Protestaht; as fasans
have been considered, would say that think Pagan


The Rev. Mr. St. John stated his belief that there was
a great deal Of pety in the Roman Catholic Church.
There were priests m TINS city who served God just as
faithfully rs his brother In the Presbyterian ministry
He believed them to be under delusion Education had
taught him to have kindly feeng toward all men ne
would not hesitate TO 60 70 dedleal0n OF me knu
spoken Of He would encourage the building OF Roman
Catholic churches. In response to the comments on the
relationship OF America aud Catholicism he said it
the glory OF America that Catholics had much right to
that the influence Of American institutions has brought
great freedom Of thought and action into all denomina
tions. IL had brought much freedom into the Presby
terian and Catholic, and would bring more.


Christ in sincerity"


DR.. Burchard said that as a man, he would be social
cordial full OF charity in his intercourse with Catholics
In his Intercourse with preSt of his acquaintance he
recognized him gentleman and scholar, and they
both equal terms But when the request was TO
ask him 70 recognize the Catholic Church. be could not
go to that extent. There are good men, more good men
than good ministers in the Church. but that does not
ply that the Catholic Church Is good one. AS system
it Is fun badness full of error full OF danger for the
ship with them socially wish TO make distinction be-
tween fellowship and recognition. will not do any
thing to the Roman Catholic Church as church
OF the Lord Jesns Christ an insrumenality for up
lifting humanity in this country for advancing our
republican institutions. Having these views, would
not go TO such dedication, as has been mentioned. L
would not recognize temple dedicated to idoatTy in
this country. 1t would imperil my position as Christian
minister"


The Rev. Mr. Garfield stated that he would relate GER
tain experiences not for the fear that they would
be made public. Dr. Burchard said that II ministers
to be muZzcd by the presence Of reporter, that
individual had better 20 out Dr. Crosby replied, saying
that he thought the reporter not ~ be blamed but
rather the minister who would allow himself to be en-
barrassed by thefear OF publicity in the prints II he
had any opinions let him state them honestly and have
then dropped and the Rev. Mr.. Carlyle continued
the discussion lie agreed with many OF the former
speakers In thinking that spirit of kindness should be
shown toward Catholics by that means access could
| be gained to their hearts.


The Association found that there was so much still to
be said that IL would be necessary To continue the discus
sion at the next meeting and adjourned, after singing
1 q .x.I..