A NEW EFFORT OF ROMANISM.
The connection between the ten-horned beast of Rev. xiii, which symbolizes the Roman Catholic power, and the two-horned beast of the same chapter, which we regard as a symbol of Protestant America, gives special importance to any new movement on the part of Romanism, and any new development in the downward tendency of Protestantism. The following article from the New Covenant in relation to the late Catholic plenary council in Baltimore, gives some intimations of the bold and extensive move they intend to make to increase their power in this country. “The second Plenary Council of the Catholic church has just closed its session in Baltimore. It was opened by a procession of bishops and clergy, who marched from the residence of the Archbishop to the Cathedral, gorgeously attired in sacerdotal robes, which were resplendent in the sunlight, and covered with mystic devices. This characteristic ecclesiastical pomp was not without its effect on the throngs of spectators, and is calculated to tell on the unformed and impressible religious nature of those who read of it, as well as of those who saw it. There has been no report of the sessions of the Council published, nor will there be, and the proceedings were mostly carried on in Latin. “The Catholic clergy, always quiet, reticent, undemonstrative, and out of sight even while holding the reins of the church, have not been inattentive observers of the great events which have transpired in the world’s history, during the last few years. The victories of Prussia and Italy in the late war, and the political inroads thus made upon the church, and the power of the Pope, were discussed with profound feeling and interest. As a counter-poise to these losses and humiliations, the Council pledged to his Holiness, the unreserved loyalty and attachment of the American church, in as emphatic language as the meagre Latin is capable of. The losses of the church in Europe, are to be more than made up in America. If the European Catholic nations are decaying, and the church is being gradually uprooted there, here it must compensate itself by spreading widely, and striking its roots into our social and governmental fabric. “The freedmen of the South, and their spiritual destitution, largely occupied the attention of the Council. It regretted their ‘sudden liberation’ and wished that ‘in accordance with the action of the Catholic church in past ages, a more gradual system of emancipation had been adopted.’ An express command from Rome, as well as the inclination of the Catholic clergy, will lead the Roman church to give to this forlorn class at the South, immediate and earnest attention, and a revival of the Catholic Church South may be expected. “Our public school system passed in review. It was not condemned except for Catholic youth, and these the Bishops insisted must be educated in Catholic establishments, where the principles of the Catholic religion shall be inculcated with the rudiments of reading and writing. Any one who will examine the statistics of our common schools, will perceive that only a very small fraction of Catholic children are now being taught in them. A protest was uttered against the state laws, which assume to regulate the manner by which church property shall be held, as ‘contrary to the canons and discipline of the Catholic Church,’ and it was asserted that the ‘civil power might as well dictate the doctrines the church shall teach, as to say how she shall hold her temporal possessions.’ “But the grand object of this Council, the prime motive of its convocation, what more than all else gives importance to its sessions, was stated by Archbishop Purcell in a closing sermon, to be the reclaiming of the United States to Catholicity. This prelate who is learned, and a leading representative of the church, gave a hint of the modus operandi to be adopted. There is to be no crusade preached against Protestantism—no offensive thrusting forward of the doctrines and practices of the Roman church—no bustle, no heralding of plans, no advertising of their purposes—but quietly, wisely, perseveringly, industriously, energetically, pertinaciously, in large and vigorous measures, the whole church, clerical and lay, are to set about the work of proselytism, and to bring about in the United States that radical change which shall render Catholicism popular, and the religion of the country. “Here shall the Pope some day take up his abode, and outdo in the splendor of his reign, and the wealth and power of his temporalities, anything of which Rome has ever boasted—here shall the church and State be so indissolubly united, that the latter shall wait on the former to learn its behest, and then enthusiastically obey it—here shall the unaccustomed streets echo daily to the tread of processions, chanting oras sonorously, which shall defile along through kneeling and uncovered crowds, bowing low to receive the benediction—here shall the church regulate the details of national and social life, making all things subservient to its wishes. Such is the magnificent ambition of the Plenary Council. With the Roman Church to plan is to do—to will is to perform—and it always acts with a wisdom that insures success. Proselytism is its true business, and before that, all other considerations sink into infinitesimal proportions. The field of labor here open to it—the comprehensiveness of the scheme—the immense resources it has to draw upon in the accomplishment of its project—all point to a revival of Catholic fervor and energy, such as has never been experienced, and that will be felt throughout the extent of the country.” Having reached this point, the writer makes a turn in his article, and gives utterance to sentiments well calculated to promote the very ends the Catholics have in view. Protestants have derived from the Catholic church, some of their most darling traditions. Especially is this the case with their traditional Sabbath, the first day of the week, which makes void one of the commandments of God. This institution is also specially dear to the Catholic church, as she claims it as peculiarly her own, and a proof of her power to change times and laws. And when the foundations of this institution begin to be shaken by the power of truth, Protestants and Papists will be alike interested to uphold and enforce it. And there can be no doubt, that there will be some sort of a coalition between them for this purpose. It only needs the inculcation of such sentiments as the following to make this a matter of easy attainment. The writer says: “We are not of those who witness the rapid spread of the Catholic church in this country, its growing number of cathedrals, colleges, hospitals, and monasteries, with alarm. If there is danger in its ambitious designs upon the State, the American people are forewarned, and so forearmed. They are beginning to learn that ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,’ and would be found as prompt to resist the encroachments of the Catholic church, as they have been those of the slave oligarchy. Aside from its aim to ally and interweave the church with the political affairs of the State and nation so as to control them, liberal Christianity can have no greater objection to the growth of the Catholic church, than to that of any other outside of its own communion. “There is much indeed in the Catholic church to praise and emulate. The devotion of its adherents challenges one’s admiration. The heroism and self-sacrifice of its sisters of mercy and charity, who are appalled at no horror or danger, when obeying the call of suffering, and who walk unflinchingly into the very jaws of death, in the performance of their unbought, and often unsolicited charities, are beyond all praise. The founding of hospitals, the indoctrinating of their youth, the consecration of their churches, not merely to the service of the Sabbath, but to the religious uses of every day—these and many other peculiarities of the Romish Church might be engrafted on Protestantism to great advantage. We expect to see a quickening, an awakening in the Catholic church, commensurate with the great projects it has now in hand. An enthusiasm more subtle and permeating, than that enkindled by Peter the Hermit, when he preached the Crusades, and quite as energizing and resistless, will sweep through the whole body, and carry forward its plans to completion. There will be no lack of means for the great work designed. Every Catholic, whether merchant or laborer, or servant, will contribute from his abundance or poverty, and that most joyfully. If Protestants would set about their work with the same singleness of purpose, the same robustness of will, the same untiring persistence, the same unity of action, since they are the more numerous and wealthy, they would soon distance the Catholic church in the splendor of their achievements. But split into factions, and forever wrangling over some unimportant dogma, they waste their energies, and stand still, when they should go forward. Meanwhile, their formidable rival, with its loins girt with a resolute purpose, sweeps on victorious. Every day it gains strength from fresh accessions to its ranks, and entrenches itself in positions from which it cannot easily be dislodged. It wastes no effort, it avoids side issues, it will not quarrel, but marches steadily on to its grand purpose—the reclaiming of the United States. Who does not see what great vantage-ground it has?”