Ireland and the Romish Church.
By J. F. McNamee
WE do not find a single authentic instance where the religion of the early Irish Church was derived from Rome. On the contrary, we find her frequently resisting the encroachments of Rome. Although the church of Rome today dresses up the picture of St. Patrick with mitre, crozier, and robes, yet it has no right to do anything of the kind. In his day the Roman Catholic Church, as it is to-day, did not exist. There were no confessional boxes then, as confession was not established as it is now until the year 1215. So also with transubstantiation and other erroneous doctrines peculiar to modern Romanism. From this and other proofs too numerous to mention here, we conclude that the early Irish Church was independent of Rome. Their form of worship was of the purest kind; the word of God was their guide, and Jesus their only spiritual head. Ah, but remember the days of old, for the glory of the Irish Church, her pure Christianity, is nearing the decline. The cromlech fell into disuse, and the horrid rites of the fire-worshipers waned before Patrick with the sword of the Spirit in hand; and now a period is reached when the standard of religion and religious progress is about to be supplanted by Romanism. It is needless for me to dwell minutely upon the introduction of Romanism into Ireland. You are already aware of the events of the twelfth century, when the Roman eagle perched upon our round towers, and error after error crept in gradually, bringing the people within the "awful circle," until religious liberty was destroyed and superstition prevailed. Here we may date the turning point in the history of our country. Here may be viewed the horizon behind which the bright sun of the early church of Ireland and Ireland's freedom set; while Rome's dark clouds came rolling darker and denser over the Alps, veiling the splendor of Ireland's sky. Need we dwell upon the history of our unhappy country since that time when military force and Romish intrigue were employed to overpower and subdue our people? Brethren, Ireland is in bondage to-day and trampled upon by Rome, but permit me to say, as long as they kept their first faith, they preserved their national and religious independence. And now, brethren, when our harp is gone over to Rome, when our early church is no more, when our national independence is no more, when religious freedom is no longer enjoyed, a voice is heard saying, "Remember the days of old," when the people were free to worship God in spirit and in truth, when they bowed to no pope or priest, save the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in a spiritual independence, I believe in a national independence too, but I don't believe in regaining such by dynamite or agrarian outrage. My dear Roman Catholic people, if you really desire freedom, break away from the Roman Church that destroyed your freedom. Let our Celtic tenacity be as firm in demanding the freedom, the literature, the purity of faith of the early church, as we have been in our adhesion to an erroneous church. Give our people the gospel that was preached by Patrick and the early missionaries. Let us have once more our own old schools of literature, where the glorious truths of the Bible will be unraveled, quickening and enlightening the minds of our people. Oh, this blessed book! this blessed educator! If it has lighted and guided nations on their march of progress; if the Bible has been the torch that originated the mighty fire of the Reformation; if it is the pride of the American Christian and patriot that the Bible is the corner-stone of his nation, should not the noblest aspiration of our Irish hearts be, to have the Bible as the corner-stone of the land of our birth? From a personal experience I can assure you that, if you take the Bible as your guide, and study its sacred pages, you will find a great contrast existing between the noble ideas and sublime principles it imparts of God, Jesus, the present and future life, and the groveling, imperfect, slavish principles of Romanism. Thank God, a brighter day seems about to dawn. Evangelical truth is beaming. I think the time is not far distant when the old days which we now are called upon to remember shall return to our country; when a full and true and pure Christianity shall renew the hearts and enlighten the minds of our people; and then when they will allow the truth to make them free, they shall be free indeed. We now preach unto you the glorious truth of the Son of God, and ask you to learn for yourselves the great doctrines of the Christian church. We say to you, let no man deceive you. Let no man stand between you and your Saviour. Heed not that organization and system that boasts of a long standing, and of the gorgeousness of its ceremonies. But rather follow the lowly Nazarene, who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." If then you will take Jesus as your only Priest, Saviour, and Mediator, if you will take the Bible as your guide, soon the misty veil of error and spiritual bondage shall be lifted from off many eyes, and the lovely panorama painted by a master hand, will appear as beautiful as in the palmy days of its youthful beauty.—Rev. J. F. McNamee, in Converted Catholic.