Superstition in High Places.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, the founder of the New York Herald, died June 1, in the 70th year of his age. By pandering to low public tastes, he built up an enormous newspaper business, and reaped a harvest of gold. He was a Roman Catholic; and the following farcical folly is recorded touching the close of his career: “The Roman Catholic priest, of the church near Mr. Bennett’s residence, and to which Mr. B. had contributed $5,000, bore his testimony on Sunday morning: “‘It is a great consolation to us all to know that Mr. Bennett was a true and zealous believer in the Holy Church, an earnest Christian. While his mind was perfectly clear and unclouded, he of his own accord sent for Archbishop McCloskey, who at Mr. Bennett’s express desire and wish administered the sacrament with extreme unction. Up to the moment of his death, he appeared resigned to God’s will, and happy. Mr. Bennett had long worn the “scapula,” but since he was stricken with paralysis, six months ago, desired to possess the “sacred heart” also. The “sacred heart,” which is so commonly worn by the disciples of our Church, is symbolical. To the true believer, its significance is great, but by the unbeliever, it is regarded with contempt, as a bundle of rags having no meaning. Mr. Bennett’s soul, like that of every one, must endure some suffering as an expiation. For no mortal, however pure, noble, and truly faithful to the Church, has at all times escaped sin. I therefore call upon all good and true Christians to offer up prayers to the Throne of Grace, that his release may be speedily effected and his soul enter those realms of perfect repose and happiness only accorded to the just made perfect.’” These prayers will be offered, masses will be said, and money will be paid, to get Mr. Bennett’s soul out of purgatory. And this, too, in the last half of the 19th century, and in reference to a man who stood at the head of one of the largest newspaper establishments of this country, and who should therefore have allowed his intelligence, if nothing else, to correct such folly and superstition. How must Heaven look upon the foul legions of unscriptural dogmas which Satan has foisted into, and caused to be believed and preached and practiced under the name of Christianity!