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Papal Indulgences

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 22, 1874

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 14.

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Papal Indulgences.

By A. SMITH

According to a card that recently, by accident, came into my possession, there is, among Roman Catholics, an association called the “Society of the Angel Guardian.” I copy the following from the card in question, which is a certificate of membership:
Every person contributing one dollar shall be a member of this Society for one year after such contribution. The following indulgences have been accorded to the members by the Holy Father, Pius IX.
“1. A Plenary Indulgence on the day of admission.
“2. A Plenary Indulgence each year on the 2d of October, which is the Feast of the Angel Guardian.
“3. A Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death.
“4. A Partial Indulgence of three hundred days as often as the members shall recite a Pater Ave and Gloria Patri in honor of the Angel Guardian.
“A Mass will be celebrated every month for all members, and other benefactors; and a special Mass of Requiem will be offered for each deceased member when due notice shall have been given of the death, to Rev. __________.
“N. B. Any one wishing to become a member can do so by sending name, with One Dollar, as above, by mail. A donation of Ten Dollars entitles the giver to a Life Membership.
“PRAYER TO OUR ANGEL GUARDIAN. O Angel of God, to whose care I am committed by the supreme clemency, illumine, keep, guide and guard me this day (or night).”
The certificate bears date of Oct. 1, 1870, and is duly signed.
According to Webster the term indulgence, as used in the Roman Catholic Church, signifies “remission of the punishment due to sins.”
The Roman Church believes in works of supererogation, and this superabundant goodness is laid up in store with the merits of Christ, and can be conferred by the pope at pleasure upon any person for money.
According to a book entitled, “Tax of the sacred Roman Chancery,” the price of an indulgence for the crime of robbery or arson was twelve shillings, while for incest or murder it was only seven shillings and six cents.
Roman Catholics are no doubt ashamed of the blasphemous teachings of Tetzel, whom Luther so successfully combatted in Germany, but it is wonderful that so many should still be found, in this enlightened age, who can submit to be imposed upon by the ridiculous pretensions of Pius IX. A. SMITH.