WE have been accused of bitterness toward Roman Catholics when we have shown what seems to us the erroneousness and unscripturalness of their belief. But we hold naught against Roman Catholics. We hold them honest, but deceived. Their degree of culpability, their motives, we leave with God. That is how the Western Watchman characterizes Protestantism and Protestants in an editorial in its issue of March 19. It is not Lenten-season groutiness either; it is characteristic of Dr. Phelan the editor. He says:
"Men who have become Catholics assure us that they were perfectly honest while professing Protestantism. Both Cardinal Manning and Cardinal Newman say so. They were as honest as any prejudiced Protestants could be. A man in his mind and heart believes another a scoundrel, who is, however, one of the purest and best of men. He may claim to be honest in his opinion; but the object of his prejudice will be slow to admit it. Protestantism rests on a foundation of lies. Its walls are built with lies. It is roofed in with lies. Protestants may claim to be honest, but indignant Catholics say to Hades with their honesty. With this stock of lies are wrapped up a world of contempt and scorn and rancor and malice. Binding them in one compact whole is the love of ease, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh. Cowardice keeps Protestants out of the church. They have not the courage to break their chains. Every priest who has received a convert into their church knows with what fear and trembling the latter took the step. But these obstacles of human and diabolical creation must be removed. It matters little how, so they are removed."
We submit that such language is not inclined to win them. It would be of interest to know how many Protestants had been persecuted, anathematized, tortured, or put to death because they became Catholics. It is becoming quite popular to join the Catholic Church now. It is the right and duty of every soul to judge as to the truth or falsity of a religion, a system. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. But the judgment of the individual soul, the person, rests with God.