THE REFORMATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1052, 15 February 1911, Page 8

THE REFORMATION.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CRITICISMS. PROPOSED OVERTURE TO THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. (By Tclcsraph-rress Assoclation.l Christchurch, February 14. Tho Rev. Robert Wood gave notice- at tho Christchurch Presbytery this morning of tho following overture to the Presbyterian General Assembly:— Whereas this Church, in common with a large part of Christendom, looks upon the Reformation of the sixteenth century as largely a return to the doctrine and policy -of tho Church of tho Apostles, a genuine revival of religion , and a movement that has been fruitful in blessing to the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and political life of the world; and whereas prominent representatives of-tho Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand have published, and aro publishing very gross misrepresentations with regard to the principles of tho Reformation and the personal characters of its leaders from tho pulpit, platform, and press, as for example: - . (1) A preacher of eminence some time ago from the pulpit of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Auckland described the Scottish Reformation in tho following words:—"Thus tho new religion of Scotland, planted in slaughter and watered in blood, was introduced and established. Knox was all through the business tho snmo two-handed swordsman who marched before Wishart in days gone by, grim, stern, merciless, uncompromsiing."— "Disunion and Reunion," by W. J. Madden, Rector of tho Roman Catholic Cathedral, Auckland.

(2) The "Lyttclton Times" of February 13, 1911, Reports that > Monsignor Fowler, from the Christchurch Roman Catholic Cathedral pulpit, spoke as follows on the preceding evening:—"Ho referred briefly to the leaders of tho Reformation as misguided men. Tho churches which sprang into existence as tho result of the revolt of these men wero mau-niado churches. Tho Roman Catholic Church alono held its mandate from God." And the same prelate, on the afternoon of the sariie day at a meeting, presided over. by Bishop Grimes, said: Ho believed there was wisdom in tho old institution of the Inquisition. That was n startling saying, but ho meant it. What was called heresy in those days was nothing but anarchy nnd rebellion against God. It was necessary to take measures, terrible measures, to repress rebellion, because the life of tho nation was at stake."—"Lyttclton Times," February 13, 1911. (3) Bishop Grimes, of Christchurch, ir his pastoral letter for 1911, describes the revival'of religion of the sixteenth century as tho sad rovolt known as tho Reformation, and he commends tho dogma of indulgences as "most Scriptural, logical, and conformable to the human heart."—"Lytteltou Times," February 7, 1011. . •■ ■ .

(4) In a catechism highly praised by American and Irish Soman Catholic prelates and circulated and sold in New Zealand as "particularly well suited for the purpose of higher religious-instruction in Catholic schools and academies," the history of the. Reformation, is thus summarised iii order to show that Protestantism is a false religion, or rather no religion at all. It will bo sufficient simply to bear in , mind :-(l) That it was established by four great libertines. (2) That it owes its origin to tho love of honours covotousnoss of tho goods of others, and tho love o£ sensual pleasures; three things forbidden by Ihq Gospel. (3) That it permits you to believe whatever you please nnd to do whatever you believe; that it has caused immense ovils, deluged. Germany, France, Switzerland, and England with blood; it.. leads to impiety, and unally,to indifference, tho source of all revolution past and future."—"Catechism of Perseverance," p. 324. And whereas a knowledgo of the history of tho past is by no means general, in i\cw Zealand it is humbTy overtiired that the venerable the General Assembly indited to meet at Duncdin in 1911, to take the foregoing matters into consideration with the view of removing wrong views of our indebtedness to tho past, nndthrouijh our Sunday schools, Biblo classes, and official paper, create an intelligent knowledge of Reformation principles and history. '