A TOUCH-STONE FOR THE POPE. FROM THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 204, 13 May 1848, Page 3

A TOUCH-STONE FOR THE POPE. FROM THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT.

Pope Pius IX. is said to be liberal in liis view*, an* I betievolfint in his character. Having forgiven some political offender* among the Italians, who might have been released as an act of justice, he is lauded to Hie skies for his liberality and generosity. But such acts are not the true tests of his character as Sovereign Pontiff of the lloman Chinch. There is another test that will more fully develop the true character of Popa Pius IX. This has not yet been discussed in the papcis which are so free in his favor. The question is this— Will Pope Pins IX. show the same liberality in religious matters that he has in political ? Will he release Roman Catholic Bishops whoaienow in prison on account of some things of a religious nature, con-, nectcd with the Roman faith ? Already has the call come from Malta that he should release Cashiur, Archbishop of Memphi, "nowunpiisoned in the cells of the Inquisiton. Shall he come, out of the dungeon ? We would^ remind Pius IX. of Doctor O'Finan,, Bishop of Killala, who is detained as a prisoner at Rome, and call upon him to break his chains. Again we enquire of Pius IX,, where is Freddie Rez;, B.shopof Detroit, who has been detained by Gregory XVI, for several years as a prisoner at Rome ?, We know uomething of this Bishop. Rev. J. Delaunay, once of the order of the Jesuits, but of late Missionary of the American Protestant Society, was dmly with the Bishop for upwards of a year in Rome. The Bishop told him that he was held there a prisoner without iiis own consent, and that he ardently desired to return to the U-iiled States. Now we say to the Pope, aend back Bishop Reze. Let us see him again at Detroit, breathing the atmosphere of liberty, and then we shall have some evidence of your generous and liberal views. But until these thingß are done, we shall not believe that the leligious opinions of Pius IX. are any more Hbeial and enlightened than the opinions of tho=e who imprisoned the suffering Biihops. Thus far he has sanctioned tue cruelty of his predecessors. Selfishuess and desire of popular favor in Italy, lcadily account for his raovementa there The fact is, it was necessary for the very existence of the Poue at Rome to secure the Italians. What as likely to do this os the liberation of those noble Italians who had dared to rise for liberty Had he not done so, he had reason to fear, that his triple crown had been tiodden in the; dust. Now let the Pope do a thing that touches the doctrines or the discipline of the Church of Rome — let him. throw open the cells of those who are now suffeiing under the unrighteous discipline of that power, then we will believe that he is more merciful than Grpgory XVI., or Hildebrand, or Csciar Borgia. Again we ask, and let the press everywhere be cla* morous on the subject. Where is Cashiur, Archbishop of Memphi? Wheie is Dr. O'Finan, Bishop of 101lala? Where is Frederic Rezs, Bishop of Detroit? If these men are yet alive, show them to the world, Pius IX-, nud then we shall have some substantial evidence of your clemency. It these men are dead, thenconae out like an honest mat), and tell the Church and the world of it. If thty have perished under their sullerings, tell us whether you approve or condemn the measures tlut hastened their death. It we hear nothing from Pius IX. respecting thc 3 e Bishops, we may draw our inferences from his coa* duct.

Affliction is a pill which, if wrapped up in patience, may be eauly owallowed ; but whea dihconlent puts us upon chewing, it proves uiuct ami disgusting,

TAKING THE CENSUS. Marshal.—How many male persons arc there in thia famiiy ? Old Lady.—Do you nieanchildien and all? M.>— Certainly. 0. L —Oh, then there ain't uonc, came rily children is all'gals 'cept Jobn, and he ain't my child. D'ye count John.? M.—Who's John ? O. L -~oh la t don't you know John ? Why, he's lived with me these ttu yean,. He's our hired man. M.—Well, that's one. How many females are there in the fnmily ? O. L.—Females ? Let me cci-, there ain't none but Biddythehiieclg.il. M. —l understood yon in say that your children were all pals, O. L -—La ' yea ! Well, d'je count lhi>m too ? M.—Ceitaicily I do? I count nil who make tlicir home in your familj —old and youn£—m?n, women, and children. O. L —Snakes alive! Than want to put down the old gentleman, I suppose:—don't you ? M.—What old gentleman ? O. L.—My old man to he sure. M. —To be sure I do. I thonghr you said tliat John the servant man was the only male m the family. O. L.—So I did ; but I didn't 'spose •• malfib " meant desciipt old men like my husband. Poor dear ? lie's been all but dead with lilt! palby aix years next hoeing. M.—Now for the females. O. L.—Well, there's Biddy and Prudence, and Grace, and Jemima: and that* nil —four of the<n. M.—But you haven'c included yourself, here. O, L.—Giacious! D'ye put down the old woman too? 'Pears to me the State's mighty curious this year.— American Paper.

—o— Australian Tenacity of Life. —The natives jive very tenacious of life : nnd so urc all the biids and animals indigenious to the cuunlry. —'l he natives often have spears thrust completely through their bodies, and without any serious injury receive wounds that would prove mortal to the whites. A vagabond who had speared one of some noble rams of ours, was shot by our shepherd whilst in the act of decamping with the carcase. The ball passed comphiely through his lungs, and would have made an end of any white man, but the native recovered in the course of a few days, and walked a hundred miles, heavily ironed, to take his trial for sheep-stealing, at the Quarter Se3iions. — London's Bushman,