POPERY AND THE BIBLE.

Southland Times, Issue 1600, 2 July 1872, Page 3

POPERY AND THE BIBLE.

[ Sib, — It is not surprising that a Popish priest should declare the written Word of G-od to be a " dead letter." If he has read history he must know that the entrance of that Word into the minds and hearts of a priest-ridden people means the exit of Popery. ' ' The entrance of thy words giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalms cxis. 130). " G-od so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John iii. 16). " There is one G-od, and one Mediator between G-od and man, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. ii. 5). " Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's : for this he did once, when he offered up himself " (Heb. vii. 27). " Christ being raised from* the dead dieth no more" (Rom. vi. 9); "Christ alao hath once suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust" (1 Peter iii. 18). "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb. x. 10). These are quotations from that Bible which Mr Carden characterises as " corrupt" and a " dead letter." There is neither Pope, nor human priest, j nor altar, nor intercessory saiat, nor purgatory, ! in the Christianity of the Bible. Popery does not constitute the Church of Christ ; at best it is but a " corrupt version" thereof. Would Mr Carden kindly explain why every country in the past and present under the papal sway and " education," was and is reduced to a state of ignorance, superstition, and poverty — moral and physical degradation ? But what kind of explanation is to be expected of the man who actually believes there are 300,000,000 people in love wiih Popery, and capable of forming an intelligent opinion upon the education question ? Unless he meant this, what is the value of his statement—" 300,000,000 Catholics," &c. ? Does " the Church" allow its followers to judge for themselves ? — I am, <fee, A Catholic, but not a Papist. 29th June, 1872.