The Faith of Our Fathers

macy Of T

were to be handed down to his successors from generation to generation. The Church is in all ages as much in need of a Supreme Ruler as it was in the days of the Apostles. Nay, more; as the

the Church are inherited by the Bishops of Rome, as successors of the Prince of the Apostles; just as the con

eans essential to the government of the Church. God acts toward His Church as we deal with a tender sapling. When we first plant it we water it and [pg 109] soften the clay about its roots. But when it takes deep root we leave it to the

e arguments in favor of Peter's Primacy have equal

evidence, that the Popes have always, from the days of the Apostles, continued to exercise supreme jurisdiction not only in

peal from Washington to Richmond, but from Richmond to Washington. Now, if we find the See of Rome from the foundation of Christianity entertaining and deciding cases of appe

you a few il

t once exercises his [pg 110] supreme authority by writing letters of remonstrance and admonition to the Corinthians. And so great was the reverence entertained for these Epistles by the faithful of Corinth that, for a century later, it was customary to have them pub

celebrated Easter on the day on which the Jews kept the Passover, while in the West it was observed then, as it is now, on the first Sunday after the full moon of the v

op of Carthage, w

from his writings and correspondence, as well as from the whole tenor of his administration, it is qui

Patriarch of Alexandria erred on some points of faith, demands an explanation of the sus

th century to Pope Julius I. from an unjust decision rendered against him by th

same century has recourse in his afflic

the fifth century to Pope Innocent I. for a redress of grievances inflicted on

Nestorius; Nestorius, also, appeals to the

consecration. The Bishop appealed to the Holy See, and both he and the Metropolitan personally repaired to Rome, to submit their cause to the judgment of Pope Leo

Hilary for having irregularly

rogant or a rebellious churchman, but an edifying and a zealous Prelate. He is revered by the wh

eps of the Apostles.... I beseech you not to scorn my application. Do not slight my gray hairs.... Above all, I entreat you to teach me whether to put up with this unjust deposition or not; for I await your sentence. If you bid me rest in what has been determined against me, I will rest, and will trouble no man more. I will look for the righteous judgment of our God and Savior. To me, as Almighty God is

ision of the Patriarch of that city to Pope St. Gre

n to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In consequence of the Pope's conscientious refusal Phot

he Eastern Church, and consequently far removed from the local influences of Rome, appealing in every period of the early Church from the decisions of their own Bisho

Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose and Leo. They were the acknowledged guardians of pure doctrine, and the living representatives "of the faith once delivered to the Saints." They were to the Church in their gene

permit me to give any extracts from their writings. The reader who may be unacquainted with the original language of the Fathers, or who has not their writings at hand, is

] or General Council is an assemblage of Prelates representing the whole Catholic Church. A General Cou

the Vatican. The last eleven were held in the West, and the first eight in the East. I shall pass

nt influence which the Holy See exer

in Ephesus, in 431; the fourth, in Chalcedon, in 451; the fifth, in Constantinople, in 553; the sixt

t the first and second Councils of Constantinople, and they confirmed all these eight by their authority. Before becoming a law the Acts of the Co

courtesy, but by right. A dignitary who calls an assembly together, who presides over its deliberations, whose

on hitherto converted from Paganism to Christianity since the days of the Apostles, has received the light of faith from missionaries who were either espec

. Who commissioned him? Pope St.

of Scotland. Who sent him?

onk, as all historians, Catholic and non-Catholic, testify. Who empower

e, at the close of the fifth century. He wa

nth century from St. Eligius, who acknow

native England by his baptismal name of Winfrid. He was commissioned by Pope Gregory II.

Sclavonia, Moravia and other parts of Northern Europe. [pg 116] They recognized the

erted by missionaries introduced from E

Eskill. Both of these nations immediately after their conversion commenced to pay Romescot, or a small

formation, received likewise the light of faith from Roman Catholic

xtended the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through India and Japan, were in communion with the Holy See; and that those Apostles who, in the sixtee

m? Most certainly; for, even those American Christians who are unhappily severed from the Catholic Church

European nations having been converted by missionaries in subjection to the Holy See, it follows that, from whatever part of Europe

of Europe and of other countries received their authority from Rome.

o Rome, as to the star of their hope. Are the Fathers and Doctors of the early Church consulted? With one voice they all pay homage to the Bishop of Rome as to their spiritual Prince. Is an Ecumenical Council to be convened in the East or West? The Pope is its leading spirit. Are new nations to be converted to the fai

n the hierarchy of the Church. The history of the [pg 118] United States with the Presidents left out would be more intelligible than th

ry existence has been denied; for, "the fool hath said in his heart there is no God."171 Does this denial destroy the existence and dominion of G

der of the Greek schism, was an obedient son of the Pope until Nicholas refused to recognize his usurped authority. Henry VIII. was a stout defender of t

, but by Jesus Christ, President of the Christian commonwealth. You cannot, therefore, be a true citizen of the Republic of the Church so long as you spurn the legitimate supremacy of its Div

g the professors of Christianity, and from thousands of hearts a

mentably failed. Indeed, the only result which followed from the alliance was the creation of a new sect under the auspices of Dr. Cummins. That reverend gentleman, with the characteristic modesty of all religious reformers,

platform to stand on. There was no voice in that assemb

ognition of Peter and his successors as the Head of the Church. Build upon this foundation and you will not erect a tower of Babel, nor build upon sand. If all Christian sects were united with the centre of unity, then the scat

se; when all Christians will advance with united front, under one common lea

g