The lust
of gold and pride of life are now the chief objects of man's
existence and desire, and there was hardly ever a time in history
when utter indifference to the laws of God was more openly exhibited
than it is just now. The sin of unbelief and all the evils attendant
on that sin are steadily increasing, and the Church seems powerless
to stop the approaching disaster. Is it, that knowing herself to be
weak, she does not make the attempt to be strong? If this is so, she
must fall, and not all the getting-in of gold will help her! But
you, Holy Father--you might arrest all this trouble if you would! If
you would change the doctrines of Superstition for those of Science-
-if you would purify our beautiful creed from pagan observances and
incredible idolatries--if you would raise the Church of Rome like a
pure white Cross above the blackening strife, you might save the
sinking ship of faith even now! So little is needed!--simplicity
instead of ostentation--voluntary poverty instead of countless
riches, spiritual power instead of the perpetual cry for temporal
power,--the doctrine of Christ instead of the doctrine of Church
Councils--and the glad welcoming and incorporation of every true,
beautiful, wise and wonderful discovery of the age into the symbolic
teaching of our Creed.
Pages:
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910