EVANGELICALISM IN ROME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 35, 27 December 1873, Page 12

EVANGELICALISM IN ROME.

' BAD 808 THB FBOTXSTACT VBO8XX1TTKB8 ! " Tell it not in Oath ! Evangelicalism is at a discount in this good city of Borne," So exclaims the Roman correspondent of the New York ' Freeman's Journal ' in a recent letter to that paper. Some time ago we quoted from English papers, chiefly, we think, from the 1 London Advertiser,' to show that the well paid " missionary efforts " of the sects in Rome were not the success that Signor ftavazzi would lead simple Presbyterians to think they were; thatfew were made Protestants, but many infidels or bad Catholics. Lately, copies of a letter (avviso) of the Cardinal Vicar were torn by Government officials from the door* and columns of churches in Rome. "The avvito," says the correspondent of the ' Freeman,' " has called forth a number of letters, pamphlets, etc., from those wolves in sheep's clothiug who, gaunt and grim, the inevitable shepherdess in their train, are to be met stalking o through the streets of ' the modern Babylon,' to use their select phraseology. The ' Journal de Rome ' quotes one he has received bearing the signature : ' Vincent Ravi, Evangelical Minister," which the editor pronounces a factu<n devoid of form or of foundation — that it would require men of far different calibre to combat Catholicism ; that the Avviri Sacri of the Cardinal Vicar are far preferable 5 that Bavi is incorrect, and even impolite ; that nothing could justify him in assuming towards His Eminence Patrizi such a tone, which is in nowise evangelical ; and that, in fact, throughout the seven pag*s of the pamphlet, M. Ravi gives ihe effect of a peasant haranguing the Rector of a University. ..." But the unkindert blow of all is received from the ' Capitalo,' which, after long praising and upholding that party * in homage to the blessed liberty of conscience, the inherent right of •very human creature '—after advertising all their places of meeting sad urging all to flock thither — now suddenly chinges its tone, and iv an article entitled 'The Evangelical lipidemic,' complains of the Svangelicals that ' these now Apostles of Jesus Christ are fairly a nuisance. Th<'re is a contii.uil showur of letters, pamphlets, notices, confutations, answers, etc.. to the Tnvito Saco of Cardinal Patrici, -with the usual dishing up (sic) of the Bible and the accustomed references to carriages, palaces, etc. It. is a real torture; and, to crown •11, they write us letters and bother us with visits, requesting us to •econd s : milar old wives' tales. Such absurdities are quite out of Elace in this our own day ; the needs of society are not met by the keplan. For example, here in Home is a family without a roof to •belter them : well, here is a Bible ; turn it into a room if you can ! here are persons wanting food ; well, here is a Bible — eat it ! So much for this epidemic ! We repeat, it is not our purpose to combat and to overthrow [?] one error »o elevate another upon its ruins. Our design is to promote the cause of lanor, which truly moralizes society a thousand times better than the Bible followed by the rest of their nonsense."