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Leader (1850-1860), 13th January 1855, Edition 2 of 2, Page 10

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      Cardinal Wiseman And The Immaculate Conc...

      ara-sbr ^ rsfira ^ iunicated to them , and every portion of it frankly and

      acutely discussed . ' . - ' All was now ready , and the great day approacheda da * forever memorable in the Church ' s annals ^ -the day inwbicTitha greatest prerogative of J «** " » b-J ever cottoned on c * eiBrtTare—exemption from the ¦*** . « orirf ^ d sin—^ as to t » 6 dogmatically declared , ate it had been firttily believed to belong to the purest of beings , after < Hm who ehose and fitted her to be His mother . " Totf will , of course , understand , deariy beloved m Christ , that the Church pretends to no new revelations , Tmt claims € he xinfaaing assistance of the Holy Spirit tb guide her into all trtfftt , and the teaching in her of her divWe Founder , to the consummation Of the world ; and tnerefofei the perfect . assurance that whatever shew found at any tOae to be umvereally teaching , and what the Vicat df Ckrfct pronounces to be her doctrine , has been that « f the Cafltolio Charch from the beginning , arift « 6 n » etfu « rifly a tkrttion 6 f that deposit of faith and

      a partrfiihat revealed trtrfh which was intrusted to Her by tft « Author aed Finisher of her faith . It is not , thereTore , toannounde to the wertd any new discovery , nor to demonstrate by argument a particular theory , that tfiijf veflerabfe assembly was convened in the magnificent BasSica o * St . Peter , on the memorable 8 th of December , jiust elapsed . Itwas as successor to him over whose * ashes and tinder the shadow of whose chair he stands to pronounce a decree of unfailing certainty , that the immunity of the ever-blessed Virgin Mother of God , 'the eternal Word incarnate , and the Spotless Lamb had been a doetrind-revealed from the beginning , and if hitherto only received in blessed faith , henceforth by virtueof hi 8 decree to be believed by all with explicit faith—that is , as a distinct and separate dogma , no longer involved In ' the general belief of what the Church teaches /'

      The pastoral then describes the assembly of the prelates in the Vatican Chapel of the Palace and the opening ceremonies , and states that the procession set forth and preaentedione of the noblest ecclesiastical spectacles ever witnessed even in St . Peter ' s . Itthericonttmies : ;— ' ~ ' " We will not attempt to describe the magnificent celebration of the holy sacrifice which followed . All the special grandeur which accompanies it when offered up by the Sovereign Pontiff in the greatest of churches was this year immensely enhanced by the additional attendance of so many prelates . No regal or imperial ceremony could be more august than the procession of these 200 prelates , as each singly approached to do homage to the

      head of the Church before the mass commenced . The office of Tierce was first chanted , the Gospel and Epistle were , ^ according to custom ,--sung in-Greek-as well as in Latin ; and it was a quarter past eleven when the last note of the Evangelist sounded over the shrine of St . Peter- ; and a silence took place such as it , is difficult to imagine in a crowd of 30 , 000 or 40 , 000 persons who filled the church . Every breath was held , . every nerve was strained , and attention of eye and ear was keenly directed towards the Pontiff's throne . The venerable Dean of the Sacred College , the Cardinal Macchi , in his

      86 th year , but still in enjoyment of full mental vigour , approached the steps , accompanied by a Greek and an Armenian bishop , as supporters and witnesses of his petition , together with twelve senior archbishops of the Western Church , who were assisted at the throne by the officers of the household , who are official witnesses of such ira portant transactions . Kneeling there , the eminent postulant , in . the name of his brethren and the whole Catholic episcopate , supplicated the Holy Father to pronounce h 3 s dogmatical definition of the immaculate conception of the ever-glorious Virgin Mary .

      " The Pontiff assented , but called upon all to join him m invoking the light and grace of the Holy Spirit at such a solemn moment . He knelt , and in his clear , sonorous , and most musical voice intoned the hymn , * Veni Creator Spiritus . ' The choir sung the first verso , and , according to practice , was going to continue , when the entire congregation , not only of assembled bishops aitd clergy , but of crowtfte of people , spontaneously and simultaneously , and with admirable harmony , took lip the song , and with a loud voice as the sound of many waters , but one as the expression of a single heart , filled the

      , whole Basilica with such a strain as perhaps never before struck against * ts golden vaults . It was grand beyowd conception ; 1 t was sublime ; and came nearer to the realisation of what St . John heard of heavenly musio than anything- which ho or others have ever beftwd Htteriefl to ; and it was repeated at each alternate vewewWftiM perfect a regularity as if the whole multitude ihadfoen , trained to answer tho choir . Bat still more sublime than this glorious strain was tho silence which enaned . Standing at his throne , tho Holy Father commenced the reading of the solemn decree , by which ,.

      « Stq ^ orPwtor of the viBible head ^ ^ Jjjj ^ ChtocfcT as successor of the Apo ^ es ^ St . Peter and- St . p * i Jriid as vicar of Jesus Cluist on iarth , he atafchoritetivery and Sogmatiadly jaonounced that immunity SoTSigmal ^ mT ^ , * other wordsjke *^* culfe conception of tbe ' ever-blessed Virgin Mary , * £ " £ * «" of € k > dy is a revealed dbcrine of ^« f ^ ? ° ™* ^ " -He had , however , not proceeded far , toefore Jap tears and softs interrupted his speech , and it was ^ only by an effort which evidently cost him great exertionithat he aftdd make Mb words struggle tferotigb the tide of ms of fc

      emotions , and rise * wHMe aftw « ihe-flbod « overpowering feeJiKgs . He rocceeded , indfeed ^^{ J *?* - ^ fcacl the happiness of hearing evbry worfl ^^*™* £ that most jHetaoraHe defcree ; but ihat ftoerdof ^ iMter devotion drew after itself corresponding Benttntents ftom the souls of others , bo that scarce a dry eye wastpbe seen amid those who witnessed this touching scene . ^ Ifce eannon ' s voice gave the signal of the happy accomplishment of so many fervent desires to the whole city , and the prolonged peals of gladness from the olden towers of basilicas and the belfries of modern churches represented the claim of the earlier a » d later periods of unchange-¦

      able Catholicity . . ¦ . .., ' * " The Cardinal Dean returned before the throne to return thanks , and accompanied by the proper official personages , to request that the official deed should be drawn up of the proceedings , and the Bull issued containing the decree just pronounced . The mass then continued , and at the Te Deum wMch closed it ail the people joined , and with the same overwhelming melody as they had introduced into the invocation of the Holy Ghost . " The pastoral , after touching slightly upon the great festival of the Sunday following , concludes thus : — " Rejoice , then , dearly beloved ; again , we >« ay , rejoice . Rejoice in the Lord , who has so gracioesly bestowed upon Hfa Church e & signal a blessing , whereby the piety of her children has been wonderfully excited , and their love for their Mother in Heaven greatly

      increased . " Rejoice that to heriresh glory has been given , and a new jewel to brighten the crown she wears , that we may hope for new favours and graces from her affectionate and powerful intercession . Rejoice that through this glorious event the unity of the Church , the peace and love that reign among its pastors , their docility to their head , their attachment to the see of Peter , and the piety and learning of so many of them , have been so convincingly exhibited . " And , though absent in body , yet in spirit present with you , we rejoice with you , and p ** y to Gtod that from this special joy He will raise more solid graces , fruit of the blessing Which the Holy Father , through out hands , sends down upon you .

      " Given out of the Flaminian Gate of Home , and appointed to be read in all the churches and chapels of our diocese on the Sunday following its publication , this 14 th day of December , 1854 . " N . Cardinal Wiseman . "

      Iffnfc Attd & Inward -Prate Or Things Fw...

      ¦ W : . .. . _ ... ¦ ¦ TTb ii ^— —¦—— ¦¦—r

      Proceedings Aga I Nst Archdeacon ¦¦- ' ;...

      PROCEEDINGS AGA I NST ARCHDEACON ¦¦ - ' ; " " ~ denison . ~ ~ ~ ~ - ¦ A commission , appointed by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury , consisting of the Right Rev . the * Bishop Carr , Rector of Bath ; the Rev . R . Pole , Rural Dean and Rector of Yeovilton ; the Rev . Charles JLangdon , Rector of Queen Camel ; the Rev . R . Colston Philips , Rector of Cacklington ; and the Rev . Charles Otway Mayne , Rural Dean and Rector of Midsomer Norton , for the purpose of making inquiry as to tho grounds of certain charges , brought by the Rev . Joseph Ditcher , Vicar of South Brent , against the Venerable George Anthony Denison , the Archdeacon of Taunton , for that he the said George Anthony Denison ; did , on Sunday , the 7 th day of August , 1853 , on Sunday , the 6 th day of November , in the same year , and on Sunday , the 14 th day of May , 1854 , in the cathedral church of Wells , preach threes / several sermons , and afterwards write and publish , or cause to be published , the « aid sermons , in which he did advisedly maintain or affirm certain positions or doctrines , to wit : —

      " That the body and blood of Christ being really present after an immaterial and spiritual manner , in the consecrated bread and wine , are therein and thereby given to all , and are received by all who come to the Lord ' s table , that to all who como to the Lord ' s table , io those who eat and drink worthily , and to those who eat and drink unworthily , the body and blood of Christ are given , and that by all who come to the Lord ' s table , by those who eat and drink worthily , and by those who eat and drink unworthily , , the body and blood of

      Christ are received , and that the universal reception of the inward part or thing signified of the sacrament , in and by the outward sign , is a part of the doctrine itselfthat worship , is due to the real though invisible and supernatural presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist under the fprm of bread and winethat the act of consecration makes the real presence , that tho act of consecration makes the real sacrament , through tho operation of tho Holy Ghost , to bo Christ ' s ody and blood—that in tho Lord ' s Supper : the outward

      » a * ttfor * iffnfc , attd &* inward -prate or things fwgntffea i ^ so iomed « ogetber bytlke ^ aet © f consecration , that I ? 4 eXK ? 5 * t o reeeivethfeJffier , afad tkat ^ l who receive the Sacranieat of th * t ?^* 1 *** ** £ * the body arid blood of CWkfe aH ^ wtedi P <»* ans tad doctrine are complained -tobe dwedtly contea ^« r Temurnant to the doctrinef of ifhe Chifrcfe of England , SSeciaBy to 'the artieleaof reBgioti as by Iawr * 3 t » - 7 . ¦ j-. j . xi -S- ——* , * . *«¦•»** rfwWrmoM nufarfftfefl

      blished . " I * . PhilHmor © and Mr . A . BaHglafce , ^ epaty-H ^ MKtfito fcmrt of the & ° ™^ * £ «* f % l appeared for the ^ at *< tea 5 e «» , afld > : Br . Bayford «> r A ^ onsSrttbie discuirsion emitted b ^ t ^ eeia the tourist oft each side on points carted ' ¦* J ™*** J % jyj > PJt £ BiBttc * e , wbo-objected to the jtmsdietionrot the et » ii «» # 8 Sk )» , and urged that there ^ iHT ttro imtties in the © httwh of England , known as « high , and " MW ** ehtirfiti , there could be no greater « w » ekerv than to > tail rxpdn a person to defend tornwho lufla exactly opposite optobmB to the pewon "Sif ^ fotd contended ihwt the * xeeptfc > && $ ** wttBatvaieiaHeeiWth the Act of *^*^ * S tttttnorised the sittings'ttfsoch a commisiBion , n « WTher was it cdmpetent to « ny clerk to ottfeet Ho hw bishop ot « rehbishot > . » ^ .

      . _ . . , ... Theprihcipal pfoeeediBgs «> iHdB * edjof theex « mifiationa ^ of sevWal witnesses fe proof of jthe deliyety and puteBcatien of the ^ rmjws ^ ob ^ ected f * *** court tiien coasidercd flie validf ^^ f ^ e docttiBes entaiciated , and the *? finding" wa *« s IWtows : ^ - " The commissioneTB , after due consideration of the depositions taken before them , and ' of . certain & m ™ sermons numbered 1 , 2 , and 3 , and of docmnen ^ annexed to the depositions , declare fhefr umnfanous x > pfcion —Tirst , that as respects the preaching and publishing , or making known or public the above sermons by the Venerable the Archdeacon of Tarinton , wtthm-the diocese of Bath and Wells , there is sufficient pttmd facie ground for instituting further proceedings . Secondly , the commissioners , having carefully examined the aforesaid in the commission

      sermons and Hie charges specified , declare their unanimous opinion that the proposition of the Venerable - the Arclideacbn Taunton , that to all who come to the Lord ' s table , to those who eat and drink worthil y , and to those who eat and drink unworthily , the body and blood of Christ are given , and that by all who ~ come to the ; Lord ' s table , by those who eat and drink worthily , and by those who eat and drink unworthily , the body and blood of Christ are received , is directly contrary or repugnant to the doctrine of the ¦ Church of England , and especially to the articles of religion , and that the doctrines as set forth in the aforesaid sermons with reference to the real presence in the Holy Eucharist are unsupported by the articles , taken in their literal and grammatical sense , are contrary to the doctrines and

      teaching of the Church of England , and J & ave a very dangerous tendency , the commissioners are therefore of opinion , secondly , that there is sufficient primAfacie ground for instituting further proceedings . The commissioners , at the same time , think it due to the Venerable ^ ArciideacOn to state that , -m the sermons under-cons'ideration , he has expressed his full assent and cdnsent to the articles of religion , and that he has ex animo ' condemned the doctrines of the Church of Rome , and particularly the Roman doctrine of transubstantiation . "

      The greatest possible excitement has prevaUed at Clevedon , and in the neighbourhood , during the sitting of the commission . The general opinion is , that the proceedings have been grossly unfair . The court is constituted almost entirely of " Low " Churchmen , and the Archdeacon does not posssestho right held even by a , prisoner , that of challenging a jury which may be prejudiced . It may be doubted whether the Church is strengthened by allowing a court so packed to decide serious doctrinal points . The following letter from Dr . Wolff was written in reply to a remonstrance 'received from a friend on account of the evidence he gave at the inquiry : — January 10 , 1855 .

      "My dear Friend , —I am very much obliged to you for your kind present of your sermon on Antichrist , ' which I have not yet received . I also thank you for the openness with which you write to me on the subject of the evidence T gave in .-favour of one of tho most sincere of men—George A . Denison . "In the years 1819-21 I was the pupil , as you arc aware , of that man of God—the JJev . Charles Simeon . I one day declared one of his ( Simeon'a ) adversaries in

      doctrine to bo a heretic , when good old Simeon gently , but seriously , reproved me , saying , ' I perceive that yon came lately from Home , where one hears immediatoly tho outcry " Heresy ! heresy ! " We ought to bo very cautious in declaring any one who differs from our mode of interpretation a heretic s and I deplore , ' Simeon continued , ' that such a condemning spirit has entered in n great degree oven among pious and sincere jtnon in the : Protestant community !'

      " Now , my dear friend , these words of . good 1 old Simeon have never been forgotten by tno , and it was in oonae-( uence of tho admonition I received from that man of God that I declined signing any paper against Doctor

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 13, 1855, page 10, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13011855/page/10/