The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

INDULGENCES. 435But them of temples old, or altars new,Standest alone, with nothing like to thee .Worthiest of God, the holy and the true,Since Sion s desolation, when that HeForsook His former city, what could beOf earthly structures, in His honor piled,Of a sublimer aspect? Majesty,Power, Glory, Strength, and Beauty, all are aisledIn this eternal ark of worship undeliled." lIf Moses was justified in appealing to the Hebrewpeople, in the Old Law, for offerings to adorn thetabernacle, why should not the Pope be equallyjustified in appealing for similar offerings to theChristian people, among whom he exercises supremeauthority as Moses did among the Israelites?"Nor did the Pope exceed his legitimate powers inpromising to the pious donors spiritual favors in exchange for their donations. For, if our sins can beredeemed by alms to the poor, 2 as the Scripture tellsus, why not as well by offerings in the cause of religion? When Protestant ministers appeal to theircongregations in behalf of themselves and theirchildren, or in support of a church, they do not failto hold out to their hearers spiritual blessings inreward for their gifts.It is not long since a Methodist parson of New York addressed these sacredwords to Cornelius Vauderbilt, the millionaire, whohad endowed a Methodist college: "Cornelius, thyprayer is heard, and thy alms are had in remem-1Byron.aDaniel iv. 24.