114 Chart of the Religions of the World. NOTE 14.-CHART OF THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. The following chart gives at a glance the comparative extent of the religions of the world as at present constituted: NOTE 15.-CONFIRMATION. The great importance of Confirmation will be at once seen from a careful study of Hebrews vi., 1-3, which passage of Holy Scripture may be illustrated by the following diagram: These foundation stones of an edifice represent the foundation principles mentioned in Hebrews vi., 1-3. It will be seen that these six prove to be three in use; they are in pairs complementing each other: and "Faith" concern the 1. "Repentance" and "Faith " work of God in the soul. 2. "Baptism" and "Confirmation" concern the visible Christian life. 3. "Resurrection" and "Judgment" concern the life beyond the grave. Thus it is that Confirmation faces the believer in Christ as a matter of the utmost importance, as being one of the six FIRST PRINCIPLES, which Christ laid down as being one of the six foundation stones, so to speak, which, corresponding to each other in pairs, are to support the Christian edifice. And the mere fact that it is a First Principle, and not a mere Apostolic rite, makes it a Divine Command, a means of Grace, and therefore sacramental in its character. HISTORY AND ORIGIN. 1. Read Acts viii., 14-20. Note S. Philip baptized but could not confirm. 2. Read Acts xix., 1-7. Another case at Ephesus where S. Paul confirmed. 3. Read Acts xiv., 22, and xv., 41. 4. Tertullian (A.D. 145), S. Cyprian (A.D. 200), S. Jerome (A.D. 340), all testify to the universal custom of Confirmation. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST. 1. WISDOM, to aid us in our search after God. 2. UNDERSTANDING, to lead us to a knowledge of the truth. 3. COUNSEL, to help us to discern the right path. 4. GHOSTLY STRENGTH, to confirm us in doing right. 5. KNOWLEDGE, to teach us the will of God. 6. TRUE GODLINESS, to help us to lead good lives. 7. HOLY FEAR, to aid us in loving God as our Father. NOTE 16. THE CHURCH AND HER BIBLE. We have stated (Question 72, page 30) that the Church is older than the New Testament. In proof of this look at the following dates: A.D. 30.-The date of Pentecost and the organization of the One, Visible, Apostolic Church. A.D. 62.-At this time this Church was in full operation in Judea, Asia Minor and Rome. Starting from these facts, compare them with the following: A.D. 42.-About this time the Gospel according to St. Matthew was written. The Church had then been in existence and operation for twelve years without a single gospel or epistle. A.D. 52.-The First Epistle to the Thessalonians appears. The Church was in active operation for twentytwo years before she got the first epistle. A.D. 58.-Romans, one of the most important of the Epistles, and the Church twenty-eight years without it. A.D. 62.-St. Luke, Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon. For thirty-two years the Church without any of these. A.D. 90.-The Gospel according to St. John-the most important of the gospels-and the Apocalypse-the great New Testament prophecy. The Church was sixty years in existence and at work without these books. Now, what does all this show except that the Church started off on its organic career without waiting for a line of the Christian Scriptures, and grew and made conquests after a fashion unknown in these days. So it appears that, instead of the Church resting on an infallible Bible, the Bible depends for its authority on the infallible Church. This is not to claim infallibility for any branch of the Church, in any age. It simply affirms that our trust in the Holy Scriptures as the RECORD of a revelation from God must rest upon the witness of the Catholic Church; and that in the agreement and universality of that witness in all ages we have the assurance of infallible truth. If not, the gates of hell have prevailed against the Church in this most vital issue as to what is the word of God. |