CHURCH WORSHIP-SUPERSTITION.
In this general sketch of ecclesiastical life we shall refrain from treat ing of the abstract doctrines of the Church or of the development of its dogmas. But it is necessary to a just understanding of the position of the ancient Church to keep in view its fundamental theory—namely, that the salvation which the Divine Founder of our religion brought to dis tressed mankind required for its dispensation a special trusteeship, and that a definite organization of representatives of Christ had been appoint ed to administer this trust. The ministry to mankind of this treasure of salvation lay in the hands of a peculiar order, the clergy, which from its head the pope, immediately connected with the person of Christ, through its strictly-graded membership down to the lowest acolyte, held fast to and carried forward the work of the Saviour. The entire system of this administration, the hierarchy, culminated in the papacy, which thus had a double significance, corresponding to its ideal relations upward and its wholly realistic relations downward. It is with the latter only that we are here concerned.
Roman Catholic Church: The principle which prevailed throughout the Middle Ages, that clerics were exempt from the jurisdic tion of lay tribunals and were subject only to their ecclesiastical superiors, gave to the pope in every land a compact body of subjects whose spiritual sway over the mass of the people afforded the papacy an immeasurable influence over all the relations and occurrences of life. The plenitude of power thus centred in Rome was constantly exercised. Grave or petty discords among the clergy, and quarrels between them on the one hand and with princes or people, communities or individuals, on the other, were of frequent occurrence. It was not indeed necessary that all decis ions should be obtained from Rome, but it was justly felt that the final court of appeal would not only settle a disputed question definitely, hut would also decide it with an impartiality scarcely to be expected of the spiritual authorities at home.
Even during the period of decline an incredible degree of activity prevailed in the Roman chancery. Thousands of documents are extant
to show the industry and fidelity with which even petty affairs from all parts of the Christian world were attended to. The interests of insig nificant country churches and obscure country priests received, at least formally, as much attention as the complicated disputes of sovereigns or states.
Such processes and disputes, however, were not the only channel through which the influence of Rome was exerted upon foreign affairs. Occasion was constantly found to regulate and order, in a peaceful man ner, the ordinary affairs of churches, cities, and countries in every land. Reports, inquiries, and petitions flowed incessantly from all parts of the world to Rome, and were anwered by papal indulgences, decisions, con firmations, pardons, and permissions. Rome was thus acquainted with the secrets of all nations, and often did not deem it necessary to await an appeal before adjudicating a question.
On the other hand, the complaints of sovereigns and of officials, and even of the people, against the usurpations and exactions of the Roman Curia were innumerable. But never had secular authority such means of enforcing its decrees as were possessed by the Church. The threat of excommunication frightened into submission; the granting of indulgences encouraged to fidelity. The fact that the spiritual character of both these weapons of authority should have made them more efficacious than cor poral punishment or material gains is an important testimony as to the character of the age.
Excommunication affected either single individuals or communities, and even entire nations; in the latter case it was called an interdict. In the interdicted land regular church services were prohibited; the altars were covered; the altar-candles were not lighted; the bells were silent. The mass was said in an undertone; the sacrament was administered only to the dying; the dead were buried without ceremony; marriages were performed in the churchyard ; a general fast was prescribed ; and the people were not permitted to greet one another or to have any public amusements.