New Publications [pp. 569-576]

A~w Pubiicati~ns. 571
and tradition, and consequently regard known. It is not unlikely that Eve
the contrary opinion as an error which thought as much when, seduced by the
has only been for a time tolerated. The subtle reasonings and false promises of
whole action of the church is regulated the serpent, she reached forth her hand,
by this view, and will always be so re- plucked and ate the forbidden fruit, and
gulated. There appears, therefore, to gave of the same to her husband; but
be a very strong reason why the present this did not excuse her for violating the
council should put the whole question at command of God, or save her from exrest for ever by a final decision and a de- pulsion from paradise. Men who have
finition defide. We can answer for the no infallible criterion of truth and falseclergy and laity of the United States hood, no infallible standard of right and
that they will welcome such a decision wrong, have no authority from God to
with the greatest joy. As for the objec- teach, and no right to open their mouths
tion that it will place an obstacle in the on any subject that seriously affects
way of conversions, it is groundless. the interests or the conduct of life. No
Those who are solidly converted from one, on the strength of his own personProtestantism in this country are con- al conviction alone, has the right to arverted to Catholici{y pure and simple, raign and condemn what the common
and not to Catholicity with a Gallican sense and experience of mankind in all
reservation. ages and nations have sanctioned. It
is no justification, no valid excuse even,
for a man who promulgates and does
THE WOMAN WHO DARED. By Epes his best to get accepted false and mis Sargent. Boston Roberts Brothers. chievous doctrines-doctrines which
1870. i8m~ pp. 210. weaken the hold of religion on the con science, pervert the moral sense, render
We have every disposition in the the family impossible, and sap the very
world to treat Mr. Epes Sargent with foundation of society-to say, "I am
respect, and to speak well of this his sincere; I really believe I am laboring
latest poem; for he has a name in the for a true and much needed reform."
literary world, and his poem is not Do you know it? Do you not know
without some artistic merit; but, un- that you do not know it? Do you not
happily, we can do neither with a good know that all il~e presumptions are
conscience. We cannot tolerate false against you? Uncertain as you are and
doctrines, mischievous sophistry, and must be if you ever think, why attempt
bad morals, because expressed in chaste to teach at all? Who compels you?
language and attractive verse. Mn Men are accountable for the thoughts
Sargent has poetic feeling and talent; and intents of the heart no less than
but we do not accept the doctrine that for outward acts, and God will bring
art is necessarily moral or religious. every man into judgment for every
It may he used to embell~sh error thought and word as well as for every
as well as truth, vice as well as virtue, deed. Every man is bound to confdrm
to corrupt as well as to purify and en- his thoughts, words, and deeds to the
noble. In the poem before us the law of God, and to use with all diligence
poet has used all his art, genius, and his faculties to ascertain that law and
talent to seduce his readers to swallow what it enjoins. Invincible ignorance
as a wholesome Christian beverage a excuses from sin, it is true, one in that
most poisonous compound of spiritism, whereof one is invincibly ignorant; but
free4ovism, woman's-rightsis m, ration- an ignorance that may be overcome by
alism, and all sorts of radicalism. due diligence and the proper use of the
No doubt we shall be told that the means wiil~in one's reach is not invinpoet is sincere, and il~at he really be- cible, but vincible, and il~erefbre no exlieves that he is d~anfing a great truth, cuse. The man or the woman that can
and laboring in downright earnest to seriously entertain the doctrine and
develop and confirm a purer and higher morals of Mr. Sargent's poem cannot
civilization than the world has ever yet plead invincible ignorance; but must be