KINGSTEIGNTON: RITUALISM RAMPANT: The Leaven of Popery is fermenting among certain parties in this parish who ought to know better, it not among the people in general. The priesthood, it appears, may go any length without any sign of a check from the ecclesiastical rulers. There has been a little exposure of the doings through the Press, and some controversy in which a respectable inhabitant, Mr. S. Pinsent, has stated plainly and without passion facts which prove that priests from Rome would be no more a Papist than those acting in the name of the Reformed Church England. There has been one of those suspicious Missions in the parish held here and there, when the Nonconformists were invited to attend the services with the assurance that nothing would be taught contrary to their principles. The gentleman referred to tells the world that instead of finding what was promised, there was set forth the doctrine of the Real Presence as held by the Bennett party and condemned by the Church Courts, done with a prominence not to be mistaken. Plainly and frequently was taught the power of the Priest to forgive sins on confession being made to him, and that no one could obtain remission of sins but through the medium of the priest. The arguments used to support their claims are worthy of the craftiest Jesuit in Rome, and tracts are circulated among the people to prepare the way for the mass and the domination of a mendacious priesthood. The “Missioner,” as they call those agents who are sent out from the dens of mischief to spread the doctrines of Rome, held some special services among the children of the Church schools, when they were taught that if they crossed themselves on the forehead, lip, and heart they would drive away the devil and keep themselves pure from sin. As the result of this teaching, some of the poor deluded children have been proclaiming it in the street that their sins are forgiven and that they are sure to go to heaven when they die. Mr Pinsent wants to know whether this a specimen of what the religious teaching is to be in the Government elementary schools, in rural districts, when the concordat is established between the Council on Education and the Church? The Dissenters, on seeing to what a Vatican feast they had been artfully invited, resolved to have some special services among themselves to counteract the un-protestant teaching. Invitations were sent out on all sides, and gospel tracts such as harmonised with the teachings of the evangelist Mr. Moody, were circulated with the invitations. It appears however that though having nothing of a controversial nature in them relating to Rome, Geneva or Canterbury, certain malignant agents of these fanatical Rights made it their business to go to the houses where they had been dropped and try to get them away. “True it is”, says Mr. Pinsent, “that many a Churchman has resented such intolerance and refused to give up the books. But among the dependent and weak minded – in receipt of parish charities that ought to go to all parishioners indiscriminately – these agents have been successful and have obtained possession of many copies.” These facts, he tells the public are unquestionable, and as a religious man, and a lover of his country, he looks with apprehension on what may come over the land if these fanatics have their way. It was boasted that the abstracted tracts had been burnt; it was the same spirit which in other days burnt the Bible, and Martyrs at the stake.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0798 Devonport: Savery Pinsent: 1815 – 1886