[25] In the course of the ninth century a very serious dispute raged between the Eastern and Western Church. The Greeks had often before protested against the pretensions of the Popes of Rome, and now they complained that the Latins had introduced the word “Filioque,” meaning “and the Son,” into the article of the Creed respecting the procession of the Holy Ghost. The Nicene Creed, as drawn up in the original Greek, contains only these words, “proceeding from the Father.” The Latin Church added “and the Son,” without the authority of a General Council. And though the contest seems to have been about words, rather than any difference of doctrine, at last, after a dispute of many years, it ended in the schism between the Church of Constantinople and the Church of Rome—between the East and the West—which has never been healed.
[26] See Archbishop Trench’s Lectures on Medieval Church History.
[27] He must not be confused with the great theologian, Augustine, Bishop of Hippo in Africa, who was mentioned above (page [137]), and who lived two hundred years before.
[28] It need hardly be said that it is a great mistake to use the term “Catholic” as if it were the exclusive right of the members of the Church of Rome. On the contrary, they have no standing-ground in England at all; and fall into the number of schismatics here, because they refuse to hold communion with the branch of the Holy Catholic Church in this land.
[29] The Holy Catholic Church may be considered to be divided—speaking generally—into three great divisions. The Eastern, or Greek-speaking Church; the Roman, or Latin-speaking Church; the Anglican, or English-speaking Church. And now, by the Providence of God, we can see that a mighty responsibility has been laid upon our own branch of “The Kingdom of Heaven.” We feel sure that with the marvellous spread of the English nation, the Church of Christ ought to have spread with equal rapidity; and past neglect, especially with respect to the great colonies founded in past generations in America, brings us much to answer for. Yet we may take courage when we think how the English-speaking branch of the Holy Catholic Church has spread in recent times. North America, Canada, and the West Indies; Australia, New Zealand, and many islands of the sea; South Africa; India, China, and Japan, all bear witness that the good news of the Kingdom has been scattered, far and wide, by English-speaking agents of the great King. And our Archbishop of Canterbury is the acknowledged centre of as wide a sphere of spiritual energy as the Pope himself.
CHAPTER X.
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.
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“The Saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake.” |