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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
was clear, his heart sound, and his knowledge great. In the arts, the sciences and in general literature he was the most enlightened of his fellow-citizens; and frequently spoke important truths that the nation could not believe. He had written much; but his writings were de- signed solely for the day and they must perish with the day. His fame as an author will have to rest on his history of Mexico; a work of elegance and truth, beautiful in style and faithful in its narrations. Such is the character of Lorenzo de Zavala; ornament of his age, and one of the founders of two Republics, Mexican and American.- No. 2803. THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH. LAMAR [Translation from the Spanish] [Richmond? Texas, 185- ?1 The Church is called in the Holy Bible a body. Consequently it has to have a head. Who occupies that place? That is the question. We gather from the sacred book that it is no other than Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the founder of the Church; he established it on earth, and still is its life and soul.- Who then but he can be its head? The Roman Catholics hold themselves as opposed to this view of the matter. It is contended by them that the Pope is the head of the Church. But we ask, what are their reasons for this extravagant pre- ' tension ? Let them set forth their proofs.- Where can they find the evidence that the Pope is in truth the head of the Church?- But let us explain ourselves. We forget that there is anything which so provokes a Roman Catholic as to ask him the proof of anything.- "The proof"-he exclaims. "Who dares to ask proof of a Church that is infallible? What are the advantages of infallibility if its decrees may be controverted? N_othing avails except blind obedience. Granted that the Catholics do not wish to confirm the pretensions of the Pope, by citing the sacred Scriptures, we shall search the pages of the Bible for them, and we will try to see what that holy Book says in their favor. We shall begin with Genesis. Well, we go on searching to Revelations, turning page by page. And what do we find? Nothing with relation to the Pope, not a single work with regard to his suprem- acy. His name is not in that Book. There is no mention in any part of a similar person.- Is it not strange, then, .that the Catholics should always be provoked whenever they are questioned concerning or relative to the primacy of the Pope; Not having any foundation on which to base 'a title so preposterous and so insulting to human understanding, they resort to anger when it is wished to make that title a matter of investigation. According to their belief it is a point which ought not to be touched on. To controvert it is an action of extreme sinfulness. All men, are commanded to read the Bible; and each has to judge of its contents for himself according to his own understanding and the intelligence which he may have. "Search the Scriptures"-says our Lord Jesus Christ. Let no one prevent its being done. In the discharge of this imperative duty, we find many things against the pretensions of the Roman Catholics with respect to the Pope. In the Ephesians Our Lord Jesus Christ declared himself to be "the head over all the affairs of the Church, which is his body." See chapter 1.- verse 22 and 23.- The Church being thus the body of Christ, the head of that Church must be Christ also; since these two
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