Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/30

 of Henry the Eighth. Most of the doctrines peculiar to Roman Catholicism had not as yet come into existence; doctrines such as the Infallibility of the Pope, the worship of the Virgin Mary, and the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Christianity of Gregory was as different from the later Papal system as the Church of England to-day differs from the Papal religion previous to the Reformation. You ought to bear these facts in mind, for it is sometimes said that the Mission sent by Gregory was a Roman Catholic Mission. It was not Roman Catholic in the sense we understand Roman Catholicism to-day.

What suggested to Gregory the conversion of the Saxon tribes of England, was a sight which he saw in the market-place at Rome. Some youths, which came from England, were being offered there for sale as slaves. Gregory was moved by their beautiful appearance, and having asked if they were Christians, and learning that they were Angles, he replied, were they Christians they would be angels. Hearing further that they came from Deira, a part of Northumberland, he answered, that they should be plucked De Ira from the wrath of God. "Who was their king," asked Gregory. "Ella," was replied. "Alleluia," Gregory said. "They should sing Alleluia praises to the Lord." Gregory was so moved by this sight in the market-place, that he wished to go himself on a missionary journey to England, but he was so beloved at Rome that the Pope would not let him go. It was when he was Pope himself that he carried out the wish of his heart.

Gregory started a Mission to our country in the year 595, consisting of forty monks, headed by S. Augustine, who was