JUL . ..>.. 
 
 
AJN EXPOSITION 
 
 OF TIIK 
 
 PRINCIPLES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION 
 
 WITH 
 
 REMARKS ON ITS INFLUENCE 
 
 IN THE 
 
 UNZTSD STATES. 
 
 -7. 
 
 BY PHILALETHES. 
 
 ^^QF- 
 
 HARTFORD: 
 
 TRINTED FOR THE AUTHOK. 
 
 1830. 
 
PRINCIPLES 
 
 iW THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION 
 
 WHAT will be the condition of our country, an hundred 
 years hence ? This momentous question will receive very dif- 
 ferent answers, according to the moral views and feelings of 
 those to whom it is addressed. While some are dreaming 
 of an uninterrupted course of national prosperity, and are 
 constantly descanting on the future greatness and glory of 
 our country, as if her destiny were certainly known ; others 
 behold in the rapid inroads of vice, and error, and infidelity ; 
 and in the open and shameless manner in which the laws of 
 God are trampled under foot among us, fearful symptoms of 
 approaching dissolution. What will be the final issue of 
 these things, none can tell but the Almighty. That vain pol- 
 iticians, who utter confident predictions of the future, know 
 nothing about it, is as certain as the inspired declaration that 
 *' man is of yesterday, and knows nothing." This only we 
 learn from the Bible, that " at what instant God shall speak 
 concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and 
 to plant it, if it do evil in his sight, and obey not his voice, 
 then he will repent of the good wherewith he said he would 
 benefit them." I shall not attempt to enumerate all the dan- 
 gers whicrt threaten us. We need but open our eyes, and 
 our ears, to see the bold profanation of the Sabbath, and to 
 hear the scoffs of infidels ; we have in our Southern States 
 an immense mass of slaves, who are nniltiplying with alarm- 
 ing rapidity : our population is increasing at the rate of a 
 thousand a day, and the current of emigration, which sets so 
 strongly to the West, is rapidly bearing away this vast tide 
 of immortal souls, beyond the light of the Bible, the Sanc- 
 tuary, and the glorious gospel, into the valley of the shadow 
 of death. All these things aflTord real grounds of apprehen- 
 sion, but as they have already been ably discussed, I shall 
 not dwell upon them, but proceed to call your attention to an- 
 other source of danger, which, though unknown to the mass 
 of our churches, or little feared by them, is nevertheless of 
 great magnitude; I mean the spread of the Roman Catholic 
 reliffion in our countrv. Some will doubtless consider the 
 
discussion of this subject as uiichiistiau, others as uiineccft- 
 sary. The true character of the doctrines of the Romish 
 Church, is httle understood among us. Many good people 
 are not aware how radically they differ from the pure word 
 of God, and the precepts of our Saviour, and his Apostles. 
 They have been accustomed to look upon Catholic errors, as 
 trivial, and in no way interfering with the salvation of the 
 soul. By such I shall be charged with narrow-minded illib- 
 erality, and they may be even ready to join with the Holy 
 Mother Church, in the cry of persecution. Let us not be de- 
 ceived, dear brethren, by this mistaken liberality, which can 
 see no difference between persecution, and argument ; and 
 which is afraid that the truth should be told, lest it should 
 offend. I shall utter no slanders against the Catholic Church ; 
 I shall make no assertions which I shall not endeavor to 
 prove ; if I persecute, it will be by exhibiting the nature and 
 tendency of their sentiments, and if they cannot bear investi- 
 gation, it is no fault of mine. 
 
 There are others, who though somewhat acquainted with 
 the errors of the Church of Rome, do not believe it possible 
 that they should prevail to any extent in this enlightened 
 community. They are not aware of the spiritual dark- 
 ness which envolopes many sections of our land, nor of the 
 consummate skill, with which this cunningly devised religion, 
 is adapted to the inclinations of depraved men. 
 
 I shall attempt to shew, 
 
 L That the Spirit of the Catholic religion is in 
 
 DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THAT OF THE BiBLE, AND HIGHLY 
 INJURIOUS IN ITS EFFECTS. 
 
 II. That there is great reason to apprehend an 
 
 EXTENSIVE prevalence OF THIS RELIGION IN OUR OWN 
 
 country. 
 
 III. The means of combatting this error, and the 
 
 DUTY OF the church IN THIS RESPECT. 
 
 Let it be remembered however, that my arguments, are 
 addressed, not to Catholics, but to the Protestant Churches of 
 ike United States, and that I shall assume as the grounds of 
 my reasonings, the principles which are universally admitted 
 among them. 
 
 I. The Spirit of the Catholic religion, is in direct 
 opposition to that of the Bible, and highly injuri- 
 ous in its effects. 
 
 This will appear from the following facts. 
 
 1. The Church of Rome denies that the Word of God is the 
 ONLY Tide of faith and practice^ conwiamlins^ vs fn rereirp. the 
 
itnUiiancts and trudifio/is of I he Chunk, uilk chiUl'likc obedi- 
 ence^ and teaching that the scrij/tures are not ahne stifficient to 
 instrnct us in our duty towards God. 
 
 As these j)rin('i|)los tiro openly acknowlcMlged by Catholics, 
 it may seem supcrHuoiis to athhicc testimony to sliew that 
 such is their behef. The tbllowini^- quotations iVom Catholic 
 works of acknowledged authority in this country, will be sufli- 
 <'ient. 
 
 Question. '• Are wc bound to obey the commandments of the 
 Church 9" 
 
 Answer. *' Yes : because Christ has said to the pastors ol* 
 the church" (and Catholics admit no church but the Church 
 of Rome.) ' He that heareth you, heareth me,' and, * he 
 that despises you, despises me.' [CathoHc Catechism, Chap. 
 5.] " The rules and ordinances of the Holy Church, are 
 not to be counted amongst tiie doctrines and co'>iima.ndments 
 of men; because they proceed not from mere human author- 
 ity, but from that which Christ has established in his church, 
 (meaning the Catholic Church,) " whose pastors he has com- 
 manded us to obey EVEN AS HIMSELF." ^Note on 
 Matt. 15 : 9, in the translation of the IS eic-Tcstament approved 
 by the Rt. Rev. John Dubois, Catholic Bishop of New- York, 
 and circulated in this country.'] " The unwritten traditions 
 of the Apostles, are no less to be received than their Epistles." 
 [Do. Note on II Thess. 2 : 14.] " If we would have the 
 whole rule of faith and practice, we must not be content with 
 those scriptures which Timothy knew from his infancy, viz^ 
 the Old Testament, nor yet icith the New Testament, without 
 taking along with it, the traditions of the Apostles, and the inter- 
 pretation of the Church, to which the Ajwstles delivered both the 
 t)Ook ami the true meaning of it.^'' [^Do. Note on 11 Timothy 3 : 
 16, 17.] Shell, a writer often quoted by Catholics, says, 
 *' When the whole canon of scripture was fully cojnpleted, 
 there was no mention made even of the least care taken by 
 the Apostles to divulge it in other languages, wherein it 
 might be read to the nations then converted ; which is a man- 
 ifest sign that they thought all christians were sufficiently 
 provided for, only by what they heard by word of mouth, anil 
 by the traditions of the church." [Section 24, 7.] That we 
 may safely rely upon the traditions of the church, the church 
 must be infallible ; accordingly 
 
 2. The Church of Rome claims infallibility. 
 
 Question. " Can the Church err in what she teaches T- 
 
 Answer. " No: she cannot err in matters of faith.'" 
 
 Q. " Why so"^'' 
 
A. '• Because Chiist has promised, that • the gates of 
 hell shall not prevail against his church ; that the Holy Ghost 
 shall teach her all truth ; and He himself will abide with her 
 forever.' "* " That Christ may assist them, (the Apostles and 
 th ir successors,) effectually in the execution of their com- 
 mission, he promises to be with them ; (not for three or 
 four hundred years only,) but all days even lo the consumma- 
 lion of the world. How then could the Catholic Church ever 
 go astray ; having always with her pastors, as is here prom- 
 ised Christ himself, who is the ivay, the truth and the life,'' 
 [^Catholic version, Note on MatlL 28: 18.] Sheil says " you 
 see, therefore," (addressing himself to a Protestant) " by 
 clear Scripture that the church cannot err," and in other pla- 
 ces he speaks of the church as an infallible interpreter of the 
 Scriptures, as we shall presently shew. Indeed the doctrine 
 of infallibility, is interwoven with the very constitution of the 
 papal church, and is so universally admitted, that it would 
 he useless to spend words to prove it. We will merely no- 
 tice the singular fact, that this attribute of infallibility, does 
 not exist in any single individual in the Roman Church, not 
 even the Pope, (as is now generally admitted,) but in the uni- 
 ted voice of the fallible members which compose it. As far 
 as I can learn the decisions and decrees of her councils, as 
 those of Nice, Trent <fec. are infallible, though no one of the 
 members which composed them, possessed this mysterious 
 attribute. 
 
 3. The Church of Rome does not alloio the circidaiion of the 
 pure %L'ord of God, withoid note or comment, amo^ig her members, 
 leaching that it is a dangerous hook to jmt into the hands of the 
 common people, without some one to guide them to the right under- 
 standing of it ; that error, schism, and heresy are the certain 
 consequences of siudying it for ourselves, and that none Imt the 
 hue Church (meaning the Church of Rome,) is able to give the 
 right interpretation of it. 
 
 The fact that the Romish Church prohibits the perusal of 
 the scriptures, in an intelligible language in all countries, 
 where it is in her power so to do, is too notorious to require 
 proof. We presuaie that no intelligent Catholic would 
 hazard his reputatiai for veracity by asserting the contrary. 
 If any one is creduloos enough to believe that she encourages 
 the study of God's w^.rd, unmixed with the doctrines of men, 
 let him go into a Catholic country of Europe, and take their 
 own authorised Bible, in the vernacular language, (if he can 
 find one,) and begin to distribute it among the people. It 
 will not be many days bftfore his eyes will be fully open to the 
 
 ?at.prhism 
 
 V' 
 
true state of the case, and lie will be glad to make his retreat 
 into this land of freedom. In the United States, indeed, where 
 Bibles and Testaments are abundant, and where the people 
 will read if they please, she has thought proper to publish a 
 Bible of her own, in self-defence, in which, as will hereafter 
 be shewn, all the texts which militate against her doctrines, 
 are carefully explained away by notes and comments, and 
 every passage which can possibly answer the purpose is so 
 interpreted, as to uphold the authority of the Papal church. 
 Yet even this Bible, she is not, (it is believed,) very solicitous 
 to circulate in those regions of our country which are destitute 
 of the common Bible, but is willing that her disciples should 
 receive the truth from her lips, as obedient children, and 
 enquire no further.* 
 
 But the most pernicious doctrine of the Church of Rome, 
 yespecting the Bible, is, that it is a book of mysteries, capable 
 of being understood and interpreted only by the church. She 
 teaches that the word of God is " hard to be understood ;" 
 that " they that are unlearned and unstable wrest it to their 
 own destruction," and that no " scripture is of private interpre- 
 tation ;" which, according to her infallible explanation, means, 
 that no one has a right to understand the scriptures for him- 
 self, but must go to the Church for their sense. " We are to 
 try the spirits, by examining whether their teaching be agree- 
 able to the rule of the Catholic faith : for St. John says, he that 
 knoweth God knoweth us, (the pastors of the church,) by this 
 we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. [Catholic 
 version^ note on I John^ 4:1.] Here we see that we are not 
 to try the doctrines of a church by the Bible, but we are to try 
 her interpretation of the Bible, by that of the Church of Rome, 
 (the only true church, as all Cathohcs maintain,) and that the 
 pastors of the Catholic Church are as worthy of our faith and 
 obedience as John and his companions, and this in fact the 
 Church of Rome does most constantly teach. We have seen 
 above, that the Apostles delivered to the primitive church, 
 '* both the book and the true meaning of it," and this true 
 meaning is to be learnt from the traditions of the Church of 
 Rome. Sheil says, "you (protestants) stand in need of some 
 infallible guide, to tell you which is the undoubted sense of 
 these true copies," (viz. those which protestants consider as 
 canonical, for Catholics hold the Apocryphal books also to be 
 canonical,) *' and which is not ; but you who will not hear the 
 
 * Perhaps I am incorrect in this assertion. If so, the Cathohcs can contradict it 
 by producing facts. It must be acknowledged, indeed, that they have little to fear 
 from a Bible, atmbered as theirs is, with the interpretations of the church. See more 
 on this subject hereafter. 
 
church, arc not taught by scripture, wiiicii guide you are tu 
 follow ill this matter." Cha}). 24.] He then advances a step 
 further, and makes the following assertion, which however 
 monstrous it may seem, expresses the true belief of Catholics. 
 -' We believe the scriptures to be the word of God, because 
 the church (which we believe to be infallible,) tells us so, and 
 we believe the church to be infallible, by her traditions de- 
 livered to her by the Apostles before any Scripture was 
 written, and we believe tradition by its own credibility, and 
 we give all the firm assent to what the whole church proposes 
 to us as the true word of God. Our understanding adheres 
 so unmoveably to this, that the testimony of an angel could not 
 make us believe it is false." Fletcher also, an eminent 
 Catholic writer, says, " If men be all allowed to judge, and 
 believe, each according to the dictates and suggestions of his 
 own private feelings and capacity, then it is plain, that every 
 varied form, both of error and absurdity, is but the natural 
 consequence," — and again, " For my own part, I think this — 
 that, if there existed no other reason to engage a pious mind 
 at once to reject protestantism, except the above principle," 
 (viz. allowing every person to judge for himself of the mean- 
 ing of the Bible,) " and the evils which are attendant on it — 
 these alone should suffice to do so." {Fletcher's Vieiv, 
 Chap. 12.] This doctrine that the Church of Rome alone 
 understands the meaning of the Bible, like the frosts of the 
 Polar circle, checks the career of reason and conscience, and 
 locks them up in torpid insensibility. 
 
 '' Miserable they ! 
 
 Who here, entangled in the gath'ring ice, 
 Take their last look of the descending sun; 
 While full of death, and fierce with tenfold frost 
 The long, long night incumbent o'er their heads 
 Falls horrible." 
 
 This it is, which makes it so difficult and hopeless a task to 
 reason with a Catholic. " His understanding adheres so im- 
 moveably to the doctrines of the church, that even the testi- 
 mony of an angel could not make him believe them false." 
 
 But, as the Church of Rome professes to be the only inter- 
 preter of the Bible, let us attend to some of her explanations : 
 and here I shall confine myself to the New Testament.* 
 
 The following extracts are from the authorised Catholic 
 version. — Matthew 3 : 1, 2. In those days came John the 
 Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea ; and saying Do 
 penance : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
 
 Note to the above. — '* This word, Do penance, accordinir 
 
 These pxtracts are taken from the Douav Testament, 
 
d 
 
 lo the use of tiie Scriptures and the Holy Fathers, does iiol 
 only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also pun- 
 ishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exer- 
 cises." So throughout the New Testament, the words 
 *' Repent," and " Repentance," are translated " Do penance," 
 and " penance," except where such a translation would lead 
 to evident absurdity, as in Hcb. 12: 17. where it is said that 
 *'Esau found no place for repentance, though he sought it 
 carefully with tears," which the note very properly explains 
 ns meaning, " He found no way to bring his father to repent, 
 or change his mindy Why the word does not always have this 
 meaning, we are not informed. 
 
 Matthew 12 : 32. He that shall speak against the Holy 
 Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor 
 in the world to come. 
 
 Note. '* From these words St. Augustine and St. Gregory 
 gather that some sins may be remitted in the world to come r 
 and consequently that there is a purgatory or middle place." 
 
 36 verse. For every idle word that men shall speak, they 
 shall render an account for it, in the day of Judgment. 
 
 Note. " This shews there must be a place of temporal pun- 
 ishment, hereafter, where these slighter faults shall be pun- 
 ished." 
 
 For the notes on Matth. 15 : 9. see above. 
 
 Matth. 16 : 18, 19. And I say unto thee, thou art Peter, 
 and upon this rock I will build my church, &c. On this pas- 
 sage there are several prolix notes, the substance of which is, 
 that " Peter was appointed chief pastor, ruler, and governor; 
 and should accordingly have all fulness of ecclesiastical power, 
 signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven," and that 
 *' loosing and binding," mean, " loosing the cords of temporal 
 punishments due to sins, called an indulgence, the power of 
 which is here granted." 
 
 Matth. 26 : 26, 27. Take ye, eat— this is my body. And 
 raking the chalice, he gave thanks ; and gave to them saying, 
 j>rink ye all of it. 
 
 Notes. *' He does not say, this is the figure of my body, 
 but this is my body : neither does he say, in this, or with this, 
 is my body, but absolutely, This is my body : which plainly 
 implies transubstantiation. Drink ye all of it. This was 
 spoken to the twelve Apostles, who were the all then present. 
 But it no ways follows from these words spoken to the Apos- 
 tles, that all the faithful are here commanded to drink of the 
 chalice." Our readers will recollect that Catholics deny the 
 cup to the laitv. 
 
 ^i 
 
lU 
 
 hov the note on Matth. 28 : 18, see above. 
 
 Luke 1 : 48, Henceforth all generations shall call me bles- 
 sed. 
 
 Note. *' These words are a prediction of that honour which 
 the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin.'* 
 What that honour is which Catholics pay to her, shall here- 
 after be shewn. 
 
 Luke 16 : 9. Make to yourselves friends of the mammon 
 of unrighteousness, that when you fail, they may receive you 
 into everlasting dwellings. 
 
 Note. ** By this we see that the poor servants of God, 
 whom we have relieved by our alms, may hereafter, by their 
 intercessions,, bring our souls to heaven." 
 
 Luke 17 : 10. We are unprofitable servants ; we have done 
 that which we ought to do. 
 
 Note. Because our service is of no profit to our master; 
 and he justly claims it as our bounden duty. But though 
 we are unprofitable to him, our serving him is not unprofita- 
 ble to ourselves ; foi- he is pleased to give hy his grace a value 
 to our good tvorks, which in consequence of his promise, entitles 
 them to an eternal reward.^^ 
 
 Luke 23 : 43, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
 
 This the note says is "Limbo, the place of confinement of 
 departed saints, which was now made a paradise by our Lord's 
 going thither." 
 
 John 20 : 19. Now when it was late that same day, being 
 the first day of the week, and the doors were shut, Jesus 
 came and stood in the midst. 
 
 Note. " The same power which could bring Christ's whole 
 body, entire in all its dimensions, through the doors, can, 
 without the least question, make the same body really present 
 in the sacrament." 
 
 Verse 23. Whose sins ye shall forgive, they are forgiven 
 them ; and whose ye shall retain, they are retained. 
 
 Note. " See here the commission, stamped by the broad 
 seal of heaven, by virtue of which the pastors of Christ's 
 church absolve repenting sinners upon their confession. 
 
 Romans 4 : 7. Blessed are they whose iniquities are for- 
 given, and whose sins are covered. 
 
 Note. ** That is, blessed are they who by doing penance 
 have obtained pardon and remission of their sins, and also are 
 covered, that is newly clothed with the habit of grace, <fec." 
 
 Romans 10 : 15. How can they preach unless they be sent ? 
 
 Note. ** Here is an evident proof against all new teachers, 
 who have all usurped to themselves the ministry, without any 
 
11 
 
 lawful mission derived by succession from the Apostles, to 
 whom Christ said, John 20: 21. as my father has sent me, 
 so also I send you." 
 
 I might make a multitude of similar extracts, but will only 
 add one passage, which is grossly misinterpreted to suit the 
 convenience of the Papal Church. The first clause of Heb. 
 13 : 4. is thus literally translated. " Marriage honorable in all." 
 Which the note explains to mean, Let marriage he honorable 
 in aU tilings^ instead of, Marriage is honorable in all persons, 
 which is the idea conveyed by our translation. This inter- 
 pretation is given to save the credit of the Church of Rome, 
 who forbids her pastors to marry ; but whether it be the most 
 rational way of filling out the sentence, let the candid judge. 
 
 4. Many of the practices of the Church of Rome are contrary 
 to Scripture., and others are unprofitahle and unauthorised hy the 
 word of God. 
 
 Such are the following. 
 
 (a) Invocation of Saints and Angels. 
 
 Cathohcs deny that they worship Saints and Angels, and 
 maintain that the)^ merely request an interest in their prayers, 
 as we do in the prayers of our pious friends. "If it be law- 
 ful," argues the bishop of Aire, " to solicit the prayers of our 
 living friends, how can it be unlawful to solicit the prayers 
 of our dead friends ?" The following are some of their 
 prayers. 
 
 A prayer entitled The Litany of the Blessed Virgin. " We 
 fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God, despise not our 
 petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O 
 ever glorious and blessed Virgin. 
 
 Lord have mercy on us. * 
 
 Christ have mercy on us. 
 
 Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us. 
 
 God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. 
 
 God the Son, the Redeemer of the world. Have mercy on us. 
 
 God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. 
 
 Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. 
 
 Holy Mary^ Pray for us.^^ 
 
 Here the Blessed Virgin is joined in company with the Holy 
 Trinity. In this same Litany she is addressed by no less 
 than 44 epithets, some of which are, " Mother of Divine grace, 
 Virgin most merciful, Virgin most powerful, Mirror of Justice, 
 Seat of Wisdom, Ark of the Covenant, Gate of Heaven, 
 Refuge of sinners," and " Queen of all saints." 
 
 Another prayer. " O Holy Virgin, Mother of God, and sure 
 refuge of all poor sinners, intercede for me at this moment, 
 &c. &c." 
 
X2 
 
 Prayer to ouv guardian angel. — '* O Holy angel to whose 
 care God in his mercy hath committed me; you, who assist 
 me in all my wants, who console me in my afflictions, who 
 support me when dejected, and who constantly obtain for me 
 new favors ; I return you now most sincere and humble 
 thanks : and I conjure you, O amiable guide, to continue still 
 your care ; to defend me against my enemies ; to remove from 
 me the occasions of sin ; to obtain for me a docility to thy 
 holy inspirations ; to protect me, in particular, at the hour of 
 my death ; and then to conduct me to the mansions of eternal 
 repose. Amen." — [Catholic Manual, Diiblin.'] 
 
 Other similar prayers may be found in Catholic prayer 
 books addressed to St. Joseph, &c. [See appendix A.] 
 
 (b.) Reverencing oj images, pictures, relics, crucifixes, &fc. 
 
 Sheil says, " Why should we be called idolaters, for making 
 and venerating such images, as may put us in remembrance 
 that Christ was crucified for our sins." The second council 
 of Nice, declares, that " the honor paid to the image passes 
 to the prototype ; and he who adores the image, adores it in 
 the person of him whom it represents." The council of Trent 
 also says, " Due honor and veneration is to be given to the 
 images of Christ, of the mother of God, and of the saints ; 
 not that there is believed to be in them any divinity or virtue, 
 for which they are to be worshipped, ur that any confidence is 
 to be placed in the images, but because the honor which is 
 given to the images, is referred to the persons represented by 
 the images ; so that by or through the images which we kiss, 
 and before which we uncover our heads, or lie prostrate, we 
 adore Christ and reverence the Saints, whom these images re- 
 ^esev^." 
 
 It appears from these quotations, that Catholics worship 
 not images, but adore Christ, and reverence the Saints through 
 the images which represent them, which is precisely what the 
 Heathen, both ancient and modern have done, and what is 
 forbidden in the second commandment.* Did the ancient 
 pagans adore the Statue of Jupiter, or Jupiter through ihe 
 statue ? The most ignorant pagan, in bowing down before 
 his idol, supposed " Not that brass and gold and silver, 
 Avhen fashioned into statues are gods ; but that, through these 
 images, the invisible gods are honored and worshipped. [Ar- 
 nobius, quoted hy FaherJ] Do not Catholics make to them- 
 selves the likeness of the Virgin Mary, and of our Saviour r 
 Do they not bow down to them ? Do they not kiss them, and 
 uncover their heads, and lie prostrate before them ? What is 
 this but worship ? It appears then that Catholics are guilty of 
 
 "^ The first in Catholic books 
 
18 
 
 idolatry, not figuratively, but literally, in the strictest sense of 
 the word. Many good people in our country consider it 
 slander to accuse the Catholics of idolatry, but we have their 
 own testimony on the subject, for the DECREES OF THE 
 COUNCILS OF NICE, AND TRENT, ARE INFALLI- 
 BLE, according to the unanimous belief of all Catholics, who 
 appeal to them as of the highest authority.* [See appendix B.J 
 
 (c) Prayer for the Bead, and the doctrine of Purgatory, 
 
 Q. Are the souls in Purgatory helped hy our prayers':! 
 
 A, Yes ; they are. 
 
 ^. What do you mean hy Purgatory ? 
 
 A. A middle state of souls, suffering for a time on account 
 of their sins. 
 
 (^. In lohat cases do souls go to Purgatory ^^ 
 
 A. When they die in less sins, which we call venial ; or 
 when they have not satisfied the justice of God for former 
 transgressions. 
 
 ^. Hoio do you prove there is a Purgcitary ? 
 
 A. Because the Scripture often teaches, that *^ God will 
 render to every man according to his works :" and that 
 '' nothing defiled can enter heaven," and that some Chris- 
 tians *' shall be saved, yet so as by fire." [Catholic Cate- 
 chism, Chap, 2.] 
 
 It ought to be added however that the more candid writers 
 among the Catholics, do not pretend to prove the doctrine of 
 Purgatory from Scripture. 
 
 Having given a definition of Purgatory, in the language of 
 papists, we will next exhibit some of their prayers for the 
 souls confined therein. These are taken from the Roman 
 Missal, in use in this country, answering to the Prayer Book 
 of Episcopalians, translated by Bishop England, and whose 
 authority no Catholic would dare to contradict. 
 
 '* O God, we humbly present our prayers to thee in behalf 
 of the soul of thy servant N. which thou hast this day called 
 out of the world : beseeching thee not to deliver it into the 
 hand of the enemy, or to forget it forever : but command it 
 to be received by the holy angels into paradise, <fec." 
 
 Another. " Receive O Lord, our prayers in behalf of the 
 
 * The following tremendous anathemas are from the Second Council of Nice ; they 
 remind us of the Jews in our Saviour's time, who, when confuted by him were jilled 
 vnth madness, and sought how they might destroy him. " Anathema to the calum- 
 niators of christians ! Anathema to the breakers of images ! Anathema to those who 
 apply to images the scriptural denunciations against idols ! Anathema to those who re- 
 fuse to salute the holy and venerable images ! Anathema to those who call the holy 
 images idols ! Anathema to those who aid and abet the dishonorers of the holy 
 images !" 
 
 Behold here the beast which has two horns like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon. 
 
14 
 
 soul of thy servant N. that if any stams of the corruptions of 
 this world still stick to it, they may be washed away by thy 
 forgiving." 
 
 An Anniversary mass for the Dead. 
 
 " O God, the Lord of mercy, give to the soul (souls) of thy 
 servant (servants) whose anniversary we commemorate, a 
 place of comfort, a happy rest, and the light of glory." 
 
 Our readers will recollect that these absurd petitions, are 
 not the obsolete prayers of the dark ages, nor the prayers of 
 the dark regions of papal dominion, but are used at the present 
 day in our own enlightened country. 
 
 (d) Auricular confession^ and remission of sins, hy indiilgeii" 
 ees and satisfaction. 
 
 These things will be best described, in the language of 
 Catholics. 
 
 Q. What is confession ? 
 
 A. Confession is the accusation of our sins to a priest, in 
 order to obtain absolution of them. 
 
 Q,. Must ive declare all !■ 
 
 A. Yes, we must declare all ; for, if we were wilfully to 
 conceal any mortal sin, we should not obtain the remission 
 of any, and should besides commit a sacrilege.* 
 
 Q. In loliat sentiments sJioidd ive place ourselves upon 02ir knees 
 before the priest, ivhefi ive are going to confession ? 
 
 A. In the sentiments of a criminal WHO IS ABOUT 
 TO OFFER HONORABLE AMENDMENT TO GOD; 
 VIEWING JESUS CHRIST IN THE PERSON OF 
 THE PRIEST. 
 
 Q. What is absolution ? 
 
 A. It is the remission of our sins, which the Priest im- 
 parts in virtue of the power, he has received from Christ. 
 
 Q. PFJiat is an Indulgence ? 
 
 A. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punish- 
 ment, dueto sin either in this life or in the life to come. 
 
 Q. How many kinds of Indidgences are there ? 
 
 A. There are two kinds ; the partial indulgence and the 
 plenary indulgence. 
 
 Q. What is a partial Indulgence ? 
 
 A. It is that which remits only a part of the temporal pun- 
 ishment due to sin. 
 
 Q,. Hotv is this kind of Indulgence expressed ? 
 
 A. It is expressed by saying, for example, an Indulgence 
 of twenty days, of an hundred days, <fcc. 
 
 * David however says, " Who can understand his errors," How long does it take 
 a Catholic to confess all his sins ? 
 
15 
 
 H- Wtuit is a plenary Indulgence ?■ 
 
 A. It is that which inckides the entire remission of the 
 temporal punishment due to sin. 
 
 Q. Do all equally gain a plenary Indulgence ? 
 
 A. No: each one receives the benefit of it, only according 
 to his disposition. 
 
 Q,. What is satisfactimi ? 
 
 A. It is a reparation which we owe to God, or to our neigh- 
 bor, for the injury we have done him. 
 
 Q. Are we obliged to satisfy God, even after the sin has 
 been remitted us 9 
 
 A. Yes we are : for although the eternal punishment be 
 remitted us by absolution, yet there remains a temporal pun- 
 ishment which we have to expiate, either in this world, or 
 in the world to come. 
 
 Q. Hoiv do ice satisfy God ? 
 
 A. We satisfy God by the works of penance, which we 
 perform in the grace of Jesus Christ, through whom we live, 
 we merit, and we satisfy. 
 
 Q. Which are the best works of penance ? 
 
 A. Those which are imposed upon us by the priests : such 
 as chiefly, prayer, fasting and alms. [Catholic Catechism, 
 various places.'] 
 
 It clearly appears from the above, as well as from many 
 quotations before given, (and many more might be added if 
 necessary,) that Catholics are taught to rely on the penances 
 assigned to them by the priest, which are here denominated 
 good works, as meritorious in securing heaven, through the 
 virtue imparted to them by Christ. Thus do they engraft their 
 own worthless ceremonies and imperfect services upon the 
 all-perfect righteousness of Christ, robbing him of the glory 
 of their salvation, and deceiving their own souls. This is 
 the most dangerous shape in which self-righteousness can 
 appear. Nothing is better suited to soothe the conscience 
 and lull it to security. The poor deluded worshipper resigns 
 his soul into the hands of the Holy Church, and thinks his 
 salvation sure, if he heartily obeys her directions, and sin- 
 cerely performs the good works imposed upon him by his 
 priests ; and under the quieting influence of this spiritual 
 opiate he sleeps securely, till his redemption has ceased for- 
 ever.* 
 
 * Whatever the friends of the Catholic Church may say in her defence, itis evident 
 Oiat her devotees do sincerely beheve that they obtain the pardon of their sins, by 
 this round of duties, at the hand of the priest, and thousands of them die under the 
 influence of this awful delusion, in the firm hope of future happiness. *' If the blind 
 lead the "blind shall they not both fall into the ditch." 
 
It; 
 
 1 might go oil to enumerate other things equaliy contrai'v 
 to scripture, such as, Works of Supererogation, The Doctrine 
 of the real presence of Christ in the sacramental bread and 
 wine, &c., but I should transgress the limits which I have 
 prescribed to myself. 
 
 The ceremonies of the Catholic Church are exceedingly 
 numerous, and many of her ordinances frivolous and unprofi- 
 table, such as abstaining from flesh on Fridays, and Satur- 
 days, fasting from midnight before we go to communion, the 
 violation of which, the church calls " a great sin," crossing our- 
 selves with Holy Water, &.c. The Catholic ritual is exceed- 
 ingly magnificent, and admirably calculated to strike the 
 senses of the vulgar. The unknown language in which her 
 priests officiate, gives her an air of great ancientness, and 
 induces ignorance to think, that she alone possesses the trea- 
 sures of wisdom and learning. 
 
 The above is a faithful, though imperfect exposition of the 
 Catholic religion, as it exists in this country. From this it 
 appears how mistaken is the idea of those who suppose that 
 Catholicism here, is quite a different thing from Catholicism 
 in Europe. This no true Catholic would be willing to admit 
 for a moment. His boast is that the Holy Church is the 
 same in all ages and all countries. She does indeed appear 
 among us disrobed of the civil power ; we are not compelled 
 to fall prostrate before the ceremony of the Host, neither 
 are we liable to have our Bibles taken out of our hands ; but 
 for this let us thank God and the Protestant religion. The 
 tendency of Catholicism is to reduce all nations to a common 
 level. Her dominion over her disciples is not less absolute 
 here, than in Europe : the chains with which she binds rea- 
 son and conscience, are not less strong ; and were she uni- 
 versally to prevail, there would soon be no difference between 
 us, and the Catholic nations of Europe. 
 
 II. There is great reason to apprehend an exten- 
 sive PREVALENCE OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION IN OUR 
 COUNTRY. 
 
 I readily admit, that were all our countrymen well in- 
 structed in the Bible, there could be little reason to appre- 
 hend danger from papal influence. But where ignorance of 
 the word of God, and consequent immorality prevail, there 
 is a fearful preparation in the minds of the people for the 
 reception of error ; and no error will be more greedily imbi- 
 bed than this. The Church of Rome, does, in effect, guar- 
 antee the salvation of all who will entrust themselves to her 
 care. She kindly relieves them of the burden of taking care 
 
i; 
 
 uf tlieir imiiiuitai interests, and they have only lo make u 
 hearty surrender of their souls to her keeping, and bHndly 
 follow her directions, as obedient children, and they are sure 
 of reaching heaven : and even if some stains of pollution 
 adhere to their souls at death, they are assured of an interest 
 in the prayers of the church, and cheered w^ith the prospect 
 of a speedy release from the pains of Purgatory, to the man- 
 sions of everlasting rest. What can be more pleasing to a 
 blinded mind, and unholy heart ? Who would not much 
 rather do penance, than repent, and submit to the yoke of 
 Christ ? How admirably is the papal doctrine of good works, 
 adapted to the inclinations of the natural heart ? No sensible 
 man, who knows the history of Popery in Europe, will despise 
 her influence. " She has cast down many strong men.'* 
 She has held most of the nations of Europe in bondage for 
 centuries. Some have represented the Catholic system as a 
 mass of absurdities, which even a child could refute. But 
 ** men of full age" have had enough to do, to grapple with 
 her. She has the combined wisdom of ages, and is undoubt- 
 edly the master-piece of error. Is human nature in America 
 different from human nature in Europe ? Will not the same 
 causes which have given Popery an ascendency in the old 
 world, also gain her dominion in the new ^ 
 
 It must be admitted then, as a maxim not to be dis- 
 puted, that OUR NATION HAS NO PRESERVATIVE 
 AGAINST POPERY, EXCEPT IN THE KNOWLEDGE 
 OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 Let us then look at the condition of our country. Are all 
 our citizens enlightened ? Are there no dark places in our 
 land, where the Bible is unknown, where the Sabbath is pro- 
 faned, and the people are perishing for lack of knowledge f* 
 Even in New-England do not we find in our populous towns 
 multitudes, who know little more of the word of God, than 
 Heathen ? 
 
 But it is not New-England that has the most to fear from 
 Papal influence. The Church of Rome has chosen the valley 
 of the Mississippi, as the grand theatre of her operations, and 
 no one will question the sagacity of the choice. What is the 
 condition of the valley of the Mississippi ? The heart of the 
 christian must bleed, when he beholds the immense tide of 
 immortal souls, that is rolling over this fertile vale with un- 
 exampled rapidity, and then looks at the moral darkness 
 which rests upon it. A large part of the people are destitute 
 of the Bible ; they have no preached gospel ; vice and infi- 
 delity consequently abound ; in this condition thfey are pre- 
 
18 
 
 paved to be led away '' by every wind oi' doctrine, and cunning 
 craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive them." 
 
 Those who ridicule the idea that Papacy may ever gain an 
 ascendency in our country, are requested to look at the follow- 
 ing facts. 
 
 1. It is morally certain that in the course of at least a 
 century, the vale of the Mississippi will contain a population 
 sufficiently large to give her a predominance in our national 
 councils. 
 
 2. We have already shewn that the moral character of the 
 inhabitants is highly favorable to the propagation of this 
 error. 
 
 3. The Church of Rome has set in operation an extensive 
 plan for the conversion of this region to her doctrines. 
 
 For this purpose she is establishing schools, and colleges, in 
 various places, for the education of the young ; her missiona- 
 ries are abroad in all directions, zealously propagating her 
 sentiments ; they want not energy or perseverance ; many of 
 them have consecrated themselves to the work, with an ardor 
 and devotedness becoming a better cause. I impeach not 
 their motives ; " I bear them record that they have a zeal of 
 God, but not according to knowledge" : they want not sagacity 
 nor prudence ; most of them have been thoroughly educated 
 to the business, and understand the art of accommodating 
 themselves to the circumstances of society : accustomed to 
 bow down their ear to auricular confession, they understand 
 human character and the art of managing mankind : they 
 want not foreign patronage : this may prossibly be new to 
 some of our readers. It appears from a late paragraph in 
 one of the Catholic papers, that a Catholic priest " has re- 
 cently departed for Havre, where he is to meet some priests 
 who have devoted themselves to that (the Ohio) Mission.* 
 This gentleman was educated at the College de Propaganda 
 at Rome. He has been successful in France in procuring 
 aid for the mission in Ohio, but he has in Vienna established a 
 society to aid the progress of the truth, and in Mmiich the King 
 of Bavaria has become a protector of a similar association.^'' It 
 appears then that the Catholics in the West are beginning to 
 enjoy the patronage of European princes ; and that Catholic 
 countries are liberally supplying us with teachers "of the 
 truth." No doubt they wdl receive a sufficient supply of gold 
 and silver, to enable them to carry on their proselyting 
 establishments without embarrassment. '■^Let him, that read- 
 
 * We learn by a late Catholic paper that Mr. Reze. with uine ecclesiastics has 
 already arrived. 
 
,19 
 
 eth uudcratamL'' Thus to use tlie pompous language of 
 Catholics, the time seems to be coming, when " the spread of 
 Catholicity will encompass us on all sides, and bring us to the 
 knowledge of the Cod of truth, and of that Church the Inter- 
 preter of the Bible." 
 
 We are then to view this great valley of the mother of 
 rivers, as destined to be the theatre of a moral contest, almost 
 unparalleled for importance in the history of man. This is 
 the field of action ; here the battle is to be lost or won, which 
 is to decide the moral condition of unborn millions : the con" 
 fiict is not for any earthly object, but for immortal interests; 
 for the purity of religion ; for the right of using the reason 
 which our Creator has given us, in the study of his most holy 
 word ; for the privilege of obeying God, rather than man ; 
 and of confessing our sins to our Maker, and not to a sinful 
 worm like ourselves. This conflict will be decided in a few 
 years, and its decision will be attended with consequences, 
 compared with which, those of Pharsalia and Waterloo, sink 
 into insignificance. We may not live to behold its termina- 
 tion, but our children will see and feel the issue. 
 
 III. We are to consider the means of combatting 
 
 THIS error and the DUTY OF THE ChURCH IN THIS 
 RESPECT. 
 
 1. The first and most obvious duty of the Church is to awake 
 to the subject. 
 
 While we are securely reposing, dreaming that *' our 
 mountain stands sure, and that we shall never be moved," 
 the Church of Rome is vigilantly improving the opportunity 
 Vvhich our supineness affords her. She kindly encourages 
 our inactivity, and wisely recommends us to follow the 
 prudent advice of good old Gamaliel. Already has she 
 jnore than half persuaded some of our members, that it is 
 best to sit still, and not stir a finger against her, if not to 
 patronize her operations. If v*^e will not arouse, and pray 
 and labor ; if we will obstinately persevere in our belief that 
 there is no danger, we shall hereafter bitterly repent our folly. 
 
 2. We ought to acquaint ourselves ivith the character of Popery. 
 The impression prevails extensively among American 
 
 Protestants, that Catholic doctrines and practices are com- 
 paratively pure in this country, and that the Church of Rome 
 is not chargeable with those monstrous absurdities which have 
 been attributed to her ; and there will always be those found 
 among the enemies of evangelical religion, impudent enough 
 to advocate this opinion. Many think it a crime to assert 
 that the Papal Church claims the prerogative of pardoning 
 
sins, and enjoins the worship of saints, angeis, and images ; 
 although her priests every where declare that they do par-> 
 don sins, and although her forms of devotion abound in 
 idolatrous prayers to saints, and angels, and we may see 
 with our eyes her devotees doing homage to pictures, crosses, 
 relics, &c. I^et us then examine this matter for ourselves. 
 that our opinion may rest not on authority alone, and we may 
 not be abashed by bold contradiction. The history of the. 
 Romish Church should also be studied. Her arrogant pre- 
 tensions to be the only true church, can all be confuted, and 
 her traditions shewn to be contrary to scripture, and unworth\- 
 of belief; but if we are not prepared to meet her plausible 
 and sophistical reasonings, we may be much embarrassed by 
 them. 
 
 3. We might to make use of the information thus acquired io 
 defend the truth. 
 
 This may be done in various ways : by personal and friend- 
 ly intercourse with Catholics themselves, as far as practicable ; 
 by the circulation of books calculated to throw light on the 
 subject ; many excellent treatises have been written in which 
 the errors of popery are confuted with great force and clear- 
 ness ; by the distribution of such tracts as already exist, and 
 the preparation of others adapted to the wants of the commu- 
 nity : these will be very useful if they are written in a miid» 
 plain, and christian manner, avoiding all asperity, and seeking 
 only to advance the truth ; but if they be written in a harsh, 
 abusive style, they will be worse than nothing. It may be 
 added, that every tract which clearly exhibits gospel principles, 
 contains in itself a refutation of error, and those which display 
 false doctrine in its true light, without reference to sects, will 
 be read with less prejudice, and consequently with more 
 profit. The opinion of Catholic priests with regard to tracts, 
 may be gathered from the fact that they discourage the peru- 
 sal of them among their people, by all the means in their 
 power. 
 
 It may be indeed the desire of Catholics that we shoidd 
 remain silent, and many Protestants may thiid^ a controversy 
 of this kind inexpedient : but I know not by what logic it can 
 be proved that we ought to sit still, and see error industrious- 
 ly propagated. We may not, it is true, be able to convert 
 Cathohcs ; but by a clear exhibition of the truth we may 
 prevent the spread of it, among indifferent persons, and if 
 any man will, after being enlightened, eml3race error, his 
 blood must be upon his own head. 
 
4. tVe are loudly called upon to extend a more efficient and 
 liberal patronage to the American Home Missionary, Bible 
 and Tract Societies. 
 
 The Home Missionary Society sends out pastors to break 
 the bread of life to those who are famishing for lack of knowl- 
 edge. The Bible Society gives the pure word of God, which 
 enlightens the eyes, and makes wise to salvation. The Tract 
 Society diffuses the rays of gospel light, over this benighted 
 vegion. I will not insult your understandings by eulogising 
 these institutions. I only ask you solemnly to enquire how 
 much does the Lord require you to give. Are you doing your 
 duty in this respect ? 
 
 The American Sunday School Union deserves our warmest 
 support in the efforts she is now making for the spread of 
 Sabbath Schools in the West. If we can but establish these 
 blessed institutions in the vale of the Mississippi, she will be 
 safe from error. Those who have been nourished and brought 
 up on the " pure milk of the word"' cannot easily be induced to 
 relish the husks of popery. Blessed be God for the establish- 
 ment of Sabbath Schools in our land ! otherwise we should 
 soon be swept away by the floods of error. Four hundred 
 dollars will support an Agent in the West. How many of 
 our County and State Unions, might easily do this, and thus 
 prove a rich blessing to thousands ? This has already been 
 successfully undertaken by at least one County Union,* and 
 we hope others will soon follow the example. 
 
 5. JVe slioidd he more vigilant in searching out and train- 
 Ing iip young men for the ministry. Let pious pastors and 
 teachers have an eye to this work. Lot not indications of 
 youthful talents and piety, escape the notice of the watchmen 
 of Israel. Let the instructors of youth carefully examine the 
 texture of the minds which come under their care; and 
 whenever they find uncommon strength, activity or enterprize, 
 let them be consecrated to the Lord in the closet, and recom- 
 mended to the patronage of the church. Let pious fathers 
 and pious mothers, be willing to part with their sons when 
 Christ calls them to follow him. Parents! who of you have 
 children destined to receive the reward of those who turn 
 many to righteousness, and to shine as the stars of the firma- 
 ment forever and ever ? Methinks you cannot but rejoice 
 and thank God when he calls you to part with them. Let 
 those whom God has entrusted with wealth, esteem it a most 
 delightful task to take young men by the hand and assist 
 them in their studies, trusting to God, that he will prepare* 
 
 The Hartford Countv Sabbath »School Union. 
 
22 
 
 their lieaits by his j^race tor being stewards of the mysteries 
 of the gospel. What a niultitiide of laborers might thus be 
 sent forth into the vineyard of the Lord! 
 
 (). Finally, brethren, ^^ pray ivithout ceasing-.^ ^ 
 i would not have taken up my pen to write to you, had I not 
 lioped to excite you to more fervency at the throne of grace. 
 The Lord Jehovah alone holds our destinies in his hands. 
 He has suffered this error to creep in among us. Perhaps it 
 is to draw^ our hearts closer together, to make us feel our 
 dependance on him, and quicken us in the performance of our 
 duty : perhaps to make us feel more sympathy for the nations 
 of Europe who are groaning under the papal yoke : perhaps 
 he designs to manifest his Almighty power, by carrying on his 
 gospel in the midst of opposition, and thus secure. the glory 
 to himself. Let us " trust in the Lord forever ; for in the Lord 
 Jehovah is everlasting strength." Let our missionaries in the 
 West enjoy our liberality, and be upheld by our prayers. We 
 ought most earnestly to pray for the outpouring of the Holy 
 Ghost in the valley of the Mississippi. The " man of sin" 
 is to be destroyed by " the brightness of Christ's coming." 
 If the Lord do not interpose for the inhabitants of the West, 
 they will be undone. 
 
 I close with one reflection. How important that pure and 
 iindefiled religion should flourish in our schools, and colleges. 
 A vast multitude of youth is here training up, to become 
 either the efiicient friends, or the determined enemies of 
 Christ. With what inexpressible longings ought the church 
 I to look upon these institutions ! How fervently ought she to 
 pour forth her prayers in their behalf, that the Lord would 
 visit them by his grace, and make ready a people prepared 
 for his service! "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, 
 for they are white already to harvest : Pray ye therefore, the 
 Lord of the Harvest that he w^ould send forth laborers into 
 his vineyard." 
 
 APPENDLX^ A. 
 
 The following extracts from the Roman IMissal, on the one hand, and the Bible on 
 the other, will shew in a striking light, the difierence between the Catholic, and 
 .Scriptural way of approaching God. 
 
 ROMAN MLSSAL. 
 
 THE LITANY OF SAINTS. 
 
 (In part.) 
 Lord have mercy on lis. 
 Christ have mercy on us. 
 •Lord have mercy on us. 
 Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us 
 God the father of heaven have mercy on uy 
 God the Son, Redeemer of the Worki 
 
 have mercij on us. 
 God the Holy Ghost have, mercy on us. 
 ITnlv Trinitv. one God. hare mercy 011 ?(S, 
 
 BIBLE. 
 
 WAY TO APPROACH GOD. 
 
 " Father into thy hands I commend niv 
 •Spirit." Luke, 23: 46. 
 
 " Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit." Acts, 
 -. 60. 
 
 " Come u7ito me, all ye that labor and 
 are heavy laden, and I will fi;ive von rest.'' 
 VTatth. II : f?P 
 
i>:i 
 
 Holy Mary, 
 
 Holy mother of God, 
 
 Holy Virgin of Virgins. 
 
 St. Michael, 
 
 St. Gabriel, 
 
 St. Raphael, 
 
 All ye holy Angels and Archangels, 
 
 All ye holy Orders of blessed Spirits, 
 
 St. John Baptist, 
 
 St. Joseph, 
 
 All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, 
 
 St. Peter, 
 
 St. Paul, 
 
 St. Andrew, 
 
 St. James, 
 
 St. John, 
 
 St. Thomas, 
 
 St. James, 
 
 St. Philip, 
 
 St. Bartholomcic, 
 
 St. Mattheio, 
 
 St. Simon, 
 
 St. Thaddaus, 
 
 St. Matthias, 
 
 St. Barnaby, 
 
 St. Luke, 
 
 St. Mark, - 
 
 All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, 
 
 All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, 
 
 All ye holy Innocents, 
 
 St. Stephen, 
 
 St. Lawrence, 
 
 St. Vincent, 
 
 St. Fabian and St. Sebastian, 
 
 St. John and St. Paid, 
 
 St. Cosmos and St. Damian, 
 
 St. Gervais and St. Protese, 
 
 All ye holy Martyrs, 
 
 St. Sylvester, 
 
 St. Gregory, 
 
 St. Anibrosc, 
 
 St. Augustin, 
 
 St. Jerom, 
 
 St. Martin, 
 
 St. Nicholas, 
 
 St. Patrick, 
 
 All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, 
 
 All ye holy Doctors, 
 
 St. Anthony and St. Bennet, 
 
 St. Bernard, 
 
 St. Dominick, 
 
 St. Francis, 
 
 All ye holy Priests and Levites, 
 
 All ye holy Monks and Hermits, 
 
 St. Mary Magdalen, 
 
 St. Agatha, 
 
 St. Lucy, 
 
 St. Agnes, 
 
 St. Cecily, 
 
 St. Cailiarinr. 
 
 St, Anastasia, 
 
 St. Bridget, 
 
 All ye holy Virgins and Widows, 
 
 '' Him tliat comeili to me, I will m no 
 wise cast out." John 6 : 37. 
 
 " Every man that hath heard, and hath 
 learned of the Father cometh unto me." 
 John 6: 45. 
 
 " Seeing then that we have a great 
 High Priest, that is passed into the hea- 
 vens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold 
 fast our profession." 
 
 ' For we have not an High Priest which 
 cannot be touched with the feeling of our 
 infirmities ; but was in all points tempted 
 like as we are, yet without sin." 
 
 ' Let us therefore come boldly unto the 
 throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, 
 and find grace to help in time of need." 
 Heb. 4: 14, 15, 16. 
 
 ''But this man (Christ Jesus) because 
 he continueth ever, hath an unchangablo 
 priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to 
 save unto the uttermost them that come 
 unto God, by him, seeing he ever liveth to 
 make intercession for them.'''' 
 
 For such an High Priest became us, who 
 is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from 
 sinners, and made hisjher than the hea- 
 vens." Heb. 7: 24,25,26. 
 
 '•' For Christ is not entered into the 
 holy places made with hands, which are 
 the figures of the true ; but into heaven 
 itself, now to appear in the presence of 
 God /or ws." Heb. 9: 24. 
 
 " Having therefore, brethren, boldness 
 to enter into the holiest by the blood of 
 Jesus, 
 
 And having an High Priest over the 
 house of God; 
 
 Let us draw near with a true heart in 
 full assurance of faith, having our hearts- 
 sprinkled from an evil conscience, and 
 our bodies washed with pure water." Heb 
 10: 19,21,22. 
 
 What need have wo then of the inter- 
 cession of Saints and Angels, which is no- 
 jwhere commanded in Scripture'