CHAPTER XVII.

The Paganism of Rome, the Secret of her Opposition to the Bible.

THE opposition of Rome to the circulation of the Scriptures without note or comment among the people, can only be accounted for by taking into consideration the distinctly marked antagonism, in many respects, between the teachings of the Bible on the one hand, and the numerous Pagan rites and ceremonies of the Church of Rome on the other. As we have seen, her gross and universal worship of images, which is downright idolatry, cannot be justified on the score of reason or revelation. This and her constant use of holy water, being as they truly are, purely heathen forms of a blind superstition, not only mark her Pagan character, but also array her against the Bible.

This heathenish practice of Rome, namely, the use of holy water as a religious rite, was introduced into her ritualistic forms in the sixth century. This water, prepared by ridiculous ceremonies, seemingly too absurd to admit of rational inspection, will, as it is affirmed, drive away devils, cancel venial sins-impart strength to resist temptation-dissipate wicked thoughts

-preserve from sickness-obtain the favor and presence of the Holy Ghost, etc.*

Hence the common practice among Papists to keep on hand a supply of holy water for almost constant use, in ways and on occasions too numerous to mention. In fact, to such a ridiculous extent is this absurd practice carried, that it is applied to animals as well as men. On St. Anthony's day in Rome, under the eye and patronage of the Pope, the deluded people of that city and the surrounding country bring their horses, mules and donkeys to the priests to be sprinkled with this holy water, to keep them, as they are taught by the priests, from injury, and in a healthy and thriving condition. But this by no means constitutes the sum of this ridiculous farce. If the application of holy water were confined to persons, there might be some excuse for the practice as a religious rite, or symbol. But in addition to horses, mules and donkeys, it is sprinkled upon houses, upon beds, upon meats, upon fortifications, upon cannon, upon bells, upon garments, upon coffins, upon candles, upon sheep, and dogs. "Nothing," says Croly," can be blessed or hallowed without it. Even the butter churn is sprinkled with it before churning commences, that the cream may work the better. It purifies the air-heals distempers-cleanses the soul

See Apostolic Constitution.

expels Satan and his imps from haunted houses, and introduces the Holy Ghost as an inmate in their stead."

In the Church of S. Carlo Borromeo in the Corso at Rome, over the vessel of holy water is placed the following document for the information of the faithful:

"Holy water possesses much usefulness when Christians sprinkle themselves with it with due reverence and devotion. The Holy Church proposes it as a remedy and assistant in many circumstances both spiritual and corporeal, but especially in these following:

"1. It drives away devils from places and from per

sons.

"2. It affords great assistance against fears and diabolical illusions.

"3. It cancels venial sins.

"4. It imparts strength to resist temptations and occasions to sin.

"5. It drives away wicked thoughts.

"6. It preserves safely from the passing snares of the devil, both internally and externally.

"8. It obtains the favor and presence of the Holy Ghost, by which the soul is consoled, rejoiced, and excited to devotion and disposed to prayer.

"It prepares the human mind for a better attendance on the divine mysteries, and receiving piously and worthily the most holy sacrament.

(6 ITS CORPOREAL USEFULNESS.

"1. It is a remedy against barrenness in woman and in beasts.

"2. It is a preservation from sickness.

"3. It heals the infirmities both of the mind and of the

body.

"4. It purifies infected air and drives away plague and contagion."

Now can any one fail to see that this remarkable document, authorized by the Papal authorities of Rome, does most distinctly and explicitly attribute to their holy water, influences, etc. that belong to the Holy Spirit only? And is not the inference a legitimate one, that Romanism having lost the Spirit, has substituted water in its stead?

And now the question arises, From whence did this silly practice come? Surely not from the Bible. Not a single passage can be adduced from the word of God to support such a blasphemous ceremony. What then was its origin? The answer to this question is plain. It came from heathendom, the cesspool of religious abominations. It has no higher origin. It is a Pagan rite, that should have been left for only heathens to practise, instead of being incorporated among the rites of the Church to disgrace her service.

The Jesuit la Cerda, in his note on a passage in Virgil where this practice is mentioned as prevalent among Pagans, says: "Hence was derived the custom of the holy Church to provide purifying or holy water at the entrance of

their churches."* Besides all this, it is a notorious fact that Roman Catholic priests and bishops prepare their holy water by putting in salt, and consecrating the mixture with religious ceremonies very much in the same manner that heathen priests mix and consecrate theirs.

Every one acquainted with the various systems of the idolatrous rites and ceremonies of Pagan nations, knows how generally holy water was used by them in their devotions. The Sintoists of Japan, who are regarded as the devotees of the most ancient system of idolatry among that people, have their holy water in the outer court of their temples, which is applied to their persons before proceeding further with their devotions, very much as Roman Catholic churches have their fonts of holy water at their entrances for the use of their communicants before entering. The similarity in this respect between one of these Pagan temples and a Roman Catholic church is very striking, and cannot fail to impress the mind with the heathen origin of the whole affair. The Hindoos also had their holy water, the Ganges, which they used for very much the same purpose that Papists use their holy water. The Hindoos claim that it heals the sick, and purifies the soul, besides doing many other wonderful things. Hence it is carried to immense distances to be

Mystery of Iniquity Unvailed, p. 241,