flict with Romanism, that every year is becoming relatively stronger, and which is under the control of a foreign despot, and whose every essential feature is at war with every essential principle of our government? It is impossible. Secular dominion is her aim. Her dogmatic arrogance, her despotic nature, and her unbounded ambition, are even now arming her with the determination to take the offensive, and hurl her whole weight with force and energy against our Republican institutions. She necessarily hates Democracy here as everywhere else, and is accordingly preparing for the struggle. Says Dr. Wilie of Edinburgh:

"It is plain that the issue of this war, to the Papacy, must be one of two things, complete annihilation or unbounded dominion. Rome must be all that she ever was and more, or cease to be. Europe is not wide enough to hold both the Old Papacy and the Young Democracy; and one or other must go to the wall. Matters have gone too far to permit of the contest being ended by a truce or compromise; the battle must be fought out. If the Democracy shall triumph, a fearful retribution will be exercised on a church which has proved herself to be essentially sanguinary and despotic; and if the Church shall overcome, the Revolution will be cut up root and branch. It is not for victory then, but for life that both parties now fight. The gravity of the juncture and the eminent peril in which the Papacy is placed, will probably spirit it on to some desperate attempt. Half measures will not save it at such a crisis as this. To retain only the traditions of its power, and to practice the comparatively tolerant

policy which it has pursued for the past half century, will no longer either suit its purpose or be found compatible with its continued existence. It must become the living, dominant Papacy once more. In order that it may exist it must reign. We may therefore expect to witness some combined and vigorous attempt on the part of Popery to recover its former dominion. It has studied the genius of every people; it has fathomed the policy of every government; it knows the principles of every sect, and school, and club-the sentiments and feelings of almost every individual; and with its usual tact and ability it is attempting to control and harmonize these various conflicting elements so as to work out its own ends." Again : "These two tremendous forces, Democracy and Catholicism, poise one another, and neither can reign so long as both exist. But who can tell how soon the equilibrium may be destroyed? Should the balance preponderate in favor of the Catholic element; should Popery succeed in bringing over from the Infidel and Democratic camp a sufficient number of converts to enable her to crush her antagonist, the supremacy is again in her hands. With Democracy collapsed, with the State exhausted and owing its salvation to the Church, and with a priesthood burning to avenge the disasters and humiliations of three centuries--wo to Europe--the darkest page of its history would be yet to be written."

What Rome is seeking to accomplish in Europe, she is seeking with greater energy to accomplish here.

We do not, however, believe that this country is destined to be surrendered to the Pope, or that the Romish hierarchy will ever be able to establish their supremacy upon the ruins of our

free institutions. But we firmly believe that a great struggle is at hand, that hard fighting is to be done-it cannot be otherwise. The most stupendous questions are involved in the contest, and the American people should at once prepare themselves to meet it as best they can; to meet it firmly and boldly as they have met in former days the enemies of our free institutions, using the means that Providence has given them, and trusting in the God of battles for victory.

Nay, the conflict has already begun. A deep laid conspiracy has already been formed against one of the cherished institutions of the American people, the very bulwark of our national life, our Public Schools. Already are heard the distant muttering thunders of the coming storm. A black and wrathful cloud is already seen darkening the horizon which threatens our country with utter desolation. And what adds greatly to our danger, and is itself a source of alarm, the majority of our fellow citizens are asleep upon this subject. They fail utterly to discern. the signs of the times. Amid the astounding declarations and developments of Romanism in our land, they utterly fail to recognize Popery as the implacable foe of civil and religious liberty.

CHAPTER II.

The Influence of the two systems on Modern Civilization and Progress, contrasted.

THE essential difference in nature and the antagonistic character of the two systems, Protestantism and Romanism, are not more distinctly visible to the mind than the marked difference of their influences upon modern civilization, human progress, and all that which is essential to the welfare of our race. No fact is better substantiated than this, that the Romish hierarchy, with the Pope at its head, has arrayed itself against civil liberty, against freedom of conscience, against an untrammeled press, against the spirit of scientific inquiry, in a word, against all the live forces and tendencies of modern society. It has outraged the intelligence of the nineteenth century by its stubborn adherence to the musty and cobwebed dogmas of the dark ages. While it is resolved to learn nothing by experience, it has also resolved to hold all mankind back from progress. By the decisions of its Councils, and the decretals of its Popes, it has most effectually divorced the Romish Church from the development, intelligence, and rapid progress of the society of the present age. Under its corrupt

ing reign, its votaries though full-grown are mentally and morally dwarfed, and lying in swaddling clothes, with no chance for improvement. Under its influence society languishes and dies.

Pope Pius IX. has spent more than twenty years in denouncing civilization and human progress, and as if forever hereafter to block effectually the wheels of advancement, has caused the dogma of Papal infallibility to be proclaimed, by which the ignorance, despotism, and superstitions of the dark ages are to be glorified.

The reverse of all this is Protestantism. Hence it has been most prominently allied with the material success and prosperity of nations for the last three hundred years. Protestantism rather than Romanism, has been the mighty agent that has elevated the nations by stimulating thrift, enterprise, culture, refinement, civilization, and morality. Protestantism is the great moral pioneer of the world. Protestant countries stand in the front rank of nations; Roman countries lag in the back ground. Wherever Protestantism has secured a firm footing, there wealth is most abundant, industry most apparent, education most general, happiness greatest, and intelligence highest. The difference between Protestant countries and Roman Catholic countries is too palpable to be denied by any one. The great historian and philosopher, Macaulay,