THE FRENCH DICTATORSHIP.

"The way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.". Rom. iii. 17, 18.

"Who was it that had taught the world rebellion? It was the Papacy. It was the Papacy that had taught people to disregard social and national ties-to lower the character of an oath, and to think, speak, and act differently-to think one way and to speak another; to speak one way and to act another. It was this teaching which was the root of rebellion. Social disorders in Europe were the result of the Papacy."-Gavazzi ̋

at St. Albans.

It is only in one of its aspects that we have to do with the late Revolution in France, viz., in its connexion with Popery. The history of that unhappy country not only reminds us of the righteous retribution of God in avenging the blood of his slaughtered saints, but proves that Popery and liberty are totally irreconcilable with each other. Wherever Rome prevails, she not only breathes the spirit of despotism, but eats out all Christian and moral principle, and the Commonwealth becomes "like the troubled sea which cannot rest." But yesterday, and the hypocritical priests of France were blessing the trees of liberty. That trick has served its day, and is now discarded. Popery and Louis Napoleon had the same terror for the arrival of 1852Napoleon lest he should be deprived of the Presidency, and Popery lest the French troops should be withdrawn from Rome. They were prepared also to be equally unscrupulous in regard to the means of averting that result, and, for the moment, they have succeeded. That Jesuitism is at the bottom of the late overturn of the constitution of France is now universally admitted. Hence the Univers, the great Jesuit organ, is spared-that paper in which it was lately declared that all Protestants should be burned—whilst the great mass of all other newspapers are suppressed. That paper has of course declared itself in favour of the military dictator; and now the French who looked on whilst Tahiti and Italy were trampled under the feet of their soldiers, are coolly subjected, at the bidding of the same secret influence, to a similar treatment themselves. The following is the pith and conclusion of a late article in the Univers, subscribed by the same man who lately announced that the great blunder of Rome at the Reformation was her not burning Luther as well as Huss-so thoroughly identical are ecclesiastical and civil despotism, and so thoroughly does Popery breathe the spirit of both :

"We have neither to choose, nor to recriminate, nor to deliberate. We must give our support to the Government. Its cause is that of social order. We must support it, now that the struggle is going on, in order afterwards to have the right to advise it. With greater reason at this hour than before the 2d of December, we cry out to the party of order: The President of the Republic is your General; do not turn away from him, do not desert him. If you do not conquer with him, you will be conquered along with him, and irretrievably conquered. Rally, then, at this very hour; to-morrow it may be too late, either for your safety or for your honour.-LOUIS VEUILLOT.”

Hence the adhesion of Montalembert, the great political leader of the Jesuits, to the cause of the usurper. Hence the adhesion to the same cause of what Gavazzi justly calls "the priest-ridden army." Hence the handing over of the splendid Pantheon, which is said to have cost upwards of £1,000,000, to the priests. The work of the Jesuits has been done as usual very quietly. The blow has been struck as by an invisible hand; but it is now notorious that the present ruler of France is a mere puppet in the hands of the priests. And hence some of our own Popish prints which exclaimed against Kossuth, are quietly extolling the new despot of France as a friend of “religion;” in

other words, of Popery. From an article in the Tablet, December 13, we extract the following sentences in proof of this :—

"We are glad that the delay of a week enables us to say with more deliberation, and a greater feeling of confidence, what we should have said last week, if we had then been able to make any remarks on the revolution which has just occurred in Paris- that is, that we heartily rejoice at it. . . . . We think that the man who, by his coolness, clear-sightedness, and prompt decision, has accomplished so much, is entitled to the gratitude of the French people and of all who are interested-as which of us is not-in the peace and prosperity of France. There is something to our minds almost comical in the lamentations which the British press, with its long tail of our correspondents,' 'occasional correspondents,' and 'private correspondents,' is unanimous in making over the late events. For our poor parts, we confess that we have some difficulty in understanding how all this rehement indignation was written, and still greater difficulty in endeavouring to read it with a grave face."

No doubt it is rather an awkward circumstance that in accomplishing such a vast amount of good, Napoleon has violated his oath and trampled down the constitution of France. But hear how coolly the Popish scribe disposes of this charge, and learn something of the true nature of this perjured system, this teacher of perjury to European monarchs.

"The strongest case made against Louis Napoleon is, that he has committed perjury in breaking his oath to observe the constitution. Certainly, these political oaths are very unpleasant, and, for the most part, very immoral things. What may have been Louis Napoleon's guilt or innocence in taking the oath we cannot tell. It may have been very immoral to take it, and if he took it with no intention of keeping it, of course it was immoral. But if he took it with a safe conscience, we are quite sure that no oath could or should bind him or any man to keep his arms folded while the dissolution of society proceeds, and disable him from taking the only means which can hold back the nation from a most frightful catastrophe."

Here is true Jesuit morality. It is not the "perjury," but the "oath" which becomes a 66 very immoral thing," when a Popish object is to be gained, and the Romish scribe is "quite sure" that in the circumstances the oath of Louis Napoleon was not binding. He "cannot tell" what may have been his guilt in “taking the oath," but he is "quite sure" that there was none in breaking it. This is just the old detestable doctrine of the 16th canon of the Third Lateran Council-" Those are not to be called oaths, but rather perjuries, which are taken contrary to ecclesiastical utility and the institutions of the Fathers." Such a doctrine not only involves the highest guilt as a "lying unto God," but is fitted to tear society to pieces, and ought to stamp the accursed system, whose avowed principle it is, with the execration of all Christian men. Even savages maintain a higher morality, and respect their word a thousand times more than a trained Papist respects his oath.

When will the friends of liberty learn that they have nothing to expect from this system but the deadliest opposition and the most unscrupulous treachery? What the next move in the great drama of Europe may be, now that the Jesuits have all the strong despotisms of the continent in leading strings, no man can tell. We should not wonder to see an attempt made to get up a great crusade against the liberty and Protestantism of the world in the name of the Virgin Mary. And if we may judge from present appearances, the great mass of our own Popish priests, whom our rulers have been lately fondling, would be the very first to join such an impious conspiracy. Let us seek by timely repentance and amendment to arrest the just retribution of God.

PROGRESS OF PROTESTANTISM.

ON all sides we have growing evidence that God blesses the zeal of Protestants to reclaim the deluded votaries of Rome, wherever that zeal is perseveringly manifested. A correspondent sends us a long and cheering account of the progress of conversions in the south and west of Ireland, for which we regret that we cannot afford room at present. The following extract, however, from the Dublin Evening Post, an essentially Popish paper, places the matter beyond all doubt, and ought to encourage us to energetic progress:"We learn from UNQUESTIONABLE CATHOLIC authority, that the success of the proselytisers in almost every part of the country, and we are told in the metropolis, IS BEYOND ALL THAT THE WORST MISGIVINGS COULD HAVE DREAMT OF. There is not only no use in denying these statements, but it would be an act of treachery to the best interests of the Catholic Church to conceal them, or even to pass the matter over as a thing of no great moment. There is no Catholic who does not regard this movement with, we were going to say, dismay-but we shall substitute for the word indignation and shame."

Similar efforts to convert Romanists are being made now in various parts of Britain. The Edinburgh Mission is growingly successful. In Glasgow one Mission is about to be started by the Free Church, and another by the Reformed Presbyterians. A similar Mission is about to be commenced in Greenock. For the Liverpool Scripture Reader's Society £1000 have already been collected. The clergy of Manchester have organized a series of appropriate sermons on Popery, to be delivered in three districts of that great city, and to which they affectionately invite the attention of Romanists. A Mission is about to be started at Birmingham, and a most important movement has begun in London. A series of weekly discussions has been commenced in the worst part of St. Giles's. The Rev. S. Minton of Liverpool conducted the first meeting on " Papal Infallibility." Any Papist present was allowed to speak for ten minutes at a time in reply, and the conductor of the meeting answered during a similar time. The first meeting continued for two hours and a half, with the most perfect order, and an evident impression was made. It is proposed to have a weekly lecture there on Popery, and on the following Thursday to make that lecture the subject of discussion. We are confident that great good may be expected from this, not only as a scriptural plan, but as one eminently fitted for rousing the dormant minds of Papists, and forcing them to think. If they begin to think and to study the Scriptures, the triumph of Protestantism has begun. Of course such discussions require to be conducted with perfect order, and in a kind, Christian, and prayerful spirit; but these points being secured, we anticipate nothing but good from them both to Protestants and Papists. And the great matter, after all, is to rescue the souls of men out of the clutches of the Roman wolf. We shall continue to watch with special interest the progress of such scripturally aggressive operations.

GLASGOW.-A course of four lectures has just been delivered by the Rev. Dr. Wm. Anderson, on "Popish Penance, or, the Doctrine of Justification by Faith, opposed to the Decrees and Canons of the Council of Trent," under the auspices of the Glasgow Young Men's Christian Association, in the City Hall, and they

have been highly successful. The subject was treated in the lecture in masterly and peculiar style; and the lectures must have produced a mighty effect upon the thousands who listened night after night, for upwards of two hours. The attendance was very large on the first evening, and it increased every evening.

POPISH PLOTS AGAINST BRITAIN.

"What! shall these Italian knaves
Dream again to make us slaves,
From our cradles to our graves.
Down with foreign priesteraft!"

PRIEST SPENCER is still plying his trade.

His pretence is that he will re

engulf England in the dead sea of Rome by means of prayer; but we know that that is only a blind. He speaks of the prayers of children; but if seditious Rome has ever the opportunity, she will not hesitate to employ the swords of men. The following is from the Catholic Standard, December 6:— "The Univers says:-Father Ignatius is still in Rome, and does not forget his brethren who remain in the bonds of heresy. He prays and exhorts every one to pray for the conversion of his dear country. He especially claims the assistance of the prayers of the little ones, knowing well that innocence is all-powerful before God. How many schools has he not visited, and how many Our Fathers,' and Ave Marias' has he not caused there to be said for the return to unity of the Isle of Saints, now become the stronghold of all the enemies of the Church and of society! Anglican ministers will no doubt laugh at the feebleness of such means, and consider them as wholly powerless. Let them play upon our simplicity, and employ other means; but as for us, let us place our hope in the name of the Lord. Let us unite our prayers and supplications to those of Father Ignatius and all the Catholic missionaries of Great Britain. Let us join that effective Confraternity of Prayer lately established by the Bishop of Luçon for the conversion of our erring brethren. Let us make little children pray. Our prayers will one day cause the throne of the Prince of Darkness to crumble, and we shall have saved the souls of our brethren." Compare this with the following from the same paper, December 13 :— "For ourselves, we wish well to France. To that noble country we look for the maintenance of Catholic rights in foreign countries, and for the extension of Catholic principles and the propagation of Catholic tenets all over the globe. We do not hide our political predilections. If it rested with us, monarchy would be restored there this day-and that too upon the ancient foundations."

There is something more indicated here than "children's prayers."

TOLERATIO INTOLERABILIS : or the
Free Development of the Romish
System proved to be Inconsistent
with the Welfare and Safety of the
State. By the Rev. Henry T. J.
Bagge, B.A. Seeleys; Fleet Street.

A VERY able treatise on the essen

tial intolerance of the Church of Rome, and the danger arising thence to all nations in which it prevails.

MEMORIALS OF ENGLISH MARTYRS
who suffered during the period of
Popish Persecution. By the Rev.
J. H. Townsend, M.A., Rector of
East Down, Devon. Binns and
Goodwin, Bath.

MOST useful reminiscences for the present day, and written in a fine devotional spirit.

POPERY AND PUSEYISM ILLUSTRATED: A series of Essays by John Campbell, D.D. London: John Snow.

A MASTERLY series of essays by one who thoroughly understands his subject. We are glad that a more copious treatise on Popery is promised by the same author.

FACTS AND FICTIONS; Three Letters to Newman.-SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY.-RENEWED CHALLENGE TO DR. CAHILL, &c. By the Rev. Samuel Minton, M.A., Incumbent of St. Silas's, Liverpool. Newling: Liverpool. Seeleys: London.

MR. MINTON's treatises are all admirable, and we cordially recommend them to general circulation.

THE BULWARK,

OR

REFORMATION JOURNAL.

PROTESTANT ORGANIZATION OF GREAT BRITAIN.

As the myrmidons of Popery advance, so must Protestantism step forward to oppose them. Already, as it were, the skirmishers of the antagonist principles of delusion and of truth have come into collision. Outposts have been carried and occupied by Protestant Bible-truth in Ireland, Sardinia, and Piedmont. On the other side, French despotism is for a time the willing tool of the Pope, and it may be that both will be entangled in a common ruin. Hopeless of guarding Rome, Rome itself advances upon Britain. Spies of the enemy have long lurked amongst us. Traitors have left our camp, only to be more restless under the self-imposed bonds of Popery; and at last a standard of bold defiance is upraised by the Jesuits in our island-the very fortress of Protestant liberty. But, in adopting this warlike imagery, we must ever be careful to maintain a righteous warfare-to contend with principles, not with men-to denounce Popery, and not Papists. The soldier who fights for pique or individual vengeance, or exasperated by personal hate, is not less a murderer than if he slew a fellow-citizen in time of peace. Boldness, plain speaking, and vigorous action, are quite consistent with the mildest love and most merciful pity. Indeed, the spiritually-minded Christian will necessarily be the determined opponent of Popery, seeing how deeply concerned he is that no man should impose earthly chains upon his conscience, or thrust in obstacles to interrupt his peaceful communion with God. As the meeting of Parliament approaches, the organization of Protestantism is extended, and very great activity is manifest in a large number of towns, where thoroughly energetic Christians are co-operating with encouraging success.

Our readers will no doubt be rejoiced to perceive, by the subjoined list, that the United Kingdom is systematically and spontaneously exhibiting an energetic combination of Protestant zeal. The following are the towns where Protestants of all denominations have lately united against Popery. In one case, we believe that of Bath, the committee directs its chief attention to the Tractarian heresy; but nearly all the other associations are termed "Protestant Alliances ;" and, in mentioning them, it must be distinctly understood that we are not at present referring to the extensive machinery of the Protestant Association, Reformation Society, or other societies, formed some years ago, and which perhaps still possess considerable vitality. The gentlemen whose names are placed opposite those of the towns, are the secretaries of the respective committees; and we earnestly recommend our readers at once to VOL. I. NO. VIII.-FEBRUARY 1852.

H