lessons of human experience, what great truths of
government, what subtile influences, reaching alike
the palaces of kings and the hovels of peasants, are
indissolubly linked with its marvellous domination,
so that whether in its growth or decay it is more
suggestive than the rise and fall of any temporal
empire. It has produced, probably, more illustrious
men than any political State in Europe. It has
aimed to accomplish far grander ends. It is invested
with more poetic interest. Its policy, its heroes,
its saints, its doctors, its dignitaries, its missions,
its persecutions, all rise up before us with varied
but never-ending interest, when seriously contemplated.
It has proved to be the most wonderful fabric of what
we call worldly wisdom that our world has seen,—controlling
kings, dictating laws to ancient monarchies, and binding
the souls of millions with a more perfect despotism
than Oriental emperors ever sought or dreamed.
And what a marvellous vitality it seems to have!
It has survived the attacks of its countless enemies;
it has recovered from the shock of the Reformation;
it still remains majestic and powerful, extending
its arms of paternal love or Briarean terror over
half of Christendom. As a temporal government,
rivalling kings in the pomps of war and the pride
of armies, it may be passing away; but as an organization
to diffuse and conserve religious truths,—yea,
even to bring a moral pressure on the minds of princes
and governors, and reinforce its ranks with the mighty
and the noble,—it seems to be as potent
as ever. It is still sending its missionaries,
its prelates, and its cardinals into the heart of
Protestant countries, who anticipate and boast of
new victories. It derides the dissensions and
the rationalistic speculations of the Protestants,
and predicts that they will either become open Pagans
or re-enter the fold of Saint Peter. No longer
do angry partisans call it the “Beast”
or the “Scarlet Mother” or the “predicted
Antichrist,” since its religious creeds in their
vital points are more in harmony with the theology
of venerated Fathers than those of some of the progressive
and proudest parties which call themselves Protestant.
In Germany, in France,—shall I add, in England
and America?—it is more in earnest, and
more laborious and self-denying than many sects among
the Protestants. In Germany—in those
very seats of learning and power and fashion which
once were kindled into lofty enthusiasm by the voice
of Luther—who is it that desert the churches
and disregard the sacraments, the Catholics or the
Protestants?
Surely such a power, whether we view it as an institution or as a religion, cannot be despised, even by the narrowest and most fanatical Protestant. It is too grand and venerable for sarcasm, ridicule, or mockery. It is too potent and respectable to be sneered at or lied about. No cause can be advanced permanently except by adherence to the truth, whether it be agreeable or not. If the Papacy were a mere