of personal display, the white hand dangled over the pulpit, the becoming vestment, and the embroidered stole, which we are learning gradually to look upon as attributes of the British curate.  So perfect, indeed, is the imitation, that the excellence of her work may, perhaps, defeat its own purpose, and the lacquered imitation of woman may satisfy the world, and for long ages prevent any anxious inquiry after the real feminine Brummagem.”

The tendency thus truthfully described furnished the seedling out of which grew the Monasticism of the past, and in which the Ritualism of the present finds its underlying cause.  The Church of Rome harnesses woman to her system, and compels her to contribute greatly to its prosperity.  In Europe the people tire of those great establishments and endowments, which rest like an incubus on the national life.  In America we are so blind that we foster them by grants from our legislatures, by giving up the care of hospitals to their use, where the weak are subjected to the influences of superstition, and the thoughtless are led astray.  Another avenue to power is opened by the ballot.  Grant this to that church, which, through a fatherhood of priests and a sisterhood of nuns, reaches every portion of the body politic, and the promise of Religious Liberty and a Free Republic is at once exchanged for the despotism of Rome and the imperialism of France.  Infidelity joins hands with Rome in asking this power.  Christianity, united with patriotism, must refuse to grant the request.

3.  Mystery was employed as an instrument in securing woman’s fall.  Rouse a womanly curiosity, and there is little difficulty in leading the excited one astray.  Hold out to her a key which promises to unlock the hidden and concealed glories of the unexplored future, and woman will be tempted again to forego God’s favor and the joys of paradise to grasp or wield it.  In every heathen religion women occupied a prominent place.  Priestess or prophetess, she stood in all ministerial offices on an equality with man.  Christianity rejects the ministerial services of women, and selects for its standard bearers men acquainted with life, filled with religious zeal, and capable of hardy endeavor, assuring faith and martyr patience.

The Church of Rome dealt with women as the Empire dealt with its Caesars:  it was ready to grant her apotheosis, but only when she was safely out of this world.  It was only when the light of revelation was extinguished in her midst that the teachings of the Bible were ignored, and woman was welcomed back to the place she held in pagan climes and at heathen shrines.