There is only one other subject which I think it necessary to introduce here, as bearing upon the vague suspicions which are attached in this country to the Catholic priesthood.  It is one of which my accusers have before now said much—­the charge of reserve and economy.  I come to the direct question of truth, and of the truthfulness of Catholic priests generally in their dealings with the world, as bearing on the general question of their honesty, and of their internal belief in their religious professions.  First, I will say that when I became a Catholic, nothing struck me more at once than the English outspoken manner of the priests.  There was nothing of that smoothness or mannerism which is commonly imputed to them.  Next, I was struck, when I had more opportunity of judging of the priests, by the simple faith in the Catholic creed and system, of which they always give evidence, and which they never seemed to feel in any sense at all to be a burden.

Vague charges against us are drawn from our books of moral theology.  St. Alfonso Liguori, for instance, lays down that an equivocation is allowable in an extraordinary case.  I avow at once that in this department of morality, I like the English rule of conduct better.  Yet, great English authors, Jeremy Taylor, Milton, Paley, Johnson, distinctly say that under extraordinary circumstances it is allowable to tell a lie.  Would anyone give ever so little weight to these statements, in forming an estimate of the veracity of the writers?  And, in fact, it is notorious from St. Alfonso’s life that he had one of the most scrupulous and anxious of consciences; and, further, he was originally in the law, and was betrayed on one occasion by accident into what seemed like a deceit, and this was the very occasion of his leaving the profession.

If Protestants wish to know what our real teaching is, let them look at the Catechism of the Council of Trent.  Let me appeal also to the life of St. Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory:  “As for liars, he could not endure them, and he was continually reminding his spiritual children to avoid them as they would a pestilence.”

These are the principles on which I have acted before I was a Catholic, these are the principles which, I trust, will be my stay and guidance to the end.

* * * * *

THOMAS PAINE

THE AGE OF REASON

In 1774, Thomas Paine, thirty-seven years of age, landed unknown and penniless in the American colonies.  Born at Thetford, Norfolk, England, Jan. 29, 1737, of poor Quaker parents, he had tried many occupations, and had succeeded in none.  Within two years he had become an intellectual leader of the American Revolution.  Beginning his literary career with an attack on slavery, he continued it in 1776 by publishing his pamphlet “Common Sense,” which gave an electric inspiration to the cause of separation and republicanism