Romanism at home. Letters to the Hon. Roger B. Taney

Front matter

BOMANIUM AT HOME.

TO THE

HON. ROGER B. TANEY,

Preface

Tpie history of the following pages is very soon told. A few years ago I addressed some letters to Bishop Hughes, stating my objections to Popery, confining myself mainly to its unscriptural and absurd doctrines. A controversy ensued, upon which the country has pronounced its opinion. My objections are yet unanswered, and are likely to remain so. I know of nothing that promises relief to the good bishop save a " winking Madonna," which the alms of the faithful, if liberally contributed, can readily secure. Any thing in that line is supplied to order at Rome.

Fatal to Popery as are the objections drawn from its doctrines, yet more fatal are those drawn from its " external arrangements," its government, its despotism, its spirit, its legends, its relics, and its influence on the moral, social, and political interests of the world. I have been often solicited to present this aspect of the subject to the public ; but to do this as I desired, I must needs see Romanism at home — I must visit " the Lady of the Seven Hills" in her own house, where she is permitted to exercise her maternal authority just as she wills. "With this object in view, I made a flying visit to Europe within the last year, in company with a friend, who has attained a distinguished rank in the medical profession, and who witnessed with me nearly all the scenes on the Continent described in these letters, and who will testify that they are not overdrawn. The present volume is the first fruit of that tour.

VI PREFACE.

I design these letters to be an appeal from the priests to the people of the Romish faith ; hence I address them to a layman of that faith. Upon the face of the earth there is no people so rohbed, deluded, and degraded by a priesthood, or upon whom so many motives and interests are pressing to assert their mental and spiritual independence.

I design these letters to reach and to influence, if possible, the men of education and influence of this land, whether Papists or Protestants. Hence I address them to a man distinguished for his mental training, and by his high social and judicial position. No greater curse threatens this nation than the spread of Romanism in it. Almost any other evil would be a bJessing in comparison with this. And the man who courts the priest to get the votes of his dupes — who flatters the spies of the despots of Rome for the purpose of securing their assistance to vote him into power, should be regarded as selling his country for a mess of pottage.

I speak in these pages as I feel about the priests, and as all must feel who study them at home, and who witness the outrages they commit, and the lives which they lead. If any complain of a want of reverence, I plead guilty, and offer as my excuse an unconquerable besetting sin to reverence only the sincere and the true.

No new thing will have happened unto me if these letters bring upon me the curses of the priest. I will consider it a sufficient compensation for all that, if they only bring upon me the blessings of one poor soul saved by grace from their wiles, and made to rejoice in the glorious liberty of the children of Grod.

Letter I

Introductory. — Object of these Letters. — Reasons for addressing them to Chief Justice Taney Page 13

LETTER IL The Beginning to be understood. — A Church of God. — The Jewish Church became Corrupt — had Reformers and Reformations. — Mainly corrupted by Priests. — The Christian Church became Corrupt — through what Causes. — The setting up of Mohammedanism and Romanism.— Romanism not the Church Paul found in Rome . . - 20

Letter III

The Basilica of Saint Peter's a Temple of Art, not a Church. — A Type of the Romish Church. — Romanism a System of Policy to retain Power. — The Power it claims — its means of supporting them.. 27

Letter IV

Romanism not the Religion of the New Testament. — A Combination of various political Elements. — A political Compound. — Great Delusions always put forth monstrous Claims. — Priestly Pretensions to be spurned 35

Letter V

Romanism as a religious System. — Naples. — St. Paul Major a Type of the Paganism of Romanism. — Holy Water — how made. — Its Uses and Ends. — St. Anthony's Day. — The Origin of Holy Water 42

Letter VI

The Sistine Chapel. — Angelo's Painting. — The Artist's Reply. — Incense.— Its Pagan Origin. — Candles : their Use, End, and Origin. — Candlemass in Rome. — The Light of Candles can not supply the Light of Truth 50

Vlll CONTENTS.

Letter VII

St. Patrick never in America. — Our Poverty in Holy Wells and Places. — The Holy Wells at Ballahadireen. — Ballina. — Downpatrick Head. — Their Origin.— The Cell of St. Mary in Via Lata.— The Atrocity of opening fabulous Wells, and suppressing the Fountains of Truth Page 58

LETTER VHL The Market-place at Naples. — A ludicrous Disaster at its Gate. — Images every where revered. — Church of St. Augustin. — Scene w^itnessed there. — The Image of Peter at St. Peter's. — Worshiped by Pope and Cardinals. — The Pantheon : Scene there. — Rome, Pagan in Fact, Christian only in Name 65

Letter IX

Cumulative Evidence of the Paganism of Romanism. — Landing at Naples.— Appearance of the Ecclesiastics. — Convent house. — Church of Capuchins at Rome. — Preserved Monk. — Horrid Burying-place. — Nuns — how manufactured. — Whence Monks and Nuns, and for what. — Tools of the Priests and Corrupters of the People 74

Letter X

Letter from Rome dated A.D. 90. — The Paganism of Rome then, the exact Picture of Papal Rome now 82

LETTER XL Sham Miracles. — Altar in the Catacombs. — St. Januarius — the Liquefaction of his Blood. — A terrible Incident for the Priests. — Ara Coeli. — Bambino. — A Scene. — History of Bambino. — Its wonderful Powers - 91

Letter XII

Sham Miracles. — Holy House of Loretto — its History — Flight — Dimensions.^— Miracles. — Litany of our Lady of Loretto. — Perpetrators of such Frauds, Impostors , 99

Letter XIII

Sham Miracles. — St. Anthony of Padua. — The Virgin of Modena. —

Blood of Thomas a Becket.— Miracles of St. Patrick. — Miracles at

Downpatrick. — St. Dagland's Grave. — The Boy exorcised. — Xavier's

Miracles. — The wonderful Crab. — Priests not to be trusted ... 108

CONTENTS. IX

Letter XIV

Relics. — Scala Sancta. — Sancta Sanctorum. — Relics of Santa Croce — of St. Praxede — of St. Peter's — in Milan — in Cologne. — Sanctioned by the Church. — Made to Order. — That they should be true, not essential.— Their Effects upon the People. — These Forgers of Relics unfitted to be our moral Teachers Page 1 17

Letter XV

Legends. — Sabbath evening in S. Carlo. — Gorgeous Scene there. — Legends from Butler — from Lives of English Saints. — Dr. Dufl[*'s Testimony.— Foolish Legends of the Dark Ages revived. — The Religion of Legends not fitted for America 128

Letter XVI

The Mass not the Worship of God. — A theatrical Exhibition. — Waldensian Church in Turin. — High Ceremonies of Rome all theatrical. — Feast of the Nativity .-^Visit of the Wise Men. — Procession of Palms. — Judgment-hall of Pilate, -^Procession at Bonville. — Sabbath evening Service in Edinburgh.— Popish Plays and Play-actors not suited to America .„.. 139

Letter XVII

Romanism tested by its Fruits in Rome. — No personal Liberty there — two Cases in Proof. — No security of Property — tv^ro flagrant lUustra^ tions. — No Religion there — no Sabbath — no Bible — no Preaching — no worshiping Congregations — no serious Devotion there. — Is Popery the best form of Religion for our Country ? 150

Letter XVIII

Fruits of Romanism. — Idolatry in Rome. — A Prodigy. — Pictures of Mary — her Names and Worship. — Immorality of Rome. — Scene at Naples — Key to priestly Profligacy. — Experience of Luther. — Mass for the Soul of Gregory XVI. — Vespers in the Sistine. — Cardinals — their Character. — Feelings of the Romans toward the Priests. — A Chat at Civita Vecchia. — Romanism detested at Rome ... 160

Letter XIX

Avignon. — Hotel de FEurope — mine Host. — Captain Packenham. — Elasticity of Romanism — the Pope — Priests. — Despotism of Romanism.— Friends of the Pope. — Neapolitan Catechism. — Priests the Watchmen of Despotism — their horrid Use of the Confessional — it should be the Abhorrence of all Flesh - . - , 171

CONTENTS.

Letter XX

Character of Priests. — A Walk in Turin. — Bishops in England and America Spies of Rome. — Ecclesiastical Preferments the Rewards of Spies. — When Priests and Despots are in League, no Hope for the People. — Examples of priestly Despotism. — Curse from the Altar. — Case of the Antrim Miller. — Priests the Curse of Ireland. — Can they be a blessing to America ? Page 182

Letter XXI

Ballenglen. — An Incident. — Persecution of Converts. — Thrilling Fanaticism al a Funeral. — The Way the Priests get Money. — An Incident.— Cursing from the Altar. — Hard Case of Donovan. — Doing Penance in Sheets. — Priests' Power giving Way. — Anecdote of a Girl.— The Milkman.— Taking the Bull by the Horns.— The Curse of Ireland 192

LETTER XXIL Deceivings of Priests. — Nunneries. — Taking the Vail. — Stories about Luther and Calvin. — Case of poor Bruley. — The Vaudois Monsters. — Bridge of Purgatory broken. — Father O'Flanagan. — Why these deceivings ? — Priests deserve Purgatory 205

Letter XXIII

Rome Intolerant. — Persecutions sanctioned. — Bishops sworn to persecute— Deposed if they do not.-*- Wiseman's reply. — Proofs of Intolerance— Waldenses — - Castelnau — Bezieres — Morland's Address — St. Bai'tholomew — Edict of Nantes revoked — Irish Massacre of 1641 — other Evidences. — Two Skins.. ., - 217

Letter XXIV

■ Bad influence of Popery on the Nations. — Results from its Principles. — No exceptions. — Naples. — Rome.— Sardinia.^r^Female Degradation. — Ireland. — Protestant and Papal States compared. — Spain. — Colonies of Papal States. — Is Popery the best Religion for our Country? — Protestantism has made the United States what they are. — What vdll they become if surrendered to the Jesuit and the Priest ? . . 230

Letter XXV

Emigration — must increase — mostly Popish. — What to be done for them — Liberty — Conscience — American Spirit. — Tide stayed until now. e— Right of all Men to the Bible — Wickedness of withholding it.--

CONTENTS. XI

Differences between Protestantism and Popery. — Edinburgh Irish Missions.— Rev. Mr. King. — Character of Priests. — Pilgrim of Struel. — Treatment Priests deserve Page 243

Letter XXVI

Strictures on Popery ended. — Popery to be extirpated — its End hastening.— Friends of Freedom Enemies of Popery. — Suspended Wrath. — Religion essential to national Greatness. — What true Religion is. — Nature of the Church of God — its Object and End. — Tendency to vicarious Religion. — Great Curse of Christendom 260

TO

CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY.

Letter I

Introductory. — Object of these Letters. — Reasons for addressing them to Chief Justice Taney.

Obligations to give reasons. Bishop Hughes.

My dear Sir, — It will probably strike you and others with some degree of surprise that I address to you the following series of letters. And you have a right to ask, and I confess myself under obligations to give, the reasons why I select you from all the distinguished and honorable men of these United States for this purpose. Permit me to state these reasons in the briefest manner.

It may have come to your knowledge that, within a few years, I addressed a series of letters to the Right Reverend John Hughes, the Roman Catholic Bishop of New York. In those letters I stated my objections to the doctrines and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, with the view of bringing them before the bishop and the country for a new consideration. I obtained my object in part. The bishop read my letters — ^twice attempted a reply — and feeling the objections to be less vulnerable than their author, fled the con-

Appeal to the people. Growth of moral power needful.

troversy, and sought to cover his retreat by a few letters, famed for their weakness, low personalities, and want of manliness. But, although every where denounced by papal priests and their press, my objections have received some consideration from the country, and with what results a future day must fully reveal. I return again to the discussion, with the desire to appeal from the bishop and the priest to the. people ; and who. Sir, from the ranks of those holding a nominal connection with the Romish Church in this land, could I have selected to whom to address these letters in preference to yourself? The motives which led me to select Bishop Hughes from the prelates of this Church have led me to select you from its people. And in saying this, I protest against the inference of wishing to reduce you to the level of the bishop.

Again ; ours is a great and growing country. "Within your remembrance — ^yes, within the years through which your name has been known in our public affairs, it has vastly extended in territory, population, and power. And in all the elements of greatness it is constantly augmenting. Aheady do we, as a people, stand out before the world as one of its great powers ; and, if second, as only second to Britain, in maintaining free institutions, and in recommending them to universal adoption. It is of unspeakable importance that the moral power of our country should gTow with its growth. And you. Sir, as the chief and honored judicial officer of our republic, are in the very position to appreciate this truth, and to see it in all the magnitude of its application. And how much to do with the moral power of a nation, and with the right exercise of its

Prevalence of Romanism a curse. The remedy with the people.

physical, has the form of religion which obtains among the people ! Believing in my heart as I do, and as I shall attempt in subsequent letters fully to place before you, that the prevalence of Romanism in our land will have only the tendency to reduce our country and people to the low level of Italy and the Italians, I wish to forewarn, and thus to forearm the American people. And this I shall aim to do, not by appeals to passion or prejudice, but by a careful and honest statement of facts, and examination of principles, and reference to history, and to the state of things now actually existing. And in order to attract toward my statements the attention of our entire country, I address myself to you. The higher our glorious flag is hung, the more eyes will behold its stars and its stripes.

Again ; I address these letters, Sn, to you, because I desire to appeal from the priests to the people ; and especially to the people yet under the influence of the teacliings of Romanism. With the people is the remedy for all our civil wrongs. This is a principle to which you have given your individual, political, and official sanction. Grovernment is for the benefit of the people ; and when rulers pervert the government to their own purposes, and trample upon its written Constitution, and oppress the people, then the remedy is with the people — peaceably if they can, by revolution if necessary. A government perverted by cunning from its great ends is no longer binding upon its subjects ; it is their duty to restore it to its original foundations — peaceably if they can, by rebellion if they must. No American — scarcely any monarchist — will question these positions as to civil affairs. And are they not of

Mission of the Church. Priests yield power slowly.

equal application to our religious ? If an institution was ever set up in our world for the good of mankind, it is the Church of Grod. Good will to men — to bind all men in love to Grod, and in love to one another — is its great mission. And I hope to prove to your entire satisfaction, that as far as the Romish Church is concerned, its priesthood have perverted it, as to its constitution, doctrines, and institution, so as to debase and grind the people — and for their own ends ; that they assume the position in the Church which absolute monarchs do in the state ; that the Church exists by them and for them. /Now, Sir, when men by craft obtain the possession bf high powers, whose exercise brings them great gain, they are slow to relinquish them ; they are proof against all the weapons of reason and logic. And this is especially true of high ecclesiastics, who have ever manifested an amiable tendency to the belief of a divine warrant for as much oppression as may be needful to support their claims and their pomp. Where and when did they ever freely surrender unlawful power ? Not among the Jews — ^nor among the heathen— nor under the shadow of the crescent — nor within the dominions of Romanism. Priestly power, always intrenching itself behind divine sanctions, has never yielded save before the power of the people ; and not even then without thundering its anathemas against those who had overthrown it. Need I stop. Sir, to give illustrations of all this ? They stand, thick as the trees of our unbroken forests, along the history of our race. The power of the Romish priesthood is terrific ; and it claims even more than it can exercise. It has sought to crush every thing that opposes it. Where it is the

United effort needed. A method of reasoning.

controlling power, it has put out the light of the Bible and of general literature ; it has put its shackles upon the press and upon human liberty. Nor will the Pope or the priest relinquish the power they wield so disastrously to all the interests of man, and for their own benefit, but at the bidding of the people. I desire to enlist the people in one great and united effort for the overthrow of this power ; and hence, with the hope of thus better reaching them, I address these letters to you. I hope the time has forever passed when the voice of the people was forbidden to mingle with that \of ecclesiastics in controversy upon religious systems and topics. Look at Scotland, and England, and Italy, and then ask, have the people no interest as to the form of religion which shall obtain among them ? If they have, I wish them to show it ; if they show it not, then let them bare their necks for the priestly yoke.

Again ; you are yourself, if not really, at least nominally, in connection with the Romish Church. Descended, as I learn, from an honorable family of the Roman faith, you have received from them that faith as an heir-loom, which, although treated by you with indifference, is not yet cast away as a gross imposture. Indeed, presuming on your fidelity to that system of hoary error, a Romish prelate has recently dedicated to you a work on Theology, which embodies in it a vindication of the ferocious and infernal Inquisition ! The priests and people of that faith seek to make out of your name and position all that they fairly can for its support. If not a reasonable, this is, at least, a common way of argumentation. Perhaps we all seek an argument for our systems from the honorable and worslii])-

Hopes from your decision.

fal names that have embraced them. Now, Sir, I have a desu'e that the facts and statements which I have to make should pass in review before your well-trained, logical, and judicial mind. Brought up to a profession which proverbially sharpens the intellect for just discrimination, and having risen to the very highest honors of that profession, you are as capable of separating the false from the true, the fiction from fact, the seeming from the real, as any other American citizen. Hoping and believing that you have not surrendered to a gossamer theory the right of private judgment, I venture to address my letters to you, with the expectation that if they receive the attention which then* subjectmatter deserves, you will openly renounce the entire delusion, and withdraw from its support your honored name and official station. May I not hope for more than this ? If, on review, you find the system false, and blighting in all its direct influences, may not the expectation be indulged, that a mmd signalized as is yours by so many triumphs at the bar and on the bench, stimulated by philanthropy and a love of country, will rise above the trammels of early education, and the fear of denunciation by foreign prelates and priests, and devote its energies to the saving of our land and its institutions from all the influences and machinations of Romanism ? If I have no line by which to measure the insolence of a priest that would dedicate a work, containing a vindication of the Inquisition, to the Chief Justice of the United States of America, neither have I any line to measure the good that you might eflect by throwing yourself into a hearty opposition to a system whose only fit name is '' Mystery of Iniquity."

No reply required. A worthy reply, if any.

Such, Sir, in brief, are my reasons for addressing these letters to you. I have no desire to draw you into religious controversy of any kind, nor to withdraw your attention from the high duties which your country has devolved upon you. As I address you anonymously, no law of controversy or courtesy requires you to reply. Although unknown to me, save as you are known to the whole country, by character, for that character I have the very highest respect. And should your many and important public duties permit you to give sufficient time duly to weigh the statements which I shall present for your consideration and that of the public, it will give me unfeigned pleasure in any way to hear from you. I have no fear that, like our friend in New York, you will commence answering my letters before you read them ; and, should you reply, I have no fear that you will write a line unworthy of your name and station. The characteristics which entitle a man to wear the ermine as Chief Justice of this great republic, are very different from those which secure for a cunning priest a foolish fillet made from the wool of holy sheep.

With great respect, yours.

Begin at the beginning. There is a Church.

Letter II

The Beginning to be understood. — A Church of God. — The Jewish Church became Corrupt — had Reformers and Reformations. — Mainly corrupted by Priests. — The Christian Church became Corrupt — through what Causes. — The setting up of Mohammedanism and Romanism.— Romanism not the Church Paul found in Rome.

My DEAR Sir, — In all discussions Vv^hich involve great principles and interests, it is always well to begin with the beginning. When the beginning is well understood, we may carry a stream of light with us to the end. And we may so simplify the most abstruse and erudite subjects as to place them within the comprehension of the great masses of men. Permit me, then, in the present letter, to ask your attention to some statements as to the Church of G-od, and the rise of the Church of Rome. As I have never heard to the contrary, I will take it for granted that you are a believer in the Bible. May I not hope that, as the chief expounder of the laws of a great and Christian people, you make it the man of your counsel and the guide of your life ?

Admitting the truth of the Bible, it is beyond all question that Grod has erected a Church in our world. Until the coming of Christ, that Church was confined to the Jews, and its rites were administered under the Mosaic economy. Although existing under types and ceremonies, the shadows of good things to come, it was

Jewish Church corrupted. Had its reformers.

truly the Church of Grod. Yet how sadly was it corrupted ! How deeply, at times, did it sink into the most gross idolatry ! How often were its true members reduced to a few who bowed not the knee to Baal ; and while false priests were offering their incense upon a thousand altars, and the people were clamorous in the praises of false prophets, who daily fared sumptuously at king's tables, how often were the true priests, and prophets, and people, compelled to seek refuge ^4n deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." In its day and dispensation, the Jewish was the true Church of God in our world, and yet it fell into an idolatry as gross as any that existed among the surrounding heathen, and its priests and people became to every good work reprobate. And the great object of heaven in raising up the prophets who successively appear in the progress of its history, was to recall the minds of the people from their idols to the consideration of first principles and of Grod's revealed will ; and by reforming their sentiments, to reform their lives. And Elijah, and Elisha, and Isaiah, and Jeremiah, were only the Luthers and the Calvins, the Melancthons, the Whitefields, and the Wesleys of the dispensation which has vanished away, each blowing a reformation trumpet in Israel, calling upon priests and people to return from their idolatry and wickedness unto Israel's God. Every thing. Sir, with which man has to do, is liable to corruption and perversion, because, in his best :^tate, man is an imperfect being. And I make this statement for the purpose of impressing this one truth, that while God was the God of the Jewish, as he is the Gofl of the Christian Church, he permitted that

The true Church where ? Christian Church.

Church to fall into a state of backsliding so awful as to render successive reformations absolutely necessary. Ajid the Bible reveals the pregnant and warning truth, that the priests, high and low, and the pretending prophets, were the main corrupters of the faith and worship of the people. But where, you will ask, was the true Church in these days of backsliding, idolatry, and corruption ? In the dens and caves of the earth, with those who clung to the truth of Grod, and who bowed not the knee to Baal.

In the fullness of time the Savior came into the world, and the Jewish was changed for the Christian dispensation. The Church was continued, but under a new, and better, and brighter economy. The rites and ceremonies of Judaism were laid aside for the things which they signified. The thoughts, the manner of life, the doctrines of the Savior were perfectly simple, and equally simple was the dispensation which he introduced. The power of his religion lay in its truthfulness and simplicity, and in its adaptation to the moral wants of the world. He laid down his life for sinners, that through the efficacy of his atoning sacrifice, all of every nation, tongue, and people, who should believe on him, might be saved. The only qualification required for admission to his Church was belief in him — ^the belief of the heart, which manifests itself in a holy life. And he set apart a class of men, the models of a perpetual ministry, in his Church, to proclaim to the ends of the earth that G-od was reconciling the world unto himself through his Son. The object of the ministry was to preach salvation through a Savior ; the duty of all who heard them was to believe in the Savior preach-

Causes of its corruption.

ed ; and the privilege of all who believed was to connect themselves with the company of believers, called the Church, and there to unite their energy and influence with those of others in extending the news of the common salvation to the ends of the earth. Such was the Church of Christ as it came from the hands of its divine founder.

But it was committed of necessity to imperfect men ; and although the promise was given that the gates of hell should not prevail against it, yet that promise did not protect it against assault from without, nor against corruption within. A true ministry and true believers never have, and never will, cease from the earth until the great ends are obtained for which the Church was established ; yet we see in the Church of Christ the very things recurring which in previous ages had befallen the Jewish Church. Converts from Judaism were multiplied to the new faith, who brought with them Jewish prejudices and notions, which they sought to ingraft on the Church, and not without success. Converts from the heathen were multiplied, who brought with them their prejudices and notions, and which, with like success, they sought to ingraft on the Church. New systems of philosophy arose, which sought to incorporate themselves with the teachings of Christ, and thus to render those teachings subservient to their ends. As the martyr age passed away, the Church became secular, its ministry unconverted, and its entire spirit changed. It sought to gain the world by relaxing its severe morals, and sinking its great truths, and by conformity to existing customs and habits. In the worst sense of the passage, it became " all things to all men."