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Page 51
A pause ensued, and Florence paced slowly along the bank. Somewhat
abruptly she replied:
"Yet you will admit, Mary, that we owe much to the monks, by whose
efforts light and knowledge were preserved during the dark ages? But
for them every vestige of literature, every record of the past, would
inevitably have been lost."
"Tell me, Florry, what caused the dark ages? Was it not the gradual
withdrawal of light and knowledge--the crushing, withering influence
exerted on the minds of men? And tell me if this influence was not
wielded by the priests of Rome--corrupted, fallen Rome? During the
dark period in question, papal power was at its height; the thunders
of the Vatican were echoed from the Adriatic to the Atlantic--from the
Mediterranean to the North Sea. An interdict of its profligate Pope
clothed cities, and kingdoms, and empires in mourning; the churches
were closed, the dead unburied, and no rite, save that of baptism,
performed. Ignorance and superstition reigned throughout the world;
and it is said, that in the ninth century scarce a person was to
be found in Rome itself who knew even the alphabet. Yet monasteries
crowned every eminence, and dotted the vales of southern Europe. The
power of the priesthood was supreme. Florry, I do admit that what
remained of light and learning was hid in the cell of the anchorite;
not disseminated, but effectually concealed. They forgot our Saviour's
injunction--'Let your light shine before men.' Oh! Florry, did not the
teachers of the dark ages put their light under a bushel? Dark ages
will ever follow the increase of papal power. It is part of their
system to keep the masses in ignorance. How truly it has been said
that Rome asked but one thing, and that Luther denied her--'A fulcrum
of ignorance on which to rest that lever by which she can balance the
world.' They dare not allow their people light and knowledge; and what
to others was indeed a dark age, is regarded by the priests of Rome as
a golden season. Can you point to a single papal country which is not
enveloped in the black cloud of superstition and crime? To Italy, and
Spain, and Portugal, the dark ages have not passed away; neither will
they, till liberty of conscience is allowed, and the Bible permitted
in the hands of the laity. Under papal rule, those unfortunate nations
will never rise from their degradation; for their masters and teachers
'love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.'
It has often been said by those who fail properly to consider this
subject, that the Roman Catholic schools and colleges which abound in
the United States are far superior to similar Protestant institutions.
Why do not these very superior teachers disseminate knowledge at
home? Why do they not first enlighten the Spaniards ere they cross the
Atlantic to instruct American pupils? The ignorance of Neapolitans
is proverbial; yet Naples is the peculiarly favored city of Romanism.
Tell me why these learned professors do not teach their own people?
Florry, papal institutions in America are but branches of the
Propaganda. They but come to proselyte. I have heard it repeatedly
averred of a certain nunnery, 'that no efforts were made to affect the
religious views of the pupils.' Yet I know that such is not the case.
They are far too politic openly to attack the religion; yet
secretly it is undermined. I will tell you how, Florry, for you look
wonderingly at me. Prizes are awarded for diligence, and application;
and these prizes are books, setting forth in winning language the
doctrines of their church. I have seen one of these which was given
to M---- K----, and I also read it most carefully. It was titled
'Alethea; or, a Defense of Catholic Doctrines.' Yet most indignantly
they deny any attempts toward proselyting the pupils intrusted to
their care."
"Who will deny the truth of your statements, Mary! Yet, if such are
the facts, how can the world be so utterly ignorant of, or indifferent
to them? Strange that they can thus regard a subject so fraught with
interest to every lover of liberty--to every patriot."
"Florry, Papists are unacquainted with these things; for, begirt with
darkening, crushing influence, they are effectually secluded from even
a wandering ray of light on this subject. The avenue through which all
information is conveyed at the present day is barred to them. Books
are denied to the Catholic laity. You may ask how this is effected in
this enlightened and liberal age. The prelates of Rome, who long ago
resorted to ignorance as their bulwark, are ever on the alert. No
sooner is a new publication announced, than it is most carefully
perused by them; and if calculated to point out the fallacy of their
doctrines, or depict their abuse of power, a papal bull is forthwith
issued, prohibiting all Catholics from reading the heretical book.
The writings of the prince of novelists, Walter Scott, which are
universally read by other sects, are peremptorily refused to all
Papists. And why? Because many of his darts are aimed at their
profligate priesthood. Now if, as they tell their people, these are
but slanderous attacks on their religion, surely the shafts would fall
harmless on the armor of truth. Why then so strenuously oppose their
reading such works? Florry, the trite adage, 'Truth is the hardest of
all to bear,' is applicable to these prelates of papacy; who, knowing
their danger, are fully resolved to guard the avenues of light and
knowledge. The Pope of imperial Rome, surrounded as he is with luxury,
magnificence, and hosts of scarlet-liveried cardinals, who stand in
readiness to convey his mandates to the remotest corners of the earth,
has been made to tremble on his throne by the pen of feeble woman. The
truthful delineations of Charlotte Elizabeth startled his Holiness
of the Vatican, and the assistant conclave of learned cardinals are
trembling lest their laity of the Green Isle should catch a glimpse
of light. A bull was quickly fulminated against her heretical
productions. Alas! when, when will the Romish Church burst the iron
bands which begirt her?
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