The Press.
London, England, 1853-12-10 00:00:00

1'46

vaunt at the foot of her Papal throne, that
" more converts have been made to the Roman
" Catholie Church in England during the last
" ten years than in 300 previously." On this
progressive and alarming increase she is sus-
tainiuß her zeal for her eontracted principles
and illimitable projeets. The measures which
she may eventually constrain us to take
for our defence may be considered calmly and
at leisure ; under better auspices, w e hope,
than under an Administration some of whom
are her members and ardent proselytes, and
almost all her recognised allies. We may be
compelled to defer an efficient concert for
practieal resui ts, but that is no reason why we
should defer the consideration of our danger.
At all events, we may estimate the grounds
for a defensive attitude, and take timely ac-
count of the dimensions of our foe.
The Church of Rome professes to he un-
changeable, but she has changed in her rela-
tions to the welfare of mankind. We may
credit her with hnmense incidental services to
civilisation itself, while civilisation was in em-
bryo. But her eompressive policy he: grown
inure compressed sinee Ler prerogatives were
questioned, and Ler dogmatism has narrowed
as society expanded. Successive revolts, like
the Plagues of Egypt, have taught her no
lesson, but have hardened even her obduracy..
Transient reactions—transient as compared
with the long lapse of centuries have
deepened her blindness. She has added
stricter dogmas to the decrees of Ler Triden-
tine Council, sitil a closer discipline to the or-
ganisation of GIiEGOItY. She has learnt new
arts while she rejects old experience ; and she
now stands, even in the nations where she is
paramount, as a sectional and hostile interest.
prepared to divide, if by dividing she can
manage, and prompt to disturb, if she may
hope to domineer.
We have no fears for the ultimate conse-
quences to distant generations; but our own
venture may be at stake. If Rome recovered
half the ground she contested with LUTHER, it
does not become us to he too confident in
our generation. Protestantism now feels the
recoil of its alliance with the infidelity of
the first French Revolution. It has lain in
the lap of Delilah, and is shorn of its invin-
cible locks. They will be grown again by the
days of harvest ; but in the meanwhile, for us
.and our ehildren,a great question is opening—
shall we make spoil, for the Papal Won?
Or, relinquishing metaphor, shall we make a
more definite provision for our security ? The
boast of Cardinal WISEMAN is substantially
true in a wider sense than he thought pru-
dent to utter it in public. Almost everywhere
throughout Europe. as well ns in England, the
Roman interest is stronger than it has been
for centuries. Its adherents are more de-
voted ; its discipline is more uniform ; its
resourees arc more concentrated ; its action is
more direct ; and, be its relative numbers ori-
ginally what they may. they have become pre-
ponderant as arbiters in the strife of classes
unit opinions. Europe's distractions have
proved Rome's opportunity. The revolutions
which shatter thrones exalt spiritual influ-
ences ; and events which have thickened the
bayonets round the chair of St. Peter have
made the whispers front that chair all-potent
in Christendom. On a small scale we can ob-
serve an example of this phenomenon at home.
In this England. so proud of its Protestant
traditions. and so zealous for Protestant truth
that the daunting se-tures of n elated priest
Provoked an outlanst without a parallel, n.
sooner had the storm subsided than a Coali•
lion Cabinet sueceesfully tratileked for office, b,
means of fresh favours accorded to the Interest
which hail been just before all but unanimously
repudiated. If a few Irish Rapperees. under Ul-
tremontnue pressure. could decide the fortunes
of England, what may not he the fate or Eu-
rope when the bnlance is trembling, and it is
a question which scale shall receive the
crosier? The spiritual aid afforded to the
exigencies of Empire must be paid for usu-
riously: and. if the present pretensions of Re •
mauism throughout Etirope are a test. it hod,
been paid for by stipulations for the bondage
of Posterity.
It is obvious that a power absorbed in
a design to this effect. and with these
Opportunities,-a. opportunities which Appear