The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-05-01 00:00:00

Y 1, 1 6i.V:).

DANGERS FROM POPERY.
•
(Frain an ilnterican Paper.)
Extract from an Address delivered to the Graduates of. Jeffer '
son College, Pa. By Matthew Brown, D.D. President of
the College.
Our own country is most deeply interested in the issue.. The
despots of Europe, whu have combined to suppress the priuci-
plea of liberty awl to rivet the chains of despotism on their own
subjects, cannot but view with a jealous eye a country exhibit-
ing to the world the practicability and the blessed effects of free
government,-a country whence has emanated that light which
has dawned on the nations of Europe and enkindled in the
minds of millions the sacred fletne of liberty. Already have
they commenced a system of extensive operations. under papal
influence, directed 'by the prime minister of Austria, one of the
most powerful diplomatists on earth.
It can be with no good intent to the interests of our free in-
stitutions that numerous associations have been formed in the
catholic countries, for the collection of funds and the transport.
ation of so many thousands of their degraded devotees, to the
valley of the Mississippi. We know that rnani, are disposed to
consider all apprehensions of this kind as the dreams cf an af-
frighted imagination. But such apprehensions are entertained
b• some of the most enlightened statesmen and christians in
Lampe and in our own country. And why should they not be
alarmed for the liberties of our country and the world ? Is there
no danger from the restoration of the jesuits, au order bound
by solemn oaths of allegiance to a foreign power, acting in
secrecy and in concert;' and under a common head— adapting
themselves to every state of societv—to all the varied preju-
dices and corruptions of mankind; whose system is based us
the principle that " the end justifies the means!" Is there no-
thing to
.fear from the numerous priests imported from abroad
operating iu every part of our country—erecting schools, and
'colleges,, and churches by means of funds drawn front the. Va-
tican—bringing to their aid every influence hostile to tree and
enlightened, religion, influencing the litelature of nur country
by their literary institutions—and even controlling the presses
and politicians of our country—fearing to offend and anxious
to secure the suffrages of such multitude* tuoviug in a mass at
the nod and dictation of their priests.
Is there nothing to fear from the hundreds of thousands an-
nually.coming in upon us like a flood front the corrupted and
despotic governments of Europe ?
It has been ascertained that the Roman catholics have in
creased ten-fold during the last twenty years; should they in-
crease in the same ratio for thirty years to come, this country
will be theirs by an overwhehning majority. What then will
be the fate of our republic, and where our civil anti religious
liberties? I ask again, is there no cause of serious alarm for
the liberties of our country and of the world?
Guided by the light of prophecy, we need not fear as to the
final result—the final triumph of liberty and pure religion over
despotism, popery, and infidelity comt,ined. But the coutlict,
-we have reaseu to fear, will be dreadful. ;the ;last struggles of
the empire of darkness will be the most violent and tremendous
the earth has ever witnessed. We who are more advanced its -•
years may not witness these scenes. You may not only be
called to witness them, but to take an 'active. part. Seine of
you may have the honour of suffering martyrdom 'ita the cause,
' of liberty and true religion, and our graves be sprinkled Witty
your blood. '
Is it asked by what means shall we endeavour to counteract
the influences so much 40 be dreaded? . I answer not by legitlative enactments—not by Civil penatties—not by inteifering,
with the rights of conscience—not. by ail unhallowed alliance 01
" church and state,"—these are the very evils of that system we
deprecate, wherever it has the ascendance,; but by ineanerand
influences purely intellectual and rnoral—by etilightenirg the
public Mind, and by andressing motives 'to time understaieling
and the heart. Let statesmen, zealous for the preservation of
our liberties, examine car fully the tendencies bald probable re-
sults of the combination referred to—the resteration of the
disciples of Loyola, and the emigration from atrroad such
masses swayed by. a foreign influence and bound be. a solemn
allegiance to a foreign power. Let the political, presses fear-
lessly speak out on a subject of such vital importance. Lett
every denomination of christiatis awake to a sense of ttie -com-
mon danger to which we are exposed. Let knowledge be utore
generally diffused, as to the real character and cnrruptions of
popery, which boasts that it is ever the same. Let the word cf
God (denied to the people by thole who make ignorance the
mother of devotion) be everywhere diffused; and let all who re-
gard the interest of true religion and civil and religious liberty
beware how they countenance and patronize institutions so
hostile to the interests of our cOuntrfand of the world.