Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-11-27

Amongst the numerous methods resorted TO by the
Romish bishops TO perpetuate the sway of the pope
DOM there is by which their ignorant dupes arc
more efiectually rive,ed as il were to the Catholic
superstltons Of the dark ages the 10th, lth and 18th
centuries than the industry by which these lnslru
monis OF spiritual tyranny disseminate fabricated
Olives Of the Saints" containing, in the estimation
Of common sense the "most absurd OF all absurd-
ties" and which TO be believed requires total aban
donme1t of reason and an entire submission to the
dictates of priesthood who fatten on the deluslon
Among other works OF this description, we have
"Life of ST. Patrick" published in London by Keat-
ing * Brown, as an authentic work. How far II is
entitled TO credit, we leave our readers 10 Judge from
the following specimens:-
Once when he was preaching by way OF a strong
argument, he raised TO life nineteen dead men, one of
whom had been buried for ten years After that, St
Patrick passing over a river Of his teeth dropped
into the water, and his disciples could not find Il ul
night, when the tooth in the river shoue radiant
star and being discovered was brought 10 St Pat
rick, who on that spot built a church, and deposited
his tooth beneath the altar Desiring TO pass an i'm
passabe river and no boat being al hand ST. Patrick
prayed and dividing the river, made himself and his
followers fee passage, then he blessed the river,
and being blessed, 1t abounded in fishes above all
others" The miraculous powers Of the church won
derfuly multiplied; but implicit belief IN miracles was
equivocal unless the act of faith was accsmpanlea
by liberal contributions al the altar. The purchase
Of pardons for sin, and the worship of the relics exhl-
bitcd in sumptuos shrines, were effectual ways Of
warning with the powers Of darkness, and the Golfers
ovcrfiowed with contributions. These active HOSTILE
ties against Satan occasioned him to ascend upon
EARTH and terfy the devout; he often appeared to
them i'm the natural ugliness Of his proper per-
son. When put to flight, by masses and holy water,
he took lodgings incog in the bodies of careless peo-
pe nor would he leave tenement he occupied, I'LL
he was forcbe turned out Of possession by priest
acquainted with the forms of eec ment Dislike to
clean linen was peculiar mark Of piety, and dirty
hermts emitted the odor of sanefity Though their
holncsses 80 violently hated by the devil, that
he took the trouble TO assault and tempt them in the
holes Of the earth and trunks Of old trees where they
inhabited yet it was rewarded with visits to the cho
sen abedes from all the orders Of heaven and by
long familiarity with the powers OF the other world,
these TENDER nosed saints could dciect the presence
Of invisible angels" They who turn their backs upon
the concerns OF life especial favorites above.
reported that Christ opened her side with his cor
pora hands, took out her heart and then carefully
placed his in the chasm left Il there and closed
the wound, nj the same time doing her the honor 10
wear her shift Nor did the faithful who believed the
former relation doubt for instant that the Virgin
descended from heaven 10 visit the cells Of monaste-
mes, and milk her breasts int the mouths Of monks
Doubts were efiectually removed by burning doubt
ere All who were privileged to shave the top Of the
head in circle. as token OF emancipation from
worldly opportunities were partners in the profitable
trade of granting licences for unmoested existence al
the price Of uncondtionsl submission. Ecclesiastical
policy accomplished its purpose; the human mind
was in derIum; the hierarchy at the summit of it's
Aecendency.
A, Berlin. 1904 and 8, the grand sacred comedy of