National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-03-22
liberation of PrOstestantS in Rome.


where English books were kept, |
enquired for a Bible. I'VE are not
allowed to keep them" was the re
ply. Every book, before being ex-
posed for sale, must come under the
eye OF the pope All newspapers
entering Rome are subject to Il like
ordeal. Not uHtrequently those
who frequent the reading rooms
find their London journals missing,
the papers being suppressed by
the government on account of OBJ
noXious articles
Should YOU visit Rome, pray that
death may not oVertake YOU there,
for though kind friends might bear
Your remains to the Protestant bu
rial place outside the city. the pope
would not permit them to place any
inscription on the head stone indi-
eating that You had hope III the res
direction or of Ufeternal life. You are
a hereto, accurSed OF God by the
pope.
The pope, since the departure of
the French troops, has become in.
Splrcd with new zeal for the sup
preston OF hcreSN. While they
were here there was liberation of
the Protestant religion to the fol
lowing extent J he American
church, conducted 10y Rev. Mr.. Lay
man was allowed TO meet Ill a pTl-
vate house. Formerly service was
held in the house OF Gen. King.
American minister. but he having
changed his residence, and having
no room suitable for holding the ser
vice. large room IN a private dwell
ling house was secured. y Lutlc
ran and French evangelical service
has been held in the house OF the
Russian ambassador. \ Scotch
Presbyterian service has been held
in the house OF the pastor, key. Mr..
Lewis. during the past six years.
All Of these have been held in the
city. while outside the walls an Eng
lish service has been held for forty
years or more.
The French troops had scarcely
left the city when the police inform
ed Mr. Lewis that he would not be
permitted 10 hold service. Mr.. Odo
kuSScll. manager of English affairs
in the papaI dolnlnionS. AT once
called upon Cardinal Antonclli to
know the meaning OF the order, and
was informed that all such assem-
blieS W>rc unlawful. and that the
law must bC put III force. In other
words, il was contrary to the popc's
wish. for he is supreme i'll Rome.
He informed MI. Russell that no
service would bC permitted inside
the city walls except under the arms
anI III. OF a foreign minister. Eng
land having no minister. Mr. Lewis
has lcen obliged To 90 outside the
gates. attended his service on
SUNDAY last. 1t was in room over
a restaurant. a cold cheerleSS apart
ment-the best however. that could
bc obtained. The popc's police,
with swords at their sides. were
pacing in front of the door. y
hNntl was read. but the minister
said we could not sing II because II
would attract the attention of the
police. who probably would break
up the service. EcN. DR.. Peabody
of Harvard [ University held ser
wee in a private room III one OF The
hotels. No public notice was given.
but it was whispered from ear TO
raI Just as eighteen hundred years
AGO, the first Christians OF Rome
gave information of the holding of
their secret meetings. under CalIgu
la and Nero. But the liberation of
the pope will hardly compare, how
ever. with that granted by Nero,
when Paul was here. who ''dweIt
tw1 whole years i'll his own hired
house aud received all that came
unto him, preaching the Kingdom OF
God. and touching those things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ
with all confidence, 10 man forbid.
ding him So the rule of Nero
stands in contrast to that OF Ilo
Mono. The first was pagan rule :
the last claims to bc Christian,
Cardinal Antouelli informed Mr.
Russell that the American church
would bc shut up unless held ulldei
the roof of the legation. Mr.. King
has made 10 rcmonstrance. and,
though think that the Americans
residing here are nearly unanimous
in their wishes to have him take
such action as Mr.. Marsh took al
ConStautinoplc few years ago
demanding and obtaining from fiji,
sultan not only liberation for Amer
lean missionaries, but protection
throughout the Turkish dominions
What contrast federation ant
protection IN Turkey, China. in Per
Sia. llindooStau, Slam--lu all heath
Ell and pagan lands, but no tolera
tion in this city which of all other
claims to bc most Christian lot
may sell bibles or give them away
in the streets of Coustantinople with
ont hndrancc from any quarter
but in Rome the prison awaits you
without trial, without process o
law. for such II henious offence
Has not the time come Tor AMER
ca to ask the pope to grant to FRO
testants in Rome the same libcrt'
that Romanists enjoy in the unite'
, States /! Let General King call 10
that concession III behalf of Amer
can citizens and see what reply vii
, be made. Possibly, however, tn
. ,...,I. .r u. ma ,,iIl ,uuIa thp rppl