The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-08-07
The Jesuj.s.


The Jesuj.s.
The action Of the Geriaaa government for
the expulsion of the Jesuits from the EN-
pire, adds another to the strange vicissitudes
previously experienced by the order. 1t has
been their misfortune to be alternately
courted and dreaded, and to pass from the
extreme of power to the extreme of weak
ness: to rule the destinies Of a nation one
year, and to be suppressed by the hand OF
indignant power and retributive justice the
next. Both extremes are equally natural,
and the one is but the reaction from the
other Their ardent zeal and restless acti-
vity have given them influence, and that IN
fuence has been exercised in every kind OF
imaginable intrigue which could enhance the
power and promote the interests of the Pa
pacy. To this one principle of absolute de-
votion to the Pope the order has ever been
true from its first institution to the present
time; and to this one dominant purpose all
other considerations that might act on the
Christian, the patriot, or the man, have been
sternly and unfinchingly subordinated'
Restless, daring, ambitious, full of resource
and utterly unscrupulouS, they have been
the disturbers Of the peace Of Europe, and
the instigators of its troubles. 1t is proba
bly, no more than the strict truth to say that
for three hundred years there has not been a
war or convulsion in Europe in which Je-
suit intrigue has not had share. At the
same time allied with princes and panderlng
to mobs, the advocates of the most utter ab
solution and of the most lawless democracy,
alike arrogant and servile, alike daring and
subtle, ambitious of the highest and yet not
negligent of the least of all the avenues and
elements of power, they have rendered them
selves equally necessary on the one side and
formidable on the other It is signal tes
timony to the evil gelias that bas cured
Jesuit policy, that nations have over and
over again found no safety but in expulsion,
no peace but in their absence. These things
have been said by Protestant advocates over
and over again. They constitute strange
tale. and we cannot be surprised that those
who do not take the trouble to inquire into
the historical facts should treat it as incredi
Bile. The tendency has been so skillfully
fostered that half the world oh-poohs it as
a fable. Yet here in the nineteenth century
we find that united Germany finds it to be
neither fable nor joke. Again the old
cycle is trodden, and the most sagacious and
hard headed statesman of his day DEGREES
their expulsion from the land which is torn
and distracted by their Vaccinations, We
know full we'll that Jesuits will still be found
in Germany, for where are they absent and
what disguise will they not assume? But
their overt public action will for time be
checked, and another grave article be added
to the long roll of accusations which history
brings against their society.
The popularity of the order thus estab
lished consists in the activity of their life,
and the freedom with which they mix with
the world and engage in all the avenues Of
its enterprise, in order to turn them to the
aggrandizement of the papacy. The seclu-
sion, devotion, and asceticism of other
monastic orders enter not into the system OF
the Society of Jesus. The education of the
Young, the conversion of heretics and inf
dels. the instruction of the ignorant, the
general policy and enterprises of the papacy
belong to their special function. For such
objects the most able agents are necessary
and the rules of the order are wonderfully
calculated both to=tssa. sch men and place
them at the service Of the papacy. The
prine rule is that of absolute obedience
Previous to the admission of members, they
are bound to confess to a superior their sini
and natural infrmities, the bent of their in
clinations, and the tendencies of their char
acter. These manifestation" are repeated
from time to time, and must enable tn,
heads of the order to gauge accurately the
special qualifications Of their agents, ant
give them a wonderful command over arden
dispositions and ambitious characters. Reg
, listers are kept by all the superiors of tn
abilities and dispositions of the respectiv
members. Theregi8terS the general consult
when he requires men for any special under
taking, whatever may be its character, an
whatever he commands must be done withOu
hesitation or reservation. 1t is thus see
, what formidable instrumentality the Jesui
Order is, and how unlike the true spirit Q
the Saviour, whose name they bear and dis
honor. A very remarkable description
them was given in sermon preached i
Dublin by Archbishop Brown, in 1851;
There is new fraternity of late sprun
up, who call themselves Jesuits, which Wi
deceive many, much after the Scribes an
Phari8ees' manner. Amongst the Jews the
shall strive to abolish the truth, and sha
come very near to do it. For these sort
, will turn themselves into various forms: wit