The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-08
For the Central Presbyterian.
History of the Popes.-By Louis
Marie de Cormenin.


De Cormenin has written history of
the Popes of Rome, from Saint Peter,
"the first Bishop" to Plus the Ninth.
1t includes the history of the saints, mar
tyrs, fathers of the church, religious Or
ders, cardinals, inquisitions, schisms, and
the great reformers. A very instructive
part is that which relates to the moral,
social, and political, as we'll as religious
features of the period embraced in the
work, and is presented by summary at
the end of each century The work was
written by French papist, and comes
down to June 9th, 1916, the date of the
death of Gregory the XVI, at whichtime
the work was going through the press.
We have before us an edition in English,
translated apparently the same month and
year twas originally published in French;
dated Philadelphia, July, 1916, but not
published until 1852, by Philadelphia
House. 1t is two volume work, making
altogether 9l0 pages, double columns
That it is too much abridged is evident,
and the beautiful, luxurious and interest
ing field of moral and political history
is passed over too hurriedly, is equally APP
parent 1t is, however, in many aspects,
a very valuable, accurate, and instructive
history 1t exhibits great learning, is re-
markable for business and truthfulness,
and written from a Roman Catholic
standpoint, by former papist office-hold-
er, with access to Roman Catholic works
of authority in the church, it is of great
value to the American and European
reader in all departments Of life, and es-
peclally at this time when the Roman
Catholic Church is making such great eff
forts to increase its power, not by moral
and religious influences, but from politi-
cal and worldly considerations. And
why is it important? We can present
no stronger reasons nor more potent facts
than quotation from the preface of the
author, and then from the translation.
The author says, of the history of the
Popes:
1t runs through long series of ages,
during which the Bishops of Rome, whose
mission was to announce to men divine
religion, have forgotten it in their pride
Of power, have outraged the morality of
Christ, and become a scourge of the hu-
man race" Abiding to the periods
treated Of in the history, he continues /:
A brief analysis of these epochs precedes
our history, and offers frightful picture
OF monstrous debaucheries, bloody wars,
memorable schisms and revolutions. 1t
prepares by its wonderful recital, for the
Tong succession of pontiffs and kings oele-
brated for their crimes, or illustrious for
their exploits. Preface.
The translator says: Coming from the
pen of Roman Catholic, but one who is
enabled to see that good may be found out
Of the pale of his own church, it may be
read without the suspicion of its truth,
naturally attendant on such production
from the pen of one of adverse faith. -
zTan8lator'S preface. Again "This work
opens to our view clear exposition of
the public history and private practices
Of the men, who, from the position of sim
g pastors of a single church, advanced
their authority step by step, until they
became not only the ecclesiastical, but in
fact the temporal lords of christendom.
1t treats with comprehensive minuteness
OF their onward march to greatness from
their first usurpations over the surround
ing churches, until, in the zenith of their
pride and power, they trampled emperors
and kings beneath their feet, absolved
nations from their allegiance, took away
and bestowed kingdoms, and parcelled
out a world to whom they would. The
craft of the first Leo-the steady perse-
verance of the early popes in their settled
policy Of aggrandizement-the bold dar-
ing of Hildebrand, the monk of Cluny,
the master spirit of his age-the public
infamy and private debaucheries Of Bor-
gia-the reckless audacity Of the Farnese,
and the voluptuous RIGHTEOUSNESS and
philosophic Atheism of the tenth Leo, are
painted with a masters hand. The
vices Of the men who claim to be Wears
Of Christ on earth are not slurred over
the horrors attendant on religious big
otry and fanaticism in the persecution,
torture, and murder of fellow-men, are
truthfully portrayeds and the claim for
the popes to infallibility best exposed by
the record of their ambition, avarice,
public dishonesty and private turpitude."
To1oSlator's preface
All are not portrayed as base in the
history Of the popes a few are endowed
with noble natures and generous desires
for the benefit of the human family; these
are, however, but an occasional brilliant
light in the deep surrounding darkness.
In the history Of the popes, down to Gre
CORY the XVI, who died in 1916. and in