The Papacy, Climate Change, Evangelicals, and Secret Sunday Laws

 

Misdirection and Guile  (Main Title) 

Adventist Literature Provokes Catholics At Rededicate 250 Event in Washington DC

July 12, 2026 NewsHound




Prior to the 250th anniversary of the United States, thousands came to the National Mall in Washington for "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving." The eight-hour-long event, created and organized by Freedom 250 in collaboration with the White House, drew throngs of people over the weekend, who waited in line to stand in front of the center Stage. One of the attendees was Emma Cieslik, a queer Catholic religious scholar. Emma is the director for Queer and Catholic, and wrote in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) how the Great Controversy book that was given away at Rededicate 250 contains anti-Catholic conspiracies, written by Ellen White. In Emma’s own words,

“I attended the event as a Catholic public historian, curious about the materials that attendees, organizers and protestors were distributing.

But the materials that I and other members of the public received revealed deep-seated tension between Catholics and Protestants at an event focused on Christian unity and featuring Catholic speakers. I saw echoes of the same anti-Catholic conspiracies that have existed since the very beginning of the United States, and have affected the way that American Christianity has been constructed. The juxtaposition between the event's anti-Catholic elements and its Catholic speakers emphasized the ongoing fracture between Protestants and Catholics in Trump's MAGA coalition.

I, like everyone who walked up from the Smithsonian metro stop, was handed a bag with the screenprinted logo "Religious Freedom 250" from Amazing Facts International, a multimillion dollar religious nonprofit organization run by Pastor Doug Batchelor.

In it was Ellen Gould White's The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem: The Great Controversy Between Good and Evil, along with a glossy magazine titled "Religious Freedom and America in Bible Prophecy: The Future of Earth's Last Superpower Revealed" published by Amazing Facts and other assorted leaflets. While not officially affiliated with the event, the bag and its contents closely mirrored Rededicate 250's design, and they were the only materials that I was handed while walking around the event.

I was already skeptical of the materials because [Ellen]White is well-known for her anti-Catholic views. In fact, her book The Great Controversy, which argues that the Catholic Church misinterprets the Second and Fourth Commandments, is a prominent source of anti-Catholic conspiracies.

But what I encountered inside of the magazine was even more blatant.

The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White | Introduction | National Sunday Law Preparation

The Bible and the French Revolution - Great Controversy (1911) Ellen G. White

 

A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart.

Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based upon deception, it is not a coarse and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. Magnificent churches, imposing processions, golden altars, jeweled shrines, choice paintings, and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of beauty. The ear also is captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence.

This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth. It is the beauty of holiness, a meek and quiet spirit, which is of value with God.

Brilliancy of style is not necessarily an index of pure, elevated thought. High conceptions of art, delicate refinement of taste, often exist in minds that are earthly and sensual. They are often employed by Satan to lead men to forget the necessities of the soul, to lose sight of the future, immortal life, to turn away from their infinite Helper, and to live for this world alone.

A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart. The pomp and ceremony of the Catholic worship has a seductive, bewitching power, by which many are deceived; and they come to look upon the Roman Church as the very gate of heaven. None but those who have planted their feet firmly upon the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the Spirit of God, are proof against her influence. Thousands who have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led to accept the forms of godliness without the power. Such a religion is just what the multitudes desire.

The Great Controversy, pp. 566,567.

ELLEN G. WHITE: THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

ELLEN G. WHITE: THE GREAT CONTROVERSY AUDIO BOOK 

American Christian Ministries

Premiered Apr 15, 2025

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Step into the sweeping drama of history’s greatest conflict — the battle between good and evil, truth and deception, Christ and Satan. In The Great Controversy, author Ellen G. White takes you on a powerful journey through the rise and fall of empires, the Reformation, the early church, and the final events of Earth’s history — all through the lens of Bible prophecy.

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The fall of Jerusalem  

The rise of the papacy  

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America’s prophetic role  

The final warning to the world  

Christ’s soon return  

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Liberty of Conscience Threatened | The Great Controversy | Chapter 35 | Lineage

The Bible and the French Revolution

 
The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White

Chapter 15: The Bible and the French Revolution

Worship of the God of heaven was exchanged for worship of the 'Goddess of Reason.'

Illustration © Pacific Press Publ. Assoc.


In the sixteenth century the Reformation, presenting an open Bible to the people, had sought admission to all the countries of Europe. Some nations welcomed it with gladness, as a messenger of Heaven. In other lands the papacy succeeded to a great extent in preventing its entrance; and the light of Bible knowledge, with its elevating influences, was almost wholly excluded. In one country, though the light found entrance, it was not comprehended by the darkness. For centuries, truth and error struggled for the mastery. At last the evil triumphed, and the truth of Heaven was thrust out. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light." John 3:19. The nation was left to reap the results of the course which she had chosen. The restraint of God's Spirit was removed from a people that had despised the gift of His grace. Evil was permitted to come to maturity. And all the world saw the fruit of willful rejection of the light.

The war against the Bible, carried forward for so many centuries in France, culminated in the scenes of the Revolution. That terrible outbreaking was but the legitimate result of Rome's suppression of the Scriptures. (See Appendix.) It presented the most striking illustration which the world has ever witnessed of the working out of the papal policy— an illustration of the results to which for more than a thousand [266] years the teaching of the Roman Church had been tending.

The suppression of the Scriptures during the period of papal supremacy was foretold by the prophets; and the Revelator points also to the terrible results that were to accrue especially to France from the domination of the "man of sin."

Said the angel of the Lord: "The holy city shall they tread underfoot forty and two months. And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. . . . And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. . . . And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them." Revelation 11:2-11.

The periods here mentioned—"forty and two months," and "a thousand two hundred and threescore days"—are the same, alike representing the time in which the church of Christ was to suffer oppression from Rome. The 1260 years of papal supremacy began in A.D. 538, and would therefore terminate in 1798. (See Appendix note for page 54.) At that time a French army entered Rome and made the pope a prisoner, and he died in exile. Though a new pope was soon afterward elected, the papal hierarchy has never since been able to wield the power which it before possessed.

The Scriptures a Safeguard

Chapter 37: The Scriptures a Safeguard

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God's work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God's immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?

Liberty of Conscience Threatened

Chapter 35: Liberty of Conscience Threatened

Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!

The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments. [564]

Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the "church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err" (John L. von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17), how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages?

The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented? Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated in her former power, and there would speedily be a revival of her tyranny and persecution.

A well-known writer speaks thus of the attitude of the papal hierarchy as regards freedom of conscience, and of the perils which especially threaten the United States from the success of her policy:

"There are many who are disposed to attribute any fear of Roman Catholicism in the United States to bigotry or childishness. Such see nothing in the character and attitude of Romanism that is hostile to our free institutions, or find nothing portentous in its growth. Let us, then, first compare some of the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic Church.

"The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.' The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious [565] worship,' also 'all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.'

"The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless. Says Bishop O'Connor: 'Religious liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril to the Catholic world.'. . . The archbishop of St. Louis once said: 'Heresy and unbelief are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy and Spain, for instance, where all the people are Catholics, and where the Catholic religion is an essential part of the law of the land, they are punished as other crimes.'. . .

"Every cardinal, archbishop, and bishop in the Catholic Church takes an oath of allegiance to the pope, in which occur the following words: 'Heretics, schismatics, and rebels to our said lord (the pope), or his aforesaid successors, I will to my utmost persecute and oppose.'"—Josiah Strong, Our Country, ch. 5, pars. 2-4. [SEE APPENDIX FOR CORRECTED REFERENCES.]

“Mysterious Doomsday Books”: The Great Controversy Mass Mailing Hits Baltimore

Stanton Witherspoon

September 11, 2025

Thousands of Baltimore residents recently discovered unsolicited copies of The Great Controversy, Ellen G. White’s 19th-century apocalyptic text, in their mailboxes. The mass mailing is part of a nationwide campaign by Remnant Publications—a Michigan-based independent Adventist publisher—that has already sent the book to households in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Portland, and Chicago.

The sudden influx in Baltimore quickly became a talking point. Social media and discussion platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit showed many images of the paperbacks stacked in apartment lobbies, left in little libraries, or tossed out on recycling day. While some locals reacted with confusion or irritation, others found humor in the situation. At The Club Car—a drag bar and art venue—owners even hosted a “book club” happy hour, offering discounted drinks to patrons who brought in copies of the unsolicited book.

Remnant’s Mission and Methods

Remnant self-identifies as a nonprofit Christian ministry founded in 1985 in Coldwater, Michigan. Its stated purpose is “the sole purpose of leading people closer to Christ.” Over the past four decades, the publisher asserts that it has printed and distributed millions of books, including Bible study sets, audiobooks of White’s writings, and specialty editions like the Young Scholar Study Bible.

Currently, one of the company’s largest projects is the printing and distribution of 10 million complete versions of The Great Controversy through “zip code mailings, door-to-door contacts, and personal contacts,” according to their website. Remnant also sponsors the Bibles for Africa and Beyond program, which aims to provide scripture in different languages to people in indigent nations. In its own words, the ministry is “truly dedicated to the work of spreading the gospel message like the leaves of autumn.”

This sense of scale has drawn notice—and criticism. A Baltimore Instagram account, Sail Local, noted Remnant leaders’ ambition of distributing up to one billion copies worldwide. The environmental and financial costs have not gone unnoticed, with local commenters calculating that such a campaign would require tens of millions of trees and hundreds of millions of dollars in postage.

According to WYPR, the city’s NPR affiliate, Remnant associate Ron Goss explained the rationale behind the mailings: “The goal is to try to urge people to accept it. They can throw it away. It’s up to them, but we just want to try to help them understand about history.” He estimated the cost of printing and postage at about $1.40 per book—cheap, in his view, for eternal stakes.

The Illustrated Great Controversy

 

The Illustrated Great Controversy

Lineage Journey

Jul 1, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos in the world or fearful about the future? The Great Controversy offers hope and clarity in uncertain times. This beautifully illustrated book follows the powerful story of the Protestant Reformation—from Wycliffe to the Waldenses and beyond—revealing how God has guided His people through some of the darkest chapters in history. 

Within its pages, you’ll discover stories of courage, peace in the midst of turmoil, and faith that triumphed over oppression. Each chapter connects lessons from the past to the challenges of today, unveiling insights that prepare you for what’s still to come. You’ll find practical, inspiring principles to help you stay faithful to Christ, even in a world increasingly filled with confusion, sorrow, and suffering. 

The journey ends with the ultimate promise: a new world, restored and made right by God. You won’t want to miss where the story is headed—because it’s just getting started. 

This edition includes thought-provoking discussion questions and interactive QR codes linking to articles, videos, historical content, and more to deepen your experience.

https://lineagejourney.com/product/th...

Modern Revivals

The Word of God must be the test for all religious experience.

Illustration © Review and Herald Publ. Assoc.

Wherever the word of God has been faithfully preached, results have followed that attested its divine origin. The Spirit of God accompanied the message of His servants, and the word was with power. Sinners felt their consciences quickened. The "light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" illumined the secret chambers of their souls, and the hidden things of darkness were made manifest. Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and hearts. They were convinced of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to come. They had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and felt the terror of appearing, in their guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. In anguish they cried out: "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had "remission of sins that are past."

These souls brought forth fruit meet for repentance. They believed and were baptized, and rose to walk in newness of life—new creatures in Christ Jesus; not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of [462] God to follow in His steps, to reflect His character, and to purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now loved, and the things they once loved they hated. The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid aside. Christians sought not the "outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but . . . the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The community was benefited by their influence. They gathered with Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting.

It could be said of them: "Ye sorrowed to repentance." "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.

France Killed the GOSPEL — and Paid the PRICE - The Great Controversy Ep...

 

 @Approx. 37:00 Mins. -- Ellen G. White's well know depiction of the Order of Jesus, the JESUITS.

PROPHECY OUTLOOK - EPISODE 4 // The Impending Conflict And Final Warnin...

The Great Controversy - Chapter 01 - The Destruction Of Jerusalem - Myers Media Audio Book

America’s Current Moral Decline is Just a Divine Setup for a Spiritual C...

 
America’s Current Moral Decline is Just a Divine Setup for a Spiritual Comeback


The conservative political radio host and television producer Glenn Beck conducted an interview with the Evangelical Christian actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron on February 19, 2024. During a conversation that was aired on 400 radio stations across the nation and on the Blaze TV streaming service, Kirk Cameron said that a spiritual revival is imminent and that the current pervasive moral and political corruption in society is merely a “divine set-up” where God will intervene to restore our world. In response, Glenn Beck stated, "It has to be. It has to be,” indicating his approval.

Evangelical Christians across the country are working to reshape America and bring our nation back to God through revival. There is no doubt that a movement to radically change our nation is underway, but the coming “religious” revival will not align our nation with the will of God but with the will of Rome. We have been warned that Satan will introduce into the popular churches a counterfeit revival, one that will support Sunday rest by law. Every church will be affected by the coming counterfeit revival, of which the Sunday law movement will be a key component. 

“They declared that they had the truth; that miracles were among them; that great power and signs and wonders were performed among them; and that was the temporal millennium that they had been expecting so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law” (Letter 6, 1884). 

There are actually two revivals described in the book of Revelation, not one. The true revival that comes from God is found in Revelation 18:1–5. Under the power of the Latter Rain, the entire earth will be enlightened with the glory of God through the proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages. But there is also a false revival in which three unclean spirits will come from the dragon (Satan), the beast (Rome), and the false prophets (apostate Protestantism) and will deceive the world through false miracles (Revelation 16:13, 14) during the mark of the beast crisis. The book, Great Controversy, also describes the two revivals in great detail: 

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon his children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and his Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time, to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world” (Great Controversy, p. 464). 

“Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s Word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed” (Great Controversy, p. 464). 

“In the truths of his Word, God has given to men a revelation of himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world” (Great Controversy, p. 465). 

“The sanctification now gaining prominence in the religious world, carries with it a spirit of self-exaltation, and a disregard for the law of God, that mark it as foreign to the religion of the Bible. Its advocates teach that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith alone, they attain to perfect holiness. ‘Only believe,’ say they, ‘and the blessing is yours.’ No further effort on the part of the receiver is supposed to be required” (Great Controversy, p. 471). 

“The desire for an easy religion, that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine” (Great Controversy, p. 472). 

“If men feel no weight of the moral law, if they belittle and make light of God’s precepts, if they break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, they shall be of no esteem in the sight of Heaven, and we may know that their claims are without foundation” (Great Controversy, p. 472).

David Mould's Trip To Iran: Introduction

The Impending Conflict - Great Controversy Ch.36 (1911) Ellen G. White

Liberty of Conscience Threatened

Chapter 35 

Liberty of Conscience Threatened


Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!

The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments.

Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the "church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err " (John L. von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17), how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages?

The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented? Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated in her former power, and there would speedily be a revival of her tyranny and persecution.

A well-known writer speaks thus of the attitude of the papal hierarchy as regards freedom of conscience, and of the perils which especially threaten the United States from the success of her policy:

"There are many who are disposed to attribute any fear of Roman Catholicism in the United States to bigotry or childishness. Such see nothing in the character and attitude of Romanism that is hostile to our free institutions, or find nothing portentous in its growth. Let us, then, first compare some of the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic Church.

"The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience . Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error--a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.' The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,' also 'all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.'

"The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless. Says Bishop O'Connor: 'Religious liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril to the Catholic world.'. . . The archbishop of St. Louis once said: 'Heresy and unbelief are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy and Spain, for instance, where all the people are Catholics, and where the Catholic religion is an essential part of the law of the land, they are punished as other crimes.'. . .