d Virgin who
has heard our prayers and made intercession for us, England, after
long centuries of struggle with man-made sects and indefinite dogma,
its spiritually-starving people fast drifting into atheism and
infidelity because of nothing to hold to, has awakened, and in these
first hours of her resurrection is fast returning to the Holy
Church of Rome. America, in these latter days, is rousing from the
blight of Puritanism, Protestantism, and their inevitable result,
free-thinking and anarchy, and is becoming the brightest jewel in
the Papal crown."

The Bishop smiled dubiously. "And yet, Your Eminence," he replied, "we
are heralded from one end of the land to the other as a menace to
Republican institutions."

"Ah, true. And you must agree that Romanism is a distinct menace to
the insane license of speech and press. It is a decided menace to the
insanity of Protestantism. But," he added archly, while his eyes
twinkled, "I have no doubt that when Catholic education has advanced a
little further many of your American preachers, editors, and
Chautauqua demagogues will find themselves behind the bars of
madhouses. Fortunately, that editor of the prominent American magazine
of which you were speaking switched from his heretic Episcopal faith
in time to avoid this unpleasant consequence."

The Bishop reflected for a moment. Then, deliberately, as if
meditating the great import of his words, "Your Eminence, in view of
our strength, and our impregnable position as God's chosen, cannot the
Holy Father insist that the United States mails be barred against the
infamous publications that so basely vilify our Church?"

"And thereby precipitate a revolution?" It was the firm voice of the
Papal Secretary himself, who at that moment entered the room.

"But, Monsignor," said the Bishop, as he rose and saluted the
newcomer, "how much longer must we submit to the gross injustice and
indignities practiced upon us by non-believers?"

"As long as the infallible Holy Father directs," replied that eminent
personage. "Obey him, as you would God himself," the Secretary
continued. "And teach your flock to do likewise. The ballot will do
for us in America what armed resistance never could. Listen, friend,
my finger is on the religious pulse of the world. Nowhere does this
pulse beat as strongly as in that part which we call the United
States. For years I have been watching the various contending forces
in that country, diligently and