w General could
be elected, and an order sent to pay the money, the Fathers had
become bankrupt, and suits were instituted. After delay and
manoeuvre on their part, the case came on unexpectedly in
1760. All the Jesuits were accused. They tried to lay the guilt
upon La Valette, but the bankers charged that all the Jesuits
were under the General, and La Valette was only agent. In this
sad condition they proposed to prove, according to their
constitutions, that as a society their body possessed nothing,
that all belonged to each college-house, convent, &c. The
proposal of the Jesuits was accepted. On the 8th of May, 1761,
after trial, the Parliament condemned the General and all the
society to pay bills, costs, damages, &c., which they did
without selling any of their property.
"It was in this evil hour to the Jesuits that their
constitutions, which had been acted upon for two hundred years
in secret, were brought to light. Rules and constitutions maybe
in existence and acted upon, when it would be impossible to
obtain a copy from any one who was sufficiently advanced in the
order to be trusted with a copy."
It will astonish American Protestants to be told how numerous,
influential, and strong the Catholics are in this land of liberty! They
have 7 archbishops, 40 bishops, 1704 priests, 1824 churches, 21
colleges, 37 ecclesiastical institutions for the education of priests
and Jesuits, 117 female academies, all of which are, in reality,
_Convents_. Nuns, priests, and Jesuits are the professors, teachers, and
matrons; and, strange to say, _Protestant_ young ladies are their chief
supporters!
The Romish Hierarchy is far more numerous in _Protestant_ America, than
in any Catholic country on earth. Their strength in America equals what
it is in Ireland, Scotland, and England combined! How extensive is this
religious organization in our land: how subtle! Its ramifications are
all so many _arteries_, which receive their life's blood from the heart
at Rome, and return it there by its regular palpitations! It is now
concentrating its _arteries_ at Washington City, and is promised "aid
and comfort" from the great Democratic party--a party fast becoming the
foe of true liberty, and of the evangelical Protestant faith.
THE CATHOLIC QUESTION--No. 6.
The Oath of a Bishop--Oath of a Priest--Oath of a Jesuit--Oath
of
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