sentative from Madrid. There were similar persecutions in the South
American Republics and in Mexico. The congress of Mexico forbade monastic
vows, banished the Archbishop of Mexico, and imprisoned the Bishop of
Michoacan. Germany, at the same time, was not without its troubles. A
learned theologian of the diocese of Cologne, Dr. Anthony Gunther, had
allowed himself to drift from the sure ways of tradition, imperceptibly
gliding into rationalism, and confounding reason and faith. His ideas had
partisans in several countries of Germany. The vigilant eye of Pius IX.
discovered in them germs of heresy, which it was important to check before
they attained development. Gunther, on being condemned, accepted humbly
the judgment of the Holy See. But there was a long contest with some of
his partisans who were less pious than himself.

(M59) The record of Pius the Ninth's progress through his States, in 1857,
is alone a sufficient reply to the calumnies of those enemies who never
ceased to assert that ever since his return to Rome he had pursued a
retrograde policy. Reform was always an object of his solicitude. It was
with a view to improve the condition of his people that he undertook, when
almost a septuagenarian, a four months' journey through the States of the
Church. He travelled slowly, and sometimes on foot, in order the better to
observe and ascertain the state of the provinces. All could approach him
and address him freely. He visited churches, hospitals and workshops. He
examined the works of the ports and the public ways. Many addresses and
petitions were presented. Far, however, from asking the abolition of
priestly rule, the petitioners prayed for a return to the former state of
things, when cardinals and prelates only were set over the provinces. The
progress of the Holy Father was a series of joyous ovations from the time
that he left Rome--4th May--till his return on the 5th September. His
journey was at first in the direction of Ancona, Ravenna and Bologna. He
returned by way of Florence and Modena. His progress would have been
crowned with success if it had only served to show the loyalty and
devotedness of his people. But it was attended with still greater results.
The Holy Father bestowed much time at every place in seeking, personally
and through his ministers, information which became the basis of reform
and improvement. Thus, as is known by the authentic accounts which have
been published, many localities d