: "Let us make our name famous before"(172) our
dust is scattered to the wind.

The Alliance failed, because its members had no common platform to stand
on. There was no voice in that assembly that could say with authority:
"Thus saith the Lord."

I heartily join in this prayer for Christian unity, and gladly would
surrender my life for such a consummation. But I tell you that Jesus
Christ has pointed out the only means by which this unity can be
maintained, viz: the recognition of Peter and his successors as the Head
of the Church. Build upon this foundation and you will not erect a tower
of Babel, nor build upon sand. If all Christian sects were united with the
centre of unity, then the scattered hosts of Christendom would form an
army which atheism and infidelity could not long withstand. Then, indeed,
all could exclaim with Balaam: "How beautiful are thy tabernacles, O
Jacob, and thy tents, O Israel!"(173)

Let us pray that the day may be hastened when religious dissensions will
cease; when all Christians will advance with united front, under one
common leader, to plant the cross in every region and win new kingdoms to
Jesus Christ.

Chapter XI.

INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPES.

As the doctrine of Papal Infallibility is strangely misapprehended by our
separated brethren, because it is grievously misrepresented by those who
profess to be enlightened ministers of the Gospel, I shall begin by
stating what Infallibility does not mean, and shall then explain what it
really is.

First--The infallibility of the Popes does not signify that they are
inspired. The Apostles were endowed with the gift of inspiration, and we
accept their writings as the revealed Word of God.

No Catholic, on the contrary, claims that the Pope is inspired or endowed
with Divine revelation properly so called.

"For the Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter in order
that they might spread abroad new doctrine which He reveals, but that,
under His assistance, they might guard inviolably, and with fidelity
explain, the revelation or deposit of faith handed down by the
Apostles."(174)

Second--Infallibility does not mean that the Pope is impeccable or
specially exempt from liability to sin. The Popes have been, indeed, with
few exceptions, men of virtuous lives. Many of them are honored as
martyrs. Seventy-nine out of the two hundred and fifty-nine that sat on
the chair of Peter are