ransmitting it to others
through all the vicissitudes to which this world is a prey, even to that
hour when the dead will arise and come to judgment. Thus it is that "The
Lives of the Saints" put to silence the gainsayers, and convince, not by
argument, but by historical and incontrovertible details of facts and of
the lives of men, that the Church of God is _one_, that she is _holy_,
that she, though universal, is not divided, that she is built upon the
Apostles, as upon an immoveable {014} foundation, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner-stone. This work strips schism of her mask, and
stops the mouth of heresy. It points out, with an evidence not to be
impeached, the day of separation,--when schism commenced, and the hour
of revolt and rebellion, when the heretic said, like Lucifer, in the
pride of his heart, "I WILL NOT SERVE." If ever there was a work which
rendered almost visible and tangible to the sight and touch of men that
promise of the Redeemer to his Church, "_And the gates of hell shall not
prevail against her,_" surely this work is "THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS."

Who, therefore, is a Catholic, and would not possess such a treasure?
How great is the benefit derived to the public from the low price and
convenient form in which this work is given to them! If infidelity, and
immorality, and heresy have opened wide their mouths, and are everywhere
devouring their victims, is it not a blessing from God that the children
of the Church should be preserved from them, and fed with the wholesome
food of pious reading? If the spirit of error or of that worldly wisdom
which is folly with God, has filled our shops and streets with
circulating poison in the shape of books, is not the Spirit of truth,
and of Him who has overcome the world, to have also such means of
instruction as may save and strengthen those whom God, by his grace, has
translated into the kingdom of his beloved Son? Accept, therefore gentle
reader, of "The Lives of the Saints;" Which, for their own worth's sake,
and for your good, we have endeavored to recommend. And with it permit
us also to recommend to your pious prayers the spiritual wants of him
who has thus addressed you.

+JAMES DOYLE

{015}

AN ACCOUNT
OF
THE LIFE AND WRITINGS
OF THE
REV. ALBAN BUTLER;
INTERSPERSED WITH
OBSERVATIONS ON SOME SUBJECTS OF SACRED AND PROFANE LITERATURE
MENTIONED IN HIS WRITINGS.
BY CHARLES BUTLER, ESQ.
BARRISTER AT LAW.

Quare quis tandem me reprehend