to prove the doctrine of original sin, and the existence of evil spirits
exercising a malignant influence on the souls and minds of men.

Physicists experience that longing for religion natural to man; and
hence they endeavor to patch up some sort of a religion from the shreds
of truth that are found in physical science, "_rari nantes in gurgite
vasto_." Unfortunately, they are unacquainted with Catholic doctrine,
and they see in the conflicting sects of Protestantism no good ground to
base their faith upon. Accustomed to deal with matter, they are unable
to elevate their minds to the supernatural. They dissect the human
corpse, and stupidly wonder that in a dead body they cannot discover a
living soul; they search the empty tomb for the resurrected Saviour.

The minds of those men are set in a wooden, mechanical way. They are
impervious to logic at the very time that they are asserting their loyal
adherence to its rules. They have a horror of Catholic conclusions as,
it may be also remarked, have Protestants likewise. On this account,
both classes prefer rather to accept the most untrustworthy theories of
physical science, even when they verge on gross and laughable absurdity,
than to grant the conclusions of Catholic theologians.

It must be borne in mind that the Bible is not one book, as popular
Protestantism regards it. It is seen now in the light of historical
criticism, that the amount of knowledge requisite for the proper
exercise of private judgment on the Bible is immense, and such as can
only be acquired by a few, comparatively speaking. Protestantism is,
therefore, moribund. Infidelity is to be combated by the church; by this
only can it be conquered. Nor is it hard to conquer. We should see it
disposed of very soon, if it ventured to put forth a system. But its
strength lies in grumbling. It asks, like Pontius Pilate, What is truth?
And goes away without waiting for an answer.

Burlington, N. J.

REV. P. A. TREACY.

* * * * *

HIS Holiness the Pope having written a letter to the Mikado of Japan
thanking him for the kindness extended by him to the Catholic
missionaries, his Majesty has replied in cordial terms, assuring the
Holy Father that he would continue to afford them protection, and
announcing the despatch of a Japanese mission to the Vatican.

Priests and People Mourning.

The Great and Gifted Redemptorist Father, Rev. John O'Brien,
D