CHAPTER XIV.

THE CATHOLICS.

THE State of Maryland being first settled by Catholics, it has a larger proportion of them than most of the other States. Taking the whole country into consideration, their numbers are probably not a tenth of the population. But in no part are they viewed with any jealousy. The people have no more fear of losing their liberties by admitting them to places of profit and trust in the judicial or administrative departments of the government, or by electing them to seats in the legislature, than from an invading army packed and paid by the Pope himself. The American Catholics are as warm friends to rational liberty, and as averse to persecution as the Presbyterians or Episcopalians; and it is as unjust to charge them with the crimes of their ancestors, as either of the other bodies. It is well known that the Presbyterians who fled from persecution in England, became themselves persecutors in America. In consequence of this, and from some charges of a similar kind that can be brought against them in Scotland, Holland and Switzerland, a recent

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controversialist in New Jersey has endeavoured to convince his readers that persecution is, if not a constituent part of the Presbyterian creed, at least, a natural result of it. The Episcopal Church of England has shown itself a persecuting Church in various periods of its history. Yet presume that no candid person would charge any denomination of Protestants at the present day, as wishing either secretly or openly to abet persecution. Why then should the Catholics be viewed with suspicion and hatred? Because, it is said, they have a persecuting creed, and have shown themselves at all times when in power, the friends of tyranny, priestcraft and intolerance. Whatever may be their creed, certain it is that enlightened Catholics have no more wish to tread in the bloody footsteps of their ancestors, than Protestants to kneel at the elevation of the host. And the history of various Catholic countries shows that religious liberty may be enjoyed under them as well as under Protestants. Fenelon and other Catholic prelates have testified as strongly against persecution as their Protestant opponents. Contrast his character with Laud's, and how superior in this respect does it appear!

The Americans finding that no evils arise

from placing all religious parties on a level as it concerns government, are often puzzled to ascertain the opposition made by the English Dissenters to the admittance of the Catholics into power. They can conceive that Churchmen from some fear for their temporalities, may easily be persuaded to think that such a change would be dangerous; but it appears to them unaccountable, that the Dissenters who have nothing to lose and every thing to gain, and who profess themselves the friends of civil and religious liberty, should object to a measure so inseparably in accordance with their professed principles. Whenever I was questioned on this point, I was obliged to confess that it arose from prejudice, and from a little of the old Popish spirit which they charge upon the present Catholics. In countries where there is an equality of rights, there can be no more danger from the Catholics than any other class. The experience of America abundantly proves this; and it is to be hoped will shame intolerant Dissenters (for happily all are not intolerant) into more liberality and justice.

The boast of the Catholics, that their Church is both unchangeable and unchanged, is like other boasts, more than is true. Formerly it was a

persecuting Church. Now, it has ceased to be such in most parts of the world. The beneficial effects of the Reformation were not confined to those who separated from its community: they extended to those who remained in it. The light of reason and common sense diffused at that memorable era, has dispersed much of the ancient darkness in which bigotry and superstition enveloped themselves. Galileo might now support the Copernican system without fear of the Inquisition; Roger Bacon might pursue his chemical studies without the imputation of magic; and St. Dunstan, however good a mechanician, would certainly not gain the credit of having pulled the Devil by the nose. And if some German prince, now and then sets up for a Thaumaturgus, he incurs the laughter of the sensible part of the community. Still, it must be admitted, that it is principally in countries where Catholics are mixed with Protestants, and where a free press is established, that the Popish superstitions and mummeries have lost their astonishing influence on the public mind. In the United States, as in England, Catholicism appears a very different thing to what it is in Spain or Italy. The priests bear a good character; morality has taken the place of lewdness and licentiousness; and processions to dazzle and be

wilder the multitude are unknown. Still less in America, would the juggle of liquefying the blood of St. Januarius, or the virtuous qualities of the parings of St. Anthony's nails, obtain any credit. If there be persons silly enough to believe in such nonsense, they are prudent enough not to divulge their opinions, lest the general laugh should be directed against them. Even the infallibility of the Pope is treated by the American Catholics, as it was by Henry VIII. in the latter part of his reign. His authority they consider binding when coincident with their wishes, but of no power when at variance. The Bishop of Philadelphia suspended one of his priests; the Archbishop of Baltimore confirmed the decision of his suffragan; an appeal to Rome had a similar result: but regardless of these proceedings, the parishioners supported their pastor. Of course there was a party who espoused the cause of the Bishop; but I believe that few amongst them would consent to an unlimited obedience to Papal bulls. The very circumstance however, of the Catholics having approximated to the Protestants, may be a cause of the reformed doctrines not becoming general amongst them. The grosser absurdities being removed or kept out of sight, those which are retained are likely to be adhered to pertinaciously. The ridicule.