and seducing practices, we know no better safeguard than PUBLICITY. "For every one that doeth evil hateth the LIGHT, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John iii. 20.)

66

In the course of our work we shall use the words 'papist" and "popery," as the most intelligible and simple terms; but in using them we design to give no offence. The terms, in ancient days, were gloried in as peculiarly honourable.* When our fellow-subjects shall cease to be "papists," they will have advanced a considerable step in religious freedom. Until this happy period shall arrive, and events seem to indicate that such a time is not very far distant, we must speak of them under this epithet, as the shortest and most comprehensive. Their "Lord God" is the "Pope.” Their "Creed" is that of the "Pope.”+ The Supreme "Head" of their Church is "the Pope."§ These terms are also used by themselves, as descriptive of their denomination.||

We trust,

therefore, that no objection will be made to our use of these words.

At the same time, we shall ever endeavour to bear in mind the distinction between the sin and the sinner, and whilst our language may, by some, be considered strong in reference to the former, our feelings will ever be the most affectionate in reference to the latter: desiring to combine the boldness and love of the Apostle, when he asked-" Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians iv. 16.") When men's houses are on fire we do not whisper to awaken them-and when men's souls are in danger shall we be less in earnest ?

And now, gentle reader, having fully described to thee our object, we have three favours to entreat at thy hands:-first, that thou wilt purchase our little volume; secondly, that thou wilt "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" its contents; and thirdly, that thou wilt not fail to supplicate HIS assistance, who alone is able to "guide thee into all truth." (John xvi. 13.) And so we bid thee, "Farewell."

* Baronius, &c., &c. Acts, xi. Rheims Test. Notes.

"Our LORD GOD +"Papa est DEUS"-Felinus et Joan. de Capistro apud Wolfium. the Pope." Gloss. to the Extrav. Johan., xxii. Tit., xiv., c. 4, in fine. Lyons, 1504. The Council of Lateran says in the 4th Session: DOMINUS NOSTER PAPA, idém est in terris ac DOMINUS DEUS Cæli, nam habet potestatem ligandi, &c."

"The Creed of Pope Pius IV."

§"Papæ tradita est omnis potestas in cælo et terrâ." Wolf., I., p. 995.

Tract, No. 3, of the soi-disant "Catholic Institute."

POPISH EFFORTS AGAINST OUR CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS

LIBERTIES.

That we may know with what, and with whom, we have to contend, it may be desirable to point out the character of those efforts which are brought to bear against our civil and religious liberties, in this city and neighbourhood. And,

1.-Of the Catholic Depôt in the City of Bristol.

On St. Augustine's Back, a shop has been opened by a Socinian bookseller, which is denominated "The Catholic Depôt." This establishment is recognised by the Roman Catholic prelate and clergy of this city and neighbourhood, as appears from the placard which is fixed on the walls of St. Mary's Chapel, on the Quay, to the following effect:-" Catholic Works, of every description, always on sale at the Catholic Depôt, No. 2, St. Augustine's Place, Bristol," This it will be important to bear in mind, since all works bought at this " depôt" may be considered as exhibiting a true statement of Roman Catholic doctrine and practice. It must further be noted that the above parties have given their imprimatur to the publications, usually known as "the Derby Reprints." A fact of great importance, as affording the best possible evidence of the gradual approximation of Romanism to Catholicism, as we hope to prove.

Of the nature of the works issued from this depôt, and of the idols, charms, and other superstitious objects, which are on sale there, we shall have to speak in future numbers.

The following extracts from the Report of the soi-disant "Catholic Institute," will shew, that however supine and inactive our friends may be, our enemies are by no means asleep. They do not confine themselves to a sale of their tracts, but state-" N.B. In most cases such tracts

and treatises, as far as the funds of the Institute may permit, will be distributed gratuitously, either through the medium of the resident clergymen in their respective localities, or through members of the general and local committees. And every member of this Institute shall be entitled to receive a certain quantity of tracts, to be lent out to their Protestant friends and neighbours. Whenever it shall be deemed advisable by the resident clergyman, or by the general or local committees, to circulate tracts at any public meeting held for the purpose of attacking the [Roman] Catholic religion, these will be furnished by the general secretary, on being applied for.” “A short account of the origin and progress of the Catholic Institute of Great Britain." 1839. London: printed by C. Richards, 100, St. Martin's-Lane, p. 10.)

"Fas est et ab hoste doceri." To all our readers, we would say, take a leaf out of the enemy's book--and be as "valiant for the TRUTH" (Jeremiah ix. 3), as they are for error.

2.-CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF MERCY.

The following account appears in the "Ordo recitandi Officii divini, &c.," 1847, page 159, note †.

"Convent of our Lady of Mercy-22, Pritchard-Street, Bristol, June 11, 1846.-Under the direction of our superiors, we entered in February last, a rented house, where we are now living, in order to comply with our obligations of attending the sick and instructing the poor. The premises, however, are too confined to admit of schools for the children of the poor. Since our arrival, friends have been so kind in their offers of assistance, that we have, under the sanction of proper authorities, ventured to purchase property that will afford us every facility of fully carrying out the holy rules which we have embraced. The premises are roomy and substantial, though a little out of repair; we purpose, however, to enter them without any other outlay than such as may be indispensably necessary to preserve them from the ill effects of the weather. Our funds, if I may so term the donations already made, being quite insufficient to defray the expenses of purchase, deeds, &c., we are compelled to throw ourselves upon the charity of the pious Christian, who by enabling us to realise our design in behalf of the poor, and their

children, of this populous city, will entitle himself to the reward of those who visit the sick and clothe the naked, as well as to the brighter recompense of those who instruct others unto justice. Soliciting, then, your aid, and that of your friends, I beg leave to subscribe myself, your most obedient servant in Christ, STR. M. J. FRANCES BEAUCHAMP, Superioress."

This house, in Pritchard-Street, was rented of a Clergyman of the Church of England!!! We have been favoured with some most amusing stories of occurrences during their brief sojourn in this locality.

Of this establishment, a writer in the "Tablet," or popish weekly newspaper, conducted by a Romanist Quaker, thus speaks, in the number for November 14, 1846:

66

Bristol, Sisters of our Lady of Mercy.-To the editor of the Tablet.My dear Sir, Since I last addressed you, I am happy to say that the Sisters of our Lady of Mercy have received, and are distributing around them, many blessings. They are now comfortably occupying the large, commodious, and healthy premises which have been purchased for them. These they entered on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Since they were settled in their new habitation, they have added to their labours in visiting the sick, clothing the naked, and instructing the ignorant, the important duty of teaching our female children. On the Feast of St. Ursula, they opened their school for poor girls, and you will be rejoiced to hear that it is already filled to overflowing, though little more than a fortnight has elapsed since its commencement. It now only remains for the friends of religion, of charity, and of education, to enable those devoted beings to pay off the debt still hanging over them for the very rooms occupied and employed, not for any private purposes, but solely and entirely for the benefit of the poor, both young and old. I cannot let the present occasion pass without returning my most heartfelt thanks to those who have already so nobly stepped forward in the cause of charity, and trust the public will never suffer so good a cause to languish, nor permit these charitable sisters, who spend their time in giving, long to be anxious about paying for their own establishments. I remain, dear Sir, yours, most truly, EDWARD METCALF. Bristol, Nov. 11, 1846."

The uses, to which these "ladies of mercy" may be applied, may be

gathered from the following FACT, narrated by a Roman Catholic Priest of some celebrity, as coming under his own observation.

66

FEMALE TRANSUBSTANTIATION.

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man; neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination to the LORD thy GOD." (Deuteronomy, xxii., 5.)

"Soon after my arrival in Philadelphia, I became acquainted with a Protestant family. I had the pleasure of dining occasionally with them, and could not help noticing a seemingly delicate young man, who waited at table. There was something in the countenance and whole appearance of this individual which struck me as singular. I could see no indication of positive wickedness or signal depravity in the external configuration of the man's head. The expression of the eye indicated meekness, humility, and habitual obedience, rather than anything else; but I could see, nevertheless, in the closely-compressed lips and furtive glance, which I could only occasionally catch, and even then by a sort of stealth, something that puzzled me. I knew not why, but I could not like him. There was no cause, as far as I could see, why I should dislike the young man. Constitutionally, I was myself rather fearless than otherwise. I cannot recollect that, with equal means of defence, I ever before feared any one.

"I could never find the eye of this man fixed upon me without an involuntary feeling of dread. I met him often in the streets; he always seemed neat and tidy in his person; he was civil and respectful in his deportment; never seemed to forget that society had its grades, and that circumstances had clearly designated his own. With that he seemed well contented, never, so far as I could perceive, seeming to feel the least desire of intruding upon that of others. This being a rare case in the United States twenty years ago, at any rate, when it was difficult to get servants who knew their places, struck me as another singular feature in his manner and character, and did not at all tend to remove the unpleasant impressions which his appearance made upon my mind. "Not long after this, a messenger called at my room to say that "Theodore was taken ill, and wished to see me. I was then officiating as a Romish Priest, and calling to see him, was shown up stairs to the door of a garret room, into which, after a loud rap, and announcing