The contention of Protestants that there is danger in using images in worship because of the tendency, altogether too strong in all of us, but especially strong in the ignorant, to confuse the symbol with the spiritual conception for which it stands, has always been denied by Catholics, but it receives some confirmation from recent scenes in the French courts, from which the crucifixes have been removed. In several places the witnesses have objected that it was impossible for them to take the oath to tell the truth “before God and man,” because there was no pictorial representation of Christ in the room. In some courts the judge has satisfied them by giving a lesson in the elements of faith, explaining that to the good Catholic God was everywhere. In other cases their scruples could not be so removed, and a small crucifix had to be produced, upon which they could take the oath. That this materialistic superstition is not confined to the unlearned is shown by a recent case before the Assize Court, at Versailles, wherein M. J. Bonzon, counsel for the defense, demanded the release of his client on the ground that the oaths taken by jurymen and witnesses were invalid, since no image of the Divinity appeared in the court room. A Catholic, who had sworn before God to tell the truth, was not bound by this oath, unless a crucifix was used, for in the Catholic Church the image of Christ is essential, and “the crucifix is the necessary intermediary between God and the faithful.” The court rejected this ingenious plea.—N. Y. Independent.