Romanism at Home by Henry M. Bissell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 4, 1886

Romanism at Home.

By Henry M. Bissell

IN Mexico, where the Roman Catholic system has long borne fruit, one is impressed with the depth of ignorance respecting the word of God. The masses know nothing of it. One will stumble over its title as a name unknown, another will ask about it half fearfully, as if it were an instrument of divination; another is incredulous on being assured that the volume contains letters from Peter and Paul. Last week, a man from a distant pueblo, being here on business, called, saying his brother wished him to come to me and get—a—book, but—what was it? He had utterly forgotten, nor could he give any idea of its subject. By questioning and suggesting, I found that he wanted a testament.

The idea of an upright, holy life as a necessary evidence of saving faith is not found. Sin and pardon are light matters; the one easily condoned, the other as easily obtained. Rome counts nearly the entire population as of her communion, and certainly they very nearly all count themselves there, and saved thereby. There are those who have so lost faith in the church that they would not call a priest at the hour of death, but they are few. No matter what a man's habits of life are, he observes certain forms, and calls himself a good Christian. In such a state of things, how could there be any vivid sense of the need of a Saviour, though all know something of God, and readily admit that Christ died for them. They admit it too easily, in fact; they have no idea of that resistance to sin which his death implies. Their assurance of final acceptance is universal, but it is not based upon confidence in Christ. They are the earnest devotees of one who is, to them, no less than a deity: "Mary, the Most Holy;" "Daughter of God the Father, Mother of God the Son, Spouse of God the Holy Spirit;" "the Queen of Heaven;" "the Morning Star." She is their "Advocate," "Refuge," "Saviour." She is all-compassionate. She has revealed herself especially to them—so they are taught and most firmly believe—and to her they come. They are earnest to defend the dogma of her utter sinlessness, and would make it their battle-cry; but that dogma works no desire for personal holiness in themselves. They believe her to be their mother in a special sense, and, practically, if not in theory, they attribute to her both the disposition and the power to save them in their sins. In the worship of the creature, the Creator is well-nigh lost sight of. His infinite love, his holy will and redeeming sacrifice, are hidden by the forms of a system that appeals strongly to the natural man, and so completely hidden that exceedingly few discover them.—Henry M. Bissell, in Advance.