RELIGION IN FRANCE FROM A CATHOLIC OUTLOOK.
By Editor
FRANCOIS COPPEE, in the Catholic News, declares that "the spirit of persecution" is manifest against the Catholic Church, especially some of her organizations; that— "there is one organization, however, which is not only recognized but patronized by the governments. Freemasonry, which, according to French law, is not only illegal, but also a secret one, is treated with monstrous favor. It must be conceded that Freemasonry constitutes an occult mighty power, which has succeeded in gaining control over a vast majority of the legislators and the members of the government. This order has an all-powerful sway over the internal and external affairs of France, and its orders are executed with marvelous fidelity;" "the sectarians of the present ministry, who, strange to say, display a remarkable tolerance toward the synagogue and the Protestant temples, have determined to wage a relentless war against the Catholic Church, and to reopen an era of persecution of the priests and monks;" "we are on the eve of witnessing a repetition of the odious scenes during the reign of Jules Ferry. They will pick the locks of the convent portals; they will storm the asylums of peace and prayer; and they will order their henchmen to throw holy maidens and pious old men out on the street;" that there is now to be seen, instead of the glorious future predicted— "a people blood-red in vice, dying in misery and unbelief. The threshold of the promised golden era teems with corruption and wretchedness. And this golden era is to be preceded by a stupid attack on innocent monks and pure religious souls!" We have no other remark to make than this, which we pen in sadness. All this is but the ripened fruit of the Papacy, or the horrible revolt of ignorance against that system.