Earlier text: THE ROOSEVELT MEETING.MONTHLY MEETING AT GREENWOOD.
By Henry F. Phelps
This meeting has just passed, and it has been one of interest, and we trust, profit to all. Bro. Pierce made us glad by his presence; but this was not all. We were made glad by the presence of the good Spirit of God, aiding us in his worship. In the forenoon Bro. P. spoke from 1 Jno. v. 1–5. Many points of interest were brought out in this discourse, the following being prominent: 1. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” The original word which is here rendered “born” has two significations, “born” and “begotten.” It should here be rendered “begotten.” Not that the Christian is “born again” in this world; he is only begotten here by the Father, and is in embryo, till the resurrection, when he is “born of the Spirit.” With this agrees the latter clause of the verse: “And every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.” And as a clue to the idea as to when a child of God is born again, we were cited to Matt. xix, 28. “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Jno. iii, Jesus in conversation with Nicodemus, says: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again (from above, margin) he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And again, “Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit.” &c. “That which is flesh is flesh, and that which is Spirit is Spirit.” “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” In this life we are quickened by the blood; the life is in the blood. In the next we are quickened by the Spirit; the life is in the Spirit. When we are born again, we are as the wind, can go and come unperceived by mortal eyes, even as those who came out of their graves “at his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared unto many.” 2. We were showed what it was to love God and keep his commandments. We were once, as we supposed, keeping the whole law. We were looking at the letter of the law. But as we come along down, we seem to get hold of the spirit of the law, we find the commandment “to be exceeding broad,” it comprehends more than we at first thought. For example, take the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” We find we can make a god of our appetite, and by thus doing bring on disease and death, and be found guilty of breaking the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” 3. We were shown what it is to “overcome the world.” “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” The afternoon was mostly a social meeting. Cheering testimonies were given. In the evening a few met to look into and settle difficulties that stood in the way of some. An effort was made, and after some time was spent, it seemed that there was a wide difference still. At this point a season of prayer was proposed, in which all took part. The good Spirit descended. We had a good time. The good work began, and after prayer, the feelings of those concerned began to give way; and soon there was such a yielding of opinions, sacrifice of feelings, and weeping, as is seldom seen. Our hearts all run together in brotherly love, thus proving that where enough of the Spirit of God is labored for and obtained, difficulties, however formidable they may appear, will soon vanish like smoke, especially if we have the evidence that the erring one wishes to return to his Father’s house where there is bread enough and to spare. Altogether this was an excellent meeting. Brethren, let us be faithful; press around the mercy seat; for it is by this means that the Devil may be driven back, and out, and kept from causing divisions. QUARTERLY MEETING IN WIS.
By THOMAS McDOWELL
AT a business session of the churches of Marquette and Mackford, it was voted that our Quarterly Meeting of Oct. 5, be reported through the Review. It was a meeting of interest to all present. The Lord truly met with us by virtue of his Spirit. We were reminded of one of Bro. White's texts at the Convocation Meeting in Wis.: “What think ye? that He will not come to the feast?” We felt like opening the door of our hearts, and bidding the Master a welcome in. Our prayer and conference meeting in the forenoon, was one of interest to all. A rich blessing from our kind Heavenly Father, rested down upon us, for which we feel to praise his holy name. The young were much stirred in regard to their condition, and resolved to be in that number that would have an experience in the things of God. Some plead with the older brethren to pray for them. Their earnest pleadings and confessions penetrated our hearts, and we all wept together. Truly this was a Quarterly Meeting long to be remembered on account of the presence of God. We met in the afternoon, to attend to the ordinances of the Lord's house. Very appropriate remarks were made by Bro. Baker, who administered to us the emblems of the broken body and spilt blood of our divine Lord and Master. This was another refreshing time, and as we engaged in washing the saints' feet, the smiles of our Master rested upon us while we were following the example of our Lord in this act of humility. The cause is onward in this district. Sweet union and love exist among God's people here. May the work still go on in our prayer, until we become sanctified through all the truth, and fitted up to stand when the Saviour comes. THOMAS McDOWELL. NOTHING can be more calculated to cheer believers in the present truth, than good tokens of spiritual prosperity, and the returning favor of the Lord. The articles from Bro. White, in this number will be read by all with the greatest interest; and all will, with us, thank God for the good report of the meetings in N. Y. and the prospect of a new growth on the part of the precious cause of truth. With us they will also pray that the Lord may still bless the labors of Bro. and Sr. W. and others, in their meetings in the East. Bro. Cornell gives a cheering report from his present field of labor in Saginaw Co., Mich. The Lord guide, that the fullest measure of precious and permanent fruit may be reaped there. The meetings in Battle Creek, still continue full of life and interest. Still remember us, brethren. A general feeling of courage seems to pervade all hearts here. For years we have not seen greater reason for hopefulness and courage in regard to the future of this work, than exists at the present moment; and we are ready to second the conviction expressed by a brother in one of our late meetings, that the cause of the third message had seen its darkest days. REPORT FROM BRO. STRATTON.
By Chas. Stratton
My last report closed with our Monthly Meeting in Portland. Our next appointment was in China, Aug. 23, in Bro. Hammond’s barn. There we had good freedom in presenting the truth. The little company of Sabbath-keepers, the Lord bless them, was encouraged, and some victory was gained for the truth. Sabbath, Aug. 31, I met with the church in Cornville. Found the brethren and sisters holding on their way. Sept. 1, met with Elds. Canright and Goodrich in the tent at Athens. The truth is taking effect in the hearts of some in this region of country. Bless the Lord! Sept. 7, I met again with the Sabbath-keepers in China. Held six meetings, preached three times, and visited eight families. Sept. 12, in company with Bro. and Sr. Barns, held a meeting on Pleasant Point in Topsham. The Lord was present to bless. The 13th, in the evening, met at the hall in Brunswick for Monthly Meeting. This was one of the largest monthly gatherings that we have had in this place, and one of decided victory on the Lord’s side. Bro. Barns gave us one of the best sermons at this meeting that I ever heard. I remained with the church a few days and visited, held meetings, and added two to the church. Four others made consecration to the Lord. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, at home, sick with the asthma. Oct. 9, took the cars to attend Monthly Meeting in Falmouth. The 10th, in company with Bro. and Sr. Barns, held a meeting on Pleasant Point in Topsham. The 11th, Sabbath evening, met in Monthly Meeting in Falmouth. Brethren and sisters from Portland, Topsham, Brunswick and Woodstock, were present. This meeting was one among the best. Brn. Barnes and Davis preached to us the word of truth. The brethren and sisters took new courage for the battle. In this place the prejudice is giving way, and, if the people will receive the truth and obey it, they may be saved. Thank God, the true church will stand out on the last message, ready for translation. Lord, let us be among them, is my prayer. CHAS. STRATTON. Cornville, Oct. 22, 1867. INFLUENCE OF KIND WORDS.
By Phebe A. Foster
Oh! the power of kind words! Volume upon volume might be written upon this subject and still the half could not be told. Naught but the records of eternity can show the good a kind word has done for many a poor sin-sick traveler in this vale of tears. How many a wandering soul has been preserved from the abyss of ruin to which he was fast hastening, and his feet turned into the highway of life eternal, by a few gentle encouraging words. Truly, “Kind words can never die.” They sink deep into the heart, and time cannot blot out the grateful remembrance of them, especially when spoken to cheer some poor mourner’s bleeding, stricken heart. How different from the soft melody of gentle words, are the jarring notes of censure. While a pleasant word has power to create love and sunshine in the hardest heart, a harsh word will go home to the heart like the poisoned arrow of the savage Indian, gendering strife and hatred, and sometimes urging to an act of desperation. Would you a wanderer reclaim, and bring him back from the paths of sin and folly in which he has been groping? Then, “Speak not to him a bitter word.” For is it not enough that innocence and peace are gone without thy censure? “It surely is a weary lot,
That sin-crushed heart must bear,
And those who share a happier fate
Their chiding well may spare. “Speak kindly to the erring,
Thou yet may’st lead him back,
With holy words and tears of love,
From misery’s thorny track. “Forget not thou hast often sinned,
And sinful yet may be;
Deal gently with the erring one,
As God hath dealt with thee.” Wash. Co., N. Y. PHEBE A. FOSTER, THE process of reclaiming a piece of wild land, is, as every one who has had experience knows, not the work of a moment, but, it may be, of many years of patient labor. The slow and tedious progress of underbrushing, felling and chopping up the timber, logging, fencing, plowing, harrowing and seeding, must all be gone through with; and often the crop returns are not adequate to the expenses incurred. For many years after the unsightly stumps remain; and after the patient husbandman thinks he has got rid of them all, his plow comes in contact with those hidden beneath the surface of the soil. And so it is with the human heart. Overgrown with a rank production of nature's own deceitful, wicked plants, the Spirit of God begins the purifying work. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. And then the stumps must be got rid of. “He breaks the power of cancelled sin.” —The latest dispatches from Florence throw some doubt on the reported end of the revolution. It is stated that the Italian reply to the French ultimatum has not yet been given, that Menotti Garibaldi is still in the field, and that Gen. Garibaldi has once more escaped from Caprera. We fear, however, that the French accounts of the submission of Victor Emanuel to Louis Napoleon will be found to be substantially correct. They are confirmed by the report that Ratazzi has resigned and has been succeeded by Gen. Menabrea, who, more than any other prominent statesman of Italy, represents the interests of the Temporal Power.—N. Y. Tribune. —THE particulars of the recent storm on the Texan frontier prove it to have been a most appalling one. Twenty-six persons were killed at Matamoras, and ten killed and one wounded at Brownsville. In other places the loss of life is not known. Great distress prevails, 1,500 houses having been blown down at Matamoras. The jail at Brownsville was destroyed and all the prisoners liberated. The Roman Revolution.—The threats of France have obtained the desired object. The Italian Government, after hesitating a while whether to stand up firmly for the outraged honor of the nation, or cowardly to acknowledge the supremacy of France, has chosen the latter course. It has given to Louis Napoleon positive pledges that the people of the Papal States shall be kept subject to the Temporal Power, though they should unanimously protest against it; that the Italian unity shall not be consummated, and all the commands of France shall be faithfully executed. Thus the hopes of the patriots have for the present been dashed to pieces, and, finding it impossible to continue their present enterprise in view of the unlooked-for attitude of the Government, the insurgent forces have evacuated the Papal territory. For the present the Roman revolution seems to be at an end, but the idea of establishing the national unity of Italy is not on that account abandoned. We shall soon hear of another plan of campaign. The present Government has cruelly disappointed the Party of Action. Garibaldi and his friends thought that the Government, in its servility toward France, would not do more than required to do by the September Convention, and that, in the case of an insurrection in the Papal States, the Government itself would observe a neutral position, and would keep off the intervention of other powers. The King and Ratazzi evidently wished to pursue precisely this course, and seem, for some time, to have seriously meditated it. But when the hour of final decision arrived, the courage of the Government failed, and the demand of France was submitted to. With such a Government, the Party of Action will probably think no headway can be made. Garibaldi, in his last proclamation, declared Ratazzi to be a disgrace to the nation. Ricciotti Garibaldi, the second son of the Liberator, in an address delivered recently to an English meeting, declared that his father made a mistake in calling Victor Emanuel the Re Galantuomo. This feeling is likely to spread. Italy wants Rome, if possible, in co-operation with the National Government; but if the National Government refuses co-operation, then in spite of it. The French Government has achieved a triumph; but there are triumphs which, if repeated, destroy the victor. The victory over the Italian Government may prove to be of this kind. Henceforth, France, instead of Austria, is the mortal enemy of the Italian people. There has already been a riot against the diplomatic representative of France in Naples, and it seems likely that other riots of the same character may follow. It can certainly not be to the advantage of France to have two nations, like Prussia and Italy, chafing under a yoke which France tries to fasten upon them. THE French fleet has sailed from Toulon to Italian waters. The French Minister has expressed the wish and the hope that peace will not be broken, and that the affairs at Rome may be adjusted without war. The world knows the value of diplomatic declarations. As the case stands at present, Italy is unable to repress the Revolutionists, who have reached the very walls of Rome, and who are in strength sufficient to overwhelm any force of the Papal Government. It is now a race between Garibaldi and the French as to which will reach Rome first. The Italian Government is disorganized. The king is embarrassed by his treaty stipulations. He is bound to protect Rome from invasion, but his army and his people all sympathize with the Revolutionists. The royal troops will not fire on their countrymen, and Garibaldi has all the volunteers he can provide for. No ministry wants to violate treaty obligations, and no one wants to oppose the will of the people. The consequence is that Victor Emanuel's Government is at a stand still—does nothing, and Garibaldi and the French will have to fight it out. There is a strong probability that the interference of France will compel the Italian Government to choose between war with Napoleon or revolution at home, and in either case the interference of other powers and a general war are within the range of probabilities. The attempt by Napoleon to uphold the temporal sovereignty of the Pope, by force, against the wishes of Italy and the rest of the Christian world, is a hopeless one. If he would use his present interference to induce the Pope to abdicate now, or at a certain day, with such guarantees as to property and spiritual freedom, he would protect the Papacy from that violence and disorder which will inevitably ensue from its overthrow by insurrection.—Chicago Tribune. STARTLING and significant is the news from Italy. Two sanguinary engagements have been fought and two decided victories won by the ardent Garibaldians. Rome is again beleaguered as in the days when Brennus encamped before the gates with his army of Gauls. The Pope has left his palace, and taken refuge in the castle or citadel of St. Angelo, which connects, by a long covered gallery, with the Vatican. His Holiness has likewise issued an encyclical letter, couched in pathetic terms, calling upon the faithful throughout Europe to witness the straits to which the Holy See is reduced. Catholic Spain responds by announcing her willingness to join in protesting the Holy Father; and Napoleon hastens the departure of the French expedition from Toulon. Some time will elapse before the fleet arrives at Civita Vecchia, which is distant 36 miles from Rome. Meanwhile Garibaldi is being hourly strengthened by recruits from the youth of Italy, and the fate of the eternal City again trembles in the balance. Within the city martial law is necessary to keep the 180,000 inhabitants in a peaceful state, while without its thirteen miles of walls a contest is being waged upon which the whole civilized world is gazing with anxious solicitude. In an article on Italy and France, the Detroit Post, in the same issue from which we take the above, further says:— The situation around Rome is rapidly precipitating the disturbed relations between France and Italy. Garibaldi in possession of Rome would be master of Italy, or at least of the Italian people. Victor Emanuel could not prevent their uprising in favor of making Rome the capital of Italy. Napoleon will have to fight a united Italy. There can be no doubt of his ability to crush it if there is to be no other combatant admitted in the fight. But Italy will not long stand alone. Interest, if not sympathy, will raise up allies. Napoleon will probably be supported by the French people, more by reason of their dislike for the Italians than their devotion to the Papacy. But Prussia will not permit such an occasion to pass unimproved, nor Russia probably refrain from another effort to solve the “Eastern question” satisfactorily to herself. The Italian government cannot be said to have violated the treaty of last September. It agreed “not to attack the actual territory of the Holy Father, and to prevent, even by force, every attack coming from the interior against the said territory.” It had nothing to do with the uprising in Rome, and it is not responsible for its inability to carry out the terms of that treaty, when its subjects will not obey it. The Italian people are ready to support the “party action.” What effect Napoleon’s interference may have upon their enthusiasm remains to be seen. If it consolidates them, Napoleon will not be able to restore the Papal power at a single blow.
Later advices show that Victor Emanuel has not courage enough to defy Napoleon. On the contrary he has issued a proclamation denouncing Garibaldi, to whom he owes his very power and authority to denounce him at all, and pronouncing Napoleon to be in the right. He will now be obliged to denounce the Italian people and lead the French forces against them, in order to give any graceful effect to his poor-spirited proclamations. Bibles at the Exposition.
The purposes and probable results of the Paris Exposition, in the advancement of the arts, have largely occupied the attention of the public press during the past season; but one feature, which possibly may prove the most beneficial of all, has not received the notice which it merits. We refer to the “Bible stand.” “As you enter the precincts of the Palace by the Porte d’Iéna, the principal door facing the Seine, turn by the first path on your right. You will see the space of ground occupied by Great Britain for its evangelical missions. At that window stands a young German; at the next, an Englishman, highly honored as the chief promoter of this Christian enterprise; at the third, a Frenchman; at the fourth, a converted Jew, whose energy and deep conviction have so greatly contributed to the success of this work; at the next, a Russian gentleman; at the other, an Italian, and at the neighboring window, a Spaniard, who for two years was the fellow-prisoner of Matamoras, and whose mission it is now to distribute the Scriptures to his own countrymen, as well as to the Portuguese. These men distribute to the hungry throng of visitors thousands of copies of the Word of God, most beautifully printed in fifteen different languages. ” “Mr. J. Alexander distributed, even before the opening of the Exhibition, more than 12,000 portions of Scriptures among the workmen employed in the construction of the building. He informed me, in answer to a question which I put to him, that nearly 2,000,000 detached books of the Bible had, since the326inauguration of the Champ de Mars Palace, been handed to the passers-by, of every nation, of every country, Cretans and Arabians, Chinese and Abyssinians, Turks and Europeans. To the Spanish Papist, as well as to the French Voltarian; to the fanatic Brahmin, as well as to the indifferent Protestant; to the Sabbath breaker, as well as to the faithful observer of Mohammedanism; to the skeptic, as well as to the religions; to the votary of pleasure; to the nun and monk, who expect to reach Heaven by reckoning the number of beads which compose their rosaries—have these little books been distributed. On Easter-day, 28,551 portions, and on Pentecost Sunday, 34,000 were given away. The incorruptible seed has been sown, in fact, broadcast this year, through every country, by these gospel ouvriers, with the full assurance that it will germinate and bring forth fruit for the great harvest-tide.” “Immense has already been the success of this work. At first, numbers of skeptical Parisians accepted the little book with a smile of contempt and mockery, or else with a feeling of surprise, thinking they were mere prospectuses, like those which are delivered on the boulevards, to make known to the passers-by to what place they ought to resort in order to obtain a first-rate coat, or a cheap dinner. Hundreds of copies were even torn, and thrown away with contempt. But this did not last long, and the people now accept with profound respect and deep thanks these little volumes. Among foreigners especially this mission has had important results. If you question some of the Christian men engaged in this work, they will inform you that those among them who have had to deal with Spaniards, Jews, and Russians, are amply satisfied with the result of their labor, and have never met with a better field for the spreading of the Gospel. A member of the imperial commission applied to the society that a copy of the Scriptures should be distributed to every concierge in Paris; a thousand copies have been sent over from England in answer to this demand. On the day of the distribution of the prizes, the men on duty who kept the line, as well as the officers in command, even broke their ranks in their eagerness to accept the Gospels distributed by the English emissary from the Bible-stand. The general in command of the troops gave them permission to receive the books, and a thousand were given among them. Seven hundred privates have daily free admittance to the Palace, and the first duty the distributor attends to is that each man should have the gospel. Priests even are constantly seen to approach the stand. A cure, belonging to a Paris church, who had received the Gospel, returned the following day, and applied for three hundred for a deaf and dumb institution of which he had the management. The poor children can neither hear nor speak, but they can read. His demand was instantly granted.” “The great ones of this world have not been neglectful of the Bible stand. The Prince of Wales, the Grand Duke Constantine, the King of Prussia, the Princess of Prussia, and the Viceroy of Egypt, have one and all paid a visit to the Bible stand, and left it taking away with them not only the Old Testament, but the Gospels in fifteen different languages. It was noticed, that, as the Viceroy drove away from the Exhibition, he was reading one of these little volumes. M. Haussman, the Prefet de la Seine, takes a great interest in the institution. The Emperor himself walked thoughtfully round the Bible kiosk, apparently amazed at the eagerness with which the people were seeking the Word of God. Hundreds of Catholic priests have with thankfulness accepted the books. On one occasion, two Roman Catholic curates came up together, and were accosted by a bigoted lady, a Papist, who spoke bitterly of the stand being a hot bed of heretical propaganda, and warned the crowd not to touch any of the little books. When she saw the priests accepting them, she expressed the utmost astonishment, and exclaimed: ‘It is a Protestant book!’ ‘No,’ observed one of the priests, ‘tis neither Protestant nor Catholic—c’est véritablement la parole de Dieu.’ ‘[It is the true Word of God.]’ That English liberality has provided the means for this enterprise is a matter of deep thanksgiving.”—London Star. But how often does the root of some cherished sin obstruct the free intercourse of the Spirit of God. And what a stinted crop is often returned to the Lord of the harvest. Christian brother, sister, beware lest thy heart be an accursed field. Sinner, the god of this world, or thine own selfishness, may lead thee to clear thy heart of that which by men is called morally wrong, but the roots of thy sins, like stumps of the pitch-pine, will not be broken as long as you live, and at last your field will be rejected, and yourself consigned to perdition. Flee to Jesus now. Delay may be fatal. Fashionable Intelligence.
Fall Opening in the Churches of the Metropolis.—We have given in the Herald the opening of the fall seasons among the milliners and theatres, and now a similar opening in the fashionable churches claims our attention. The fall programmes of these churches will serve as an interesting supplement to our amusement column. The pastors have been training all summer at the watering places for the great contest between them and Satan this winter. But while our worthy parsons have been away from their flocks the arch enemy has been at work in terrible earnest and pipe-laying for the coming campaign. He has been stirring up the muscle of the metropolis and preparing them a la Morrissey as candidate for Congress, the qualifications of which, he announces, are to be a light or heavy weight champion of the prize ring. His Infernal Majesty has been also caucussing with some of the theatrical managers with a view towards shortening the dresses of the ballet dancers, and thereby rendering Black Crook exhibitions more attractive than ever. Hence it will require all the skill and energy of our clergymen to combat the cloven-hoofed champion this winter. There used to be, eighteen hundred years ago, a dozen poor fishermen in Galilee, who went forth as apostles to the whole world, and their divine Master said to them: “Take nothing for your journey; neither staves nor scrip, neither bread nor money; neither have two coats apiece.” The pastors of our fashionable churches sadly neglect this command at the present day. Fine lawn and broadcloth, a head done up in the latest style of the fashionable hair-dresser, a handsome salary, fat horses, and an elegant establishment, are a few of the distinguishing characteristics of some of the apostles of the nineteenth century. The churches are so many mirrors of fashion, and the latest styles of bonnets, cloaks and dresses adorn the pews. By the way, why not call these pews, boxes and dress circles, as there are reserved seats in each, and the audience is mainly made up of people who go to church to see and be seen? We know not yet of any definite changes in the programmes of the managers of the churches, but doubtless they have plenty of religious novelties on hand. The grand opening of the churches took place in this city and Brooklyn before crowded audiences. Even the steps of the pulpits were invaded by crinolined and chignoned worshippers, and the blooming faces of the preachers were received with delight by the various audiences. There will be, probably, many debuts made in the pulpit this season and the ladies are already making extensive preparations in the way of bouquets and slippers for the expected aspirants to ministerial honors. We wonder very much what one of those earnest, devoted apostles of the olden time would say if he were to visit a fashionable gospel establishment of the present day ostensibly devoted to the worship of God. The wrath of Moses, when he came down from the mountain with the Commandments and found the Israelites dancing around the golden calf, would be a mild comparison with the spectacle of the wrath of the evangelist.—N. Y. Herald. The Pope and the Roman Catholic Monarchs.
THE hopes which have been raised by the new effort of the Italian people to shake off the temporal power of the Pope, seem, for the present, to be doomed to disappointment. The King of Italy has submitted to the dictation of Louis Napoleon, and given new pledges that he will carry out the September Convention in the sense which Napoleon understands it, by not only refraining from any attack upon the Papal territory, but by preventing the overthrow of the temporal power through the subjects of the Pope. Such an attitude of the Italian Government makes it, of course, impossible for the insurgents to continue their operations, and they therefore, have laid down, or soon will lay down, their arms. Thus, it seems that the temporal power has, for the present, been saved from the destruction which appeared to be so imminent. But it has had a narrow escape. The Pope himself, his advisers, and his most fanatical partisans, are fully aware that but for the intervention of Louis Napoleon, the downfall of the temporal power would have been not only certain but instantaneous. Even with the continuance of the strictest neutrality on the part of Italy, the success of the revolution was universally regarded as certain until the moment when the determination of France, to uphold the temporal power at all hazards, was announced. Nothing else could have saved it, for no other Roman Catholic prince had either the power or the mind to do what Louis Napoleon has done. Thus, the very existence of the temporal power depends on the disposition of one prince. “Trust in princes” is generally supposed not to have a very solid foundation, and it is not likely to turn out differently in the present case. Louis Napoleon patronizes the temporal establishment of the Pope, not from any religious attachment to the cause, but from considerations entirely political. He has himself urged upon the Pope reforms of administration, which in Rome are considered contrary to the true spirit of the Church. The legislation on Church affairs in France frequently collides with the demands of the Pope and of the ultramontane party. With the death of Napoleon, the protection of the Papacy by France may altogether cease. The Roman policy of the Government is not only opposed by the entire Liberal party, but by a large portion of the Napoleonic party; and Prince Napoleon, (who, if the only son of Louis Napoleon should die before his father—as, from his sickly constitution, it is generally expected he will—will succeed to the throne), is known for his thorough hatred of the temporal power. The chief support of the Papacy may, therefore, be taken away at any time. The Pope can expect no aid from any of the other Catholic princes of Europe. Austria, which from 1855 and until recently has been the zealous champion of the temporal claims of the Popes, is now returning to the liberal legislation of Joseph II. The Parliament of Vienna and that of Hungary have almost unanimously declared against the Concordat of 1855, which gave to the Church of Rome an extensive influence upon State affairs; the Emperor has formed a ministry, of which the leading opponents of the Concordat are members, and more recently has publicly censured the bishops who, at a meeting held at Vienna, passed resolutions in favor of the Concordat. Whatever the personal opinion of the Emperor may be, he finds it necessary to withdraw all support from the secular authority of the Pope. It is not likely that this policy will be changed, as the Austrian Government is too weak to risk another conflict with the unanimous opinion of the Austrian people. The King of Italy has been at open war with the Pope ever since the annexation of part of the Papal dominion to Italy, in 1859. He has thereby incurred the censures of the Church, and but recently has drawn forth a new thunderbolt from the Pope by sanctioning the law for the confiscation of the Church property. The very existence of the kingdom of Italy must cease before peace can be re-established between the family occupying the Italian throne and the Pope. The Queen of Spain is the most fanatical supporter of the Papal power among the Roman Catholic monarchs. But her offer to aid in the support of the temporal power excites only ridicule, for the throne of Queen Isabella is fully as insecure as that of the Holy Father himself. All the other Roman Catholic princes of Europe are too insignificant to be of any service to the Pope. The kings of Belgium, Portugal, and Bavaria are all bound by liberal institutions, and the two latter are regarded as being personally opposed to the ultramontane party. The King of Saxony is entirely powerless, as he rules over a country almost wholly Protestant. Thus it is by no means probable that the Papacy can much longer depend on any support from the Roman Catholic princes. Still more unfavorable are its prospects when we look at the sentiments of the Roman Catholic nations of the world. These we intend to review briefly in another article.—Methodist.