Civilization and religion.  But, whatever may be the preparatory incidents of that great impending intellectual crisis which Christendom must soon inevitably witness, of this we may rest assured, that the silent secession from the public faith, which in so ominous a manner characterizes the present generation, will find at length political expression.  It is not without significance that France reenforces the ultramontane tendencies of her lower population, by the promotion of pilgrimages, the perpetration of miracles, the exhibition of celestial apparitions.  Constrained to do this by her destiny, she does it with a blush.  It is not without significance that Germany resolves to rid herself of the incubus of a dual government, by the exclusion of the Italian element, and to carry to its completion that Reformation which three centuries ago she left unfinished.  The time approaches when men must take their choice between quiescent, immobile faith and ever-advancing Science—­faith, with its mediaeval consolations, Science, which is incessantly scattering its material blessings in the pathway of life, elevating the lot of man in this world, and unifying the human race.  Its triumphs are solid and enduring.  But the glory which Catholicism might gain from a conflict with material ideas is at the best only like that of other celestial meteors when they touch the atmosphere of the earth—­transitory and useless.

Though Guizot’s affirmation that the Church has always sided with despotism is only too true, it must be remembered that in the policy she follows there is much of political necessity.  She is urged on by the pressure of nineteen centuries.  But, if the irresistible indicates itself in her action, the inevitable manifests itself in her life.  For it is with the papacy as with a man.  It has passed through the struggles of infancy, it has displayed the energies of maturity, and, its work completed, it must sink into the feebleness and querulousness of old age.  Its youth can never be renewed.  The influence of its souvenirs alone will remain.  As pagan Rome threw her departing shadow over the empire and tinctured all its thoughts, so Christian Rome casts her parting shadow over Europe.

Inadmissible claims of catholicism.  Will modern civilization consent to abandon the career of advancement which has given it so much power and happiness?  Will it consent to retrace its steps to the semi-barbarian ignorance and superstition of the middle ages?  Will it submit to the dictation of a power, which, claiming divine authority, can present no adequate credentials of its office; a power which kept Europe in a stagnant condition for many centuries, ferociously suppressing by the stake and the sword every attempt at progress; a power that is founded in a cloud of mysteries; that sets itself above reason and common-sense; that loudly proclaims the hatred it entertains against liberty of thought