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Church is far…reaching in her plans and modes of operation。 She is employing
every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation
for a fierce and determined
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conflict to regain control of the world； to re…establish persecution； and to
undo all that Protestantism has done。 Catholicism is gaining ground upon
every side。 See the increasing number of her churches and chapels in
Protestant countries。 Look at the popularity of her colleges and seminaries
in America； so widely patronized by Protestants。 Look at the growth of
ritualism in England and the frequent defections to the ranks of the
Catholics。 These things should awaken the anxiety of all who prize the pure
principles of the gospel。
Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery； they have made
compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see
and fail to understand。 Men are closing their eyes to the real character of
Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy。 The people
need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to
civil and religious liberty。
Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that
its worship is a dull； meaningless round of ceremony。 Here they mistake。
While Romanism is based upon deception； it is not a coarse and clumsy
imposture。 The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive
ceremonial。 Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of
the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience。 The eye is
charmed。 Magnificent churches； imposing processions； golden altars； jeweled
shrines； choice paintings； and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of
beauty。 The ear also is captivated。 The music is unsurpassed。 The rich notes
of the deep…toned organ； blending with the melody of many voices as it
swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals；
cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence。
This outward splendor； pomp； and ceremony； that only mocks the longings of
the sin…sick soul； is an evidence of inward corruption。 The religion of
Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it。 In the light shining from
the cross； true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no
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external decorations can enhance its true worth。 It is the beauty of
holiness； a meek and quiet spirit； which is of value with God。
Brilliancy of style is not necessarily an index of pure； elevated thought。
High conceptions of art； delicate refinement of taste； often exist in minds
that are earthly and sensual。 They are often employed by Satan to lead men
to forget the necessities of the soul； to lose sight of the future； immortal
life； to turn away from their infinite Helper； and to live for this world
alone。
A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart。 The pomp and
ceremony of the Catholic worship has a seductive； bewitching power； by which
many are deceived； and they come to look upon the Roman Church as the very
gate of heaven。 None but those who have planted their feet firmly upon the
foundation of truth； and whose hearts are renewed by the Spirit of God； are
proof against her influence。 Thousands who have not an experimental
knowledge of Christ will be led to accept the forms of godliness without the
power。 Such a religion is just what the multitudes desire。
The church's claim to the right to pardon leads the Romanist to feel at
liberty to sin； and the ordinance of confession； without which her pardon is
not granted； tends also to give license to evil。 He who kneels before fallen
man； and opens in confession the secret thoughts and imaginations of his
heart； is debasing his manhood and degrading every noble instinct of his
soul。 In unfolding the sins of his life to a priest；an erring； sinful
mortal； and too often corrupted with wine and licentiousness；his standard
of character is lowered； and he is defiled in consequence。 His thought of
God is degraded to the likeness of fallen humanity； for the priest stands as
a representative of God。 This degrading confession of man to man is the
secret spring from which has flowed much of the evil that is defiling the
world and fitting it for the final destruction。 Yet to him who loves
self…indulgence；
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it is more pleasing to confess to a fellow mortal than to open the soul to
God。 It is more palatable to human nature to do penance than to renounce
sin； it is easier to mortify the flesh by sackcloth and nettles and galling
chains than to crucify fleshly lusts。 Heavy is the yoke which the carnal
heart is willing to bear rather than bow to the yoke of Christ。
There is a striking similarity between the Church of Rome and the Jewish
Church at the time of Christ's first advent。 While the Jews secretly
trampled upon every principle of the law of God； they were outwardly
rigorous in the observance of its precepts； loading it down with exactions
and traditions that made obedience painful and burdensome。 As the Jews
professed to revere the law； so do Romanists claim to reverence the cross。
They exalt the symbol of Christ's sufferings； while in their lives they deny
Him whom it represents。
Papists place crosses upon their churches； upon their altars； and upon their
garments。 Everywhere is seen the insignia of the cross。 Everywhere it is
outwardly honored and exalted。 But the teachings of Christ are buried
beneath a mass of senseless traditions； false interpretations； and rigorous
exactions。 The Saviour's words concerning the bigoted Jews； apply with still
greater force to the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church： 〃They bind heavy
burdens and grievous to be borne； and lay them on men's shoulders； but they
themselves will not move them with one of their fingers。〃 Matthew 23：4。
Conscientious souls are kept in constant terror fearing the wrath of an
offended God； while many of the dignitaries of the church are living in
luxury and sensual pleasure。
The worship of images and relics； the invocation of saints； and the
exaltation of the pope are devices of Satan to attract the minds of the
people from God and from His Son。 To accomplish their ruin； he endeavors to
turn their attention from Him through whom alone they can find salvation。 He
will direct them to any object that can be substituted for the One who has
said： 〃Come unto Me； all ye that labor and
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are heavy…laden； and I will give you rest。〃 Matthew 11：28。
It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character of God； the
nature of sin； and the real issues at stake in the great controversy。 His
sophistry lessens the obligation of the divine law and gives men license to
sin。 At the same time he causes them to cherish false conceptions of God so
that they regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love。 The cruelty
inherent in his own character is attributed to the Creator； it is embodied
in systems of religion and expressed in modes of worship。 Thus the minds of
men are blinded； and Satan secures them as his a