there be any truth in the assertion that the blessed Virgin Mary was immaculate, does any one suppose that it would never, till this time, have been an established fact in the Catholic Church-especially since she claims to be infallible were it a matter of any importance? Yea, is there any one who, after considering the matter, can suppose, for a moment, that it was only to discuss such a question as this, and make an unscriptural assertion to the world, that this great Council was convened?

Protestants, be not deceived! The Church of Rome has in view something more dear to her heart than a concern for the manner of the Virgin's conception. The establishment of popery on the ruins of Protestantism is what they have at heart. Had we not better be looking into the matter, and prepare to stand firm in the defense of truth? Our enemy, the pope, is powerful; he has legions that are ready to do his bidding, whatever it may be. But, Protestants, we too, are powerful, if we will only make use of the means which God has placed within our reach. Let us not with a blind, superstitious faith, trust that God will avenge us of our adversaries, without a firm, decided action on our part; neither let us trust

alone in an arm of flesh, for if we do, we will most assuredly fall. Christian Protestants, awake to your duty!

Do you not believe the Bible is the revealed Word of God? And is not God able to perform whatsoever things he hath therein declared? Is it not written, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much?" And are not Christians commanded to pray for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty? Christians, can you discharge your duty without earnestly praying for those who are in authority in the Catholic Church, that we may live in peace and quietness with them?

Ministers of Christ, are you doing your duty in this respect? Have you counseled your charges to pray for those crafty men, who, if they had the power they are aiming after, would soon bring us into a state of heathenish darkness, and cause us, as humble suppliants, to prostrate ourselves before them? Who can tell what the result would be if all the true worshipers of God would, Jacob-like, wrestle in mighty prayer for a glorious meeting with those who are plotting our destruction. Let all who desire to live at peace with all men, and to see the cause of Christ

gloriously advancing, pray, earnestly pray, for God's special blessing to rest upon the pope and bishops of the Catholic Church.

Christian Catholics, cannot you join with us in raising our united hearts and voices in addressing the throne of Heaven with the following prayer?

O!

Almighty God, who knowest the hearts of all men, grant, we humbly beseech thee, to hear our prayers for the pope and bishops of the Catholic Church. Grant, we pray thee, to show unto each one of them their condition before thee; and, if in any of their actions they have done aught that is contrary to thy holy will, may they be led heartily to repent for the same. forbid that the precious blood of thy dear Son, our Saviour, shall have been poured out in vain for the washing away of all their sins; but may they be washed and made pure, as thou art pure. Grant to richly pour thy Holy Spirit into their hearts, to direct them in the ways of truth and righteousness. O! help them in all their future actions to have an eye single to thy glory, and to set a pure and holy example over those whose souls they watch as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief. Help them, we pray thee, to labor faithfully

and effectually in thy vineyard, and may they be instrumental in thy hands in leading many precious souls to Christ. O! thou most High and Holy One, who inhabitest eternity, deign to hear these our humble petitions, and answer them to the joy of our souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHAPTER IX.

Consideration like an angel came,

And whipp'd the offending Adam out of him,

Leaving his body as a paradise,

To envelope and contain celestial spirits.-SHAKSPEARE.

KIND READERS, I have, with the speed of modern improvement, conducted you through a long, and, I trust, pleasant jaunt, down the swift-flowing stream of time. We started, you recollect, at the first station on our line, which connects with the old track, at a point about four thousand years this side where Adam first commenced operations at the garden of Eden. And now, in order that you may receive the greatest possible benefit from this ride, it is necessary that you reflect on the passing events which we observed on the right hand and on the left. To some of you, I am aware, the trip might have been rendered more agreeable had we traveled more slowly, and given further time for observation by the way. But you know, as a general thing, that people now a days prefer riding on the lightning train, and that but very few will