silver, and the stone ceased to be stone, &c., and that these were actually changed into the very nature of the gods they were intended to represent. This is a climax of absurdity to which the most sublime in heathen superstition could never reach ;-an elevation adapted only to the lofty flights of your Gregories, and your Leos, and their vassals, the docile and implicit believers in their infallibility. It is indeed true that the Heathen offered bread in sacrifice to their gods; which bread was thin and round, like the Romish host. Hence Wm. du Choul, one of the French King's council, wrote a treatise of the religion of the ancient Romans, printed at Lyons, in the year 1556, wherein, among other points of conformity between ancient and modern (that is, between Pagan and Papal) Rome, he observes that the old Romans eat standing in their temples, (as the Popish Priests do still,) and made use of little round breads or cakes, like those that are used at the Lord's supper, on Holy Thursday, in the great church at Lyons."

Patrick. I most sincerely thank you for the information you have given, and for the patience and forbearance you exercised towards me when

See a work, entitled "The Popish Mass," by Andrew Meaghar, formerly a Popish Priest, but now a Protestant Minister in Ireland: a work which connects Popery in its most prominent features with Paganism.

my zeal for transubstantiation had nearly got the better of my prudence. I hope you will pardon it; for though at one time I could freely have consigned you to the flames, yet now I feel nothing but gratitude both to God and you. I had a zeal, but it was without knowledge. Our conversation has been long; but I have derived instruction from it, which I hope never to forget. You have fully convinced me that transubstantiation is a fable; that it was never taught by either Jesus Christ or his Apostles; that it originated with idolaters bearing the Christian name; that it is a doctrine which exceeds in absurdity any thing ever known in any of the most superstitious heathen nations of the world, whether ancient or modern; and that the worship of the consecrated wafer is rank idolatry, and a mere imitation of heathen sacrifices of bread.

John. I rejoice, Patrick, at being made the instrument of delivering you from so great an evil. Popery is an awful corruption of Christianity, and the great enemy of God. It substitutes the most senseless, and childish, and ridiculous, and heathenish forms and ceremonies in place of the simple and spiritual worship of Jehovah. Avoid her worship, Patrick, as you would that of a heathen temple. Come out of her, be not a partaker of any of her abominations, lest ye also be a partaker of her

plagues. The Lord give you understanding in all things. Farewell.

Patrick. Farewell; and may the blessing of him who was ready to perish come upon you!

DIALOGUE III.

ON ANGEL, SAINT, AND IMAGE WORSHIP.

Luke and Demetrius.

Luke. Good morning, Demetrius. You seem pensive and dejected: were it not from a fear of being too obtrusive, I should like to know what is the cause,-whether it is bodily or mental, personal or domestic, civil or religious? I should like to know, not to satisfy an idle curiosity, but that I might at least sympathize with you, and, if possible, assist you.

Demetrius. I thank you for your kindness, Sir. I acknowledge that I have for some time been much depressed, as well I may; for my trade has been on the decline for several years, and is becoming worse and worse every day. Luke. What trade do you follow, Demetrius?

Demetrius. I am a maker of images.

Luke. Such images as travelling Italians sell?

Demetrius. Not exactly so. They make theirs of plaster, or chalk, or some such things; whereas mine are made, some of wood, some of ivory or bone, some of brass, and a few of silver. Besides, their images are merely for ornament, but mine are for use,—a sacred use : theirs are to adorn a chimney-piece, but mine are for the closet or the chapel, before which the faithful kneel and worship. In addition to which I might add, their images are the images, chiefly, of Kings, and poets, and philosophers, and heroes, and statesmen; whereas those which I make are the images of saints, and angels, and Jesus, and the blessed Virgin.

Luke. And does your trade really decline? Demetrius. So much so that I have had serious thoughts of giving it up, and turning my attention to something else.

Luke. Can you conjecture to what cause its decline is traceable?

Demetrius. The cause is obvious. Formerly the faithful were generally uneducated; but now they, at least many of them, are taught to read: formerly they were ignorant of the Bible; but now, through the infernal zeal of Bible-Society men, many of them are the daily readers of that most dangerous book: and formerly they went to mass only; but now, in spite of all the