The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

;SG6OF THE WORSHIPPING OF SAINTS.our homage altogether from God, and, under an affectationof humility, to banish us for ever from the throneof God'sgrace, and sink us in the worship of stocks and of dead men.Manifestly the popish divinities are but the resuscitationof the gods of the pagan mythology. Venus still reignsunder the titleof Mary, and Jupiter under that of Peterand so as regards the other gods and goddesses of the heathenworld ;—their names have been changed, but theirdominion is prolonged. The same festivals are kept in commemorationof them ;the same rites are celebrated in theirhonour,—slightly altered to suit the modern state of thingsand the same powers are ascribed to them. Like theirpagan predecessors, they have their shrines ; and, like themtoo, they have their assignedlimits within which they exercisejurisdiction, and their favourites and votaries over whomthey keep special guard.*Papists have been often asked to explain how it is thatthe saints in heaven are able to hear the prayers of mortalson earth. They do not affirm that the saints are either omnipotentor omniscient ; and yet, unless they are both, it isdifficult to understand how they can know what we feel, orhear what we say, at so great a distance. Thousands arecontinually praying to them in all parts of the earth;—theyhave suppliants at Rome, at New York, at Pekin : and yet,though but men and women, they are supposed to hear everyone of these petitions. The difficulty does indeed seem aformidable one ; and, though often pressed to explain it, RomanCatholics have given as yet no solution but what is utterlysubvei'sive of the idea on which the system is founded.* St Francis is the God of travellers. St Koque defends from theplague,—St Barbara, from thunder and lightning. St Anthony the Abbotdelivers from fire,—St Anthony of Padua, from water. St Bias curesdisorders of the throat. St Lucia heals all diseases of the eye. Youngwomen who wish to enter wedlock choose St Nicholas as their patron ;while St Ramon protects them in pregnancy, and St Lazaro assists them inlabour. St Paloniae preserves the teeth. St Domingo cures fever. (SeeMiddleton's Letter from Rome : Townscnd's Travels in Spain.)