The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

laborers, all had received the infection. The
professors of the reformed religion outnumbered
the Catholics by five or six to one. On Sunday and
other holidays, during the hours of service,
Tournay was literally emptied of its inhabitants.
The streets were as silent as if war or pestilence
had swept the place. The duchess sent orders, but
she sent no troops. The train bands of the city, the
crossbowmen of St. Maurice, the archers of St.
Sebastian, the sword-players of St. Christopher,
could not be ordered from Tournay to suppress the
preaching, for they had all gone to the preaching
themselves. How idle, therefore, to send
peremptory orders without a matchlock to enforce
the command!
“Throughout Flanders similar scenes were
enacted. The meetings were encampments, for the
reformers now came to their religious services
armed to the teeth, determined, if banished from
the churches, to defend their right to the field.
Barricades of upturned wagons, branches, and
planks were thrown up around the camp. Strong
guards of mounted men were stationed at every
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