they reverently kissed his foot. A collection was then taken up among the cardinals for their benefit, and the whole ceremony was thus ended. The pope was again put into his chair, and borne on the shoulders of his attendants to his carriage. The streets were filled with carriages, and soldiers, and merry crowds; the air rung with noise and the sound of martial music; every window and balcony was crowded with idle spectators. This is the way in which the pope keeps the sabbath; these are the means he takes to save the thousands that people his territory. Oh what a religion Popery is! I went home sick and sorrowful. I felt as though, in being present at such a scene, I had helped to desecrate the sabbath. I can never feel thankful enough that I was born in a Protestant land. Our country men do not appreciate the religious privileges they enjoy."

The services in which the pope is engaged are strongly marked with superstition. In addition to proofs already given, he consecrates many articles, called Agnus Deiimages of a lamb impressed on virgin wax mixed with balsam and oil-as sacred amulets, the first year of his pontificate; and afterwards on every seventh year, on the Saturday before Low Sunday, with many ceremonies and prayers. The following description of these charms is from one of the devotional works of the

Papists:-"The spiritual efficacy or virtue of the Agnus Dei, is gathered from the prayer that the church makes use of in the blessing of it: which is to preserve him who carries an Agnus Dei, or any particle of it, about him, from any attempts of his spiritual or temporal enemies, from the dangers of fire, of water, of storms and tempests, of thunder and lightning, and from a sudden and unprovided death. It puts the devils to flight, succours women, takes away the stains of past sins, and furnishes us with new grace for the future, that we may be preserved from all adversities and perils, in life and death, through the cross and merits of the Lamb, who redeemed and washed us in his blood." Such a statement is truly astounding. What says the Bible? That all temporal and spiritual safety and deliverance come from God alone. What says the Romish church? That they are owing to a consecrated piece of wax! What a combination is here of absurdity and impiety.

In the services of the last week of Lent, as celebrated at Rome, the pope is peculiarly conspicuous. The principal function takes place on Palm Sunday, in the papal chapel, commonly called the Sistine, and consists of the mass. It differs from the service of any other Sunday, in the blessing and distributing palm or olive branches, as a commemoration of Christ's entrance