A TOURIST in Belgium is inevitably attracted to its churches. Here he finds the masterpieces of painting and carving, enshrined in structures the noblest that Christendom can boast. However intent on making acquaintance with these wonderful productions of human genius, he soon becomes aware that the vast cathedrals which contain them, with all their adornments of image, picture, and marble, are intimately allied with the life of the people. They are not, like the abbey churches and minsters of England, memorials of the past-the beautiful but forsaken shell of a religious faith that clothed itself with these gorgeous structures as its natural home. The ghosts of a dead time do not, as here, wander among the pillared aisles and cloistered recesses, nor do the echoes of those vaulted fanes protest against galvanized forms of worship such as our mediævalists practise, as if they could raise the defunct worshippers from their damp and chilly crypts. The temples of Belgium are warmed with the presence of living worshippers, are fragrant with ever-ascending incense. Prayer and praise, and unceasing homage to the deities that dwell there, fill the aisles and arches with perpetual music. Day

VOL. LXV.

and night those altars are served, and the most rapid traveller cannot but be made to feel that the Romanism of Belgium is a living, active, pervasive force, guiding, moulding, and controlling the religious sympathies of multitudes, and leading them with watchful care into the ways that priestly ambition, desire, or religiousness may dictate.

It was a bright sunny day that I spent in Antwerp, the atmosphere clear as crystal, bringing out in wonderful distinctness the sculptured tracery of its marvellous and lofty spire, and colouring with beauty the old pointed roofs and grotesque gables of the houses of the ancient town. It was the day of the Fete Dieu-the greatest of days in the Roman calendar-and the streets were early alive with the crowds. hastening to the cathedral for high mass, and to assist in the ceremonies of the day. For once I might see Romanism garbed in its most gorgeous array, and I hastened to find a place in the choir of the vast edifice.

I entered at the door beneath the tower. Before me was spread out the grand nave, with many rows of lofty pillars on each side, bearing on their summits the pointed arches, over which, in long lines of light,

43

were windows of stained glass, shedding their soft brilliance in waving lines and points of colour upon the thousands of people on the pavement below. Some twenty thousand persons were soon gathered in that vast area, some kneeling and muttering (to me) unintelligible words, as they rapidly passed on the thread the beads of the rosaries they held. Others were bowing in rapt devotion before the tinselled images of the Virgin on the numerous altars, or were lying prostrate before a huge cross, on which, the size of life, was a figure of the crucified Christ. Still more were walking about, and chatting with the many acquaintances the festival had brought together.

At last the organ pealed forth its noble harmonies. Every eye was directed to the sanctuary. Priests in white robes, almost hidden under gorgeous vestments of purple, and silver, and gold, in long procession emerged from the vestry, and amid the solemn silence of the people and the sweet melodies of the choir, with many prostrations, took their places before and around the altar.

The Fete Dieu is a feast instituted in honour of the Holy Eucharist. It is said to have been first observed at Liege, another city of Belgium, about the year 1240, in consequence of certain visions beheld by three nuns, in one of which the Father of Heaven was seen surrounded by angels, and the spirits of the blessed entreating Him to decree its observance. Pope Urban IV. was at that time archdeacon of Liege, and, believing the tales of the nuns, established the feast. On arriving at the pontificate, he made the observance perpetual throughout the Catholic world. Hence the festival is celebrated with the utmost pomp. A Roman authority assures us, that the errors of Protestants have only had

the effect of making Catholics "augment the glory of this solemnity." Therefore was high mass performed with all the splendour that music and showy decorations could give.

Mass concluded, the nave speedily filled with monks, friars, and priests. Many of the citizens also clothed themselves in surplices. Some bore tall lighted tapers; others, lamps of gold or silver, with wax candles burning in them. Banners of purple and gold, glittering with jewels, and ornamented with rich devices and curious patterns, were interspersed. A canopy of cloth of gold, supported by four pole bearers, was brought out, and was immediately surrounded by many priests in surplices. The procession gradually fell into order, and then the holy wafer, in its golden monstrance incrusted with diamonds, was taken from the altar, and reverently borne by the celebrating priest beneath the canopy.

Amid the melodies of the organ and the chanting of the priests, the procession began to move. First it traversed the aisles of the cathedral, then it went forth into the street. A large gilt crucifix led the way, followed by long lines of surpliced attendants, with lighted tapers and lamps. Next came the chanting priests, whose unisons were toned by the trombone at their head. Last of all appeared the holy wafer with its gorgeous canopy.

I left the cathedral by a side door; and not caring to traverse the streets with the procession, I hastened to the Place de Meir. This street, or square, is a large open space, becoming narrow at some distance down. In the narrow part a small stage had been erected, ascended by a carpeted flight of steps. At the top, on a pedestal, was a seated image of the Virgin, crowned with stars, under a rich pavilion of banners and tapes

try. Fragrant flowers lined the steps up to her feet. Crowds of people were already there awaiting the coining of the procession. An hour passed away before it came. The stillness of the crowd was occasionally broken by the chants of the priests as they were heard traversing the neighbouring streets. When the procession drew near, everyone stood on tiptoe to catch the first glimpse of its approach. Soon the banners were seen floating above the heads of the people; the voices of the chanters were louder; the trombones resounded along the houses of the street; and as the ranks of attendants neared the enthroned Virgin, they parted on each side, for the priest bearing the wafer to mount the steps.

As the priest's foot touched the lowermost step, every voice was hushed. Then, slowly mounting, the sweet tones of a hymn, sung by children's voices, arose from one side. It was a hymn to the Virgin. And now the priest stood alone before the image, within view of the vast multitude that filled the place. A small crucifix was placed at Mary's feet, and then the holy wafer elevated in her presence. Amid the smoke of insence, the priest chanted a few prayers, often bowing the knee. Then, with the golden vessel in his hand, the priest turned to the people, and as he lifted the consecrated wafer on high, every head was uncovered, every knee bent, and many thousands of people worshipped the god their own hands had made. This done, the priest descended, the canopy moved on, the chant died away among the streets of the city, and after a while the procession returned to the cathedral.

Who among those multitudes remembered the great commandment "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee

any graven image. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them. For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God?"

Since the extinction of the flame of evangelic truth by the Inquisition, and the murderous forays of the sanguinary Alva, Belgium has been the prey of Rome. The revolution of 1830 broke the yoke, and secured liberty of speech, liberty of conscience, and of worship; and gave the Church of Rome independence of the State. The press was also left unshackled, and education freed from the control of religious parties. The Church of Rome yielded much in order not to lose all, while the Liberals consented to some of the demands of Rome, believing the assurances of the priests that all they wanted was liberty. The liberty of association thus formally inscribed in the charter, was soon employed by the Roman party to reintroduce the numerous orders of monks, and the Jesuits especially took advantage of it. First, strenuous efforts were made to obtain the control of education; and as wealth was accumulated by the bishops and monastic orders, efforts were openly made to destroy the liberties of all other parties in the State. The crisis of this conflict has just culminated. On the question whether the cemeteries of the country should be national or the private property of the Church of Rome, the two evenlybalanced parties came to a dead lock. Unable to overthrow the Liberal ministry, the Catholic party strove to render the conduct of public affairs impossible, by absenting themselves from the Chamber of Representatives, so preventing the presence in the Chamber of a legal majority. King Leopold had no other resort than a dissolution, and an appeal to the constituencies. This has issued, to the chagrin of the

clerical party, in the election of a Chamber in which the Liberal ministry will enjoy an absolute majority. The leader of the party is excluded from the house, and the priest-ridden city of Bruges, with some other places, has freed itself from the Romish influence which has so long predominated there.

This result has been greatly aided by the coming to light, at a time most inopportune for the clerical party, of two scandalous attempts by the Jesuits to obtain large fortunes from men in the hour of death. The papers of the Liberal party have not been slow to avail themselves of these powerful illustrations of the greed and unscrupulousness of the priests. The details of these cases are before me, but want of space constrains me to omit the details of incidents, which resemble in many points those cases of a similar kind that happened when Cardinal Wiseman proclaimed the re-union of England with the Papal

see.

It is to be regretted that English Christians give so little attention to the spread of evangelical truth in this interesting country. The Bible Society, through its agent, Mr. Tiddy, has accomplished a good work; and from his labours has issued the formation of the Belgium Evangelical Society, whose operations extend to some twenty churches and stations. In sixteen places only are there organized congregations; and the entire work requires the services of not more than twenty-two or twentythree ministers and evangelists. Beyond these labourers, there are probably not half-a-dozen persons who are actively employed in Christ's service; and yet there is no Continental country in which there are equal facilities for the propagation of the Gospel, or where the same freedom of conscience and of worship is enjoyed. Cannot the Baptist Missionary Society give some attention to Belgium as well as to Brittany?

THE last point proposed to be considered in connection with Demonology is Divination. Does Satan ever impart to men a knowledge of future events? Have soothsayers ever been inspired, or have they always been imposters?

A desire to penetrate the secrets of futurity has always characterized mankind. Egypt was famous for diviners. In Greece and Rome they had their oracles and augurs. Among the Jews were found enchanters, wizards, necromancers, charmers, and those that had familiar spirits. These were all diviners, or foretelJers of future events. Their several

In

names indicate the different means employed by them in their art. The end proposed by all was the same. They were condemned under the Mosaic law to be put to death. The reason of this has been already stated. God had taken the Jews under His special protection. dreams, visions, and prophecies, and by the Urim and Thummim, He answered their inquiries. He therefore condemned to death those who consulted evil spirits. By such conduct they deserted God for demons. There were also false prophets among the Jews, who were inspired by evil spirits. When, for instance,

God gave up Ahab to destruction, an evil spirit said: "I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets;" and Micaiah informs us, that "the Lord put a lying spirit in the mouth of all Ahab's prophets." -1 Kings xxii. 22, 23. By means of this lying spirit they prophesied. Milton thus represents Satan speaking

"And, when to all His angels He proposed To draw the proud king Ahab into fraud, That he might fall in Ramoth, they demurring,

I undertook that office, and the tongues Of all his flattering prophets glibbed

with lies

To his destruction."

The most striking case of prediction by demons is that to Saul by the witch of Endor, recorded 1 Sam. xxviii. 5-20-"And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her.' And his servants said to him, 'Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.' And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men. with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, 'I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up whom I shall name unto thee.' And the woman said unto him, 'Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land; wherefore then layest thou

a snare for my life, to cause me to die?' And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.'

Then said the woman, 'Whom shall I bring up unto thee?' And he said, 'Bring me up Samuel.' And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spake to Saul, saying, 'Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.' And the king said unto her, 'Be not afraid; for what sawest thou?' And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.' And he said unto her, 'What form is he of?' And she said, 'An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.' And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. And Samuel said to Saul, 'Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?' And Saul answered, 'I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.' Then said Samuel, 'Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me; for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David; because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me; the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.' Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel.”

The meaning of this remarkable