What resemblance is there between the plain, simple forms of worship observable in the ministry of Christ and the apostles, and the gorgeous, pompous ceremonials of the Catholic Church? What resemblance is there in the appearance, manners, and dress of the two, in our Savior going about on foot, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, healing the sick and benefiting all, clad in his seamless coat, the garb of the poor; and the lordly priest, clad in his official robes of purple and scarlet, bowing before images with his train of attendants, and exacting the highest homage? What resemblance is there in the doctrines of the two? Christ taught the need of repentance, faith, baptism, and the living of a humble, pure, holy life of obedience to the truths of God’s word and the principles of God’s law. But look at the Catholic ceremonials, the confessions to the priest, the prayers for souls in purgatory, the holy water, vows of celibacy, worshiping of images, elevating and adoring bread, believing it to be the actual flesh of our Lord and Savior! And what resemblance is there in the spirit of the two? Our Savior was ever seeking to alleviate suffering, to benefit all within his reach. He wept over the people of Jerusalem because they would not let him save them; he prayed, even for his enemies, while hanging on the cross in the greatest agony. On the other hand, look at the bloody Crusades, at the massacre on St. Bartholomew’s day, when the blood of poor Huguenots ran down the streets of Paris, when the papists surprised them through deception. And look at the poor Waldenses, butchered by thousands-men, women, children-because they would not take the pope’s authority instead of the Scriptures as their rule of action. See the Inquisition with its horrors. Men and women tortured on the rack, or starved to death in deep dungeons. These things were done when the Roman Church had the power. What, we say, are the resemblance between their practices and the pure religion of Jesus?ChSa 117.3

But there is a striking resemblance on the other hand between heathenism and the ceremonies, manners, forms of worship, bowing to images, resplendent robes, and persecuting spirit of Catholicism; indeed, many Catholics themselves admit that many of their customs were derived from the heathen. On this interesting point we will venture to quote from two eminent Catholic writers. Cardinal Baronius, perhaps the most reliable writer in that church, says:ChSa 118.1

“That many things have been laudably translated from. Gentile superstition into the Christian religion, bath been demonstrated by many examples and the authority of the Fathers. And what wonder if the holy bishops have granted that the most ancient customs of the Gentiles should be introduced into the worship of thee true God, from which it seemed impossible to take off many, though converted to Christianity?”ChSa 119.1

Bervaldus, another Catholic writer, speaks as follows:ChSa 119.2

“When I call to mind the institutions of the holy mysteries of the heathen, I am forced to believe that most things appertaining to the celebration of our solemnities and ceremonies are taken thence. As, for example, from the Gentile religion the shaven heads of the priests, turning round of the altar, sacrificial pomps, and many such like ceremonies which our priests solemnly use in our mysteries. How many things in our religion are like the Roman religion? How many rites common!”ChSa 119.3

Truly our remark that Catholicism resembles the heathen worship more than it does the religion of Christ, cannot be denied. Catholicism is a system of mixed Christianity and heathenism, with the latter predominating.ChSa 119.4

Effect on the Church

A Heathen Union Consummated