THE Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland would again enter their earnest protest against the suicidal policy pursued by the British Government in pandering to the nefarious intrigues of the Papacy. The past and present true history of Britain should teach us that every move, whether made by kings or subjects, towards alliance with the Papacy, led this nation into rebellion, humiliation, and disaster. The same effects have followed the present unchristian movement since it was begun in 1829 by the passing of the Emancipation Act. Every step taken to satisfy the claims of this foreign power, with its aim of overthrowing the constitutional government of Great Britain and setting up the temporal power of the Pope, has led us as a nation into deeper waters. The present deplorable condition of Ireland follows from the intriguing of the Papacy to obtain temporal power, and from the half-hearted manner in which our Government deals with that rebellion and murder. What has the British Envoy at the Vatican accomplished since his appointment?
Did his presence there help to encourage Roman Catholics in the Overseas Dominions or in Ireland to strengthen our hands during the late appalling War? Did not his presence there rather allow the Pope access to the secret councils of the British Government? Is this not the case at this moment? Is it not time that an effective stop were put to dallying with the Man of Sin’s claims and intrigues against this Protestant nation? The longer it will be continued, the more guilt it will incur and the more complete will be the humiliation of this nation in the end.
The Synod would urge upon the British Government to withdraw the Envoy from the Vatican, and to make it manifest once for all that, while Roman Catholics will have their rights as British citizens safeguarded, no political intrigues by the Papists shall be tolerated by the British Government.