by Rev. John MacLeod M.A., Stornoway
The charge has frequently been levelled by Roman Catholics against those who endeavour to expose the errors and evils of Popery that the criticism has been founded on hearsay or on the writings of biased anti-Roman Catholic theologians or even on the writings of Roman Catholic theologians but which had never received the official approval of mother Church. Others, far better informed than we are, rebutted this allegation and declared that it should be regarded as being no more than “a controversial artifice.” It was not by hearsay that Luther, Calvin, Knox and other 16th Century Reformers came to know the iniquitous nature of the church of Rome. Once delivered out of its bosom they vigorously and faithfully condemned its doctrines and practices but always in the light of the Word of God wherein they saw the Papacy and all it stood for clearly delineated. “The Reformers,” one writer of the last century wrote, “had too good means of knowing what was taught and practiced in the Church of Rome to render it politic to adduce against them the charge of misrepresenting. This charge they could have quite easily and conclusively answered. It was not till the seventeenth century, that Papists, finding the difficulty of defending their tenets, devised, among other expedients for evading a fair, direct, and manly discussion of the points that had been controverted between the Reformers and their opponents, that of alleging that Protestants misrepresented their opinions; while, at the same time, to give additional plausibility to this allegation, they laboured to put a fallacious gloss upon the tenets of their Church.” It was not without having carefully studied all the relevant literature and documents concerned that Principal Cunningham came to be convinced that the system of Popery was “Satan’s great scheme for frustrating the leading objects of Christianity.” Luther, whose word had “more power than ten armies,” inflicted more damage on the system in his day than any other. Sadly, in recent times we read newspaper reports of representatives of those who claim to be his successors meeting with Pope John-Paul II and it was not denunciation but reconciliation that was in the air.
As we have neither the time nor the ability to examine the tomes of literature which the decrees and canons of Councils and the writings of the fathers must constitute, we must necessarily resort to a less laborious but, we hope, none less effective method of drawing attention to what the Roman Catholic Church still regards as true with regard to herself. The need for doing this is all the greater in view of the fact that the Pope has announced his intention of visiting this country in 1982 and is to be welcomed by some so-called Protestant church leaders just as if there never had been a Reformation.
Perhaps never in the history of Romanism has the worship of the Virgin Mary received so central a place in her teaching as now. The present incumbent of the Papal chair is a mariolater to the core and seemed to glory in playing that role especially when his words and actions receive world-wide mass-media coverage as, for instance, when he visited Ireland and Brazil. It seems hardly credible that intelligent men and women the world over should so blindly follow his lead and seriously regard his words and actions as expressive of New Testament Christianity. Were it not revealed that such are given over to a “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” we would be at a complete loss in regard to explaining the phenomenon. The Rev. Alexander Hislop in his truly remarkable book “The Two Babylons” proves conclusively that so-called “Mariolatry” was practiced by heathen sinners long before that blessed woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born and her name came by Satanic deception to be associated with it. We may be absolutely certain that had this taken place in her life-time her very soul would have recoiled with horror from the suggestion that she was to be worshipped or elevated above other mortals in any way. Mariolatry, Hislop shows, is linked up with Babylonian idolatry and the worshipping of the goddess Astarte. This is what was deplored by Jeremiah when in the streets of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah incense was being burned to “the queen of heaven” and cakes made to her and drink-offerings poured out.
That Mary was an ordinary woman, descended from Adam by ordinary generation, and in need of salvation like any other is clearly enough taught in the Bible. Her exaltation to the place she now occupies in fictitious Roman Catholic teaching is plainly diabolical. Because the very practice of Mariolatry demanded it, Pope Pius IX, in 1854, promulgated the decree whereby the doctrine of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ became official Church dogma and poor deluded sinners within her pale have since had no choice but to believe it or else be exposed to her anathema. To commemorate this event in Papal history a medal was struck. It may be viewed in the British Museum. The photograph shows its obverse and reverse and the information given is: ‘The Virgin is pictured receiving the adoration of the heavenly host, while the Pope proclaims her Immaculate Conception in the conclave at Rome. The legend underneath is “VI.ID.DEC. MDCCCLIV. SINE LABE CONCEPT,” i.e. conceived without stain (of sin).’
Photograph of a medal showing two sides: the obverse features a profile portrait of Pope Pius IX, and the reverse features a scene depicting the Virgin Mary receiving the adoration of the heavenly host, while the Pope proclaims her Immaculate Conception in the conclave at Rome.
Consistency demanded the further step of promulgating the doctrine of the “Assumption of Mary.” Any scruples that might be voiced in this connection and particularly in view of the lack of Scriptural evidence to support such a blatant ‘invention’ were anticipated by the assertion first of all in 1870 of the claim that the Roman Pontiff when speaking ex cathedra on matters pertaining to “faith and morals” is possessed of infallibility. It appears to us that the medal also anticipated the bodily assumption of the Virgin from the form in which she is depicted on it. By the ex cathedra pronouncement of Pope Pius XII in 1950 this doctrine, for the support of which not one shred of Scripture evidence can be adduced, became an integral part of the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching. The inevitable anathema is thus pronounced on any who dare question the truth of the bodily assumption to Heaven of the immaculately-conceived Roman Virgin.
The spectacle of poor sinners deluded by Satan and given over to the practice Mariolatry is one which ought to move us to tears. How dishonouring to the blessed and only “Mediator between God and men” that any creature should be regarded as on an equality with Him and how grieving to the Holy Spirit who glorifies Him! We are all aware of the fact that images and statues of the Virgin abound. Places like Lourdes, Fatima, Aparacida, Knock and Walsingham are among the most celebrated shrines devoted to the Queen of Heaven. The present Pope has paid his homage at most of them and thanks to full mass-media coverage has attracted world attention to himself in doing so. “Image-worship in every case the Lord abhors; but,” says Hislop, “image-worship of such a kind as this must be peculiarly abhorrent to His holy soul.” When the attributes of divinity are ascribed to the Virgin Mary, and John-Paul II is as guilty of this as any of his predecessors, Rome’s doctrine of the Trinity is most definitely not ours. “Will anyone,” Hislop asks after proving the Romish Madonna and the Babylonian Queen of Heaven to be one and the same, “after this say that the Roman Catholic Church must still be called Christian, because it holds the doctrine of the Trinity? So did the Pagan Babylonians, so did the Egyptians, so do the Hindoos at this hour, in the very same sense in which Rome does. They all admitted A Trinity, but did they worship THE Triune Jehovah, the King Eternal, Immortal, and Invisible? And will any one say with such evidence before him, that Rome does so? Away then, with the deadly delusion that Rome is Christian! There might once have been some palliation for entertaining such a supposition; but every day the ‘Grand Mystery’ is revealing itself more and more in its true character. There is not, and there cannot be, any safety for the souls of men in ‘Babylon’. ‘Come out of her, my people,’ is the loud and express command of God. Those who disobey that command, do it at their peril.”
Notes and Comments
Death of an Idol
John Lennon, one of a group of pop-music stars called the Beatles who in the 1960’s drew multitudes to their shrine to worship and who as ex-Beatles continued to have a strong fascination for the minds of many of the young, was shot in cold blood by one of his own devotees. His death brought bitter lamentations from millions of young people who had been captivated by this musical cult.
The effect on the minds of the young of the group to which Lennon belonged was one wholly detrimental to their spiritual welfare and led these poor blinded souls further along the broad way that leads to destruction. Lennon has now gone to his account to appear in the presence of the infinitely Holy One of eternity. What a solemn awakening that must be for all who live without God and without hope in the world! We would warn our young people against this soul-destroying cult.
Sabbath Opening of Shop in Inverness
Woolworths Store in Inverness for the first time opened on Sabbath in the Highland capital. It is sad indeed that this could take place in the Highlands of Scotland where the Sabbath was once revered. A generation, however, has arisen that is wise in its own eyes and which has no respect for the Lord’s Day. It would appear that the shop did not lack for patrons on God’s holy day. There was a time in Inverness when it would have been vain for a shop to open on Sabbath as so few would give it any trade. Scotland and the Highlands have fallen upon sad days. So far as Woolworths are concerned what we have to say is — cursed trade that is carried on during the Lord’s Day and cursed profit that is made on that day. God is not mocked: what a man — or for that matter of it, a company — sows, that shall he also reap. This is the testimony of God’s Word and that shall stand.
Northern Ireland
The Prime Minister is to be commended on her firm stand in refusing to give in to the Irish prison hunger strikers in their demand for political status. Even the appeal sent to her by Cardinal O’Fiach to give way went unheeded. Mrs Thatcher’s earlier meeting with the Southern Ireland Prime Minister raised questions in the minds of loyalists in Northern Ireland as to what agreement had been reached at that meeting. Their suspicions have not yet been wholly allayed. It is to be hoped that the Government will not yield to the many pressures that are put on them to yield to the demands of the I.R.A.
The answer to Ireland’s difficulties will not be far to seek when the Lord is pleased to pour out once again, as He did in the past, His Holy Spirit upon that land with pentecostal blessing. The same remedy the whole of our land needs. Let us plead for such a day of God’s power.
Church Notes
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Southern: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 17th February at 6 p.m.
Western: At Laide on Tuesday, 10th March at 11 a.m.
Ministers Laid Aside
We are glad to know that Rev. Donald Campbell, Edinburgh, who fell and broke his arm in two places, and Rev. William Maclean, who was very ill after an operation, are now making progress. We hope and pray that they may be restored again to health and strength and to usefulness in the Lord’s Cause and vineyard. Their brethren, we know, and also the people of the Church, sympathise with them in the troubles with which they have been afflicted, and look forward to their restoration in the Lord’s good providence.
Binding of Church Magazines
The work of binding Church Magazines formerly done by the late Mr Alex Alexander is now to be taken up by Mr Neil Maclean, 92 Overdale Street, Glasgow, G42 9PZ (Tel: 041-649-5428) who has kindly undertaken to do this work.
It is proposed that magazines be bound once each year in April. Price will depend upon the numbers received — the last batch cost £1.70 per volume.
The following should be noted:
- Magazines should be sent direct to Mr Maclean at the above address or left at the Church Bookroom at Woodlands Road.
- Only complete volumes can be accepted.
- Name and address of sender attached to each volume.
- Volumes should be sent as early as convenient.
- Sender should make out two lists of volumes sent and retain one for reference.