"The Reformation under Luther did strike a prodigious blow at Catholicism, but it was not a fight for absolute religious liberty. Never forget that. Lutheranism simply threw off Catholicism to substitute a state church of its own. In the Reformation in England the church broke from Catholicism, but it sought to set up a state Episcopal church. In Scotland a Presbyterian state church was set up, but during all this time the Baptists were ever sounding their demand for absolute religious liberty without any interference or help from the government and for complete separation of church and state." "Did not the Baptists bring these principles to this country?" asked Dorothy. "I think I read that they did." "You are right, Miss Dorothy. Roger Williams, who was a Baptist--" "What is that!" exclaimed Sterling. "Roger Williams a Baptist?" "He surely was, and he was the apostle of religious liberty for America. And how did the clause in the Constitution of the United States granting religious liberty get in there? It was brought about by the Baptists of Virginia, who pleaded for it and fought for it and suffered for it. Bancroft, the historian, states that the Baptists gave religious liberty to America, and John Locke states that the Baptists were the authors of religious liberty. And, gentlemen, it is a fact to be borne in mind that, while all Protestant denominations in America today practically believe in religious liberty, yet it was not always so. The Baptists in this country, single-handed, took up the cause and fought it through to a finish, and now all denominations are enjoying the benefits of it." "By the way, Mr. Sterling," said Dorothy, "I read today that John Milton and John Bunyan were Baptists." "Hold on, Miss Dorothy," said Mr. Sterling. "It is a fact," said Mr. Walton. "They agreed with the Baptists in their fundamental doctrines. You must remember another thing, and that is that the principles of democracy that are sweeping over the world are largely the trophies of the Baptists." Mr. Page, with a laugh: "There he goes gathering up some more of our treasures and claiming them for the Baptists." "Come, let us vary the exercises with some ice cream," said the mother. "You think the discussion is getting too warm, do you, mother?" asked Dorothy. They adjourned to the dining room and a recess was taken. CHAPTER XIII. BAPTIST PRINCIPLES ON THE MARCH. "Now let us have the facts about the part the Baptists have played in giving the principles of democracy to the world," said Mr. Page.