The story is also circulated that the fourth Lateran Council in 1215 prohibited monks from studying natural sciences and medicine (Deutschoester. Lehrerzeitung 15th Dec., 1909). It will suffice to quote this particular decree of the Lateran Council: “No clergyman is allowed to pronounce capital sentence, nor to execute it, nor to be present at its execution. No clergyman is allowed to draw up a document concerning a death sentence: at the courts this should be done by laymen. No clergyman is allowed to assume command of Rotarians (freebooters), of archers or any others who shed human blood; no subdeacon, deacon, or priest is allowed to practise that part of surgery by which cutting and burning is done, nor must any one pronounce a benediction at an ordeal” (_Hefele_, Koncil. Gesch., 2d ed., V, 1887, 887). This will thoroughly dispose of that charge. Just as briefly may we settle the story of _Columbus_ having been excommunicated because of his intention to discover new lands. It is said that the “Spanish clergy denounced his plans as against the faith, and that the Council of Salamanca excommunicated him” (_W. Draper_, ibid. 163). This is a fairy tale. The truth is, that King _Ferdinand_ and Queen _Isabella_ referred the plans of the bold Genoese to a council of scientists and ecclesiastical dignitaries, which was held in the Dominican Monastery of Salamanca, _Columbus_ being present. There never was a Council of Salamanca. _Weiss_ writes in his “History of the World”: “Much has been surmised concerning the objections and their refutation. It is only certain that the majority rejected the plan as impossible of execution, and that _Columbus_ won over a minority of them, especially the priests, among whom the learned Dominican _Deza_ deserves mention” (Weltgesch. VII, 187). _Denthofen_, in his biography of _Columbus_, says: “The Dominican Fathers supported him during the long time the conference lasted, and even defrayed the expenses of his journey. Father _Diego de Deza_, chief professor of theology, was convinced by the reasons of _Columbus_, and in turn convinced the more learned of his confrères. The majority, however, thought the idea but a phantom, while others deemed it impracticable. The conference adjourned without coming to any definite decision” (Christof Columbus, Eine biographische Skizze ..., 1878, 21). _Columbus_ found his warmest friend in the learned Father _Juan Perez_, Guardian of the Franciscan Monastery of St. Maria de la Rabida. Within the quiet walls of this cloister _Columbus’_ plans were disclosed for the first time in Spain, and admired and resolved upon. _Perez_ spoke untiringly to Isabella in favour of the plan, and even aided _Columbus_ in gathering men for his crew. This is the fact about the anathema the Church is paid