"It follows from these remarks that what is most needed from us is sound, clear, and honest explanation of the doctrines taught by our Church. It is a waste of time to go on proving that Luther and Calvin were inconsistent, and contradicted themselves, or that they were ungodly in their conduct. No American is a Protestant out of respect for Luther or Calvin. He believes that Protestantism is liberty and enlightenment, and Catholicity is despotism and superstition. Show him that he can be a good Catholic and preserve his liberty too, and combat ignorance and superstition as much as he pleases, and he will listen respectfully to your voice". Seeking thus the Kingdom of God, the Catholic priests of America will find that through their labours God has added unto their country all good things even in the temporal order. The Church in America is exhibiting every day more clearly her wondrous power as the civilizer of the nations. This is in no wise surprising to us who know her: but it is cheering to learn from such an authority as Dr. Cummings, that even those who are not her children are beginning to follow with reverent looks the traces she leaves in society by her influence on the hearts of men. "Our honest Protestant friends, whether they are statesmen, scholars, publicists, military commanders, and in many cases, even ministers of the Gospel, are ready to concede, that unless the masses of the American people are led to act under the guidance of Catholic principles, there is little chance of saving this country from speedy and utter destruction. "Let us, reverend brethren, do our work patiently and cheerfully to forward so grand a purpose as the conversion of this whole great country to true religion, leaving the result to God and to those who will follow us in the ministry when our seats shall be vacant in the holy sanctuary. The pioneer who, on the plains of our far western country, toils patiently in removing the charred and blackened tree-stumps scattered over the field where once rose the dark and tangled forest, does as necessary and honourable a work as his successor who passes scattering handfuls of seed along the soft, brown furrows, and as useful a work as the successor of both, who puts his sickle into the nodding grain and gathers in its golden sheaves at the happy harvest home". IV. _Ireland, her Present Condition, and what it might be._ By the Earl of Clancarty. Dublin: Herbert, 1864, pag. 39.