They are reminded that we are dealing with real and permanent values, and with what man may do and ought to do for himself. Lying squarely across this upward pathway of man, to be pursued by free choice and personal effort, is the dogma of the Vicarious Atonement and the forgiveness of sin, of which "His Holiness" claims to hold the _exclusive agency_. Through appeal to superstition and fear this preposterous and sacrilegious claim to-day, as in all the past, paralyzes the will and discourages the personal efforts of millions of men and women. Between that blind credulity which makes personal effort unnecessary, and the miracle and dogma which make it seem useless, the upward and onward march of man is hindered or annulled, notwithstanding the fact that many men and women lead noble lives who are yet communicants of the Church, both Catholic and Protestant. True, they may, with little thinking, reason and reflection from early education and "lip-service," give intellectual assent to these dogmas. But the lives they lead and the personal effort put forth prove them "better than their creeds." They say with the lips, "Christ has forgiven us," or "Jesus will save us," and while they are _saying_ these things they _go to work saving themselves_ by "leading the life" through personal effort and experience. In other words, they "save themselves" in spite of their creeds and superstitions. It is, therefore, with this exact "measure of values," that we are dealing; and the necessity and value of these considerations are nowhere so plain to-day, or so imperative, as just here, in the face of these demoralizing dogmas and pretensions of men, who contradict all natural law and steal unblushingly the prerogatives of God, as his "Vicegerent." The marvel of it is that it excites neither surprise nor protest, but is treated with a smile of good-natured complacency outside its circle of dupes. He who treats it seriously, as a thing that, more than any other, demoralizes, discourages and paralyzes _millions_, is regarded as "sensational," "emotional," or an "alarmist." In the face of all the facts, of which the daily papers are full, and the record of the Vatican crowded, I prefer that my own arraignment _shall stand_. No one who knows half these facts can dispute or gainsay them. We are making history here to-day, as mankind has had to make it in all the past, in the face of these "Lions in the path" of civilization and progress. If I must choose between being superficial, ignorant and insincere, or being an "alarmist," I certainly and unhesitatingly choose to be an _alarmist_! The strongest ally of Superstition to-day is credulity, or indifference. The average man says, "I do not _believe_ there is any danger"; and if he "spoke his heart" would add, "if there is, I do not _care_."