Dame, which had been
desecrated, and been named, 'the Temple of Reason;' a pyramid was erected
in the centre of the church, surmounted by a temple, inscribed, 'To
Philosophy.' The torch of 'Truth' was on the altar of 'Reason,' spreading
light, &c. The National Convention, and all the authorities, attended at
this burlesque and insulting ceremony. In February, 1794, a grand fete was
ordered by the convention, in which hymns to Liberty were chanted, and a
pageant in honor of the abolition of slavery in the colonies, was
displayed in the 'Temple of Reason.' In June another festival was
ordered--to the Supreme Being: the God of Philosophy. But the most superb
exhibition was the 'general festival,' in honor of the republic. It was
distinguished by a more audacious spirit of scoffing and profanation than
the former. Robespierre acted the 'high-priest of Reason' on the day, and
made himself conspicuous in blasphemy. He was then at the summit of
power,--actual sovereign of France."

The dead bodies of the witnesses, would be their existence in that
prohibited condition, when, in France, neither the Scriptures, nor the
church showed any symptoms of life. In the street, would be the
conspicuous and public manner in which indignities should be heaped on
them. France had been one of the principal states yielding homage to the
Roman church. Surrounding nations beheld, but would not permit the
extermination of the Bible and Christianity.

The French made merry over their blasphemous work. Says Dr. Croley:--

"A very remarkable and _prophetic_ distinction of this period, was the
spirit of frenzied festivity which seized upon France. The capital, and
all the republican towns, were the scene of civic feasts, processions, and
shows of the most extravagant kind. The most festive times of peace under
the most expensive kings were thrown into the shade by the frequency,
variety, and extent of the republican exhibitions. Yet this was a time of
perpetual miseries throughout France. The guillotine was bloody from morn
till night. In the single month of July, 1794, nearly _eight hundred
persons_, the majority, principal individuals of the state, and all
possessing some respectability of situation, were guillotined in Paris
alone. In the midst of this horror, there were twenty-six theatres open,
filled with the most profane and profligate displays in honor of the
'triumph of reason.' "

In Lyons a Bible was tied to the tail of an ass and dra