hers
again--microscope in hand--were in active pursuit of the _Aphis
vastator_, or _Thrips minutissima_, a not inconsiderable class of
persons, departing widely from all such speculations, discovered, beyond
all doubt, that _Popery_ was the true cause of the potato blight.

"As this predicted system" [popery], says a pamphleteer, "is an
idolatrous one, any treaty with it must be opposed to God's will, and
call down his wrath upon those nations who have commerce with it: more
particularly upon nations wherein its hideous deformities are most
signally manifested. Now, how have we seen in the first part of this
work, that He has repeatedly punished? By famine and pestilence! Oh,
beloved countrymen of every diversity of creed, in the heart-rending
scenes around us do we witness punishment for national idolatry,
systematic assassinations, performed occasionally with a refinement of
cruelty worthy of incarnate devils."[306]

"This much is certain" writes a public journalist, "that our country is
scourged with famine." Three causes are then given for the scourge; the
second of which is, "Idolatry in the professing people of God,
especially when sanctioned by the rulers of the country." After quoting
examples from the Old Testament of the manner in which God punished
idolatry, he proceeds: "It [idolatry] is just as true of the millions of
Ireland as it was of the millions of Judah: 'They worship the work of
their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.' And to
complete the resemblance to apostate Israel, and fill the measure of
our national guilt, the prevalent idolatry is countenanced and supported
by our government. The Protestant members of the Houses of Lords and
Commons have sworn before God and the country that Popery is idolatrous;
our Queen, at her coronation, solemnly made a similar declaration,--yet,
all have concurred in passing a Bill to endow a college for training
priests to defend, and practise, and perpetuate, this corrupt and
damnable worship in this realm. The ink wherewith the signification of
royal assent was given to that iniquitous measure was hardly dry when
_the fatal rot_ commenced its work of destruction; and as the stroke was
unheeded, and there was no repentant effort to retrace the daring step
of the first iniquity, but rather a disposition to multiply
transgression, we are now visited with a second and a severer stroke of
judgment."[307]

The Rev. Hugh M'Neill preached a "Famine" serm