nd immodest
representations which corrupt our youths? If the agents of Satan employ
means so vile for a bad end; if they are cunning enough to pour through
the senses into the hearts of the unwary the insidious poison of sin, by
placing before them lascivious portraits, in God's name, why should not we
sanctify the souls of our children by means of pious emblems? Why should
not we make the eye the instrument of edification as the enemy makes it
the organ of destruction? Shall the pen of the artist, the pencil of the
painter and the chisel of the sculptor be prostituted to the basest
purposes? God forbid! The arts were intended to be the handmaids of
religion.

Almost every moment of the day the eye is receiving impressions from
outward objects and instantly communicating these impressions to the soul.
Thus the soul receives every day thousands of impressions, good or bad,
according to the character of the objects presented to its gaze.

We cannot, therefore, over-estimate the salutary effect produced upon us
in a church or room adorned with sacred paintings. We feel, while in their
presence, that we are in the company of the just. The contemplation of
these pious portraits chastens our affections, elevates our thoughts,
checks our levity and diffuses around us a healthy atmosphere.

I am happy to acknowledge that the outcry formerly raised against images
has almost subsided of late. The epithet of _idolaters_ is seldom applied
to us now. Even some of our dissenting brethren are beginning to recognize
the utility of religious symbols and to regret that we have been
permitted, by the intemperate zeal of the Reformers, to have so long the
monopoly of them. Crosses already surmount some of our Protestant churches
and replace the weather-cock.

A gentleman of Richmond recently informed me that during the preceding
Holy Week he adorned with twelve crosses an Episcopal church in which,
eleven years before, the sight of a single one was viewed with horror by
the minister.

May the day soon come when all Christians will join with us not only in
venerating the sacred symbol of salvation, but in worshiping at the same
altar.

Chapter XVI.

PURGATORY AND PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD.

The Catholic Church teaches that, besides a place of eternal torments for
the wicked and of everlasting rest for the righteous, there exists in the
next life a middle state of temporary punishment, allotted