voluntary contributions of the
people. But in Europe, where the mass of our infidel literature comes
from, Christianity is not free and independent, but entangled with the
affairs of state, and supported by the secular arm. The result is that
difficulties are continually arising out of the unholy alliance which
are disgusting to the independent scientific mind. The natural result is
to drive such persons into irreligion. Where men are educated in both
science and religion, and have not been all their lives called upon to
look upon religion in a secular light, tangled up in the interests of
politics and law, there should be no fears on account of any literature
that infidels may pass around. The misfortune that I speak of is not
with such men, but with the uneducated in religion and science, who are
more than anxious to find an excuse for irreligion. Christianity fears
nothing in the light.

* * * * *

The desires that have only a bodily end and aim, that are unconnected
with the high, holy, and noble purposes of a pure, true, and good life,
are false desires, and should be cast off.

COUNCILS--No. II.

UNITY OF THE ROMAN CHURCH.

In our October article on Councils we closed with the council that was
assembled by Mrs. Irene in the year 787. The Franks, having heard that a
council at Constantinople had ordained the adoration of images,
assembled, in the year 794, by order of Charles, son of Pepin,
afterwards named Charlemagne, a very numerous council. In this council
the second council of Nice is spoken of as an impertinent and arrogant
synod held in Greece for the promotion of the worship of pictures. This
council, held at Frankfort, was composed of three hundred clergymen from
England, Italy, France and Germany. Aventin, Hinemar and Regina say the
Frankfortians rescinded the decisions of the false Grecian synod in
favor of image worship.

In 842 a grand council was held at Constantinople, convened by the
Empress Theodora. Here the worship of images was solemnly established.
The Greeks still have a feast in honor of this council called
"_Orthodoxia_." Theodora did not preside at this council.

"In 861 a council was held at Constantinople consisting of three hundred
and eighteen bishops, assembled by the Emperor Michael. St. Ignatius,
patriarch of Constantinople, was deposed and Photius elected.

"In 866 another council was held at Constantinople, in which Pope
Nicholas III. wa