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From Here to Forever
desired to show themselves equal to all the heights of the Revolu-
tion.
When the “goddess” was brought into the Convention, the orator
took her by the hand, and turning to the assembly said: “‘Mortals,
cease to tremble before the powerless thunders of a God whom your
fears have created. Henceforth acknowledge no divinity but Reason.
I offer you its noblest and purest image; if you must have idols,
sacrifice only to such as this... .’”
“The goddess, after being embraced by the president, was
mounted on a magnificent car, and conducted to the cathedral of
Notre Dame, to take the place of the Deity. There she was elevated
on a high altar, and received the adoration of all present.
Popery began the work which atheism was completing, hurrying
France on to ruin. Writers in referring to the horrors of the Revolu-
[173]
tion say that these excesses are to be charged upon the throne and the
church.
In strict justice they are to be charged upon
the church. Popery had poisoned the minds of kings against the Ref-
ormation. The genius of Rome inspired the cruelty and oppression
which proceeded from the throne.
Wherever the gospel was received, the minds of the people were
awakened. They began to cast off the shackles that had held them
bondslaves of ignorance and superstition. Monarchs saw it and
trembled for their despotism.
Rome was not slow to inflame their jealous fears. Said the pope
to the regent of France in 1525: “This mania [Protestantism] will not
only confound and destroy religion, but all principalities, nobility,
laws, orders, and ranks besides.” A papal nuncio warned the king:
“The Protestants will upset all civil as well as religious order. ...
The throne is in as much danger as the altar.
Rome succeeded in
arraying France against the Reformation.
The teaching of the Bible would have implanted in the hearts of
the people principles of justice, temperance, and truth, which are
the cornerstone of a nation’s prosperity. “Righteousness exalteth a
nation.” Thereby “the throne is established.”
Proverbs 14:34
;
16:12
.
7
Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17.
8
M. A. Thiers, History of the French Revolution, vol. 2, pp. 370, 371.
9
D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin, bk. 2, ch.
36.