Since he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, much more the man who labours to restore Popery among us. In our father’s days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets: and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundations. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in Gospel truth, and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate the daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the Gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope’s bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound Gospel writings? Luther once said, “The devil hates goose quills,” and doubtless, he has good reason; for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord’s glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?
-C. H. Spurgeon, from Morning and Evening

ADAM SMITH: “The most formidable combination that was ever formed against the reason, liberty and happiness of mankind.”
CHARLES DICKENS: “The most horrible means of political and social degradation left in the world.”

CANON MELVILLE: “Make peace if you will with Popery; receive it in your hearts. But be certain, as certain as there is a heaven above you and a God over you, that the Popery thus honoured and embraced is the very Popery that was loathed and degraded by the holiest of your fathers; the same in haughtiness, the same in intolerance, which lorded it over kings, assumed the prerogative of Deity, crushed human liberty and slew the saints of God.”

    We praise and thank God for men such as C. H. Spurgeon who stood “in the gap” for the faith. Today our need is at the house of God (see 1 Peter 4:17), where there must be a recovery in the worship of God as ordered by the Creator. The Lord Jesus said of the prodigal in a famine-stricken land’ and he began to be in want.’ The Shorter Catechism teaches us wisely ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’

    Our sovereign Lord and Creator demands our obedience. In Ulster we remember with joy the breaking of the boom in Londonderry. Today there is a boom across the minds of men. It consists of atheistic education, anti-Christian media propaganda, Papal tradition, ‘evangelical’ confusion and Pelagian teaching. Let us remember that our unchanging God is able to break the boom again. May our nation know the salt and light of God’s Word providentially directing its paths.