The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

our levity, and diffusesPURGATORY, ETC. 247around us a healthy atmosphere.I am happy to acknowledge that the outcry formerly raised against imageshas almost subsided oflate. The epithet of idolaters is seldom applied tous now. Even some of our dissenting brethren arealready beginning to recognize the utility of religious symbols, and to regret that we have been permitted, by the intemperate zeal of the Reformers, tohave so long the monopoly of them. Crosses alreadysurmount some of our Protestant churches, and replace the weather-cock.A gentleman of Richmond recently informed meduring the preceding Holy Week he adornedthatwith twelve crosses an Episcopal church where,eleven years before, the sight of a single cross wasviewed with horror by the minister.May the day soon come when all Christians willjoin with us not only in venerating the sacred symbol of salvation, but in worshipping at the samealtar.CHAPTER XVI.PURGATORY, AND PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD.fPHE Catholic Church teaches that, besides a placeJL of eternal torments for the wicked and of everlasting rest for the righteous, there exists in the nextlife a middle state of temporary punishment, allotted