states, which ought to serve as a model to all other governments. Let us examine, in fine, in what consists the instruction given by the Catholic clergy to the faithful of its communion.
I challenge the pope, who calls himself a Christian, and pretends to be infallible, and who takes the title of Vicar of Jesus Christ, to answer clearly, and without employing any mysticity of language, the four accusations of heresy which I now bring against the Catholic church.
I accuse the pope and his church of heresy, under this first head:
The instruction which the Catholic clergy give to the laity of their communion is defective; it does not direct their conduct in the ways of Christianity.
The Christian religion proposes, as a terrestrial object to its followers, the most rapid possible amelioration of the moral and physical condition of the poor. Jesus Christ promised life eternal to those who wrought with the greatest zeal to increase the well-being of the most numerous class.
The mission of the Catholic clergy, as well as that of all clergies, is to excite the enthusiasm of all the members of society towards works of general utility.
Thus the clergy ought to employ all their intellectual means and all their talents in their sermons; and, in their familiar conversation with the laity of their faith, to prove that the amelioration of the condition of the lowest class necessarily insures the increase of real and positive well-being to the superior class; for God regards all men, even the rich, as his children.
Thus the clergy ought, in the instruction which they give to the children, in the discourses which they deliver to the faithful, in the prayers which they address to heaven, as well as in every part of their worship and their doctrine, to fix the attention of their auditors upon this important fact, that the immense majority of the people might enjoy a moral and physical existence, much more satisfactory than that which
