CHRIST versus
MARIOLATRY
by Maurice M Johnson
Can We Pray To Mary?
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in official session, passed a resolution requesting Los Angeles County citizens "of all faiths" to attend the "Mary's Hour" mass prayer spectacle at the Los Angeles Coliseum Sunday, May 3rd, conducted by the Roman Catholics. I have before me a photo static copy of this resolution passed by the Supervisors. Was this Board of Supervisors banking on political potentialities and protestant spinelessness, when it brazenly pretended to represent many thousands of L. A. County citizens and taxpayers--non—Romanists --who do not for one moment believe in praying to Mary? Not only Protestants but the thousands of Jews and non—religious citizens were ignored and misrepresented by these tools of Rome.(Most of this was first delivered over the radio in Los Angeles — Pasadena, Calif., in June 1953, by Maurice Johnson, who is neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant. This timely and challenging study will be thrilling and enlightening to all who recognize God's truth and prefer it to sectarian segments and denominational labels. The Lord Jesus Christ said: "HE THAT IS OF GOD HEARETH GOD'S WORDS." John 8:47.)
I wish to register my personal protest as an American citizen, a taxpayer, and a Bible Christian, against that un—American and very dangerous trend evidenced by the L. A. County Board of Supervisors' resolution. The United States Constitution, my dear friends, does not authorize any such religio—political hook—up. These supervisors in their private lives, are legally free to be atheists, to worship totem poles, Rome's goddess, or to Biblically worship and serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, but their public offices should be severely impartial and sincerely representative of all their employers, the taxpayers.
My subject is, "CAN WE PRAY TO MARY?" CAN we pray to Mary? I do not come to you as a "man of the cloth," a clergyman, clothed either with the Babylonish garment of some religious sect, or with the filthy rags of my own righteousness. I desire to come humbly and confidently. And I am properly clothed for the work whereunto my gracious God and Father has called me. By the undeserved goodness, "the grace of God," I have been "made accepted in the beloved," perfectly clothed with the garments of salvation. Isa. 61:10; Phil. 3:9.
Do you remember how Adam and Eve feverishly sought to cover their sin and shame, as they clothed themselves with fig—leaf aprons, only to learn their self—salvation was but a transparent sham, as they heard the voice of the Lord God when He appeared in the garden to walk and talk with them; and how they were afraid and hid themselves from the presence of the Lord amongst the trees of the garden? Read that divinely inspired story so pregnant with germinal truths!—truths concerning the tempter, the fall of man, his godless self—salvation, his divinely caused disillusionment, the divine curse, divine promises of spiritual victory and salvation, and the story of the divinely provided coats of skins, divinely made and divinely put upon the finally penitent and submissive sinners. All of that is in Genesis the third (3rd) chapter.
Clothed By, And At Rest In Him
Have you, my dear friends, ever admitted your sin and guilt before the infinitely holy and just God, and submitted to His gracious work of salvation? Do you know that nineteen hundred years ago, outside the walls of Jerusalem, "The Lamb of God" was slain, in order that you and I might freely, instantly, and perfectly be clothed with the spotlessly white robe of His righteousness? Listen to this, the sweetest story ever told, as it is given in two Bible verses, John 3:16 and 2nd Corinthians 5:21. Let me read it to you out of the Douay, Roman Catholic Translation of the Bible:
"For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting."
John 3:36: "He that believeth in the Son hath life everlasting: but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Now 2nd Corinthians 5:21, from the Roman Catholic Douay Translation of the Scriptures:
"Him, who knew no sin, he bath made sin for us: that we might be made the justice of God in him," — or "be made the righteousness of God in Him," — King James Translation.
Have you ever read with hushed heart, the infinitely tender words of the Lord Jesus, as found in Matthew 11:28-30:
"Come unto me, all you that labour and are burdened: and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light." (That's the Douay Translation.)
Now the King James Translation: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Is Mary needed here?
Do you think it's possible for anyone to believe in this ever—approachable, ever—available Savior, and at the same time believe that there is any value whatsoever in seeking an audience with Mary? Must we beg her to persuade her supposedly distant and reluctant Son to please have mercy on us, and help us for whom He left Glory to come down and voluntarily die? He lovingly died the substitutionary death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Romans 8:32 assures us of God's willingness to enrich all who believe in His Son. God who "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" So, we can "come boldly to the throne of grace --- to help in time of need," we are told in Hebrews 4:16.
The Ever—Ready Jesus
Who had to, or who ever did, go to Christ through Mary, when He was on earth? Did the poor adulterous Samaritan woman have to go through Mary? or did the Savior go to that dirty, bruised, and broken sinner? Read that story of Christ's amazing grace! Read it for yourselves, my friends, in John the fourth chapter. Did that poor woman with the long—standing issue of blood — that otherwise despairing, impoverished woman, who had spent all her funds on earth's physicians, only to be left penniless and sicker yet--did she have to go through Mary, begging the more acceptable creature, Mary, to overpower her otherwise occupied Creator—Son, to please grant the sick woman a little help at least? Oh, no! Thank God, for the still available, seeking Savior, who is "full of grace and truth." (Will you make a note of this, my friends? Please do.) Read that, and several other equally beautiful stories of Christ's personal and merciful contact with the sick and dying, the discouraged outcasts of a Pharisaical society. You can find several such stories in the 5th chapter of Mark, where we read of that poor woman with the issue of blood, who said to herself, "If I may touch but his garment, I shall be whole." Let me read that story to you. Mark 5:25-34. I'm reading from the Roman Catholic Douay Translation.
"And a woman who was under an issue of blood, twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians and had spent all that she had; and was nothing better, but rather worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him and touched his garment. For she said: If I shall touch but his garment, I shall be whole. And forthwith the fountain of her blood was dried up: and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil. And immediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that proceeded from him, turning to the multitude, said: Who hath touched my garments? And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee; and sayest thou who hath touched me? And he looked about to see her who had done this."
(You see, her touch was the touch of confidence, and faith, and purpose. The rest of them touched him with the touch of a crowd curiously thronging him.)
"But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him and told him all the truth. And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace: and be thou whole of thy disease."
Do you suppose that this timid and beautifully reverent soul thought that maybe she should have gone to, and through Mary, and not have thus presumed that she, in all her weakness, poverty, and unworthiness, could personally get the immediate attention and the direct help of the King of kings? No! She had had no--Such diabolical delusion palmed off in the name of Christianity! She was not a religious infidel nor an idolator. She had heard of the seeking Savior, and she really believed the glad tidings. She allowed no one to complicate, involve, dilute, adulterate, postpone, or patent the wonderful, the glad and good news that:
"The Great Physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.
His name dispels my guilt and fear, No other name but Jesus.
Oh ! how my soul delights to hear The charming name of Jesus.
Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest name on mortal tongue; Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
Did Martha and her sister Mary go to Mary, the mother of Jesus, when their brother Lazarus died? Oh, no! The one who said, "I am the resurrection and the life" came to them and raised Lazarus from the dead. You see, Mary, the human mother of Jesus had already done her work, before Christ began His public ministry. That's exactly right! She had done all her work as his mother. That is why he made the clarifying statement that we find in Luke 11:27,28. I shall read it in the Douay Translation. Note well:
"And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck." (Referring, of course, to Mary, the human mother of Jesus.) "But he said: Yea rather blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."
BE SURE TO PUT THAT MOST SIGNIFICANT BIBLE REFERENCE DOWN. LUKE 11:27,28.
Are you thinking, "Why that's too plain!" Yes, it is very clear that Christ did not authorize anyone to regard His physical mother as being supremely honored in receiving His physical life in her womb. It is also very clear that both she and all who receive Christ's spiritual life are indescribably more honored by Him and by the Father than Mary was in her physical motherhood. If Christ really meant what He said in Luke 11:27,28, then where in the world did the Roman Catholics get all of this pageantry and drama and the rapidly increasing emphasis about the absolute necessity of our praying to Mary as our SUPER—natural Mediatrix? The answer to that question is that it all came from the world, or from the "god of this world" who is also described in the Bible as Satan who "is transformed into an angel of light." And he has ministers who come transformed as "ministers of righteousness." These most sober facts are recorded in 2nd Cor. 4:4; 11:14,15. The devil's chief desire is to rob Jesus Christ. Remember that!
Christ Renounces All Flesh And Blood Kinships
Many of you have probably heard the blasphemous teaching, that if you want a sure answer to your prayers just go through Mary; for "Jesus, her Son, can never refuse any request His mother makes." To expose that Mary—deifying and Christ—denying falsehood, let me read another passage from the Douay Translation. Matthew 12:46-50. (Two other passages along these thoughts are Mark 3:31-35; and Luke 8:19-21.) Now let me read Matthew's account:
"As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. And one said to him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking thee. But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my mother and who are my brethren? And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Could any honest, and fairly sensible person, on the face of the earth read that crystal—clear declaration from the lips of the Lord of Glory, and then believe that we are to regard Mary as "the queen of heaven," "the Mediatrix and Dispenser of all graces," "the Queen of the Kingdom of Grace"? Never! Never! Ephesians 2:18 gives the simplest formula of prayer that I know of in all the Bible. Speaking of the believing Jew and the believing Gentile, having been made one new man, Paul then says,
"For by him, (Christ ) we have access both in one Spirit to the Father." (Roman Catholic Douay Translation.)
"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (King James Translation.)
Pray in Christ's name Alone
In other words, prayer is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and on the basis of His perfect sacrificial work and His glorious resurrection life. By Christ we come, in the power and wisdom and help of the Holy Spirit, directly to the Father. "For through Christ we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. 2:18. Since the risen and glorified Christ, full of grace and truth, is now reigning on the throne of grace, neither you nor I need a religious half—way house, or a patented substation, in order to "obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need." I do not need any "friend at court" in the court of heaven for the sufficient reason that the court itself is altogether and only friendly today! (God help you to read Romans 5:21 and believe it!) "Grace is now reigning through righteousness by Jesus Christ." And since grace, undeserved goodness — the Lord Jesus full of grace and truth — is sitting on the throne of grace, I need no friend at court, I repeat, because the court is friendly. Oh, how friendly! "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest," Christ said. "I am come that ye might have life, and that ye might have it more abundantly, but ye will not come to me that ye might have life." "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Note well! "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man climb up into the sheepfold any other way than by the door, the same is a thief and a robber. I am the door."
A Biblical Rebuke
As a soldier of Jesus Christ (2nd Tim. 2) I rebuke and brand as "thieves and robbers" all who tell us that we need to or can go to the Heavenly Father through Mary rather than going confidently and directly to and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our gracious High Priest who can "be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." (Read 1st Tim. 5:20, 21; Heb. 4:15, 7:25; and 1st John 2:1,2.) I do as Timothy and others following Timothy in the line of God—called evangelists, pastors and teachers. I rebuke with all authority, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the authority of Life (not delegated authority resulting from my wearing a certain kind of clerical garb.) Paul commands God's ministers to "rebuke with all authority." "Titus, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." "Timothy, them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." Titus 1:13, 2:1; 1st Tim. 5:21.
Mary Unknown In Early Church
Did you know, my dear friends, that the last time Mary's name is mentioned is in the first chapter of the book of Acts? Did you know that Mary's name is never once mentioned after the church began? Then how — Oh how is it possible, that we today are supposed to pray to, and through Mary when the early church did no such thing and the inspired apostles taught no such thing? That's true, my friends! Try to find the name of Mary, the mother of Jesus, after Acts the first chapter! The Bible is the book that is the foundation of the faith according to every professed Christian group. It is not only the foundation but the source—book of our faith. Let me read in the Roman Catholic, Douay Translation of the Bible, Romans 10:17:
"Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ."
And where is "the word of Christ"? 2nd Tim. 3:16-17. Let me read that out of the Douay Translation:
"All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice: that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."
All right! Is praying to Mary a good work? No! How do I know? Because the word of God does not furnish us for praying to Mary! Let us again read 2nd Timothy 3:16,17 in the Douay Translation: "All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice: that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."
Do you have any record of anybody praying to Mary? Any Bible record ? No! Are we told how to pray? Yes! We are told that we "have boldness to come to the throne of grace by that new and living way, by the blood of Jesus Christ" shed for our sins, and in the power of His resurrection. Is that enough? Yes! You can go no other way! Every other way is/a byway, a dead—end. Read Prov. 14:12.
The Filthy "Queen of Heaven !"
The Romanists call Mary by scores of titles that cannot possibly apply to anyone less than a GODDESS but none of these impious titles is so surely insulting to her simplicity, modesty, and undoubted spirituality as the title, "Queen of Heaven." More and more this heathen title is applied to the mother of Jesus by these idolaters. Did you know that even in their own translation of the Bible, the Douay, the title, Queen of Heaven, is never once used except to describe the filthiest of all Babylonish goddesses, Ishtar, "the goddess of the Zidonians." Read for yourself, friend! And don't allow any professional text—twister to explain away these crystal—clear, DIVINELY INSPIRED passages: Judges 2:13; 1st Kings 11:5; (3rd Kings 11:5 in the Douay); Jer. 7:17,18 and 44:19,25. I wonder how many of you Roman Catholics will dare to read and humbly ask God to help you believe what He says rather than continue to follow religious hirelings who deny or distort such plain, God—given truth. Let me quote just one of these plain passages from the Douay Translation:
"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead the dough to make cakes to the Queen Of Heaven and to offer libations (offerings) to strange gods and provoke me to anger." Jer. 7: 17— 18.
Now what can any spiritually intelligent person think of these pious pretenders who would have us believe that they are actually moved by the Holy Spirit to thus wickedly smear the Bible "Mary" by applying to her the blasphemous name of the filthiest female deity in the Babylonish "mystery" religion? And still these papal idolaters pretend that we dishonor Mary, the true Bible character, who would be horrified if she knew how she is being so blasphemously misrepresented.
"Prove all things"
My dear friends, I warn you, I plead with you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to obey the divine command found in 1st Thes. 5:21, "prove all things"! Do you ask, "but do you think that we can prove for ourselves?" That is the only possible way you can ever know whether you are right or wrong. No one can know any Bible truth for you. There is no priest, rabbi, preacher, Bible teacher, mother, or father, on the face of the earth, that can know anything for you, any more than the groceryman can eat for you. Christ said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Why was the Bible ever written if it was not to be read — to be read by people with confidence. The divine Author of the Bible is the only and the sufficient, infallible Teacher. 1st Cor. 2:12 says:
"Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God: that we may know the things that are given us from God." (Douay)
The Lord Jesus said: "I confess to thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to little ones." Luke 10:21. (Douay) "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." Psalm 25:9. John 10: "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me, and a stranger they will not follow." Can you hear the voice of the Shepherd? "The Chief Shepherd?" "The Good Shepherd?" "The Great Shepherd?"
"Bishop" Fulton J. Sheen's "filthiness of the Spirit," the so—called Miracles of Fatima and other astounding corruptions, insults and deification of Mary are dealt with in the second section of this message. Is Rome feverishly and zealously manufacturing a female deity, "The Queen of Heaven," who will be "The Devil's Leading Lady"?
This question is in no sense far—fetched or deliberately sensational. The unforced and well documented facts presented in this second section are unbelievably heathenish and blasphemous, unbelievable to you who have not diligently studied official Roman Catholic literature on Mary and compared that delirious worship with the crystal—clear Bible. The "Anti—Christ" and the "Woman" of Revelation (Apocalypse) are not fictitious characters, my friends! God is here (Rev. 17th chapter) revealing the last acts of the devil's mad, though magnificent, drama. Study it. STUDY IT !
Little Children Now Receive Miraculous Revelations !
Today we are being asked, or rather told, to believe that in 1917 three little Portuguese children, 7, 9, and 10 years of age, had six miraculous visits from Mary, the mother of Jesus, near Fatima and heard her clearly,
10
understood her perfectly, and were able to recall precisely what she said without any older witnesses to interpret to them these "supernatural, heavenly" messages. We are stubborn, presumptuous "Protestants" who dare to think we can read and understand the Bible for ourselves without the official, "infallible" interpretation and explanations handed down to us from Rome! (We are not told who the human interpreters were for the Christians to whom the church epistles were first written.) On the basis of what these little folks quoted Mary as having said to them about her saving Russia and preventing a world—destroying war, etc., his "sovereign majesty, Pope Pius XII" formally "consecrated the world and Russia to the immaculate heart of Mary, October 31, 1942." And now Roman Catholic literature, sermons and feasts are permeated and inflamed with references to the marvelous "sun miracle," the glorious apparitions (four separate and quite distinct views of Mary) including a horrible pre—view of hellfire; and then "the solution the world has ever been seeking, the way to World Peace." This last "modest" claim appeared on the official program sheet for the "Mary's Hour" program at the Los Angeles Coliseum the first Sunday in May. And we are told that 60 or 70 thousand people went there to pray to "Our Lady of Fatima" —all because those three little children could and did understand, all for themselves and by themselves, these late, up—to—date messages from heaven which, if true, should eclipse all Scriptural and papal writings of older dates. And that is precisely what is happening.
Fatima Children Far Surpass Bernadette
In her tide and program as "OUR LADY OF FATIMA," Mary is rapidly surpassing her claims, her importance, and even the miracles that have clustered around her as "OUR LADY OF LOURDES." The still accumulating pilgrimages to her French shrine (Lourdes), the temples and trinkets, the novenas and masses, the feasts and fasts, the cathedrals and convents, the books and beads, the statues and statutes, the sermons and songs — this vast empire of religious fervor and furniture has resulted from Mary's supposed appearances at Lourdes in February, 1858. But they were appearances to whom? Who was divinely chosen to receive this stupendous, this world—shaking revelation? A man? An official, properly trained, member of "THE TEACHING CHURCH"? No! Here again we are told to believe that it was "a girl of fourteen, but younger than her years, simple, artless, and slow of understanding." (Bernadette Soubirous)
This quotation concerning the age and character of Bernadette is taken, verbatim, from an official Roman Catholic book, "The Catholic's Ready Answer," by Rev. (?) M.P. Hill, S.J., and published by Benziger Bros., New York. The imprimatur is by Remigius Lafort, S.T.D.
We may not deny that Bernadette was "slow of understanding" but we cannot believe the ecclesiastical businessmen were "slow of understanding" the possibilities of such an apparition. What they lack in facts they are ever able to supply from their fertile "infallibility."
Later in this study you will find the official "CANON LAW" of the Roman Catholics positively forbidding the pope or anyone else to teach any "new doctrine" —anything that is not taught in the Bible.
Now Let Us Hear Christ And The First "Pope"
"And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was clean." Mark 1:40-42.
Peter (the first Pope?) said: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved...Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 2:21; 4:12.
The words "prayer," and "pray," are mentioned in the Bible at least 320 times but never with even a hint that anyone did or should pray TO MARY. The word "ask," is used at least 63 times in connection with obtaining things from God, but not once is Mary to be a "MEDIATRIX," an intercessor. "Beseech" occurs about 46 times without any hint that Mary can help out. And "enquire" is found about 42 times in connection with Bible characters going to God for help but Mary is completely ignored as being of any value whatsoever in influencing the infinitely gracious Giver to be kind toward the objects of His infinite grace.
In other words, God has told us how to pray — has positively and clearly spoken to us at least 471 times about prayer — but did NOT once mention Mary's name in connection with "prayer." What true Bible—Christian could believe, then, that God ever intended His children to pray to or through her?
ROME SAYS:
"If you seek Jesus without Mary, you seek Him in vain," —St. Bonaventure. (P. 5, Scapular Magazine, Jan.—Feb. 1949.)
GOD SAYS:
"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30.
ROME SAYS:
"How is it that the same Lord, who was under the old law so severe in punishing, exercises so great mercy towards the greatest sinners? He does all this for the love and merits of Mary. Oh how long since would the world have been destroyed, if Mary had not preserved it by her intercession. But we may with confidence go to God and hope for every blessing, now that the Son is our mediator with the divine Father, and the mother with the Son. How can it be that the Father will refuse to hear graciously the Son when he shows him the wounds he has received for sinners? And how can it be that the Son will not graciously hear the mother, when she shows him the breasts from which she has nourished us?" pp. 299, 300, Glories of Mary,
GOD SAYS:
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:9-11.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1st Tim. 2:5.
ROME SAYS:
"Mary dies; but how does she die?...Oh holy mother... by the merits of thy precious death,...obtain for us pardon for our sins.
"...She is so powerful with our Judge that she gains all the causes which she defends.
13
"...Oh our life, our sweetness, and our hope! Mary, pray Jesus for us." Ibid. pp. 755-757.
GOD SAYS:
"God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32.
"Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them...For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 7:25; 4:15, 16.
A Robber's Head (Cut Off) Prays to Mary
"In the country of Normandy a certain robber was beheaded, and his head was thrown into a trench; but afterwards it was heard crying: 'Mary, give me confession.' A priest went up to him and heard his confession; and questioning him as to his practices of devotion, the robber answered that he had no other except that of fasting one day of the week in honor of the holy Virgin, and that for this our Lady had obtained for him the grace to be delivered from hell by that confession."
This story is given the highest endorsements by the Roman Catholic church as it appears on p.689 of "The Glories of Mary" by "St. Alphonsus Liguori," one of Rome's most beloved writers and theologians.
Again the intoxicated lovers of their strange goddess blaspheme Christ under the amorous pretense of showing love and devotion to Mary.
Mary More Merciful Than God!
"Holy Mary, pray for us sinners. 0 Mary, to whom shall we go? I do not dare to appear before thy Son and beg Him for His grace because of my many sins. Therefore, 0 loving intercessor and powerful mediator, I take refuge to thee. Intercede for me and for all sinners...Show thyself a mother to us." p. 58 of "The Treasury of Mary."
These two stories ( out of many others of the same import ) teach nothing if it is not that Mary is far more loving, merciful, and forgiving than is our Lord Jesus Christ. Can this be the same Christ who said: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30. Listen again to our blessed Savior's infinite grace: "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.
But again this available Savior, "meek and lowly in heart," is "piously" made to appear as definitely secondary to Mary; even unapproachable except through Mary. Just listen to this: "St. Louis Grignon" says simply: "To find grace, we must find Mary...Certainly, thousands and millions have attained to eternal glory through Mary, who without Mary would have become victims of their sins and terrible vices." The same Grignon continues: "God has chosen Mary for the treasurer, the administratrix and dispensatrix of all His graces, so that all His graces and all His gifts pass through her hand, and no gift is bestowed on man by heaven except through her virginal hands ! Many doctors of the church are of the same opinion." pp.8— 10 of "To Jesus Through Mary." (Benedictine Convent — Clyde, Mo.) Please let us read one more claim made for Rome's goddess, Mary. It appears on p. 44 of this same booklet. "Do not imagine that it is more perfect to go directly to Jesus, directly to God Himself, in your actions and intentions. If you go to Him without Mary your actions will be less valuable and meritorious than if you act through Mary."
Fulton Sheen Says Monks In Darkness Sing To Mary
In his national radio "Catholic Hour" broadcast, Fulton Sheen, the number one religious star of television says of the Trappist monks, "When their seven hours of formal prayer are ended, all the lights are turned out in the chapel. In this total darkness (spiritual darkness too. —M.M.J.) they begin singing in Latin, the 'Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.' At that moment the large stained glass window at the end of the long nave, which one could not see in the darkness, begins to be illumined...First, one sees the face of the Blessed Virgin, at which time the voices of these holy men, as if inspired by the beauty of the Saviour's Mother, burst into song more vibrant, more heartfelt than any hymn of their day. The light now begins to suffuse more of the window, one can now see the blessed mother holding the Divine Child. His very presence intensifies their need of her intercession."
Just what does that last expression mean if not that, even as a Babe—in—arms, the infinitely tender and compassionate Savior was really frightening and terrifying as compared with this "Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life." To Sheen and these monks Christ is still a Babe—in—arms. 2nd Cor. 5:16,17 would bring such "night—worshippers" into "the light as He is in the light." 1st John 1:7.
Sheen continues: "The chapel echoes with the words: `To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send forth our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.' By this time the whole window is illuminated with the saints of the Trappist order" (dead monks who have been made "saints" by the Roman saint factory. —M.M.J.) "all gathered around our Lady and her Divine Son." (still a baby! —M.M.J.) "Feeling themselves one with that great family, their exultant song goes on: 'Turn then most Gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus."'
Weasel Words Rob Christ
Does "Bishop" Sheen shrink in holy horror at these blasphemous words addressed to Mary, "most Gracious Advocate"? He does not! His entire series of talks on "The Woman" consist of just such smooth "weasel words" — blood—sucking words that devitalize Christ while glorifying a Mary utterly unlike the mother of Jesus. All Christians are glad to call the humble Jewess — the Bible Mary — "blessed" — blessed only and exactly as God in His Word tells us she was blessed by Him. The one and only ADVOCATE between God and men is "the man Christ Jesus" "who ever liveth to make intercession for us." (See 1st Tim. 2:5 and Hebrews 7:25) No amount of later efforts to compliment the Son of God can remove that Romanist Insult heaped upon our Lord by those who are passionately determined to make this "the age of Mary." If Mary is the "most Gracious Advocate" then she IS and Christ is less gracious. Some Roman Catholics will doubtless see their Christ—belittling inconsistency. Others will continue to give their inferior "Christ" whatever place they may have left for him.
Who And Where Is This Vile "Woman"?
If these words sound severe and uncharitable it is only to those who are ignorant of the identity, the methods and the satanic purposes of "wolves in sheep's clothing." If you can thoughtfully read these authentic Romanist quotations given in this study and still not be profoundly stirred with righteous indignation, it will surely be because you, too, are "drunk with the wine of the fornication of that old whore, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth." Read Revelation
(Apocalypse in the Douay version) 17th chapter, and remember these shocking words are chaste words — words given John by divine inspiration to describe some vast system of religion that is going to succeed in deceiving "ten kings" and "peoples, and multitudes and nations and tongues." This "woman arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls" is nothing if she is not the mistress of pageantry, intoxicating sorcery, mysticism and witchcraft. The movies and now the television are literally "made to order" for this satanic scheme of sight (sensual) religion — soulish rather than spiritual. (Jude 19) Many of our forefathers who read their Bibles rather than the funny (?) papers were soberly sure that they had identified this unspeakably cruel, though brilliant and bewitching "Mystery Babylon The Great."
Don't Be A Religious Ostrich!
Are you a religious "ostrich," snugly "hiding" in the sands of "tolerance and broadmindedness," willingly ignorant of the ugly facts? The Lord Jesus commands all Christians to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:11) "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, (literally, out from among), and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. 5:14)
Sheen's Drunken Drivel Continues
Rome's "foreign religious agent," Sheen, continues: "No men in the world sing like the Trappists in their night song to our Lord and His Lady. Here are over two hundred men all in love, and with the same Woman! And without jealousy, in wild tranquility, they ask but one favor: that she betray them with the 'starry treachery of her eyes' into the Heart of her Divine Son. As John the Baptist leaped in the womb of his mother at the sight of the Blessed Virgin, so do these monks, locked in the dark womb of contemplation, leap like other Johns at the Virgin's presence."
I think I am beginning to really appreciate why this religious actor is so popular with the pharisaical millions who may openly frown upon "filthiness of the flesh" but dearly love "filthiness of the spirit." (See 2nd Cor. 7:1) You who have read with any honest attention the life and epistles of the Apostle Paul, if you can now so twist your mind, imagine that Spirit—taught and Spirit—led man of God asking Mary "with wild tranquility, but one favor: that she betray (him) with the 'starry treachery of her eyes' into the heart of her Divine Son." The human mother of Jesus played no part whatsoever in Saul's (Paul's) conversion. She had already completed the truly beautiful and blessed work God had given her, that of bearing and briefly bringing up the Babe. The Heavenly Father "revealed His Son" in and to Paul who was later caught up into "the third heaven" and given glorious revelations, directly from the Glorified Christ. Evidently all of these marvelous truths concerned only Christ and His church because Mary is never once mentioned. This fact, alone, demolishes Rome's inverted pyramid of ever—fattening fables about Mary — the fact that "the apostle to the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13) was led by the Spirit of God to completely ignore the mother of Jesus in all of his 14 inspired epistles. Note this well if you desire to be an intelligent Christian.
"Filthiness Of The Spirit"
"God did not destroy man after his first sin because of His singular love for the holy virgin who was to be born of our race." p. 53, "Faith and Youth" by Burton Confrey. (Please note that all quotations from Roman Catholic writings in this study are taken from official publications with the "Nihil Obstat" and the "Imprimatur" duly appearing. And, incidentally, this writer, M.M.J., has every book and pamphlet from which he quotes!) "Mary, when she sees the anger of divine justice kindled against sinners, invites them to resort to the shelter of her protection. St. Bona—venture remarks that Isaiah, in his day lamented... because Mary was not yet born into the world. (Read Isaiah 64:5-7.) But now, if God is offended with any sinner, and Mary undertakes to protect him, she restrains the Son from punishing him, and saves him... No one can be found more fit than Vary to place her hand upon the sward of divine justice, that it may not descend upon the head of the sinner. Richard S. Laurence expresses the same thought, when he says: `God lamented, before the birth of Mary, that there was no one to restrain Him from punishing the sinner; but Mary being born, she appeases Him.' " "St. Bridget heard one day Jesus Christ saying to His mother, that she could obtain the divine favor even for Lucifer, if he world humble himself so far as to ask Her help." pp. 133-135 of "The Glories of Mary" by Liguori.
"Oh my great advocate have pity on me! ...Take me under thy protection, and this will be enough...yes, for if thou dost protect me 1 fear nothing...from the demons, for thou art more powerful than all hell united; nor from Jesus my Judge, himself; for by one prayer of thine he is appeased...My mother, I trust in thee; in this hope I repose and live, and in this hope I wish to die."
"Thy name, oh mother of God, is full of all graces and blessings...Thou hast for a debtor him to whom all creatures owe their being. We are all debtors to God, but God is a debtor to thee." ..."Oh Mary, thou art omnipotent to save sinners." (Ibid. pp. 771, 772, 326, 327.)
Rome Deifies Mary and Humanizes Christ
No militant anti—God communist ever damned God more effectively than these goddess—worshippers do in this anti—Christ Mariolatry. The communists are not so subtle — so surely "wolves in sheep's clothing." When we who spiritually know and love our gracious Savior and Lard seek to BIBLICALLY humanize this Roman GODDESS falsely called "Mary," we are never credited with seeking to really honor Christ. We are venomously attacked and viciously accused of dishonouring Mary. Rome deifies Mary and humanizes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Have you ever wondered just what Paul meant in 2nd Cor. 7:1, by the expression, "Filthiness of the Spirit"? ? ?
Who is this "Mary" that these delirious blasphemers are fawning and driveling over while they are so brazenly disfiguring Him "Who made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:6-9.) Certainly she cannot be the sweet, simple Jewess whom no sober Christian ever ignorantly and wickedly regarded as being more compassionate and understanding than the Creator who gave her all of the natural graces which she possessed.
"Fatima" Fables — "Signs And Lying Wonders"
It took over thirteen years for the local Roman Bishop to "officially" decide that the following stupendous "sun miracle" and the six (not 666) miraculous appearances of "Mary" to three little Portuguese children outside Fatima, Portugal were real. We are asked to believe that 70,000 people saw a rainy, cloudy sky suddenly "opened at the zenith and the sun appeared as a pale disk at which all could gaze without discomfort. Then...the huge ball began what has been described as a dance, in which it whirled like a pin—wheel, zig—zagged and dived towards the earth. From it" (the sun, not a Roman candle or a fourth of July sparkler, but old SOL, the Monarch of the Day —M.M.J.) "came streamers of flame assuming various colors of the spectrum...It appeared to approach the earth and hang suspended, wheeling above the heads of the throng. The thousands fell upon their knees uttering cries of terror or supplication, begging forgiveness...Then the sun withdrew to its normal place in the heavens, as the children (7, 9, and 10 years of age!!!) announced withdrawal of the Blessed Virgin, with Whom they had again held converse."
Rome's Miracle—Judges "Miraculously" Slow
The most unbelievable "miracle" in this entire heaven and earth—shaking series of Fatima—fables is that such a stupendous, awe—inspiring, and convulsing event could have been kept secret for over 13 years. That, my friends, was a "miracle" — the Roman variety of "hocus—pocus" sorcery that is delightfully bewitching to those who cannot endure "sound doctrine" and are "turned unto fables" exactly as the Holy Spirit declared in 2nd Tim. 4:1-5. Read also the inspired prophecy about "signs and lying wonders." 2nd Thess. 2:9.
The Heathen Rosary
The 60—odd thousand people who groveled before the statue of "Our Lady of Fatima" in the Los Angeles Coliseum on May 3, 1953, slavishly mumbled the Rosary in "vain repetition." And what is this intoxicating and doleful chant? Where did it come from and when? Roman Catholics readily admit that for over a thousand years "the church" had no Rosary. (See p. 96 of "The Dominicans" by John Baptist Reeves O.P. with the Imprimatur of Patrick Hayes; and p. 239 of "Catholic Ceremonies" from the French, published by Benziger Bros., N.Y. It has the Imprimatur of Michael Augustine.)
In spite of Rome's slick—tongued apologists' efforts to show that these "vain repetitions" in their many chants and prayers, especially the Rosary, are not "vain repetitions" they slip up once in a while and make such deadly admissions as the following, appearing in "The Externals of the Catholic Church" written by "Rev." John F. Sullivan with the Nihil Obstat of Arthur J. Scanlon and the Imprimatur of John Cardinal Farley of New York, page 186:
"Repetition in prayer is a very ancient custom...He finds that the repeating of his prayers satisfies his instincts." (Note that! Then these "vain repetitions" falsely called Christian prayers are actually nothing but self—satisfying auto—suggestion. —M. M. J .) "This usually leads to a resolution to say a certain number of prayers daily; and then the utility of having some counting device suggests itself at once. Hence comes the string of beads which we call the Rosary."
"Mary's Children" Kin To Buddhists !
"The use of some means of counting prayers is not restricted to Catholics. The Brahmin of India or Tibet has his long rosary(!!) which he uses to measure his eternal repetitions of the praises of Buddha. The Mohammedan votary has his chaplet of ninety—nine beads to count his fervent invocations to Allah." Is that how the "Mistress on Seven Hills" hopes to "convert the world" — merely take over the most effective heathen practices and perform them more dramatically and entertainingly than their pagan originators did? Of course, the devil's "Christ" (the antichrist) would be a stupid imitation were his Babylonish religion not brought up to date, revamped, and presented as "The One True, UNCHANGED, Catholic Church of Jesus Christ." (See Hyslop's "Two Babylons."
Will A Grain Of Wheat Produce Grape Nuts?
When faced with their damnable lies about being the "same unchanged and unchangeable church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ," the papists brazenly assert that their religious conglomeration is the "mustard tree" that Christ spoke of and, though it has grown large, it all came from the seed found in the Bible. They know that it is actually "canon law" (their "infallible tradition") that not even the POPES can "spread abroad new doctrine." Hear John A. O'Brien in his "nihil obstatted" and "imprimatured" book, "The Faith of Millions," page 134: "Infallibility does not mean that the pope is inspired. The Apostles and Evangelists received this gift, as their writings are accepted as the revealed Word of God. But the Church does not teach that the Pope is inspired, or that he receives a divine revelation properly so—called. Thus the Vatican council declares: 'for the Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter (other popes —M.M.J.) in order that they might spread abroad new doctrine which He reveals, but that under His assistance they might guard inviolably, and with fidelity explain the (note that the —M.M.J.) revelation or deposit of faith handed down by the Apostles."
How many of you Roman Catholics have ever heard or read that before? I was utterly amazed when I found that in this popular Roman Catholic book. Now go to "the deposit of faith," the revealed Word of God, and try to find any "seed" that would or could ever possibly bring forth this Rosary. NO BIBLE SEED DID BRING IT FORTH in the early church for over a thousand years, they, themselves, inform us. How can anyone but deliberate liars contend that they have no NEW doctrines, that they are the natural growth — only the inevitable out—growth from the Bible truths given to and by the Evangelists and the Apostles, and at the same time tell of this new religious order and that; this new feast and that; this way of selecting a "head" (pope) for a temporarily headless body and that. Only a few hundred years ago they decided to elect their "heads" by locking all of the cardinals up in separate cells in Rome until such time as these headless members cast the required number of votes for a new "head." This is precisely how the popes are now elected. (See the Roman Catholic Encyclopedia.)
Christ's Righteousness Called "Primitive Nakedness"
"She could not return to her primitive nakedness and begin again," writes Reeves in "The Dominicans," page 3. This "primitive nakedness" of the church of Jesus Christ that the Babylonish tailor sneers at was the spotlessly white robes of Christ's righteousness, in which livery of glory the early Christians went forth conquering and to conquer. The gaudy garb of Mystery Babylon in those days was worn only by out-and-out pagans and a few corrupted Jews. And make no mistake about it, friends, Spirit—led and Spirit—taught Christians filled with "joy unspeakable and full of glory" "worship God in spirit and truth, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Read Phil. 3:3) We humbly and gratefully prefer Heaven's unearthly "garments of salvation" to all the "filthy rags" of Adam's fallen family. That "old whore" of Revelation Chapter 17 has indeed evolved far beyond her "primitive nakedness."
Popish—Pagan "Christmas" and "Easter"
In his imposing volume, "The Beginnings of Christianity," the "Very Reverend" Thomas J. Shahan, S.T.D., J.U.L., professor of Church History in the Catholic University of Washington, makes this surprisingly frank admission: (See chapter on The Origin of Christmas) "Only those who habitually deal with the early Christian ages know by how many slender but firm roots the Roman church is connected with the beginnings of Christianity...The origin of the feast of Christmas has been the subject of much investigation within the last few years...What was the motive of its introduction? Leaving aside the supposition that it was celebrated earlier than the third century" (get that, friends! —1v1.M.J.) "...two motives have been urged for its celebration at this peculiar time. One is that it was meant to off—set the Saturnalia, a licentious, pagan carnival celebrated from the 17th to the 23rd of December...The other is that it was established to counteract the pagan feast of the invincible Sun (natalis Solis invicti), celebrated, according to the Julian calendar, on the 25th of December...The exterior growth of the habit of celebrating the birthdays of the emperors would naturally" (not spiritually ! —M.M.J.) "lead to a more positive tribute to the King of kings and the Lord of lords...At Rome, more easily than elsewhere, the frequency and majesty of imperial ceremony would deepen the Christian sense of the Eternal Kingship of Jesus...Not unnatural in a people who project back upon their pagan past some small" (`small'? —M.M.J.) "share of their Christian consciousness. It was the Germanic peoples, however, who were destined to make the fortune of Christmas." (And how well the covetous Vatican learned the FABULOUS possibilities of this, and the Easter Queen—of—Heaven—Goddess—of—the—Zidonians spring festivals! —M.M.J.) "It (Christmas) fell at a time when they were wont to celebrate their pagan sacrifices, and the missionaries prudently gave their traditional customs a Christian sense and direction." (Note well!! —M.M.J.) "The rich cheer, the abundant presents, the lavish hospitality of their old pagan days were not abolished. Nor were the numerous Scandinavian ceremonies in honor of the Yule" (the dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the Sun—god. —M.M.I.), "the log, the candle, the boar's head, the common feasting...The mince pies and spice cakes recall the gross and barbarous wassailings" (drinking parties —M.M.J.) "of the primitive Goth and Saxon."
Lo! The "Temple of God" Is In Agreement With Idols!
Did you note that serpentine statement, "the missionaries prudently gave their (the heathen idolaters) traditional customs a Christian sense and direction?" In other words, Rome's missionaries, with the blessing of the papa at Rome, merely switched the labels on poisonous, pagan idolatry. Presto! Hocus—pocus! "Now," says Rome in effect, "you wandering non—Catholics should come back home since even you should now be able to see clearly that 'the temple of God' has taken over most of the attractive features of heathenism. And the 'Mother Church' no longer confronts the world in her "primitive nakedness" but is now 'arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.' Thus, she has won the admiration and even the envy of the rest of the world."
Are we to understand, then, that the command to "touch not the unclean thing" really means exactly the opposite? Instead of the plain words of the Almighty to, "...come out from among them, and be ye separate," Rome says, "Go in! Sprinkle holy water on the pagan idolatries. Change the names Astarte, Easter, Diana, etc., to 'Holy Mary, Mother of God,' and see how 'the primitive nakedness,' — the drab ugliness of first century Christianity — shines forth in awesome splendor and enchanting loveliness" —thanks to the devil and the Vatican.
The "First Pope" Was Indeed A Radical!
Granting for the moment the brazen claims that Peter was a Pope, it should not be difficult to get the ear of all Roman Catholics as we read what their first pope did write by divine inspiration. I refer to Peter's statements about worldly habits and pagan religions. Listen !
"The time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, ...revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ...If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." 1st Pet. 4:3-4,14.
This Spirit—taught fisherman didn't try to convert devil—inspired heathen by merely sprinkling "holy water" on their filthy idolatries. This first "pope" evidently was not an accomplished sophist, a "hocus—pocus" expert, practiced in the arts of Jesuitism. He seemed to lack utterly both the ability and the willingness to "prudently give their (heathen) practices and customs a Christian sense and direction."
Rome Once Refused To Make Mary A Goddess
After reading for scores of hours over several years in many official papist books, pamphlets, and magazines, I have found nothing that so frankly and accurately tells the story of Rome's Mariolatry (the worship of Mary) as the following from "Sermons From The Flemish" with the Imprimatur of Thomas Gulielmus and published by Michael Kearney, London: "This feast of the nativity (Mary's birthday) was not celebrated from the beginning of Christianity, as is also the case with the other festivals of our Blessed Lady, because, say pious writers, the Church did not consider it expedient. As we know, the Christians of the first ages lived in the midst of heathens and idolaters; their number (Christians) was small, whilst millions genuflected (knelt) before the altars of the false gods and offered them their incense and adoration. The Church then wished to bring all these deluded people to the knowledge and adoration of the true God, and therefore she avoided introducing public feasts in Mary's honor." (Read that again, my friends, and then read it AGAIN. —M.M.J.), "for she feared, and that with reason, that heathens who had already placed so many women among the number of their gods would have also adored Mary as a goddess...She" (the papal sect —M.M.J.) "only instituted these feasts by degrees, arranging all according to the necessities of times and places..." etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum. (That Latin phrase, in Texas English means "the farther you read the sicker you get.)
No! We Should Not And We CANNOT Pray To Mary !
Mary, the humble Jewess, "the mother of Jesus," was undoubtedly baptized with the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem when the other believers in Christ were, according to Acts 2. This baptism supernaturally placed all thus baptized into the church which is Christ's body, for "by (in) one Spirit are we all baptized into one body ...and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." 1st Cor. 12:13. Therefore, Mary is now spiritually in Christ, "asleep in Jesus" awaiting the resurrection when Christ returns. (See 1st Thess. 4:13-18 and 1st Cor. 15:20-23, 51-57) Though "present with the Lord" as to her inner—man, her redeemed soul and spirit, Mary does not yet have her immortal, resurrection body, according to God's plain, clear, and final Word. And I challenge any Bishop, Cardinal or elected—head (the pope) to show any germ or seed in the Bible from which their recently defined dogma of "Mary's bodily assumption" has sprouted. Remember well that no Catholic had to believe Mary was even alive until the present pope declared and defined it officially — "ex cathedra" — Nov. 1, 1951. Now they all must believe it. Thus it is that a thing may be "true" in Rome's religion but no Romanist is bound to believe it until, if and when, a Pope officially declares it to be true. Study that, the most ridiculous of all Rome's fables. Without this farce called "Papal Infallibility," Romanism falls apart utterly. If one could pray to Mary now he or she would have to go through Christ first, for Mary is now in Christ or she is in hell. But, since all true believers in the substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus have been baptized into Jesus Christ, every saved soul is as near to Christ as is Mary. That is why Bible believers can gratefully and confidently say with Paul: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ...in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him...And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me...What shall we then say to these things? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Eph. 1:3, 3:12; and Rom. 8:31, 32.
We Pray For, Never To, The Saints
As brethren, fellow members in the church which is Christ's body, we may and should be "helpers together" by praying for each other as Paul writes, That, however, is a radically different thing from Paul's asking "the Mother of God" to use her infinitely greater purity and spiritual persuasiveness with her Son in order that he, the greatly inferior believer, might, possibly, (thanks to Mary) get an answer. For anyone to attempt to pray to Mary or any other dead believer (dead to all earth contacts) is pagan and devilish.
Title, "Mother of God," Late Fiction
By the way, I was about to forget to call to your attention that the utterly blasphemous title, "Mother of God," was never given to the mother of Jesus by even the Romanists until 431 A.D. at the Council of Ephesus. (See "An Advanced Catechism" by Thomas J. O'Brien, with Imprimatur by Ign. F. Horstmann, Bishop of Cleveland, Copyright 1913.)
Try This Case, Not The Witness !
Now, a wad of caution. The favorite trick of real Romanists is to try the witness and NOT the case. The Lord Jesus Christ commands us to "judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24. I, Maurice Johnson, have studied and then written this paper with but one controlling desire — to help all readers to "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name..." "that in all things he might have the pre—eminence."Psa. 29:2; Col. 1:18.
Whether I have black or white hair, whether my grammar, spelling, and literary (?) style is base or not — all such considerations are beside the subject discussed in this study.
Are You One of Heaven's "Nobility" or
One of Religious Babylon's "Gullibility"?
Would an intelligent and efficient fireman ever turn the hose on the man or woman who discovered and reported the fire? Of course, if a false alarm were turned in, a justly indignant fireman would very likely feel like giving the culprit a good wetting. However, there is a very dishonest, disconcerting, and often wickedly effective trick that unscrupulous lawyers employ when they have a bad case and are in a tough spot because of the true and damaging evidence being given by witnesses on the other side. This deceitful trick is known as "trying the witness" instead of trying the case.
Before any of you decide to turn the hose on me or try me, the writer of this study, will you first read it? Will you sincerely try the case herein presented and not try me, the witness, at least until you shall have given me a fair and intelligent hearing. Heaven's "nobility" first hear with unprejudiced minds, and then they seek to prove the truthfulness or falsity of the things affirmed.
Remember well, my friends, that no preacher, priest, or rabbi on the face of the earth can know for you and me any more than the grocer can eat for us.
Everything that is truly Christian about any of you readers has involuntarily rejoiced as you have seen the Lord Jesus Christ being honored and glorified while Mary was being acknowledged as the highly favored human mother of Jesus.
This writer and those supporting him in this "work of faith" are living, born—again members of the one and only true, "catholic" church. It was in existence and doing most efficient and effective business in Jerusalem before there was a single Christian at Rome. If you are a saved soul you are one with us in that glorious church, "the body of Christ."