Page:William John Sparrow-Simpson - Roman Catholic Opposition to Papal Infallibility (1909).djvu/203

 ] anxious for its safety, repudiated all connection with its former associate. The unfortunate priest was the victim of the grossest attacks and suspicions. A few—but very few—ventured openly to support him. The Hungarian Prelate, Strossmayer, had the courage to strengthen him. Strossmayer had read Gratry's defence of Dupanloup with the greatest joy. Fervid indiscretion was bringing the gravest perils upon the Church, and the crisis called for the most energetic resistance. May Gratry go on and prosper! But such Episcopal encouragements were few.

On the other hand, the Bishop of Strasburg endeavoured to suppress the circulation in the usual mediæval way. He condemned the letters of Gratry as containing false propositions, scandalous, insulting to the Holy Roman Church, opening the way to errors already condemned, rash, and bordering upon heresy. He prohibited the reading, circulating, or possession of these letters either by clergy or faithful in his diocese."

5. Montalembert, ruined though he was in health by an incurable malady, was roused by this reticence among the men who secretly approved, and came to Gratry's support. "Since the strong do not support their own champion," said Montalembert, "the sick must needs rise from their beds and speak."

"I venture to say that you will not find … in my … speeches or writings a single word in conformity with the doctrines or pretensions of the Ultramontanes of the present day; and that for an excellent reason—which is, that nobody had thought of advocating them or raising them, during the period between my entrance into public life and the advent of the Second Empire. Never, thank Heaven, have I thought, said, or written