Page:William John Sparrow-Simpson - Roman Catholic Opposition to Papal Infallibility (1909).djvu/294

 274 Sinai; by the other to tokens of divine displeasure and approaching desolation. But whatever constructions were placed upon the circumstance, the dogma decreed indisputably declared that—

For a few more meetings the diminished Council lingered on. The eighty-seventh Congregation was held on 13th August, when the total of Bishops present was reduced to 136. Two further Sessions were held on 23rd August and 1st of September, when the numbers dwindled still further to 127 and 104. But for all real purposes the Council met no more after the fourth Public Session and the proclamation of Infallibility.