IS IT MARY,
OR THE
LADY OF THE JESUITS?

INTRODUCTION

The English-speaking world is summoned by God’s providence to throw off the Romish fetter. George Müller, in speaking of England, says, “We are fast drifting into Romanism. What an awful thing it is that enlightened England, standing out before the nations century after century as the champion of Protestantism, should little by little be drifting into Popery.”

In Brighton, England, Oct. 9th, 1889, two months after I called attention to the Ritualism existing in the established Church of England, Captain J. P. Cotham, chairman of the Council of the Church Association, said in an address in the Town Hall: “Well, after all, what was it Dr. Fulton had said? He was only attacking the doctrine of the virginity of Mary as far as it was observed by the Church of Rome, as all know. Had he been fairly dealt with by the Bishop of Chichester? No.”

Rev. Mr. McCormick in his reply had told the Bishop that the incarnation of the Saviour was not a doctrine thought at all lightly of by Dr. Fulton; he held it as firmly as anyone else. The Bishop is compelled to admit that what he really objected to was his preaching against the doctrine held by the Church of Rome. All Romish doctrine was adhered to and held by the High Churchmen all round, and every one of the features of the Church of Rome was attempted to be introduced into the Church of England. This is the cause of the commotion raised by the sermon, in a single sentence. His words were but the spark falling into the mine of error, causing an explosion which has shaken all England, and is filling all the world with the reverberations of the resounding ruin.

In Ottawa, Ont., where the letters of the Bishop of Chichester had been printed again and again, I delivered the sermon.

During the day, the Baptist Convention, then in session, had moved and passed the following resolution:

Resolved, “That this convention hereby express our sympathy with Dr. J. D. Fulton, of New York, for the zeal, energy, and ability displayed by him in the work of opposing Romish aggression, and seeking to bring to Christ those who are held by her in spiritual darkness.”

At night, Knox Church was crowded to the doors. The meeting opened with song and prayer. Very many of the lovers of the truth came to swell the vast assemblage. At the beginning I refused an introduction, for I desired to speak freely, and let the people judge concerning the statements made. The sermon was delivered, and at the close I asked those who believed that I had lifted up Christ and glorified Him, without in the slightest manner disparaging the character of Mary as revealed in the New Testament, to manifest it by holding up their hands. The sight was most inspiring. The vast assemblage unanimously declared in favor of the sentiments expressed. Then, I said, “If there is one here who feels that I have uttered a single word derogatory to the character of Mary as revealed in the New Testament, manifest it by the same sign.” Not a hand was raised.

I gave way for the Pastor to speak. His letter, with that of the Rev. W. J. Hunter, D.D., of the Carlton St. Methodist Church, Toronto, and Rev. E. Ryckman, D.D., of the Dominion Methodist Church, Ottawa, Ont., express their approval in words which prove that Jesus Christ our Lord is the object of worship, and is believed in as the one Mediator.

Rev. W. J. Hunter, D.D., says:

My Dear Dr. Fulton:

I want to thank you for your excellent sermon on “The Virgin Mary,” preached in my church on Tuesday evening last, and to express the hope that it may be published in pamphlet form, and sent broadcast over the land.

It is an exhaustive exposition of the subject, fortified by Scripture proofs which no one can dispute. Even Protestants need to be instructed on this question.

I endorse every position and sentiment of your masterly sermon.

Yours fraternally,
W. J. HUNTER
Pastor, Carlton Street Methodist Church, Toronto

The pastor of Knox Church, Ottawa, gives this outspoken endorsement of the sermon:

“The Rev. J. D. Fulton, D.D., delivered his lecture entitled ‘Is it Mary or the Lady of the Jesuits’ in Knox Church, City Hall Square, Ottawa, on the evening of October 21st inst., to an audience which filled every seat of the capacious building. For one hour and a half he held the attention of the vast assembly. His lecture in the main is a masterly exposition of the following points:

1st. Of the position which the Scriptures and our Lord Himself assign to Mary.

2nd. Of the anti-scriptural and idolatrous position which the Romish Church assigns to Mary.

3rd. Of the great Scripture doctrine that Christ Jesus is the only and all-sufficient Mediator between God and man.

These points were illustrated and expressed with great clearness and power. In the course of this wonderful lecture, there was not a word said to detract from the honor of her to whom Elizabeth, ‘filled with the Holy Ghost,’ said ‘Blessed art thou among women,’ nor to shock the modesty of the most morally sensitive hearer. I believe that in the present crisis, this lecture of Dr. Fulton’s is eminently fitted to do much good, aside from its truthful exposure of soul-destroying error, and its powerful and loving presentation of soul-saving truth.”

F. W. FERRIES
Pastor, Knox Church, Ottawa.

Rev. Dr. Ryckman writes as follows:

“I had the privilege of hearing the lecture on ‘Mary the Mother of our Lord,’ delivered by Dr. Fulton of Brooklyn, in Knox Church in this city. It was certainly an able, thorough, and scriptural discussion of the subject under consideration. Although the lecturer spoke in forcible tones of Romish errors, and their influence in misleading those who accept them, yet the entire lecture was characterized by a spirit of Christian love towards the Roman Catholics themselves, and not a word was uttered which could be properly regarded as irreverent, or as doing dishonor to the most honored of women.”

E. B. RYCKMAN
Pastor, Dominion Methodist Church, Ottawa.

Rev. Mr. Meikle, the Evangelist, said “that the sermon had so held up Christ that it inspired him for work. Souls here have been touched.” He gave the speaker his earnest Godspeed.

Rev. Wm. Auffray, of London, in a letter dated Oct. 11th, 1889, says: “Your last doings in England have created an immense turmoil, a fearful row, a tremendous commotion, and have done an immense good.”

Rev. R. G. Boville, of Hamilton, Ont., in the Baptist Convention, said: “There is need of such work as Dr. Fulton is doing, to combat the aggressiveness of the Romish Church, and all must be blind who do not see it.”

The blow has been struck. Romanism and Ritualism feel it. Timid and time-serving Protestants may attempt to belittle it, but in vain. Error is wounded and writhes in pain, and is dying amid its worshippers. Let it die, and let Christ, who is our life, become our joy and praise, and the hallelujahs of victory shall fill the air.

JUSTIN D. FULTON
255 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
November, 1889

(To be continued.)