A WORD BY THE WAY.

            Our humble friend at Bethany has long since announced his call to the papistical office, in declaring that God had called him to take the supervision of “this Reformation.” He declared this in this city in 1838 to witnesses still living; so that the present year of grace may be regarded as the fourteenth of his pontificate. His Bethanian Holiness certainly does the honours of his papacy with characteristic elegance and taste. He keeps the press of his apostolate under very good caution. I have not heard of the editors depositing caution-money at Bethany, as they do at Paris, as security for their good behaviour, but from what I see of their periodicals, they evidently write with the fear of their superior before their eyes. If they believe they have any souls, they are manifestly afraid to say they are their own. The reason is obvious from the experience of the past; for if they were to write things not presently comprehended in the understood-creed of the “brotherhood,” that is, as taught by our infallible friend the Professor of Sacred History; and especially if they were to reproduce his anathemas against schools and colleges, missionary societies and the “one man system,” and urge the practice of his precepts in all modern instances, —there would be such music from about the throne as they have not heard since Sinai’s trumpets sounded terror into the heart of Israel. If they persisted to question our terrific friend’s infallibility (and, presumptuous mortals, what right have they to raise questions upon so delicate a subject; are they not themselves as nothing—and are they not glorified by the halo of his greatness in which they shine—aye! question our unerring friend’s infallibility—let them try the experiment!) they would soon find their subscription lists a beggarly report of empty post offices! As, however there have been some unmanageables among the scribes, and may possibly be again, I would submit to my lordly friend, whether it would not be expedient to decree that none of “the brotherhood” shall set up a press for the publishing of Campbellism without a license from the Chair of Sacred History; a deposit of five hundred dollars in “the Bank of Heaven;” and taking the oath off unquestioning allegiance to the infallibility and throne of our imperial and pontifical friend. We suggest this as a matter for his wisdom and sagacity to determine. The suggestion is entirely in harmony with the character and spirit of the times; and he may find it, if he think well to adopt it, as convenient and peace-promoting in his diocese, as the like policy is in those of his Romish and Parisian contemporaries.

EDITOR.