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Mgr. Louis de Ségur: Plain Talk about the Protestantism of Today [1868] - Stone - 06-24-2026
PLAIN TALK ABOUT THE PROTESTANTIMS OF TODAY
by Mgr. Louis de Ségur
Taken from here: https://archive.org/details/PlainTalkAboutTheProtestantism
by Mgr. Louis de Ségur
Taken from here: https://archive.org/details/PlainTalkAboutTheProtestantism
[The translation from the French into English as found on the archive.org site appears imperfect at times. Imperfections can be noted in the formatting as well. - The Catacombs]
The Cheapest Book Ever Published!!!
Mr. Donahoe has endeavored for years to furnish books at as cheap rates as the Protestant booksellers, and much lower than the publications of the Catholic publishers. This he has been enabled to do, from the fact that his publications are manufactured in his own buildings, and receive his personal superintendence. It is a mistake, therefore, to say that "Catholics have not cheap books." It may be that other publishers do not issue cheap books, but the charge against our establishment is not correct. And if the "gropers after truth" will give us a call, or send by letter, they will find our books are cheaper than any in the country. We challenge comparison. Remember, we allude to OUR OWN PUBLICATIONS.
In order still further to afford to our Most Reverend Archbishops and Bishops, the Reverend Clergy, and all who are desirous of circulating our books gratuitously, we have concluded to issue a cheap edition of PLAIN TALK ABOUT THE PROTESTANTISM OF TO-DAY — From the French of Mgr. Ségur.
The book has had an immense sale in France.
The Catholic Telegraph thus alludes to the book: "This is one of the most practically useful publications lately made. Its style of composition and its arrangement are admirably adapted to the use and comprehension of everyone, young and old, learned and unlearned. The Catholic who will carefully read it will have no difficulty in answering any of the many seemingly difficult or silly questions usually propounded by Protestants. And Protestants sincerely disposed to search for the truth, will find in this little volume a good pioneer."
Many similar notices might be added, but the above will suffice.
Reverend Mr. Faye, a Protestant minister at Lyons, publicly complained of the evils caused by this little book. In 1859, before the Assembly of Protestant Bible-carriers held in Geneva, he solemnly avowed that "Protestants can never do any good (?) with those who have read this book." A parson of Poitiers acknowledged the same almost in the same terms; and we know of Catholics who, having incautiously admitted doubts about their faith, became reassured by reading this Plain Talk. The wife of a minister in Paris returned the book to a lady friend with the remark that, "after reading it she could remain a Protestant no longer; she must consult her husband about it."
Not long ago an estimable English lady learned the truth of the Church from this work, became a Catholic, and, on her death-bed, directed that this little book should be laid on her breast in her coffin.
Already two thousand copies of the book have been disposed of — in neat binding, at 60 cents, retail; at wholesale, 45 cents.
NOTE TO THE PUBLISHER
You ask me, dear sir, "what makes me so anxious to publish this work in America?" — Well! I wish to have it published for the sake of Catholic children attending common schools, — of Catholic girls living out in families, — of Catholic boys serving their time, — of all dear and poor friends so often wounded in the affections dearest to their hearts, and whose religion is so often attacked in rude words.
I herewith hope to place in their hands such arms as they can easily use, and will have a telling effect on the enemies of their faith.
Nineteen editions have been published in France, up to 1866, and six hundred thousand copies sold.
The original title of the book is Causeries, — a word of difficult translation; Conversations does not render its precise meaning. Should any of your friends think of a more appropriate title-page, I shall be most thankful for the suggestion.
Reverend Mr. Faye, a Protestant minister at Lyons, has publicly complained of the evils caused by this little book. In 1859, before the Assembly of Protestant Bible-carriers held in Geneva, he solemnly avowed that "Protestants can never do any good (?) with those who have read this book." A parson of Poitiers acknowledged the same almost in the same terms; and we know of Catholics who, having incautiously admitted doubts about their faith, became reassured by reading this plain talk. The wife of a minister in Paris returned the book to a lady friend with the remark that, "after reading it she could remain a Protestant no longer; she must consult her husband about it."
Not long ago an estimable English lady learned the truth of the Church from this work, became a Catholic, and, on her death-bed, directed that this little book should be laid on her breast in her coffin.
God bless the Author!
RE: Mgr. Louis de Ségur: Plain Talk about the Protestantism of Today [1868] - Stone - 06-24-2026
PART FIRST.
I. Why this little Book? — My Plain Talk on Protestantism is with Catholics, rather than with Protestants. It is not an attack, nor a controversy either; it is intended as a work of preservation and self-defence.
The question is often put, — what use to talk of Protestantism in these our times? Protestantism, we are told, has melted away into rationalism and infidelity, so that it has lost all its individuality as a religious sect. On the other hand, people have too much good sense, are too logical, to let it make an impression on them.
Protestantism is not genial; of its religious nature it shows naught but the ruins. But the mere existence of these ruins is a source of annoyance, for, however dismal they appear, they still afford a refuge to the wicked who dare not show themselves on the highways. Such is the dilapidated close of Protestantism within which the enemies of the Church gather every day more and more; they are joined by revolutionists and unbelievers. It covers, with an easy protection, their anarchical and impious plottings. All revolts against church and society are there fostered; and thus those ruins are transformed into citadels, and expiring Protestantism thus becomes a great power of destruction.
Revived and reanimated by impious spirits, which nestle in its bosom, it casts off piece after piece the cumbrous weight of theological armor, with which it was covered in the sixteenth century, and reveals in its nakedness its essential principle of rebelliousness. Retaining, for its particular purposes, a biblical cant and some religious forms, Protestantism stalks before us in the attitude of an aggressive power. It aims at nothing less than the total destruction of the Church of Jesus Christ; and to attain this end it multiplies churches, chapels, and establishments of all kinds in the midst of Catholic populations. Its colporteurs or carriers glut our towns and country with tracts. Here it endeavors to pervert the intelligence of the educated with periodicals, philosophical or literary publications. There an avenue is opened through the working classes, by entrapping their children. Schools, asylums, and homes are opened for them: therein the unfortunate little ones are not taught the way to become Christians, but how to blaspheme the Church. Numberless associations are formed, — they wage a war against the Catholic religion. We learn from the annual reports of biblical, evangelical, and other societies, the working and progress of their propagandism; they parade before us, with an air of triumph, the millions contributed by their party spirit, in all countries, to feed their zeal and reward their success.
Hence it cannot be an idle thing to occupy ourselves about Protestantism. Timid souls will object that there is no good in raising annoying disputes; we reply that not only we have a right, but it becomes our duty to defend the religion which is assailed, and to protect that which is to us dearer than life, the Faith we have received from God, and from our fathers. This small book will contribute its small efforts to this great work. I cannot but think that many souls will greatly profit by being shown, in a series of conversations in very plain talk, what Protestantism is; how false and hollow its system, how opprobrious its origin, its inefficiency as a religious worship, its affinity with rebellion and anarchy; and, lastly, how it must, without fail, lead people to an abyss of self-destruction.
These pages will not contain elaborate disquisition, nor metaphysical researches. I address myself to Catholics: they know their religion, and, hence, I do not insist on those points of doctrine which are well known, and which I would explain more at length, were I to address Protestants.
The question of the Reformation led me through a vast number of works, edited by Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, etc. I have met with extraordinary avowals on the part of Protestant pastors and writers, and have quoted those among them who are the most honored by their co-religionists.
This book may perhaps provoke recrimination on the part of Protestants. I cannot therefore insist enough on the fact that I stand here only to defend the Faith against attacks, the violence whereof surpasses all belief. There exist men who loudly proclaim to have received the mission of destroying our holy religion: one of their acknowledged leaders, Agenor de Gasparin, uttered the following language in regard to the Catholic Church: "It is not allowed before God, to hate her only half way." (Les Ecoles du doute et l'ecole de la foi, p. 26.)