"THE TRAIL OF BLOOD"
or
Following the Christians Down Through the Centuries
From
The Days of Christ to the Present TimeOr to express it differently, but still expressively--"A history
of the Doctrines as taught by Christ, and His Apostles and those
who have been loyal to them.""Remember the days of old, consider the years of
many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee;
thy elders, and they will tell thee." Deut. 32:7.1. What we know today as "Christianity" or the Christian
Religion, began with Christ, A.D. 25-30 in the days and within
the bounds of the Roman Empire. One of the greatest empires the
world has ever known in all its history.2. This Empire at that period embraced nearly all of the then
known inhabited world. Tiberius Caesar was its Emperor.3. In its religion, the Roman Empire, at that time, was pagan.
A religion of many gods. Some material and some imaginary.
There were many devout believers and worshipers. It was a
religion not simply of the people, but of the empire. It was an
established religion. Established by law and supported by the
government. (Mosheim Vol. 1, Chap. 1.)4. The Jewish people, at that period, no longer a separate
nation, were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. They yet
had their temple in Jerusalem, and the Jews yet went there to
worship, and they were yet jealous of their religion. But it, like the
pagan, had long since drifted into formalism and had lost its
power. (Mosheim Vol. 1, Chap. 2.)5. The religion of Christ being a religion not of this world, its
Founder gave it no earthly head and no temporal power. It sought
no establishment, no state or governmental support. It sought no
dethronement of Caesar. Said its Author, "Render to Caesar
the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are
God's." Matt. 22:19-22; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:20. Being a spiritual
religion it was a rival of no earthly government. Its adherents,
however, were taught to respect all civil law and government.
Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-16.
8 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
6. I want now to call your attention to some of the landmarks,
or ear-marks of this religion--the Christian Religion. If you and I
are to trace it down through 20 long centuries, and especially
down through 1,200 years of midnight darkness, darkened by
rivers and seas of martyr blood, then we will need to know well
these marks. They will be many times terribly disfigured. But
there will always be some indelible mark. But let us carefully and
prayerfully beware. We will encounter many shams and make-
believes. If possible, the very elect will be betrayed and deceived.
We want, if possible, to trace it down through credible history, but
more especially through the unerring, infallible, words and
marks of Divine truth.Some Unerring, Infallible Marks If in going down through the centuries we run upon a group or
groups of people bearing not these distinguishing marks and
teaching other things for fundamental doctrines, let us beware.1. Christ, the Author of this religion, organized His followers
or disciples into a Church. And the disciples were to organize
other churches as this religion spread and other disciples were
"made[.]" (Bapt. Succession--Ray, Revised Edition, 1st Chap.)2. This organization or church, according to the Scriptures
and according to the practice of the Apostles and early churches,
was given two kinds of officers and only two--pastors and
deacons. The pastor was called "Bishop[.]" Both pastor and
deacons to be selected by the church and to be servants of the
church.3. The churches in their government and discipline to be
entirely separate and independent of each other. Jerusalem to
have no authority over Antioch; nor Antioch over Ephesus; nor
Ephesus over Corinth, and so forth. And their government to be
congregational, democratic. A government of the people, by the
people, and for the people.4. To the church were given two ordinances and only two,
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These to be perpetual and
memorial.5. Only the "saved" were to be received as members of the
church. (Acts 2:47.) These saved ones to be saved by grace alone
without any works of the law. (Eph. 2:5, 8, 9.) These saved ones
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 9
and they only, to be immersed in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19.) And only those thus received and
baptized, to partake of the Lord's Supper, and the supper to be
celebrated only by the church, in church capacity.6. The inspired Scriptures, and they only, in fact, the New
Testament and that only, to be the rule and guide of faith and life,
not only for the church as an organization, but for each
individual member of that organization.7. Christ Jesus, the Founder of this organization and the
Saviour of its members, to be their only Priest and King, their only
Lord and Lawgiver, and the only Head of the churches. The
churches to be executive only in carrying out their Lord's will and
completed laws, never legislative, to amend or abrogate old laws
or to make new ones.8. This religion of Christ to be individual, personal, and
purely voluntary or through persuasion. No physical or
governmental compulsion. A matter of distinct individual and
personal choice. "Choose you" is the scriptural injunction. It
could be neither accepted nor rejected nor lived by proxy nor
under compulsion.9. Mark well! That neither Christ nor His apostles, ever gave
to His followers, what is known today as a denominational name,
such as "Catholic," "Lutheran," "Presbyterian," "Episcopal,"
and so forth--unless the name given by Christ to John was
intended for such, "the Baptist," "John the Baptist." (Matt.
11:11 and 10 or 12 other times.) Christ called the individual follower
"disciple." Two or more were called "disciples." The organization
of disciples, whether at Jerusalem or Antioch or elsewhere, was
called Church. If more than one of these separate organizations
were referred to, they were called Churches. The word church in
the singular was never used when referring to more than one of
these organizations. Nor even when referring to them all.10. I venture to give one more distinguishing mark. We will
call it--Complete separation of Church and State. No combina-
tion, no mixture of this spiritual religion with a tempor[al power.] "Religious
Liberty," for everybody.And now, before proceeding with the history itself, let me call
your attention to
10 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
THE CHART I believe, if you will study carefully this chart, you will better
understand the history, and it will greatly aid your memory in
retaining what you hear and see.Remember this chart is supposed to cover a period of two
thousand years of religious history.Notice at both top and bottom of the chart some figures, the
same figures at both top and bottom--100, 200, 300, and so on to
2,000.They represent the twenty centuries of time--the vertical lines
separating the different centuries.Now notice on the chart, near the bottom; other straight lines,
this line running left to right, the long way of the chart.The lines are about the same distance apart as the vertical
lines. But you can't see them all the way. They are covered by a
very dark spot, representing in history what is known as the
"dark ages." It will be explained later. Between the two lowest
lines are the names of countries . . . Italy, Wales, England, Spain,
France, and so forth, ending with America. These are names of
countries in which much history is made during the period
covered by the names themselves. Of course not all the history,
some history is made in some of the countries in every period. But
some special history is made in these special countries, at these
special periods.Now notice again, near the bottom of the chart, other lines a
little higher. They, too, covered in part by the "dark ages," they
also are full of names, but not names of countries. They are all
"nick-names." Names given to those people by their enemies.
"Christians"--that is the first: "the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). This occurred about
A.D. 43. Either the pagans or Jews gave them that name in
derision. All the other names in that column were given in the
same manner--Montanists, Novationists, Donatists,
Paulicians, Albigenses, Waldenses, etc., and Ana-Baptists. All of
these will again and again be referred to as the lectures progress.But look again at the chart. See the red circles. They are
scattered nearly all over the chart. They represent churches.
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 11
Single individual churches in Asia, in Africa, in Europe, in
mountains and valleys, and so forth. Their being blood red
indicates martyr blood. Christ their Founder died on the Cross.
All the Apostles save two, John and Judas, suffered martyr
deaths. Judas betrayed his Lord and died in a suicide. The
Apostle John, according to history, was boiled in a great
cauldron of oil.You will note some circles that are solidly black. They
represent churches also. But erring churches. Churches that had
gone wrong in life or doctrine. There were numbers of these even
before the death of Peter, Paul and John.Having now about concluded with a general introduction and
some very necessary and even vital preliminaries, I come to the
regular history--1. Under the strange but wonderful impulse and leadership of
John the Baptist, the eloquent man from the wilderness, and
under the loving touch and miracle-working power of the Christ
Himself, and the marvelous preaching of the 12 Apostles and
their immediate successors, the Christian religion spread mighti-
ly during the first 500-year period. However, it left a terribly
bloody trail behind it. Judaism and Paganism bitterly contested
every forward movement. John the Baptist was the first of the
great leaders to give up his life. His head was taken off. Soon after
him went the Saviour Himself, the Founder of this Christian
religion. He died on the Cross, the cruel death of the Cross.2. Following their Saviour in rapid succession fell many other
martyred heroes: Stephen was stoned, Matthew was slain in
Ethiopia, Mark dragged through the streets until dead, Luke
hanged, Peter and Simeon were crucified, Andrew tied to a cross,
James beheaded, Philip crucified and stoned, Bartholomew
flayed alive, Thomas pierced with lances, James, the less, thrown
from the temple and beaten to death, Jude shot to death with
arrows, Matthias stoned to death and Paul beheaded.3. More than one hundred years had gone by before all this
had happened. This hard persecution by Judaism and Paganism
continued for two more centuries. And yet mightily spread the
Christian religion. It went into all the Roman Empire, Europe,
12 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
Asia, Africa, England, Wales, and about everywhere else, where
there was any civilization. The churches greatly multiplied and
the disciples increased continuously. But some of the churches
continued to go into error.4. The first of these changes from New Testament teachings
embraced both policy and doctrine. In the first two centuries the
individual churches rapidly multiplied and some of the earlier
ones, such as Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc., grew to
be very large; Jerusalem, for instance, had many thousand
members (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14), possibly 25,000 or even 50,000 or
more. A close student of the book of Acts and Epistles will see that
Paul had a mighty task even in his day in keeping some of the
churches straight. See Peter's and Paul's prophecies concerning
the future (II Pet. 2:12; Acts 20:29-31. See also Rev., second and
third chapters).These great churches necessarily had many preachers or
elders. (Acts 20:17.) Some of the bishops or pastors began to
assume authority not given them in the New Testament. They
began to claim authority over other and smaller churches. They,
with their many elders, began to lord it over God's heritage (III
John 9). Here was the beginning of an error which has grown and
multiplied into many other seriously hurtful errors. Here was the
beginning of different orders in the ministry running up finally
to what is practiced now by others as well as Catholics. Here
began what resulted in an entire change from the original
democratic policy and government of the early churches. This
irregularity began in a small way, even before the close of the
second century. This was possibly the first serious departure
from the New Testament church order.5. Another vital change which seems from history to have
had its beginning before the close of the second century was on
the great doctrine of Salvation itself. The Jews as well as the
Pagans, had for many generations, been trained to lay great
stress on Ceremonials. They had come to look upon types as
anti-types, shadows as real substances, and ceremonials as real
saving agencies. How easy to come thus to look upon baptism.
They reasoned thus: The Bible has much to say concerning
baptism. Much stress is laid upon the ordinance and one's duty
concerning it. Surely it must have something to do with one's
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 13
salvation. So that it was in this period that the idea of
"Baptismal Regeneration" began to get a fixed hold in some
of the churches. (Shackelford, page 57; Camp p. 47; Benedict, p.
286; Mosheim, vol. 1, p. 134; Christian, p. 28.)6. The next serious error to begin creeping in, and which
seems from some historians (not all) to have begun in this same
century and which may be said to have been an inevitable
consequence of the "baptismal regeneration" idea, was a change
in the subjects of baptism. Since baptism has been declared to
be an agency or means to salvation by some erring churches,
then the sooner baptism takes place the better. Hence arose
"infant baptism." Prior to this "believers" and "believers" only,
were regarded as proper subjects for baptism. "Sprinkling" and
"pouring" are not now referred to. These came in much later. For
several centuries, infants, like others, were immersed. The
Greek Catholics (a very large branch of the Catholic church) up
to this day, have never changed the original form of baptism.
They practice infant baptism but have never done otherwise
than immerse the children. (Note--Some of the church historians
put the beginning of infant baptism within this century, but I
shall quote a short paragraph from "Robinson's Ecclesiastical
Researches.")"During the first three centuries, congregations all over the
East subsisted in separate independent bodies, unsupported by
government and consequently without any secular power over
one another. All this time they were baptized churches, and
though all the fathers of the first four ages, down to Jerome (A.D.
370), were of Greece, Syria and Africa, and though they give great
numbers of histories of the baptism of adults, yet there is not one
of the baptism of a child till the year 370." (Shackelford's
Compendium of Baptist History, p. 43; Vedder, p. 50; Christian, p.
31; Orchard, p. 50, etc.)7. Let it be remembered that changes like these here
mentioned were not made in a day, nor even within a
year. They came about slowly and never within all the
churches. Some of the churches vigorously repudiated
them. So much so that in A.D. 251, the loyal churches
declared non-fellowship for those churches which
14 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
accepted and practiced these errors. And thus came about
the first real official separation among the churches.8. Thus it will be noted that during the first three centuries
three important and vital changes from the teachings of Christ
and His Apostles had their beginnings. And one significant
event took place. Note this summary and recapitulation:(1) The change from the New Testament idea of bishop and
church government. This change grew rapidly, more pronounc-
ed, and complete and hurtful.
(2) The change from the New Testament teachings as to
Regeneration to "baptismal regeneration."
(3) The change from "believers' baptism" to "infant bap-
tism." (This last, however, did not become general nor even very
frequent for more than another century.)9. "Baptismal regeneration" and "infant baptism." These
two errors have, according to the testimony of well-established
history, caused the shedding of more Christian blood, as the
centuries have gone by, than all other errors combined, or than
possibly have all wars, not connected with persecution, if you will
leave out the recent "World War." Over 50,000,000 Christians
died martyr deaths, mainly because of their rejection of these two
errors during the period of the "dark ages" alone-- about twelve
or thirteen centuries.10. Three significant facts, for a large majority of the many
churches, are clearly shown by history during these first three
centuries.(1) The separateness and independence of the Churches.
(2) The subordinate character of bishops or pastors.
(3) The baptism of believers only.I quote now from Mosheim--the greatest of all Lutheran
church historians. Vol. 1, pages 71 and 72: "But whoever
supposes that the bishops of this golden age of the church
correspond with the bishops of the following centuries must
blend and confound characters that are very different, for in this
century and the next, a bishop had charge of a single church,
which might ordinarily be contained in a private house; nor was
he its Lord, but was in reality its minister or servant . . . All the
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 15
churches in those primitive times were independent bodies, or
none of them subject to the jurisdiction of any other. For though
the churches which were founded by the Apostles themselves
frequently had the honor shown them to be consulted in doubtful
cases, yet they had no judicial authority, no control, no power of
giving laws. On the contrary, it is as clear as the noonday that all
Christian churches had equal rights, and were in all respects on
a footing of equality."11. Up to this period, notwithstanding much and serious
persecutions, Christianity has had a marvelous growth. It has
covered and even gone beyond the great Roman Empire. Almost,
if not all the inhabited world has heard the gospel. And,
according to some of the church historians, many of the original
churches organized by the Apostles are yet intact, and yet loyal
to Apostolic teachings. However, as already shown, a number of
very marked and hurtful errors have crept in and gotten a
permanent hold among many of the churches. Some have
become very irregular.12. Persecutions have become increasingly bitter. Near the
beginning of the fourth century comes possibly the first definite
government edict of persecution. The wonderful growth of
Christianity has alarmed the pagan leaders of the Roman
Empire. Hence Galerius, the emperor, sent out a direct edict of
more savage persecution. This occurred Feb. 24, 303 A.D. Up to
this time Paganism seems to have persecuted without any
definite laws to that effect.13. But this edict failed so utterly in its purpose of stopping the
growth of Christianity, that this same emperor, Galerius, just
eight years thereafter (A.D. 311) passed another edict recalling
the first and actually granting toleration--permission to live
the religion of Jesus Christ. This was probably its first favorable
law.14. By the beginning of the year A.D. 313, Christianity has
won a mighty victory over paganism. A new emperor has come to
the throne of the Roman Empire. He evidently recognized
something of the mysterious power of this religion that continued
to grow in spite of persecution. History says that this new
emperor who was none other than Constantine had a wonderful
realistic vision. He saw in the skies a fiery red cross and on that
16 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
cross written in fiery letters these words--"By this thou shalt
conquer." He interpreted it to mean that he should become a
Christian. And that by giving up paganism and that by
attaching the spiritual power of the Christian religion onto the
temporal power of the Roman Empire the world could be easily
conquered. Thus the Christian religion would in fact become a
whole world religion, and the Roman Empire a whole world
empire.15. So under the leadership of Emperor Constantine there
comes a truce, a courtship and a proposal of marriage. The
Roman Empire through its emperor seeks a marriage with
Christianity. Give us your spiritual power and we will give you of
our temporal power.16. To effectually bring about and consummate this unholy
union, a council was called. In A. D. 313, a call was made for a
coming together of the Christian churches or their represen-
tatives. Many but not all came. The alliance was consummated.
A Hierarchy was formed. In the organization of the
Hierarchy, Christ was dethroned as head of the churches and
Emperor Constantine enthroned (only temporarily, however) as
head of the church.17. The Hierarchy was the definite beginning of a
development which finally resulted into what is now known as
the Catholic, or "universal" church. It might be said that its
indefinite beginnings were near the close of the second and
beginning of the third century, when the new ideas concerning
bishops and preacher-church government began to take shape.18. Let it be definitely remembered that when Constantine
made his call for the council, there were very many of the
Christians (Baptists) and of the churches, which declined to
respond. They wanted no marriage with the state, and no
centralized religious government, and no higher ecclesiastical
government of any kind, than the individual church. These
Christians (Baptists) nor the churches ever at that time or
later, entered the hierarchy of the Catholic denomina-
tion.19. When this hierarchy was created, Constantine, who was
made its head, was not himself at that time a Christian. He had
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 17
agreed to become one. But as the erring or irregular churches
which had gone with him into this organization had come to
adopt the error of Baptismal regeneration, a serious question
arose in the mind of Constantine, "If I am saved from my sins
by baptism, what is to become of my sins which I may
commit after I am baptized?" He raised a question which has
puzzled the world in all succeeding generations. Can baptism
wash away yet uncommitted sins? Or, are the sins committed
prior to baptism washed away by one method (that is,
baptism), and the sins committed subsequent to baptism
washed away by another method?20. Not being able to settle satisfactorily the many questions
thus arising, Constantine finally decided to unite with the
Christians, but to postpone his baptism until just preceding his
death, so that all his sins might thus be washed away at one time.
This course he followed, and hence was not baptized until just
preceding his death.21. Constantine's action in repudiating for the whole Roman
Empire, the pagan religion, and accepting [nominal] Christianity incurred
the hot displeasures of the Roman Senate. They repudiated, or, at
least opposed his course. And their opposition finally resulted in
the removal of the seat of empire from Rome to Byzantium, an old
city rebuilt and then renamed Constantinople for Constantine.
As a result there came to be two capital cities of the Roman
Empire--Rome and Constantinople. The two rival cities several
centuries later became the ruling centers of the divided Catholic
church--Roman and Greek.22. Up to the organization of the Hierarchy and the uniting of
church and state, all the persecution of Christianity has been
done either by Judaism or Paganism. Now comes a serious
change. Christians (in name) begin to persecute Christians.
Constantine, desiring to have all Christians join with him in his
new idea of a state religion, and many conscientiously opposing
this serious departure from New Testament teachings, he begins
using the power of government to compel. Thus begin the days
and years and even centuries of a hard and bitter persecution
against all those Christians who were loyal to the original Christ
and Apostolic teachings.
18 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
23. Remember that we are now noting the events occurring
between the years A.D. 300 and 500. The Hierarchy organized
under the leadership of Constantine, rapidly developed into what
is now known as the Catholic church. This newly developing
church joined to a temporal government, no longer simply an
executive to carry out the completed laws of the New Testament,
began to be legislative, amending or annulling old laws or
enacting new ones utterly unknown to the New Testament.24. One of the first of its legislative enactments, and one of the
most subversive in its results, was the establishing by law of
"infant baptism." By this new law, "Infant Baptism" becomes
compulsory. This was done A.D. 416. Infants had been in-
frequently baptized for probably a century preceding this.
Insofar as this newly enacted law became effective, two vital
New Testament laws were abrogated--"Believers Baptism" and
"Voluntary personal obedience in Baptism."25. As an inevitable consequence of this new doctrine and
law, these erring churches were soon filled with unconverted
members. In fact, it was not very many years until probably a
majority of the membership was composed of unconverted
material. So the great spiritual affairs of God's great spiritual
kingdom were in the hands of an unregenerate temporal power.
What may now be expected?26. Loyal Christians and churches, of course, rejected this
new law. "Believers baptism," of course, "New Testament
baptism," was the only law for them. They not only refused to
baptize their own children, but believing in the baptism of
believers only, they refused to accept the baptizing done by and
within the churches of this unscriptural organization. If any of
the members from the churches of this new organization
attempted to join any of the churches which had refused to join in
with the new organization, a Christian experience and a
rebaptism was demanded.27. The course followed by the loyal churches soon, of course,
incurred the hot displeasure of the state religionists, many, if not
most of whom, were not genuine Christians. The name "Chris-
tian," however, was from now on denied those loyal churches
who refused to accept these new errors. They were robbed of that,
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 19
and called by many other names, sometimes by one and
sometimes by another, "Montanist," "Tertullianists,"
"Novationists," "Paterines," etc., and some at least because of
their practice of rebaptizing those who were baptized in infancy,
were referred to as "Ana Baptists."28. A.D. 426, just ten years after the legal establishment of
infant baptism, the awful period known as the "Dark Ages" had
its beginning. What a period! How awfully black and bloody!
From now on for more than a decade of centuries, the trail of loyal
Christianity is largely washed away in its own blood. Note on the
chart some of the many different names borne by the persecuted.
Sometimes these names are given because of some specially
heroic leader and sometimes from other causes, and frequently
names for the same people vary in different countries and even in
different centuries.29. It was early in the period of the "dark ages" when real
Popery had its definite beginnings. This was by Leo II, A.D. 440
to 461. This, however, was not the first time the title was ever
used. This title, similar to the Catholic church itself, was largely
a development. The name appears, as first applied to the Bishop
of Rome 296-304. It was formally adopted by Siricius, Bishop of
Rome 384-398. Then officially adopted by Leo II, 440-461. Then
claimed to be universal, 707. Then some centuries later declared
by Gregory VII to be the exclusive right of the papacy.30. Now to sum up the most significant events of this first five-
century period:(1) The gradual change from a democracy to a preacher-
church government.
(2) The change from salvation by grace to Baptismal
Salvation.
(3) The change from "believers' baptism" to "infant bap-
tism."
(4) The Hierarchy organized. Marriage of church and
state.
(5) Seat of empire changed to Constantinople.
(6) Infant baptism established by law and made com-
pulsory.
(7) Christians begin to persecute Christians.
20 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
(8) The "Dark Ages" begin 426.
(9) The sword and torch rather than the gospel become the
power of God (?) unto salvation.
(10) All semblance of "Religious liberty" dies and is buried
and remains buried for many centuries.
(11) Loyal New Testament churches, by whatever name
called, are hunted and hounded to the utmost limit of the
new Catholic temporal power. Remnants scattered over
the world are finding uncertain hiding places in forests
and mountains, valleys, dens and caves of the earth.1. We closed the first Lecture with the close of the fifth
century. And yet a number of things had their beginnings back in
those early centuries, which were not even mentioned in the first
Lecture. We had just entered the awful period known in the
world's history as "The Dark Ages." Dark and bloody and awful
in the extreme they were. The persecutions by the established
Roman Catholic Church are hard, cruel and perpetual. The war
of intended extermination follows persistently and relentlessly
into many lands, the fleeing Christians. A "Trail of Blood" is
very nearly all that is left anywhere. Especially throughout
England, Wales, Africa, Armenia, and Bulgaria. And anywhere
else Christians could be found who were trying earnestly to
remain strictly loyal to New Testament teaching.2. We now call attention to these Councils called
"Ecumenical," or Empire wide. It is well to remember that all
these Councils were professedly based upon, or patterned after
the Council held by the Apostles and others at Jerusalem (see
Acts 15:1), but probably nothing bearing the same name could
have been more unlike. We here and now call attention to only
eight, and these were all called by different Emperors, none of
them by the Popes. And all these held among the Eastern or
Greek churches. Attended, however, somewhat by represen-
tatives from the Western Branch or Roman Churches.3. The first of these Councils was held at Nice or Nicea, in
A.D. 325. It was called by Constantine the Great, and was
attended by 318 bishops.
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 21
The second met at Constantinople, A.D. 381, and was called
by Theodosius the Great. There were present 150 bishops. (In the
early centuries, bishops simply meant pastors of the individual
churches.)The third was called by Theodosius II, and by Valentian III.
This had 250 bishops present. It met at Ephesus, A.D. 431.The fourth met at Calcedon, A.D. 451, and was called by
Emperor Mar[c]ian; 500 or 600 bishops or Metropolitans
(Metropolitans were City pastors or First Church pastors) were
present. During this Council the doctrine of what is now known
as Mariolatry was promulgated. This means the worship of
Mary, the mother of Christ. This new doctrine at first created
quite a stir, many seriously objecting. But it finally won out as a
permanent doctrine of the Catholic Church.The fifth of these eight councils was held at Constantinople
(which was the second to be held there). This was called by
Justinian, A.D. 553, and was attended by 165 bishops. This,
seemingly, was called mainly to condemn certain writings.In the year A.D. 680 the Sixth Council was called. This was
also held at Constantinople and was called by Constantine
Pegonator, to condemn heresy. During this meeting Pope
Honorius by name was deposed and excommunicated. However,
at this time infallibility had not yet been declared.The Seventh Council was called to meet at Nicea A.D. 787.
This was the second held at this place. The Empress Irene called
this one. Here in this meeting seems to have been the definite
starting place, of both "Image Worship" and "Saints Worship."
You can thus see that these people were getting more markedly
paganized than Christianized.The last of what were called the "Eastern Councils," those,
called by the Emperors, was held in Constantinople, in A.D. 869.
This was called by Basilius Maredo. The Catholic Church had
gotten into serious trouble. There had arisen a controversy of a
very serious nature between the heads of the two branches of
Catholicism--the Eastern and Western, Greek and Roman--
Pontius the Greek at Constantinople and Nicholas the 1st at
Rome. So serious was their trouble, that they had gone so far as to
excommunicate each other. So for a short time Catholicism was
22 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
entirely without a head. The council was called mainly to settle, if
possible, this difficulty. This break in the ranks of Catholicism
has never, even to this day, been satisfactorily settled. Since that
far away day, all attempts at healing that breach have failed.
The Lateran-power since then has been in the ascendancy. Not
the Emperors, but the Roman Pontiffs calling all Councils. The
later Councils will be referred to later in these lectures.4. There is one new doctrine to which we have failed to call
attention. There are doubtless others but one especially--and
that "Infant Communion." Infants were not only baptized, but
received into the church, and being church members, they were
supposed to be entitled to the Lord's Supper. How to administer it
to them was a problem, but it was solved by soaking the bread in
the wine. Thus it was practiced for years. And after awhile
another new doctrine was added to this--it was taught that this
was another means of Salvation. As still another new doctrine
was later added to these, we will again refer to this a little later in
the lectures.5. During the 5th Century, at the fourth Ecumenical Council,
held at Chalcedon, 451, another entirely new doctrine was added
to the rapidly growing list--the doctrine called "Mariolatry," or
the worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus. A new mediator seems
to have been felt to be needed. The distance from God to man was
too great for just one mediator, even though that was Christ,
God's Son, the real God-Man. Mary was thought to be needed as
another mediator, and prayers were to be made to Mary. She was
to make them to Christ.6. Two other new doctrines were added to the Catholic faith in
the 8th Century. These were promulgated at the Second Council
held at Nicea (Nice), the Second Council held there (787). The first
of these was called "Image Worship," a direct violation of one of
the commands of God."Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image," Ex. 20:3,
4, 5. Another addition from Paganism. Then followed the
"worship of Saints." This doctrine has no encouragement in the
Bible. Only one instance of Saint worship is given in the Bible
and that is given to show its utter folly--the dead rich man
praying to Abraham, Luke 16:24-31. These are some, not all of the
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 23
many revolutionary changes from New Testament teachings,
that came about during this period of Church history.7. During the period that we are now passing through the
persecuted were called by many and varied names. Among them
were Donatists, Paterines, Cathari, Paulicians, and Ana Bap-
tists; and a little later, Petro-Brussians, Arnoldists, Henricians,
Albigenses, and Waldenses. Sometimes one group of these was
the most prominent and sometimes another. But some of them
were almost always prominent because of the persistency and
terribleness of their persecution.8. Let it not be thought that all these persecuted ones were
always loyal in all respects to New Testament teachings. In the
main they were. And some of them, considering their surroun-
dings, were marvelously so. Remember that many of them at that
far away time, had only parts of the New Testament or the Old
Testament as to that. The book was not printed. It was written in
manuscript on parchment or skins or something of that kind, and
was necessarily large and bulky. Few, if any, families or even
simple churches had complete copies of the whole Bible. Before
the formal close of the Canon (end of fourth century) there were
probably very few simple manuscripts of the entire New Testa-
ment. Of the one thousand known manuscripts only about 30[?]
copies included all the books.9. Furthermore, during all the period of the "Dark Ages," and
the period of the persecution, strenuous efforts were made to
destroy even what Scripture manuscripts the persecuted did
possess. Hence in many instances these people had only small
parts of the Bible.10. It is well to note also that in order to prevent the spread of
any view of any sort, contrary to those of the Catholics very
extreme plans and measures were adopted. First, all writings of
any sort, other than those of the Catholics, were gathered and
burned. Especially was this true of books. For several centuries
these plans and measures were strictly and persistently followed.
That is, according to history, the main reason why it is so
difficult to secure accurate history. About all persistent writers
and preachers also died martyr deaths. This was a desperately
bloody period. All of the groups of persistent heretics (So- called)
24 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
by whatever name distinguished, and wherever they had lived,
were cruelly persecuted. The Donatists and Paulicians, were
prominent among the earlier groups. The Catholics, strange as it
may seem, accused all who refused to depart from the faith with
them, believe with them--accused them of being heretics, and
then condemned them as being heretics. Those called Catholics
became more thoroughly paganized and Judaized than they
were Christianized, and were swayed far more by civil power,
than they were by religious power. They made far more new
laws, than they observed old ones.11. The following are a few of the many new variations that
came about in New Testament teachings during these centuries.
They are probably not always given in the order of their
promulgation. In fact it would sometimes be next to impossible to
get the exact date of the origin of some of these changes. They
have been somewhat like the whole Catholic system. They are
growths of development. In the earlier years especially, their
doctrines or teachings were subject to constant change--by
addition or subtraction, or substitution or abrogation. The
Catholic Church was now no longer, even if it had ever been, a
real New Testament Church. It no longer was a purely executive
body, to carry out the already made laws of God, but had become
actively legislative, making new ones, changing or abrogating
old ones at will.12. One of their new doctrines or declarations about this time
was "There is no salvation outside of the Church"--the Catholic
Church, of course, as they declared there was no other--be a
Catholic or be lost. There was no other alternative.13. The doctrine of Indulgences and the Sale of Indulgences
was another absolutely new and serious departure from New
Testament teachings. But in order to make that new teaching
really effective, still another new teaching was imperatively
necessary: A very large Credit Account must somehow be
established--a credit account in heaven, but accessible to earth.
So the merit of "good works" as a means of Salvation must be
taught, and as a means of filling up, putting something in the
credit account, from which something could be drawn. The first
large sum to go into the account in heaven was of course the work
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 25
of the Lord Jesus. As He did no evil, none of His good works were
needed for Himself, so all His good works could and would of
course, go into the credit account. And then in addition to that, all
the surplus good works (in addition to what each might need for
himself) by the Apostles, and by all good people living thereafter,
would be added to that credit account, making it enormously
large. And then all this immense sum placed to the credit of the
church--the only church(?)! and permission given to the church
to use as needed for some poor sinning mortal, and charging for
that credit as much as might be thought wise, for each one needed
the heavenly credit. Hence came the Sale of Indulgences. Persons
could buy for themselves or their friends, or even dead friends.
The prices varied in proportion to the offense committed--or to be
committed. This was sometimes carried to a desperate extreme,
as admitted by Catholics themselves. Some histories or En-
cyclopedias give a list of prices charged on different sins for
which Indulgences were sold.14. Yet another new doctrine was necessary, yea imperative,
to make thoroughly effective the last two. That new doctrine is
called Purgatory, a place of intermediate state between heaven
and hell, at which all must stop to be cleansed from all sins less
than damning sins. Even the "Saints" must go through
purgatory and must remain there until cleansed by fire--unless
they can get help through that credit account, and that they can
get only through the prayers or the paying for Indulgences, by
those living. Hence the Sale of Indulgences. One departure from
New Testament teachings lead inevitably to others.15. It may be well just here to take time to show the differences
between the Roman and Greek Catholics:(1) In the Nationalities: The Greeks mainly are Slavs,
embracing Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc., speak-
ing Greek. The Romans are mainly Latins, embracing
Italy, France, Spain, South and Central America, Mex-
ico, etc.
(2) The Greek Catholics reject sprinkling or pouring for
baptism. The Romans use sprinkling entirely, claiming
the right to change from the original Bible plan of
immersion.
26 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
(3) The Greek Catholics continue the practice of Infant
Communion. The Romans have abandoned it though
once taught it as another means of Salvation.
(4) The Greeks in administering the Lord's Supper give the
wine as well as the bread to the laity. The Romans give
the bread only to the laity--the priests drink the wine.
(5) The Greeks have their priests to marry. The Roman
priests are forbidden to marry.
(6) The Greeks reject the doctrine of Papal "Infallibility,"
the Romans accept and insist upon that doctrine. The
above are at least the main points on which they differ--
otherwise the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, it
seems, would stand together.16. In our lectures we have just about gotten through with the
ninth century. We begin now with the tenth. Please note the
Chart. Just here where the separation has taken place between
the Roman and Greek Catholics. You will soon see as the
centuries advance, other new laws and doctrines--and other
desperately bitter persecution. (Schaff, Herzogg, En. Vol. 11,
page 901.)"THE TRAIL OF BLOOD" 17. I again call your attention to those upon whom the
hard hand of persecution fell. If fifty million died of
persecution during the 1,200 years of what are called the
"Dark Ages," as history seems positively to teach-- then
they died faster than an average of four million every one
hundred years. That seems almost beyond the limit of
human conception. As before mentioned, this iron hand,
dripping with martyr blood, fell upon Paulicians, Ar-
noldists, Henricians, Petro Brussians, Albigenses,
Waldenses and Ana-Baptists--of course much harder
upon some than others. But this horrid part of our story
we will pass over hurriedly.18. There came now another rather long period of Ecumenical
Councils, of course not continuously or consecutively. There were
all through the years many councils that were not Ecumenical,
not "Empire Wide." These Councils were largely legislative
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 27
bodies for the enactment or amendment of some civil or religious
(?) laws, all of which, both the legislation and the laws, were
directly contrary to the New Testament. Remember these were
the acts of an established church--a church married to a Pagan
government. And this church has become far more nearly
paganized than the government has become Christianized.19. When any people discard the New Testament as em-
bracing all necessary laws for a Christian life, whether for the
individual Christian or the whole church, that people has
launched upon a limitless ocean. Any erroneous law, (and
any law added to the Bible is erroneous) will inevitably and soon
demand another, and others will demand yet others, without ever
an end. That is why Christ gave His churches and to preachers
no legislative powers. And again, and more particularly, that is
why the New Testament closes with these significant words,
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this
book: And if any man shall take away from the words of
the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from
the things which are written in this book." Rev. 22:18, 19.NOTE: We insert here this parenthetical clause, as a warning.
Let Baptist Churches beware of even disciplinary and other
varieties of resolutions, which they sometimes pass in their
conferences, which resolutions might be construed as laws or
rules of Church government, The New Testament has all
necessary laws and rules.20. The extreme limit of this little book precludes the possibili-
ty of saying much concerning these councils or law-making
assemblies, but it is necessary to say some things.21. The first of these Lateran or Western Councils, those
called by the popes, was called by Calixtus II, A.D. 1123. There
were present about 300 bishops. At this meeting it was decreed
that Roman priests were never to marry. This was called the
Celibacy of the priests. We of course do not attempt to give all
things done at these meetings.22. Years later, 1139 A.D., Pope Innocent II, called another of
28 THE TRAIL OF BLOOD
these Councils especially to condemn two groups of very devout
Christians, known as Petro-Brussians and Arnoldists.23. Alexander III called yet another, A.D. 1179, just forty
years after the last. In that was condemned what they called the
"Errors and Impieties" of the Waldenses and Albigenses.24. Just 36 years after this last one, another was called by
Pope Innocent III. This was held A.D. 1215, and seems to have
been the most largely attended of possibly any of these great
councils. According to the historical account of this meeting,
"there were present 412 bishops, 800 Abbots and priors, Am-
bassadors from the Byzantine court, and a great number of
Princes and Nobles." From the very make-up of this assembly
you may know that spiritual matters were at least not alone to be
considered.At that time was promulgated the new doctrine of
"Transubstantiation," the intended turning of the bread and
wine of the Lord's Supper into the actual and real body and blood
of Christ, after a prayer by the priest. This doctrine among
others, had much to do with stirring up the leaders of the
Reformation a few centuries later. This doctrine of course taught
that all those who participated in the supper actually ate of the
body and drank of the blood of Christ. Auricular confession--
confessing one's sins into the ear of a priest--was another new
doctrine seemingly having its beginning at this meeting. But
probably the most cruel and bloody thing ever brought upon any
people in all the world's history was what is known as the
"Inquisition," and other similar courts, designed for trying what
was called "heresy." The whole world is seemingly filled with
books written in condemnation of that extreme cruelty, and yet it
was originated and perpetuated by a people claiming to be led
and directed by the Lord. For real barbarity there seems to be
nothing, absolutely nothing in all history that will surpass it. I
would not even attempt to describe it. I will simply refer my
readers to some of the many books written on the "Inquisition"
and let them read and study for themselves. And yet another
thing was done at this same meeting, as if enough had not been
done. It was expressly decreed to Extirpate all "heresy." What a
black page--yea--many black pages were written into the
world's history by these terrible decrees.
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD 29
25. In A.D. 1229, just 14 years after the last awful meeting,
still another meeting was held. (This seems not to have been
ecumenical.) It was called the council at Toulouse. Probably one
of the most vital matters in all Catholic history was declared at
this meeting. At this it was decreed, the Bible, God's book, should
be denied to all laymen, all members of Catholic churches other
than priests or higher officials. How strange a law in the face of
the plain teaching of the Word, "Search the scriptures; for in
them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify
of me." (John 5:39.)26. Yet another Council was called to meet at Lyons. This was
called by Pope Innocent IV, in 1245 A.D. This seems to have been
mainly for the purpose of excommunicating and deposing
Emperor Frederick I of Germany. The Church, the adulterous
bride at the marriage with the State in 313 in the days of
CONSTANTINE THE Great, has now become the head of the
house, and is now dictating politics of State government, and
kings and queens are made or unmade at her pleasure.27. In 1274 A.D. another Council was called to bring about the
reuniting of the Roman and Greek branches of the great Catholic
Church. This great assembly utterly failed to accomplish its
purpose.Go to: ttob3.htm