In modern times, the influence of the pulpit has become insignificant.

The pulpit has been thoroughly supplanted by the newspaper.
Yet, Catholicism did not yield its ancient advantage without a struggle.
As soon as the inevitable tendency of the new art was detected, a restraint upon it, under the form of a censorship, was attempted.

It was made necessary to have a permit, in order to print a book.

For this, it was needful that the work should have been read, examined, and approved by the clergy.

There must be a certificate that it was a godly and orthodox book.