midnight
And then the subject became Religion , which was the Archfiend 's deadliest weapon . Government oppressed the body of the wage-slave , but Religion oppressed his mind , and poisoned the stream of progress at its source . The working-man was to fix his hopes upon a future life , while his pockets were picked in this one ; he was brought up to frugality , humility , obedience -- in short to all the pseudo-virtues of capitalism . The destiny of civilization would be decided in one final death struggle between the Red International and the Black , between Socialism and the Roman Catholic Church ; while here at home , `` the stygian midnight of American evangelicalism -- '' And here the ex-preacher entered the field , and there was a lively tussle . `` Comrade '' Lucas was not what is called an educated man ; he knew only the Bible , but it was the Bible interpreted by real experience . And what was the use , he asked , of confusing Religion with men 's perversions of it ? That the church was in the hands of the merchants at the moment was obvious enough ; but already there were signs of rebellion , and if Comrade Schliemann could come back a few years from now -- `` Ah , yes , '' said the other , `` of course , I have no doubt that in a hundred years the Vatican will be denying that it ever opposed Socialism , just as at present it denies that it ever tortured Galileo . ''