p. 45 | Italy and the Papacy by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1866

Italy and the Papacy.

By Editor

GREAT interest now centers in the anti-Christian papal power, which has so long held its seat upon the seven hills of the would-be eternal city. France withdraws her troops from Rome, the present year; and when the French soldier leaves, it is conceded on all hands that the Pope must leave also. Where will he go? Report says to Jerusalem, "the glorious holy mountain between the seas," where a palace for him is now in process of erection. We believe that some such movement on the part of this power is to mark the commencement of the time of trouble such as never was, in the midst of which all they are to be delivered whose names are found written in the book. See Dan. xi, 45, xii, 1. Hence the interest with which we shall watch the progress of events in this direction. The following items show that the great drama is about to commence:

“ITALY.—Victor Emanuel, in a speech at the opening of Parliament, said, time and the force of events would solve the question pending between Italy and Papacy. Italy must remain faithful to the convention of November, which France would completely carry out within the appointed time. Henceforth it would be easy to wait.”

“The London Patriot, of Nov. 9th, in a leading editorial, alluding to the evacuation of Rome by the French troops, and the general condition of the Popedom, says: ‘The curtain is beginning to lift a little on the great event of the coming year. Great as are the domestic interests of England, France, Germany and America, the main interests of 1866 seem to gather around Rome. There lies the heart of the coming struggle, and the actors are already placing themselves for their several parts.’”

“Later from Rome.—Numerous encounters are reported between the pontifical gens de' armes and the brigands, the former displaying great energy.”