A Challenge to Protestantism by W. W. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 29, 1912

A Challenge to Protestantism

By W. W. P.

ALTHOUGH there are some professed Protestants who declare that the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States is not a menace, yet we are glad to note that this sentiment is not unanimous. Occasionally a voice is heard among those who are not classed as anti-Catholic agitators, protesting in no uncertain tone against the unchristian doctrines and practices of the Roman Church, and calling upon Protestants to awaken to the real situation before Catholicism gains the ascendancy.

A short time ago we called attention to an article in the Christian Work and Evangelist (New York) which decried opposition to Catholicism, and which declared that its doctrines were essentially the same as those held by Protestants. In marked contrast with this article is one which recently appeared in Zion's Herald (Boston), and from which liberal extracts were made in the Literary Digest of February 10. Some paragraphs from this article are reproduced here:—

Unless all signs fail, the last stand of the Roman Catholic Church for supremacy is to be made in the United States of America.

All the power of the great organization built up under Hildebrand, and developed throughout the years by his successors, is to be concentrated upon this country.

This is the explanation of recent events and of announcements which have found their way into public print. The elevation of American prelates is significant. So is the statement that the country is to be divided into eighteen ecclesiastical provinces, or subdivisions, for convenience of administration. These straws all indicate the direction of the blowing of the wind—Rome is determined to conquer the United States.

Here on American soil will the Roman Catholic Church establish itself in mighty power. It may be making virtue of necessity, as there is nowhere else for Romanism to go. But, be that as it may, the fact is the same.

Even here do we find a challenge to Protestantism. It means that here on American soil is to be fought to a finish the battle of the Reformation.

Do we want a Roman Catholic America? If not, we must be prepared to meet the challenge of the present.

And now the time has come for us to meet the issue squarely. We are face to face with the situation. . . . The time has come for the church as a whole to awaken to this situation.

The greatest hindrance in this controversy with Rome is found in the lethargy of Protestantism, and the fact that many Protestants are, to a large degree, ignorant of the real teachings of Roman Catholicism. Half a century ago Protestants, both in England and in America, were very alert to the aggressions of Romanism, as the books and periodicals of that time testify. But a marked change has come, and the present generation has not been educated to an intelligent appreciation of the Roman apostasy.

It is further true that the genuine principles of the gospel forbid the use by Protestants of many methods employed by Roman Catholics in their campaign for the ascendancy. A religion which consists largely in form and ceremony, and which from its very nature impresses the senses more than the heart, easily lends itself to spectacular display, and is readily propagated by outward pomp and splendor.

Again, the union of church and state is a fundamental principle of Roman Catholicism, and hence the Roman hierarchy eagerly seizes upon every favorable excuse for public functions which will bring together, in an official or semi-official capacity, the leading representatives of the church and the nation, and do not hesitate to employ both the influence and the money of the government to further the aims of Catholicism.

True Protestantism can not copy these methods; true Protestantism must not violate its own principles, even in a battle for its life; true Protestantism must itself represent the pure principles of truth, and must use as its weapon the pure Word of God. There is no hope that Roman Catholicism as a system will be overthrown. It will continue till the end, to be destroyed only by the brightness of the coming of the true Head of the church. But individuals can be saved from this deception, and the only effective way to do this is by the proclamation of the truth of the primitive gospel.

The first and essential step in meeting the challenge which the Roman hierarchy has thrown down by the declaration of its purpose to make America Catholic, is to come out of Babylon ourselves, repudiating absolutely everything which savors of Roman Catholicism. Then the cry can be effectively raised by those who have come out to those who are still in, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

The threefold message of Rev. 14: 6-12 is the divine protest against the Roman apostasy, and the inspired warning against yielding the homage demanded by this counterfeit system. The Roman challenge to America furnishes another and more emphatic reason for giving this message with a loud voice: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” Let this message in the fulness of its meaning be proclaimed in every land.

W. W. P.