Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 7, 1912

Wake Up!

THIS is the rallying-cry sounded to its readers by the Pacific Christian Advocate of Oct. 2, 1912. It feels that Protestants are asleep, and that in the activity of the Roman Church in the United States at the present time there exists imminent peril to Protestantism:—

Why is it that the Roman Church in these United States is thrusting itself so energetically into our State and national politics? Never before was the activity of this church in politics so general, so persistent, and so arrogant. The bishops and archbishops of that church do not scruple to challenge with irritating boldness everything in our government and national life that does not square with their notions and their purposes. History must be rewritten to suit them; laws must be nullified to suit them; institutions such as the public school must be destroyed to suit them; the American people must accept their claims of supremacy in the affairs of this country or they will not be suited; and the secular press of the country must publish nothing derogatory to their character, their claims, their purposes, or their political program, else there will be trouble in the camp.

It is generally avowed that the Pope, through his episcopal agents, has entered upon a definite campaign in this country to make America Roman. Political parties, the public press, the platform, all ways and all means, must be persistently exploited in the interests of Romanism. Whining, complaining, denouncing, ridiculing, praying, pleading, and every other device for promoting their ends are to be the means and methods by which they hope to get a hearing and then a position and then a victory which will put the American people in religious vassalage to Rome.

It is time to wake up! We are getting tired of this persistent self-pushing of Roman prelates into our political affairs. Where are the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Methodists, the Congregationalists? Why are they not forever pushing themselves into national politics? Why do they not seek to control the United States? Archbishop Gleason and Ireland now want a new census taken. Why? Why not one for all other denominations? Why for the Romanists only? Ireland and Gleason want to start a Romanizing campaign. Very well. It may be that in the long run it will be found easier to start one than it will be to stop it. Wake up! Take these Romanizing politicians at their word, and give them all the campaign they want.

Is It Right to Protest?

THIS is the question which the Christian Herald of Oct. 23, 1912, discusses editorially in the consideration of the warning which that journal has been sounding for some time against the encroachments of the Roman Catholic hierarchy upon the liberties of this country. It believes that the religion of Christ is not wholly a matter of concession or of yielding compliance for the sake of peace, love, and harmony.

These three are indeed to be greatly desired, but never at the sacrifice of a vital principle. There comes a time when, great principles being at stake, duty demands that we take a firm stand in order that the whole world may know clearly where our allegiance lies. As Paul dealt with Alexander the coppersmith on a certain occasion, so we must “withstand to the face” those who would destroy the sanctities of our national and religious life.

Continuing, the Christian Herald believes that a dangerous situation confronts the Christian church to-day in the peril of Roman domination. It is a situation that has been forced upon Protestantism by the defiant utterances of the papal prelates and press. It asks:—

How, then, are we to deal with the oft-reiterated intimations that it is the purpose of the Romanists to “make America Catholic,” to dominate our politics, to come to “their own” by “securing more Catholics in Congress”? How are we to treat with a foe which for twenty years has boasted that Protestantism is “decadent and will soon disappear”? How shall we estimate the political activities of a church which claims absolute temporal power throughout the world; which has already set up at least three thrones of temporal power in the United States; which claims for its cardinals the official precedence due to “princes of the blood;” which is already in the saddle in a political sense in some of our biggest municipalities, and whose sudden growth in wealth and power is only surpassed by its arrogant claims for the future?

In reply to this question the Herald declares:—

But when any church or denomination leaves its legitimate sphere and plunges into politics, as the Roman Church has done, with the avowed purpose of overriding all other religionists and “making America Catholic,” it becomes a proper subject for public criticism.

With a view to determining how the Roman peril is regarded by the leading churchmen of the nation, the Herald has invited an open discussion of this subject in its columns. It begins in this issue (October 23) the publication of this correspondence. Letters are presented from Rev. Josiah Strong, Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, Rev. Francis E. Clark, and other leading ministers of various churches, and professors of theological schools. These with one voice agree with the Christian Herald, and with the position which has often been taken in our denominational papers, that the Roman menace is the great danger now threatening this country.

There is only one means by which this danger may be met, and that is by earnest and consistent agitation, and by the enlightenment of the people in proclaiming the pure principles of the doctrine of Christ, and in contrast with these principles exposing the delusive errors of the Roman Church. The giving of this message in its fulness constitutes the message of this movement. This is the warning that Seventh-day Adventists are set in the world to give. May God help us to be true to our entrusted mission. May he anoint our eyes that we may see clearly the evil which threatens us, that we may discern in these growing conditions the signs of the times, and the need of our sounding a note so loud and clear that in the babble of voices on every side those who love God and his truth may hear the warning call and enroll themselves under the banner of Prince Immanuel.