French Diplomat and Soldier in Rome
GABRIEL HANOTAUX, former minister of foreign affairs of France and a member of the French Academy, has just visited Rome, where he has had an audience with Pope Benedict and the papal secretary of state, Gaspari. About the same time that Mr. Hanotaux was in Rome, General Pau, one of France's greatest military heroes, was in Rome on a visit, which the dispatch says was “both mysterious and significant.” The dispatch concerning Mr. Hanotaux's visit says: “A feeling exists in Rome that negotiations, perhaps totally unofficial, are proceeding with the object of bringing about an understanding between France and the holy see, which is considered more necessary as Russia's successes increase.” “Through France the Vatican, it is understood, hopes to bring influence to bear upon Russia in connection with her treatment of Polish Catholics. Another question which has attracted the attention of the holy see authorities is contained in a report published in Rome to the effect that Russia, in the event of victory, would not be satisfied with Constantinople, but would claim possession of the Holy Land, because it is visited by 50,000 Russians yearly.” France has been one of the nations, particularly during the last hundred years, that has given the papacy the greatest amount of trouble. The independence and the skepticism of the leaders in French thought have combined to cause them to snub the papacy, and much of the time to oppose her openly. But we see that one after another of the great powers is coming to the papal court, and France among the rest. The prophecy says specifically that all the world is to wonder after the papal church. And this is not a charge that Protestantism makes against the papacy. It is a statement of Bible prophecy and literal fact. This is not a question for the Catholic to become incensed over, but it is a question for him to study. With men, political influence in church and state counts for a great deal. The Frenchman has gone to the Vatican in the attitude of a diplomat and a politician. He is seeking to gain some ends by securing the political influence of the papal power. But while all of these things seem great and count for much among men, they count for nothing with God. We must stand before Him on what His word teaches. Be careful how you treat the convictions that come into your heart as you study His word, and particularly as the prophecies are brought before you that pertain to this time in which we are living.