The Papal Call for Peace
By Editor
IN a recent document sent out to the world, and addressed especially to the warring nations in Europe, the pope says: “There certainly are other ways and means for redressing their violated rights. Let them resort to these with a sincerely sound conscience and willing soul. “It is charity toward those in every nation, not our own interest, which prompts us to speak thus. Let them not allow our paternal, friendly voice to fall void. But the voice of the father-friend—we say it with sorrow and a broken heart—was not heeded. The war continues to stain Europe with that blood, employing on land and sea means that are offensive and contrary to the laws of humanity and international law.” It is not within our province to question the sincerity of Pope Benedict XV in giving utterance to these sentiments. We know of no reason why we should believe that he is not kind at heart. What we say in these columns, from time to time, in regard to the Catholic Church, is said with an understanding that some of the best of people are within the folds of the Catholic Church. They are there because they were born there and have not taken the pains to study for themselves the system of religion that is represented by the papal hierarchy. The papal power stands to-day, and ever has stood, for a union of the state with the church; and where the state and the church are united, that means that the church must be the supreme governing power; and whether consciously or unconsciously, all of these activities on the part of the papacy are tending in the direction of fulfilling the prophecy that will give that church a short reign of supreme power just before the close of time. It is as important that the Catholic should study these things as it is that the Protestant should think about them; for in the ultimate Judgment, what God’s word has said, and not what men may think, will be the deciding factor. Foolish prejudices may misguide us, but not if we will open our hearts to the convictions impressed upon us by the Spirit of God acting upon our minds through our faithful study of His word.