Another Apology by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 15.

Another Apology

By G.

Apologies for following after Rome are coming to the front in quick succession. The Presbyterian Banner gives one that almost covers the whole ground. It argues that the observance of Christmas and Easter concedes the principles of the “Christian year,” by which is meant the holidays enjoined by the church during the year. It further argues that the observance of these two days “logically prepares the way for the acceptance of its [Rome’s] general calendar.” So far the argument is logical, but the endorsement of the concession to Rome which follows is a full surrender, in principle, to the papacy:—

Whatever good reasons there may once have been for rejecting it [the papal calendar], these reasons have passed away, and the fear of popery is no longer before our eyes. The fact that it always has been and now is observed by the greater part of the Christian world is an immense motive in its favor. That so many other Christians accept it is surely no reason why we should reject it; rather this is a reason why we should share in its common blessing. It would be a great step toward Christian unity for all Christians to travel through the Christian year together. The common Sabbath is a powerful bond of unity and means of action to the Christian world, and a common church calendar would contribute to the same end.

The fact that Protestantism has become so blind to its fundamental principles that even a Presbyterian organ can imagine that the reasons for rejecting papal institutions have passed away is cause for Protestant alarm. Rome’s boast is that “Rome never changes;” where, then, does the Protestantism stand that can see no further reason for rejecting Roman Catholic decrees?