THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND LIBERTY.
By Roy F. Cottrell
In an article published over the signature of Bishop Gabriels, of Ogdensburg, New York, the writer speaks of the causes which have had the greatest influence on the development of Catholicism in the United States during the last century. Altho stating that the United States was not favorable in 1800 to the expansion of the Catholic Church, he does not deny that it was the principle of liberty that enabled the 50,000 Catholics living in this country at that time to increase to the millions. The proportion of Catholics to the population of the republic was then one to one hundred, while now it is one to seven. Concerning the influence of liberty in Catholicism, the bishop then says: “It is an error to believe that in the United States the separation of the Church and State is absolute. This separation has been claimed by a handful of liberals and freethinkers, but until now without success. It is true that the close union between Church and State found elsewhere does not exist, but the States recognize some Christian traditions, such as the observance of the Sabbath, the oath, clerical immunity to a certain extent, and other religious privileges; it protects the ceremonies of the cults, recognizes canonical authority, and passes sentence upon ecclesiastical differences between members of the church according to the laws of the church itself. Not only does it grant entire liberty to religious associations and to educational institutions, but it facilitates the incorporation of dioceses, parishes, congregations, schools, and cemeteries, which thus become individuals, and can enjoy their rights in accordance with their own statutes. The public has not been terrorized yet by the specter of mortmain. If it was not for public education without God, and a few minor points, we could consider the United States Government as a model for the countries not possessing the unity of faith.” Of course, no country in the eyes of a Catholic could be considered a “model” unless Catholicism was established. But here it is said by a high official of that denomination, which has always stood for a union of Church and State, that this government approaches very near the “model” for one not wholly under the control of the Papacy. Such a statement would never have been made in 1800. Is the Catholic Church, then, changing her attitude?—Never. It is her boast that she never changes; that she “never erred, and never can err.” Let us then look at the United States. Does it remain the same that it was a century ago? There can be but one answer, and that is a decided NO. It is not the purpose of this article to discuss at length the prophecies regarding this country, or the chain of events that has produced this difference in the attitude of our government. But a study of the twelfth and thirteenth chapters of Revelation will reveal to the earnest truth-seeker that this country's past, present, and future is there outlined under the symbol of the two-horned beast. His change of policy is indicated in verse eleven of chapter thirteen. His disposition is here given as lamb-like; but this changes, “And he spake as a dragon.” In a decision rendered by the Supreme Court on Feb. 29, 1892, it was emphatically stated that “Christianity is the law of the land,” and that, “This is a Christian nation.” Now it is evident that this ignores the real meaning of the First Amendment to the Constitution, and directly contradicts Article VI. of the Constitution as expressed in the treaty with Tripoli in 1797, which declares that “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.” And instead of holding firmly to the principle that the Church and State should be kept forever separate, several strong organizations have been at work for years, their object being to “secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will declare the nation's allegiance to Jesus Christ,” and “to preserve the Christian Sabbath [Sunday] as a day of rest and worship.” Nor is this all. They have made strong bids for Catholic assistance, and have repeatedly stated that whenever the Catholics are ready, they will join hands in resisting atheism and in securing Sunday laws. And the Catholics say, “That is the very thing we want.” But this is only the beginning of a great movement which is soon to be felt throughout the world. In fact it is being agitated to-day in many places both in the New World and in the Old. This prophecy to which we have merely called attention points forward to the coming conflict. It is the last great struggle to engage the interests of earth's mighty nations. This is no fancy. Seventh-day Adventists, basing their faith on this prophecy, have been teaching this very thing for nearly fifty years. At first there was not a cloud to darken the heavens, but now the omens are abundant which betoken the fearful storm. Reader, now is the time to prepare, that when the tempest does burst upon the shelterless heads of the ungodly, you may find in God an eternal refuge. ROY F. COTTRELL.