A DREADED COMBINATION by S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1902

A DREADED COMBINATION.

By S.

While the foreign minister of France is urging Italy to come to an understanding with France in regard to some definite action over the Balkan question, Germany (who wishes the Balkan question to remain undisturbed for the present) warns Italy that, should there be a clerical and royalist reaction in France, it would be followed immediately by an agitation for the restoration of the temporal power of the papacy. Italy knows what that means. The restoration of the pope’s temporal power is the nightmare of Italy’s rulers. The dread of France is a royalist reaction, an attempt to overthrow the present government. The royalists are in favor with the clericals; the clericals hate the present French Government, because of laws recently passed and enforced affecting Catholic societies. The Catholic societies are opposed to the present Italian Government, because it will not restore the temporal power of the pope. When a favorable opportunity comes, this combination would be glad to take advantage of it, and put a royal ruler on the throne of France, and give the throne of Italy to the “prisoner of the Vatican.” International complications over the Balkan question would give just such an opportunity; and tho Germany may not be wholly disinterested in pointing out the situation, it is, nevertheless, certain that the danger pointed out is a real danger.

That the temporal power of the pope will one day be restored is doubtless true. The “deadly wound,” which was the loss of spiritual domination, must be “healed,” according to the Word. The restoration of temporal power will be a necessary step to that end. Just how it will be done, may not be known. Such a combination as that here pointed out may bring it about. It may come about in some other way; but whatever the process by which it will materialize, it is perfectly evident now that the great powers of earth no longer consider it an impossibility. Events are shaping toward that end, and the possibility of their consummation is seen and dreaded even by the conservative men of the world. But the Christian looks beyond this to a consummation that approaches equally fast, and is fraught with the realization of the most glorious hope. S.