THE EYE OF THE PAPACY ON THE UNITED STATES.
JAMES CREELMAN, the well-known press correspondent, cabled from Paris a few weeks ago the following important item of news:— “The pope has appointed Archbishop Chapelle, of New Orleans, as apostolic delegate to Cuba and Porto Rico. He will also become apostolic representative in the Philippines should the United States take possession of the archipelago. The terms of his appointment create him apostolic delegate in all territories acquired by the United States from Spain. “Monsignore Chapelle has arrived in Paris, after discussing the whole situation with the pope. He called yesterday on members of the American commission. He is a warm personal friend of President McKinley, and as the question of Church and State is one of the most serious problems facing the government in the new territories, the importance of Mgr. Chapelle’s opinions, derived directly from the pope, can hardly be exaggerated. “I saw him to-night and he said that the pope was absolutely in accord with the conditions of religious liberty existing in the United States, and would heartily welcome the same relation of Church and State in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, should events establish our flag there permanently. He said:— “‘The holy father will welcome in the new territories the happy order of things under which the Church has prospered in the United States. He believes in religious liberty before all things. My duties will be to enable the bishops to place the church on a footing suitable to the new political changes that will take place by virtue of the treaty of peace within my spheres and the duties proper to my position. “‘As a thoroughly loyal American I may be able to help our government in the work of reconstruction. The political and social welfare of the people of these islands will greatly depend upon proper reorganization. The United States will readily understand that its political and economical interests, as well as the honor of the country amongst nations, require that the work of reorganization should be carried out with justice and equity to all. My duty will be to look after the liberty of conscience and to the protection of persons and property. “‘Our honor is at stake. The nations of the earth are watching us with envious and admiring eyes, and we must not treat the islanders as inferior people.’” We have not the least doubt but that many Catholics are sincere in believing the foregoing statements. We have no disposition to quarrel over the matter, but Catholics as well as Protestants should ask themselves candidly and before God, “Are these words from the Roman pontiff true?” The world is being driven as before the hurricane into an awful abyss of violence and war. The pope seems to see this most clearly, and is busy in his efforts to have the Catholic Church outride the storm, and also in advancing the idea that his vast organization can be used in averting the international calamity. But what does the Bible say of the situation to-day? The Bible is the Word of God, and no man should come between us and that Word. Nothing can save us in these times except the power of the living God. Do you trust Him, and Him alone? or are you leaning to some human agency?