p. 16 | Kings and People

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 24, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 47.

Kings and People

Here are a few words from Cardinal Gibbons’ recent sermon at the mass said for the repose of the soul of the late empress of Austria:— “It behooves us, therefore, as citizens, not only to observe the laws of our country, but to respect, to honor, to cherish and uphold the recognized head of the nation. As long as he is clothed with the panoply of authority, his person is sacred, because he is the representative of God, who has said, ‘By Me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.’”

This is “the divine right of kings.” Of course authority and those in authority should be respected for the good of all; but God makes the person of every man sacred, and identifies Himself with the weakest and lowest. The surest way to protect the persons and rights of kings is to recognize and preserve inviolate the rights of the people, the rights of every person.