An Uncertain and the True Test.
—The supreme test of saintship in the Roman Catholic Church, according to the “Very Rev. John B. Hogan, S.S., D.D.,” in the American Catholic Quarterly Review for April, is the power of miracle working. He says:— “At all times the supreme test of eminent holiness has been looked for in the power of miracles exhibited by God’s servants during their lifetime, and still better after their death. Only when such signs are forthcoming can the church be induced to propose any one, however holy and beautiful his life may have been, to the veneration of the faithful. Miracles are essential.”
That is, the test of saintship is not the Word of God, but the power to perform signs and wonders! Now the Word of God says of Satan that he will work with “all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. He “deceiveth the whole world.” Rev. 12: 9. Of one of his agents it is said that he “deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Rev. 13: 14. “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24: 24. The working of miracles is, therefore, according to the Word of God, no test of saintship. But there is a better test, the Bible test: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. This is God’s test of saintship. He who looks to signs and wonders as a proof of holiness will certainly be deceived.