p. 6 (326) | A WAR OF PRAYERS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 26, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 21.

A WAR OF PRAYERS.

Is Roman Catholicism Christian or Pagan?

We are not condemning Roman Catholics. We believe there are many persons in the communion of that body who are earnest Christians, not because of the church or its theology or its connection with unseen powers, but in spite of all this. They have come to know God, and are true worshipers of Jesus Christ, albeit they see through a distorted medium. But the church, the doctrine, the teaching, we have the right to examine, and we do it in the light which Scripture and facts are throwing upon that church just now. In this present war between the United States and Spain the Roman Catholic religion is necessarily brought into strong relief.

As to the right and necessity of civil governments using force and waging war, we have naught to say. It is sometimes essential to their very existence. It is sometimes the only means by which order can be maintained among the unregenerate of earth. It is not for us to condemn the United States or Spain. For neither government is there hope beyond this life; their hope is in force; and the Most High, who “ruleth in the kingdoms of men,” will overrule this clash of arms to His glory and the advancement of His truth, and will give the government “to whomsoever He will.”

What Is the Attitude of the Christian?

It is only necessary to quote a few utterances from the Word of God to show the position which the Christian should occupy in a time like this (we quote from the Revised Version):

“I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:1–4.

“Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:44, 45.

“And behold, one of them [Peter (John 18:10), the alleged head of the Catholic Church] that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matt. 26:51, 52.

“And they [the Samaritans] did not receive Him [Jesus]. . . . And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did? But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of man came not to destroy men's lives but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:53–56.

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence. . . . To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.” John 18:36, 37.

“Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God; for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto Me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19, margin.

“For tho we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:4, 5.

“Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow His steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21–23.

Not the destruction of all men, but the salvation of all who will hear, is the work of the Christian. It is clearly evident, therefore, that the religion of Christ can never be localized or nationalized. It is as broad as the world. Its mission is to save the lost of all nations. In its pure state it was never found warring in hostile camps. We never read of Christians of Corinth warring with Christians at Jerusalem. We never read of Christians at Jerusalem warring on those at Alexandria or Rome. Such a thought would have been most abhorrent.

How Is It with Catholicism?

What has this present war developed? The “Supreme Pontiff” has blessed Spain and the Spanish armies. The Catholic archbishops and bishops and priests of Spain pray that success may attend the Spanish armies against America. And why not? Spain is a nation of Catholics, and a Catholic nation.

In this country an opposite history is recorded. Catholic prelates and papers are praying for and wishing success to the American forces. Thomas S. Byrnes, Bishop of Nashville, tells his priests that it is laudable “to beg the God of battles to crown their arms on land and sea with victory and triumph,” and he closes by “praying that God may bless and preserve our country in this crisis, and speedily bring victory, honor, and peace to all our people.” Mr. McNally, a priest in Oakland, it is reported offers to lead a company against Spain. In a note on “war news” the Mirror has this question and answer:—

“Where do the Catholics stand in this war against Spain?”—At the guns on the deck of every battle-ship in our navy. That navy, composed nearly one-half of Catholics, can be relied upon to give Spain her most effectual answer.

Catholics happen, however, to be at both ends of the guns, as all of Spain’s troops are Catholic. The Freeman’s Journal (Catholic) says:—

They do not know, or forget, that the Cuban patriots are Catholics, as were also the three or four hundred thousand starved or murdered non-combatants, old men, women, and children. . . . Our soldiers, when they go to Cuba, will fight side by side with the Catholic insurgents for Cuban independence.

But the Spaniards whom the Cuban Catholic patriots and the Catholic soldiers from this country will kill, are also Catholics, for whom

Catholic prelates are praying, and whom the pope has blessed.

The St. Louis Church Progress says that “in all lands and times, the best Catholics have always been the best patriots.” All these quotations from Roman Catholic papers we clip from the Catholic Mirror of May 7. We set these things before our readers,—Catholic Spain with her Catholic prelates warring against Catholics in America with their Catholic prelates,—that it may be seen that the Catholic religion is neither Catholic nor Christian, but partisan and national.

Other Religions.

The heathen of old had their national tutelar deities, each nation its god of battles and of war, that was invoked for success.

Christianity is as far above patriotism as heaven is above one nation of earth. It is all-embracing. Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost of every nation. He gave Himself for all, a ransom to be testified of in due time. His servants are debtors, both to Jew and Greek, to barbarian and civilized, to bond and free, to the wise and the unwise. Christianity will build up everything that is of God in the nation where it is; but, like its Founder, it will not seek to destroy men’s lives, but to save them, not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

Heathenism had its gods patterned in thought and form after the ideas, ambitions, and desires of the peoples of the various countries. Roman Catholics profess to worship Jehovah and His Son Jesus. In Spain they believe Him to be the God of Spain, and so seek Him to give success to their arms against their brethren. In America and Cuba, Catholics believe Him to be the God of battles for them, to give success to American arms against their Spanish brethren. “Is Christ divided?” “Is He the God of the Jews [of Spain? of America?] only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,” to receive all who will come to Him through faith. Rom. 3:29, 30.

That we have not unjustly drawn the conclusion that the religion of Roman Catholics is not Catholic (universal), nor Christian, but partisan, national, and therefore heathen, note the following from Catholic papers:—

What views Catholic subjects of foreign countries entertain of this war is a matter of little moment to us. They will observe it from the standpoint of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a German, or of whatever country he may be a subject.—Catholic Mirror.

This is a time for action, not words, but we will add a few words to close this subject. We are Catholic from the core, not from accident, but from conviction—hence no one will doubt our Catholicity, excepting skulking hypocrites, and those we brush out of our way as we would dead flies. But, Catholic as we are, we would fight Catholic Spain with all the energy and ability we possess.—Western Catholic News.

Would to God that they would look beyond the earthly, the fading, the sensual, the devilish, to the grand, expanding, life-giving religion of Jesus Christ.