Will It Become the Pope’s?
The sultan of Turkey has decided to give to Emperor William of Germany a plot of ground in the city of Jerusalem, which tradition says was the site of Christ’s last supper. The report states that the emperor will probably transfer the ground to the German Catholic missionaries. Various Christian societies have hitherto tried in vain to secure this memorable site. The object of this gift on the part of Emperor William is obvious; it is to win the support of the Papacy to his various plans. Many of his subjects and soldiers are Catholics. With the pope’s favor he can count on loyal support. Without it, he fears humiliation. Other rulers are in the same critical condition, a state of things which will increase. If Italy remains implacable, would not the pope prefer Jerusalem to Rome? And might not the Turk release the territory to European powers as the price of existence? And might not the powers purchase the favor of the Vatican at the same price? And then will he not “plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in My glorious holy mountain”? and then the cry of the church of which the pope is the head, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow”? and then the cry of universal “peace and safety”? and then the “sudden destruction,” and “he shall come to his end, and none shall help him”? and then the coming of the Just One? And the time is near, and the days shall not be prolonged.