The Pope’s Dream by L. A. P.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 14.

The Pope’s Dream

By L. A. P.

“The Pope’s Dream” is the subject of our first-page illustration. Alone in his private chamber, wrapped in meditation profound, sits the aged pontiff of the Church of Rome. The church—past, present, future—her march through the centuries, her reverses, her conquests, her victories, all pass in silent but swift review. Despite the check of a hundred years ago, the lines of the “Mother Church” now extend to earth’s remotest bounds. Her children call from the isles, and nations and kings humbly bow before her “infallible” decrees. No! defeat is but apparent; the greater glory lies beyond. The zeal of a mighty cause inspires anew the head of the church on earth. He hears the tread of a mighty host, and sees unfurled from pole to pole the banner of the cross. Kings with all their power, prelates with all their pomp, together march beneath that ensign. From hill to plain rings the battle-cry, from the mountain to the sea rolls and reverberates the cannon’s holy note, convincing and subduing every foe. Perish heresy; the “true faith” triumphant; kings and kingdoms, principalities and powers, beneath his feet; the cross and the cannon-ball victorious; the throne of St. Peter supreme; the triple tiara, the crown of crowns; the “holy father” arbiter and master of a world. L. A. P.