THE faithful, devoted student of the word of God is not blind to the projects, aims, and purposes of the Papacy. The papal church herself declares that she is and has ever been the only true, infallible church. Some, and, in fact, most professed Protestants now consider that she is now greatly affected by the liberal spirit of the age; that she is no longer what she once was; that she is really a part of the church of Christ, and as such should be counted an ally in all matters of reform, especially as regards the Sunday question.
But Rome declares that she is now the true church of Christ, and always has been; that the alleged atrocities of authentic history are prejudiced views of intense partisans, the rantings of fanatics, or the out and out falsehoods of her enemies. True; there are changes in Rome's policy—but not in her purposes—because her environments and condition demand such changes. Her purposes have ever been the same,—the glorifying of the hierarchy, the supremacy of the Roman pontiff, the extension and power of the church as represented in the Vatican. Are the strong governments of earth autocratic and monarchical? The Papacy holds to the divine rights of kings, if their authority be received through the pope as God's vicegerent. Has the Papacy power?—Kings tremble at the power, and are humbled at its will. Is the church cast off by the civil power?—She pays assiduous court to every earthly government, clothing the angular form and cruel features of her centuries of crime against God with the stolen livery of heaven. Is the political trend toward democratic or republican form of government?—Rome is an ardent admirer of all such institutions, and the only conservator of the republic's safety and continued prosperity, while all the time, by the arts of which she is mistress, she is gaining control of the powers of government to use for her own ends.
Two weeks ago we showed just how Rome, despite all the efforts of Protestants, had been able to secure from the government twice as much money for Indian schools as all the other churches combined. Now she is asking for support for her denominational or parochial schools as a blessing to the government, a worthy object of government support. The address of the papal ablegate Satolli, delivered on Thanksgiving day, in Washington, D. C., ostensibly to the students and faculty of Gonzaga College, but really to all the country, is printed below, as taken from the San Francisco Examiner of December 1:—
The whole of America gives thanks to-day to Almighty God, whose kind providence continues to spread its benefits on this glorious republic. As all power comes from God, so must we acknowledge as coming from God, prosperity, the fruit of peace, and victory, the fruit of the duty performed. Since Catholics should be most faithful, constant followers of religious and social virtues, so as to be living examples of all who do not share in their faith, they have indeed good reason to be proud and to think themselves privileged to conform on this day to the President's solemn invitation to thank God for protecting and speeding the American republic.
We may be sure of this, that all Americans of whatever church they may be members, even if of none, recognize the value of the Catholic school; they are interested in it; they wish it to continue and progress; they have learned by experience that citizens educated in these schools do not fall short in knowledge and in love of the American Constitution; that they do not lag behind the most progressive of the American people; that they are endowed with steadiness of character, with constancy of right purpose; that they are just, active, charitable, and generous unto sacrifice.
Such, then, is the magnificent spectacle presented to America by the Catholic schools, not unlike the spectacle given by the first Christians to the whole world in the early centuries of the church. In those days it looked as if pagans and philosophers might despise and calumniate the customs and religion of the Christians, but in reality they could not conceal very long their true judgment, nor hide their astonishment at the spectacle of social and religious virtues preached by Christians.
It was impossible at the time to bring about this harmony, because the civil constitution was imbued with errors and superstitions, and because it was believed with no good reason that the ruin of the State would follow inevitably the disappearance of those superstitions. But, thanks to God and glory to the men who inspired the American Constitution, such a state of things as obtained in Rome is not possible here.
He is speaking here of Pagan not Papal Rome. Neither does this mean that Satolli is converted to the principles enunciated in the American Constitution; for he is not; he is only expressing his Catholic faith in Catholic schools, and saying to the government, "Support them, for it shall be well with you." He continues:—
And I will say that whoever seriously meditates on the principles of the American Constitution, whoever is acquainted with the present condition of the American republic, should be persuaded and agree with us that the action of Catholic faith and morality is favorable in every way to the direction in which the Constitution turns. For the more public opinion and the government will favor Catholic schools, more and more will the welfare of the commonwealth be advanced.
Catholic education is the surest safeguard of permanence throughout the centuries of Constitution, and the best guide of the republic in civil progress. From this source the Constitution will gather on that assimilation so necessary for a perfect organization of that great progressive body which is the American republic.
That is the sincere expression of my conviction, and, so to speak, the profession of my faith in this matter. Up to the present it has been inexplicable to me, and never, perhaps, shall I find out what was the origin of the suspicion that my views were not favorable to Catholic schools.
Those who at first or ever after have attributed to me such an absurd opinion ought to point to some word or action of mine to justify themselves. Had I spoken differently, I should be unfaithful to my mission, ungrateful to the generous hospitality which I have enjoyed and am enjoying in America; and, moreover, I should have given the lie to my first and unchangeable convictions.
Every Catholic school is a safe guardian of youth, and it is at the same time for the American youth a place of training, where they are brought up for the advantage of the church and the country.
Grant, Heaven, that Catholic schools may continue to increase in number, grow stronger, reach the highest perfection, endowed with the blessings of God, commended by the authority of the church and Holy Father,83honored and appreciated by every honest citizen, from the illustrious President down to the most humble workman.
Those only are against them who do not know them, or who are not animated by the spirit of the church, and are wanting in sentiments of true liberty.
There are those who know nothing about Rome, but who will agree to all of this rather than to be called ignorant. There are others who are so drunken with the wine of Babylon's fornication that they will acquiesce in it all as a family utterance. There are others who know Rome of old, know what she has been, know she has been a blighting, blasting curse to every nation which has given her power, and who know she will still be; and yet they hope to do what powerless Protestantism can never do,—check her advances, and destroy her influences. There are others still who see in all this the rapidly cumulating evidences of the short, sharp, terrific struggle foretold in the word of God, when the beast shall make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome, and will deliver his persecuted people. Theologians may rave against Rome's encroachments, but scheming politicians will sell honor and country to extend their little minute of earthly power and prosperity.
These professions of benevolence and love of liberty, this claim to loyalty to the Constitution, this parade of patriotism of Roman Catholics, are all parts of the beguiling song which this Siren of the Centuries is singing to-day in the ears of America, and which will certainly lead her to destruction. They are all ingredients in the magic cup which this modern Circe is mixing for the nations, and which they are now quaffing to their own degradation and destruction.