Christianity and True Democracy
The only thing which brings true democracy among men is simple Christianity. Said our Lord, "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." That nation which originates and fosters various classes among men is working contrary to the principles of Christianity. We may expect that, however, in the world which knows not Christ. That church which originates and fosters degrees and offices and lordships among men, places itself in the same category; yet this is just what the great ritualistic churches have done in their popes, and cardinals, and bishops, and archdeacons, and deacons, and canons, and so on to the priests. And yet this, in the face of what the apostle Peter himself has said to those whom God had placed in His church to look after the spiritual welfare of the flock, not "as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock;" and our Lord Himself said that "whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." Notwithstanding this, Cardinal Farley, in the New York Evening Journal, is telling us that the first of the great republics on the earth is the Roman Catholic Church. It is true that many of the popes, bishops, cardinals, and other high prelates, have come from the lower walks of life, and that has been true to a great extent in not a few monarchial countries, where democracy was not even professed, but democracy not only has respect to the origin of men, but to the acts, the spirit, the scheme, the plan under which they organize, as well. This article in the New York Evening Journal puts this forward as an appeal to Americans, evidently, to stand by the Roman Catholic Church. It says that "it is encouraging to all those that believe in a republican government and who want to believe that this nation properly managed can endure, to realize that the greatest, oldest, most powerful organization in the world is the great Catholic Church, based spiritually upon the rock St. Peter, and materially upon a republican form of government, a true democracy, recognizing no birthright, no aristocracy, other than that of intellect, character, and devotion." But it will be a woful day for the republic, if we read aright the prophecy of God's Word, when the destinies of this land are placed under the control of that great church, or when the "republic" of that church is taken for a pattern in the government of this.