PROTESTANTISM IN ROME by C. M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 42.

PROTESTANTISM IN ROME.

By C. M. S.

THAT Protestant denominations have been making some gains in Rome may be inferred from the recent letter of the pope to the cardinal-vicar of Rome concerning the proselytism of the Waldenses and the American Baptists and Methodists. The letter says:—

"From the very outset of our pontificate we have had occasion to point out, as one of the most deplorable evils brought by the new order of things [the loss of his temporal power] to this capital of the Christian world, the active proselytism displayed on the part of heresy, and the peril to which the faith of our people was in consequence exposed. And addressing our cardinal-vicar on this subject we repeatedly imparted to the faithful, exhortations, counsels, and warnings, putting them on their guard against the many efforts which sects of all kinds, introduced from abroad, were here making under the shelter of the public law. . . .

"It is now clear to every one that the design harbored by these heretical sects is to fix the standard of religious discord and rebellion in the peninsula. . . . The sects, not being able to rely upon the strength of the truth, avail themselves of the unprotected tenderness of years, of insufficient education, of the privations of indigence, and of the simplicity of many who are exposed to flattery, attractions, and seduction, for the extinguishing or weakening of the Catholic faith.

"In the face of these facts, we feel, first of all, the need of publicly declaring, as we have done on other

occasions, how painful is the condition of the head of the Catholic Church, who is constrained to behold the free and progressive advance of heresy in this holy city. As tho the torrent of unwholesome teaching and depravity which daily and with impunity comes from books, professors' chairs, theaters, and journals were not enough, there has been added the insidious activity of heretical men."

It is thus apparent that if there were restored to Rome the power which the pontiff demands, there would be at once an end of the "activity of heretical men;" there would be no longer any "books, professors' chairs, or journals" save those which were completely subservient to the Roman Church. That education which the pope declares "unwholesome teaching and depravity" would be banished from the realm. In short, the church would rule again as she did in the days when Christians went down by the millions for studying and believing the Word of God and acting upon its teachings. The letter is another evidence, if another were needed, that Rome never changes.

When reading between the lines of this letter the things that the pope would do if his temporal power were restored, it might be well to consider what he thinks of the present American rule in Cuba and the Philippines. He is much dissatisfied with the administration of Italy. Let us see how he feels toward the course which America is pursuing now. While in London, on October 1, Archbishop Ireland, then on his way from Rome to America, gave out the following statement:—

"In one of the audiences which he granted me, the pope said: 'We are well pleased with the relations of the American Government to the church in Cuba and the Philippines. The American Government gives proof of good will and exhibits a spirit of justice and respect for the liberty and rights of the church. You will thank in my name the President of the republic for what is being done.'"

"When I repeated to Cardinal Rampolla [the papal secretary of State] my interview with the pope, the cardinal declared such statements were what he personally believed and knew to be true, and that I was at liberty to repeat them to the American people."

The pope does not usually express satisfaction with things that do not suit him, as witness his letter to his cardinal-vicar; and it is certain that nothing would suit him that was not done in accordance with his direction. It is therefore easy to see what is "the power behind the throne," in the administration of the island governments. The prohibition of Protestant colporter work in the Philippines was one of the instances in which the American Government showed its "respect for the liberty and rights of the church." In how many other ways the freedom of missionary work in the islands is restricted by orders from "the church" it is impossible to tell, for all that happens there is not made public; but these things are sufficient to show the mastering influence which Rome is achieving in the official councils of this nation.