p. 7 | CANONIZATION by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 26, 1902

CANONIZATION.

By G.

THE idea of elevating dead people to the rank of saints originated in the Roman Church. The Bible makes many references to disciples becoming saints while they are alive. "To the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all My delight," Ps. 16:3. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," Ps. 116:15. "Many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection," etc. Matt. 27:52, 53. Writing to the churches at Rome and Corinth, Paul addresses them as "beloved of God, called to be saints" (Rom. 1:7), and "them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (1 Cor. 1:2). Enjoining brotherly love, he adds, "Distributing to the necessities of saints; given to hospitality" Rom. 12:13. A widow was to be cared for by the church, if she were three-score years old, and "well-reported of for good works," and among other good deeds, "if she have washed the saints' feet." 1 Tim. 5:9, 10.

The Scriptures say nothing about making saints of people after they are dead. And the custom has materially fallen off in Rome in modern times. The restrictions are far more numerous than formerly, and, says "Butler's Lives of the Saints," "the proceedings are long, rigorous, and expensive." For these reasons people do not agitate canonization of those whose lives they have admired. It is now necessary that a period of at least a hundred years shall have elapsed after the death of the candidate before the ceremony shall be inaugurated. Furthermore, one of the requirements is that there shall have been two or more miracles performed, and these are much more difficult of proof than in medieval times.

It is said that the canonization of Jeanne D'Arc, or the "Maid of Orleans," is now about to take place at Rome. The application for this particular candidate has been before the Vatican for nearly two hundred years. And in this connection we have an instance of the quality of that religion which is mingled with politics. It is said that many objections have been raised to the elevation of this candidate to the rank of saint. Among others, there was the prejudice of Italian cardinals and others against making a saint of this national heroine of France. But at the present juncture it is deemed good politics to identify, as far as possible, the French national sentiment with Catholicism, consequently the ceremony in this case is to be closed up. G.