SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISING.
By Editor
Our government is working toward the consummation pointed out by the prophecy (Rev. 13:11-14), namely, making an image to the Papacy, faster than most people are aware. Yes, faster than many who believe that to be her destiny are aware. We have reached the point where men are suggested for, and sometimes appointed to, office because they are Catholics. Who has heard of official appointments because an appointee was a Methodist, or Presbyterian, or Baptist? A Washington paper announces that there is no longer any doubt that the present governor general of the Philippines will shortly be retired, and that a certain man will be appointed. The reasons set forth for this belief are thus stated: He is a Catholic. Ecclesiastical problems constitute so large a part of the difficulties of American administration that there is a strong feeling that an American Catholic would be better qualified than anybody else to handle these matters. At the very best the government must frequently find its interests running counter to the concerns of the Catholic orders. It is thought that a Catholic would be able more effectively to enlist the co-operation of the church in meeting these difficulties. Two points of moment crop out from this statement. (1) That “ecclesiastical problems” should “constitute so large a part of the difficulties” of the government of a nation which boasts of the absolute separation of church and state. (2) That because “the government must frequently find its interests running counter to the concerns of the Catholic orders,” therefore the government should be represented by one in sympathy with the other party to the controversy. This is strange logic, and ordinarily would be deemed in the highest degree absurd; but it is in perfect keeping with the outcome as outlined in the prophecy. It should not be surprising to any one who is inclined to heed the “sure Word of prophecy” and to note the fast-fulfilling events.