Letter from Spain by Frank S. Bond

Letter from Spain.

By Frank S. Bond

The Influence of the Papacy.

DEAR BROTHER: In my letter on Spanish people, their customs, etc., I mentioned the national sport, the bull-fight, and spoke of the depressing influence this barbarous custom exerts upon this people.

Promise was made of dealing in a future letter with another element which has been powerful in producing the decline in Spanish power.

The saying: "Rome never changes" is just as true to-day as the first time it was spoken. But it is also true that Rome knows how to adapt herself to existing conditions, wherever she may chance to meet them. The tactics she employs for the advancement of her work and power, in the enlightened United States of North America, are not in every instance parallel to the methods governing her work in illiterate Spain, and in other lands which have for so many centuries been under her dominion.

Rome in America is well aware that in that land, whose public school system is without an equal anywhere, whose cities and towns and even rural districts are thoroly supplied with splendid educational facilities, the secret of her success lies in the establishing of rival institutions of learning. In those centers polished Romanism is propagated.

In educational matters, Rome in Spain is working on quite a different basis. Here, her object is to keep the masses in comparative ignorance. It is true that there are some good schools in Spain, but comparatively speaking, they are few and far between. Spain is in every sense of the word a Roman Catholic country. The rulers of the Vatican wield a mighty influence over this fair peninsula. While the head of the system is at Rome across the sea, these Iberian kingdoms are very vital organs of the great papal body. A large part of the wealthy property holders in Spain is made up of the Roman clergy.

This chapel is situated on the side of a very steep and jagged mountain, in the Province of Barcelona. It is said to have been erected in memory of a virgin saint, who appeared on that very spot many years ago. It is perhaps one half mile distant from the monastery shown in the other picture.

The masses, from the physical point of view, are dependent upon this element for their existence. The whole list of ceremonies carried out in Roman Catholic churches is no more nor less than a great commercial system. For this reason it is much to the advantage of the clergy to keep the people in ignorance.

The Roman Catholic Church is the mainspring of the Spanish government; hence the decline in Spanish power; hence Spain's turning backward in the dial of progress. This union of church and state produced the Spanish Inquisition, and many thousands of martyrs testify as to the spirit by which it was actuated.

This monastery is situated about half way up the mountainside amidst very wild and interesting scenery. Thousands of the so-called faithful make pilgrimages here each year. Visitors are allowed three days' free lodging in the monastery. Naturally if they feel disposed to make an offering, it will not be refused. Every one has to furnish his own food. It was our privilege to spend two days on that mountain. They were days full of interest.

That same union of church and state smothered the Reformation in Spain, and from that very time dates this government's decline among the powers of earth. This should be a powerful object-lesson to governments of to-day, such as the United States of America, to keep the church and state forever separate. Jesus says, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." He has never revoked this decision.

The barbarous customs, such as bull-fights, etc., and the numerous vices which are so prevalent here, are encouraged by the priesthood. They frequent the arena to witness the bull-fights, and they indulge freely in the use of cigarets, and other evil and soul-destroying habits. While celibacy is a requirement within the realm of the Roman clergy, the scandalous lives of the priesthood witness to the absence of the power of the Gospel in the papal institution. This condition is a fulfilment of the prophecy recorded in 1 Tim. 4:1-3. Paul there says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry," etc.

Beautiful trails wind up and down the mountainsides, and in many unexpected nooks and corners are seen monuments representing different mysteries. This one is the second, the "Mystery of Joy."

We might mention many examples to illustrate this point, but shall refrain from doing so. For one living in a land of monasteries, convents, and nunneries, it is not difficult to see on the surface, without searching, sufficient evidence to convince him that the doctrine of "forbidding to marry" proceeds from a seducing spirit.

"Speaking lies in hypocrisy." I will speak of just one instance, which well illustrates this point. Near the city of Carcagente, which is thirty-five kilometers from Valencia, a certain church was rapidly losing its influence, and the parochial priest realized that something special must be accomplished or his church would be entirely abandoned. He conceived the idea of having a new virgin appear in an open field, near the chapel, where she would be seen of many people, and later captured and placed in the church. One thing which greatly facilitated him in carrying forward his plan, was a large corn-field near by. A beautiful virgin image was constructed which shortly after made its debut in the open field. The news of its appearance spread like wild-fire, and throngs of people hastened to see the new virgin, and if possible receive a blessing. One strange occurrence in connection with her appearance was that every time upon

being approached, she would quickly disappear. The poor ignorant people at first did not so much as even dream that there might be some deception connected with this strange performance. It was finally discovered, however, that the virgin image, upon whom so much interest was centered, was no more nor less than a sort of a mask, worn by the church-sexton upon those occasions. Upon being approached by the people, the sexton and all his paraphernalia would flee into the depths of the great cornfield, and there conceal himself until the deceived people were dispersed. When this nefarious scheme of that apparently pious priest was discovered, feeling against him ran so high, that the bishop was compelled to summon him to Valencia for shelter.

This is not merely an isolated case, as some would have us believe. Numerous instances of a similar nature might be cited. Such is the religion by which the Spanish people have been burdened and governed for so many centuries. Such is the religion, which to-day is so instilled in the lives of this people, that the darkness which covers them is so dense that it seems almost impenetrable to the truths of God's word.

It is against the deceptions and worship of this power, in all parts of the world, that the messages of Rev. 14:6-12 are directed. I am thankful for a part in making known the power of the Gospel, and in directing the attention of the honest in heart, to the Creator of the universe, rather than to the works of men. We trust God's promises as recorded in Isa. 55:11: "So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

I shall endeavor to write something soon on Protestantism and the closing work of the Gospel in Spain. Yours faithfully, FRANK S. BOND. Calle Pelayo 11, Valencia, Spain.