Wanting More Liberty by C. M. Snow

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 19, 1914

Wanting More Liberty

By C. M. Snow

A DISPATCH from Rome contains this expression from the Pope: "I hope before I die to see peace between the church and the state." Two speeches by Italian senators in the congress at Milan were the occasion for this expression of the Pope's hope. The speech of one of these senators is said to have done more to close the breach between the Vatican and the Italian government than anything that had taken place since the law of guaranties was promulgated.

One of these senators, Count Della Torres, "insisted that the Catholics of Italy were loyal to the constitution, and asked more than the complete liberty of the church 'within her own sphere.'"

Rome's demand in this particular is as old as her history. She has always wanted complete liberty "within her own sphere," and then complete liberty in any other sphere upon which her desires might be centered. When complete liberty was granted her by the Italian government "within her own sphere," and complete liberty to dominate over the Italian government was denied her by that government, the breach was made. As "Rome never changes," that breach will not be closed until the Roman Church is granted what she demands—"more than the complete liberty of the church 'within her own sphere.'"

The Pope could heal the breach at any time by merely agreeing to accept the situation as it is; to accept "complete liberty 'within her own sphere,'" as all the church can of right claim, and all she needs. But the Roman Church will not do this. She must have more liberty than that. She must have and exercise the right of interfering in matters of state, of dictating to rulers, of countermanding decrees of the government, of absolving subjects from allegiance to their rightful rulers, of deposing emperors, kings, and presidents when they will not yield to her domination; in short, of being an international censor of legislation and an overlord over all kings and countries.

The Pope believes that he is beginning to see signs of a return of the former conditions; and with the developments that are now taking place in England and America, and with Roman senators arguing for the liberty of the church in things outside her sphere, we believe there is tangible reason for his optimism. Rome's boldness and activity in the political affairs of the American government give a slight but unmistakable hint of what she will be doing and demanding in a few years when she has secured a little firmer grip on the reins of national and State governments. Men of the world see that a crisis is approaching in these matters, and tremble for the results.

We who have known for years that such a crisis is impending, and see the machinery now in operation to bring it about, have no excuse for listlessness or indifference toward such developments. There should be such zeal and earnestness as have never before been seen in the proclamation of this truth by voice, by pen, by the circulation of literature,

and by personal missionary endeavor. There is a great work to be done; the fields are white for the harvest; and, as in days of old, the laborers are pitifully few.

God is not depending upon ministers alone, or canvassers alone, or upon any other class. The demands of the hour call for every member to be an active worker; and the final rewards will be meted out upon that basis. "Well done, good and faithful servant," will not be said to any who have been depending upon others to do the work. The "servant" serves; and the "faithful servant" serves faithfully. God is going to say that to some one, to a few; if he says it to you, it will be because you have done the work. That church which is now wanting more liberty in things outside her sphere, and that combination of churches which is now seeking for dominance in national and State affairs, are drifting toward a coalition of forces which will, with each new year, make more difficult the proclamation of the message, and the circulation of the literature which contains it. We have yet a little time. May God grant that each of us shall improve it to the best possible advantage, and when the work is done, receive the "Well done" from the lips of him who loved us and gave himself for us.