AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST by W. A. McCutchen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · May 5, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 18

AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST.

By W. A. McCutchen

BY W. A. McCUTCHEN.

THAT we are soon to witness the fulfillment of Rev. 13:14, 15, no person who understands the meaning of this prophecy, and who notes the movements of the professed religious denominations of this country, can for a moment doubt. The readers of the REVIEW are aware of the movement on foot, by ministers of different denominations, for a union of all denominations on points held in common by all, for the purpose of having greater “influence, power, and strength;” hoping thereby to better facilitate their work, and accomplish certain measures which they could not, should they remain divided. They are also informed in regard to the efforts of the National Reform Association in trying to get an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, in order to legislate upon matters of conscience, and Christian duties. And while the Protestant denominations of our land are thus giving unmistakable evidence of their intentions, it is interesting to note some indications of the attitude assumed by Catholics toward this question, and the part they may be expected to act in the fulfillment of this prophecy.

It is not unreasonable to suppose that the very people who represent the beast in the Old World, should take an active part in the formation of its image in the New; or that they should at least second the efforts of any others who do. If this be so, we must look for a greater intimacy between Catholics and Protestants than has existed heretofore; and the Protestants are certainly working for it as hard as any one. And while we can hardly expect the Catholics to yield to Protestantism, it is a lamentable fact that Protestants are conforming more and more to Catholicism, and the distinguishing features between them are fast disappearing; and having once gained the controlling influence in the nation, either by numbers or by sympathy from others, their ends are accomplished. Nor are they ignorant of this fact; for they are doing all they can to gain adherents, and to retain those they have, by establishing schools in every place possible; things of which they themselves speak.

The following extracts, from the “Pastoral Letter of the Archbishop and Bishops of the United States, assembled in the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore,” published Dec. 21, 1884, in the Monitor, a Catholic paper of Galveston, Texas, furnish unmistakable testimony upon this point. After speaking of the power the Catholics have exercised in other countries, and of the beneficial results of the same, the letter says:—

“We think we can claim to be acquainted with the laws, institutions, and spirit of the Catholic church, and with the laws, institutions, and spirit of our country; and we emphatically declare that there is no antagonism between them. A Catholic finds himself at home in the United States, . . . and the right minded American nowhere finds himself more at home than in the Catholic church.”

Remember, these words are from the “Pastoral Letter,” and are the utterances of archbishops and bishops of the Catholic church in the great Plenary Council of Baltimore, and are taken from a Catholic paper. Who can fail to see the import of the language? Again we read:—

“To argue that the Catholic church is hostile to our great republic, because she teaches that ‘there is no power but from God,’ . . . is evidently so illogical an accusation that we are astonished to hear it advanced by persons of ordinary intelligence.”

Indeed, we would not suppose that the church would be hostile to our great republic when she expects to influence the government to the extent she hopes to, and to ask such favors from it. The real intent of this language is seen in what follows; and by their own words they betray themselves. The letter continues:—

“No less illogical would be the notion that there is aught in the free spirit of our American institutions incompatible with perfect docility to the church of Christ.”

Who can fail to see by this the intention of uniting the “church of Christ” (?) with our American institutions? But to show that this is what they mean I quote again:—

“There is nothing in the character of the most liberty-loving American which could hinder his reverential submission to the divine authority of our Lord, or to the like authority delegated by him to his apostles and his church.”

Further comment is unnecessary. As we watch these movements, may we be prepared for the great issues before us, and prove loyal to God.

Montague, Texas.