The Pope, Benedict XV, has died ; the head of the Church of Rome has " gone the way of all the earth," and a new head had to be found. For this, fifty cardinals assembled in Rome to select one from among themselves. For six days huge crowds awaited in the square facing the immense structure called St. Peter's for the outcome of the cardinals' ballots within the closely guarded building, when at last a puff of smoke announced that the new Pope was elected. The following is an extract from the newspapers' reports :
ROME, Feb. 6.-Cardinal Ratti, Archbishop of Milan, yesterday was of little importance to the world ; but Pope Pius XI is to-day a personage of supreme importance. A two-thirds vote by the Sacred College, a puff of smoke from a Vatican chimney, investiture with robe, ring and cap, and forthwith he steps forth as the custodian of the most ancient power in Christendom. Shortly after, the new Pope appeared on the balcony overlooking the square and pronounced his blessing on the multitude in one of the most moving and impressive of the church's historic ceremonies.
The coronation will take place February 12.
Rome, Feb. 12. – The Pope, who has assumed the name of Pius XI, was crowned this morning in the basilica of St. Peter's with an impressive and gorgeous ceremony. He was borne in the papal chair by twelve attendants to the basilica. In the procession marched fifty-six cardinals and a group of attendants bearing the triple crown aloft.
The crowning was in the presence 'of princes and dignitaries of the Church, diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, members of the Roman aristocracy and many others. Pius XI now occupies the throne first held by Leo III, who reigned from 795 to 816. Sixty thousand within the cathedral watched the coronation and greeted with cheers the creation of the new Pontiff, and three times this number knelt in the square outside to receive the blessing of the Pope from St. Peter's balcony a few minutes later. Nearly 200,000 people cheered and cried " Long live the Pope! " waving handkerchiefs.
Old Romans who had witnessed the coronation of several Popes, say that the enthusiastic reception accorded the present Pope has never been equaled in their memory.
What means this great show and splendor, scarlet vestments and regal pomp, this great assemblage of princes, dignitaries and diplomatic representatives of nations ? Has the Christ that was crucified between thieves and sent back to heaven with hate and mockery become' so loved and honored by the world ? Speak of Him,- of the blood of atonement, of His promise to come again for His own; speak of Him in assemblages of this world-how will it be received ? Ah, you know, we all know, that, in His true character, Christ is no more welcome by the world now than He was then.
What does all this display and enthusiasm mean then ? Why, it comes in as part of the " Mystery of Babylon the Great," with whom the nations of the earth commit spiritual fornication, and drink at her cup. It is part of Rome's constant effort to attain to power in the world. And it is notable that the so-called Protestant Governments are now courting the Church of Rome for its influence over masses more and more unsubject to constituted authorities. Powers political and religious may combine to this end, as Rev. 17:2 seems to show ; the end of which will be in one mighty overthrow, when even the form of religion shall be trampled under foot by lawless, atheistic multitudes. Chaps. 17 and 18 of Revelation detail that overthrow.
Christian ! the earth-rejected Head of the Church of God is in heaven, not in Rome. He died here for the sheep given to Him by the Father ; and of them He says, " They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through the truth :thy word is truth" (John 17 :16, 17) ; and the Spirit's final call to any of God's sheep that may be found in the world-church is, " Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues " (Rev. 18 :4).
EGYPT . Only four years ago, Palestine was liberated from the Turkish rule and its oppression of centuries. General Allenby's British forces sweeping out the Turkish army were enthusiastically welcomed as deliverers, and a British protectorate was established.
Then, in result of the world-war, new nations have arisen-peoples of the same race and language have been formed into new nations, carved out from the old empires to which they had been forcibly annexed. And now Egypt is to be made an independent nation, and British forces to retire as soon as a responsible government can be established. Thus " the King of the South" (Dan. 11) may already be in view. It only needs a coalition of the southern and western nations of Europe under a federal head to raise up the empire of " the Beast." " Behold the fig tree, and all the trees ; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" (Luke 21 :29-31) -and nearer still is the Church's "blessed hope."