Lord of the World

by Robert Hugh Benson

  III

  It was at ten o'clock on the following morning that the Cardinals weresummoned to the Pope's presence to hear the allocution.

  Percy, from his seat among the Consultors, watched them come in, men ofevery nation and temperament and age--the Italians all together,gesticulating, and flashing teeth; the Anglo-Saxons steady-faced andserious; an old French Cardinal leaning on his stick, walking with theEnglish Benedictine. It was one of the great plain stately rooms ofwhich the Vatican now chiefly consisted, seated length wise like achapel. At the lower end, traversed by the gangway, were the seats ofthe Consultors; at the upper end, the dais with the papal throne. Threeor four benches with desks before them, standing out beyond theConsultors' seats, were reserved for the arrivals of the day before--prelates and priests who had poured into Rome from every Europeancountry on the announcement of the amazing news.

  Percy had not an idea as to what would be said. It was scarcely possiblethat nothing but platitudes would be uttered, yet what else could besaid in view of the complete doubtfulness of the situation? All that wasknown even this morning was that the Presidentship of Europe was a fact;the little silver coin he had seen witnessed to that; that there hadbeen an outburst of persecution, repressed sternly by local authorities;and that Felsenburgh was to-day to begin his tour from capital tocapital. He was expected in Turin by the end of the week. From everyCatholic centre throughout the world had come in messages imploringguidance; it was said that apostasy was rising like a tidal wave, thatpersecution threatened everywhere, and that even bishops were beginningto yield.

  As for the Holy Father, all was doubtful. Those who knew, said nothing;and the only rumour that escaped was to the effect that he had spent allnight in prayer at the tomb of the Apostle....

  The murmur died suddenly to a rustle and a silence; there was a rippleof sinking heads along the seats as the door beside the canopy opened,and a moment later John, _Pater Patrum_, was on his throne.

  * * * * *

  At first Percy understood nothing. He stared only, as at a picture,through the dusty sunlight that poured in through the shrouded windows,at the scarlet lines to right and left, up to the huge scarlet canopy,and the white figure that sat there. Certainly, these southernersunderstood the power of effect. It was as vivid and impressive as avision of the Host in a jewelled monstrance. Every accessory wasgorgeous, the high room, the colour of the robes, the chains andcrosses, and as the eye moved along to its climax it was met by a pieceof dead white--as if glory was exhausted and declared itself impotent totell the supreme secret. Scarlet and purple and gold were well enoughfor those who stood on the steps of the throne--they needed it; but forHim who sat there nothing was needed. Let colours die and sounds faintin the presence of God's Viceroy. Yet what expression was required founditself adequately provided in that beautiful oval face, the poisedimperious head, the sweet brilliant eyes and the clean-curved lips thatspoke so strongly. There was not a sound in the room, not a rustle, nora breathing--even without it seemed as if the world were allowing thesupernatural to state its defence uninterruptedly, before summing up andclamouring condemnation.

  * * * * *

  Percy made a violent effort at self-repression, clenched his hands andlistened.

  "... Since this then is so, sons in Jesus Christ, it is for us toanswer. We wrestle not, as the Doctor of the Gentiles teaches us,_against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, againstthe rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits ofwickedness in the high places. Wherefore_, he continues, _take unto youthe armour of God_; and he further declares to us its nature--_thegirdle of truth, the breastplate of justice, the shoes of peace, theshield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit._

  "By this, therefore, the Word of God bids us to war, but not with theweapons of this world, for neither is His kingdom of this world; and itis to remind you of the principles of this warfare that we have summonedyou to Our Presence."

  The voice paused, and there was a rustling sigh along the seats. Thenthe voice continued on a slightly higher note.

  "It has ever been the wisdom of Our predecessors, as is also their duty,while keeping silence at certain seasons, at others to speak freely thewhole counsel of God. From this duty We Ourself must not be deterred bythe knowledge of Our own weakness and ignorance, but to trust ratherthat He Who has placed Us on this throne will deign to speak through Ourmouth and use Our words to His glory.

  "First, then, it is necessary to utter Our sentence as to the newmovement, as men call it, which has latterly been inaugurated by therulers of this world.

  "We are not unmindful of the blessings of peace and unity, nor do Weforget that the appearance of these things has been the fruit of muchthat we have condemned. It is this appearance of peace that has deceivedmany, causing them to doubt the promise of the Prince of Peace that itis through Him alone that we have access to the Father. That true peace,passing understanding, concerns not only the relations of men betweenthemselves, but, supremely, the relations of men with their Maker; andit is in this necessary point that the efforts of the world are foundwanting. It is not indeed to be wondered at that in a world which hasrejected God this necessary matter should be forgotten. Men havethought--led astray by seducers--that the unity of nations was thegreatest prize of this life, forgetting the words of our Saviour, Whosaid that He came to bring not peace but a sword, and that it is throughmany tribulations that we enter God's Kingdom. First, then, there shouldbe established the peace of man with God, and after that the unity ofman with man will follow. _Seek ye first_, said Jesus Christ, _thekingdom of God--and then all these things shall be added unto you._

  "First, then, We once more condemn and anathematise the opinions ofthose who teach and believe the contrary of this; and we renew once moreall the condemnations uttered by Ourself or Our predecessors against allthose societies, organisations and communities that have been formed forthe furtherance of an unity on another than a divine foundation; and Weremind Our children throughout the world that it is forbidden to them toenter or to aid or to approve in any manner whatsoever any of thosebodies named in such condemnations."

  Percy moved in his seat, conscious of a touch of impatience.... Themanner was superb, tranquil and stately as a river; but the matter atrifle banal. Here was this old reprobation of Freemasonry, repeated inunoriginal language.

  "Secondly," went on the steady voice, "We wish to make known to you Ourdesires for the future; and here We tread on what many have considereddangerous ground."

  Again came that rustle. Percy saw more than one cardinal lean forwardwith hand crooked at ear to hear the better. It was evident thatsomething important was coming.

  "There are many points," went on the high voice, "of which it is not Ourintention to speak at this time, for of their own nature they aresecret, and must be treated of on another occasion. But what We sayhere, We say to the world. Since the assaults of Our enemies are bothopen and secret, so too must be Our defences. This then is Ourintention."

  The Pope paused again, lifted one hand as if mechanically to his breast,and grasped the cross that hung there.

  "While the army of Christ is one, it consists of many divisions, each ofwhich has its proper function and object. In times past God has raisedup companies of His servants to do this or that particular work--thesons of St. Francis to preach poverty, those of St. Bernard to labour inprayer with all holy women dedicating themselves to this purpose, theSociety of Jesus for the education of youth and the conversion of theheathen--together with all the other Religious Orders whose names areknown throughout the world. Each such company was raised up at aparticular season of need, and each has corresponded nobly with thedivine vocation. It has also been the especial glory of each, for thefurtherance of its intention, while pursuing its end, to cut off fromitself all such activities (good in themselves) which would hinder thatwork for which God had called it into being--following in this matterthe words of our Redeemer, _Every branch that beareth fr
uit, He purgethit that it may bring forth more fruit._ At this present season, then, itappears to Our Humility that all such Orders (which once more We commendand bless) are not perfectly suited by the very conditions of theirrespective Rules to perform the great work which the time requires. Ourwarfare lies not with ignorance in particular, whether of the heathensto whom the Gospel has not yet come, or of those whose fathers haverejected it, nor with _the deceitful riches of this world_, nor with_science falsely so-called_, nor indeed with any one of thosestrongholds of infidelity against whom We have laboured in the past.Rather it appears as if at last the time was come of which the apostlespoke when he said that _that day shall not come, except there come afalling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the Son ofPerdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is calledGod._

  "It is not with this or that force that we are concerned, but ratherwith the unveiled immensity of that power whose time was foretold, andwhose destruction is prepared."

  The voice paused again, and Percy gripped the rail before him to staythe trembling of his hands. There was no rustle now, nothing but asilence that tingled and shook. The Pope drew a long breath, turned hishead slowly to right and left, and went on more deliberately than ever.

  "It seems good, then, to Our Humility, that the Vicar of Christ shouldhimself invite God's children to this new warfare; and it is Ourintention to enroll under the title of the Order of Christ Crucified thenames of all who offer themselves to this supreme service. In doing thisWe are aware of the novelty of Our action, and the disregard of all suchprecautions as have been necessary in the past. We take counsel in thismatter with none save Him Who we believe has inspired it.

  "First, then, let Us say, that although obedient service will berequired from all who shall be admitted to this Order, Our primaryintention in instituting it lies in God's regard rather than in man's,in appealing to Him Who asks our generosity rather than to those whodeny it, and dedicating once more by a formal and deliberate act oursouls and bodies to the heavenly Will and service of Him Who alone canrightly claim such offering, and will accept our poverty.

  "Briefly, we dictate only the following conditions.

  "None shall be capable of entering the Order except such as shall beabove the age of seventeen years.

  "No badge, habit, nor insignia shall be attached to it.

  "The Three Evangelical Counsels shall be the foundation of the Rule, towhich we add a fourth intention, namely, that of a desire to receive thecrown of martyrdom and a purpose of embracing it.

  "The bishop of every diocese, if he himself shall enter the Order, shallbe the superior within the limits of his own jurisdiction, and aloneshall be exempt from the literal observance of the Vow of Poverty solong as he retains his see. Such bishops as do not feel the vocation tothe Order shall retain their sees under the usual conditions, but shallhave no Religious claim on the members of the Order.

  "Further, We announce Our intention of Ourself entering the Order as itssupreme prelate, and of making Our profession within the course of a fewdays.

  "Further, We declare that in Our Own pontificate none shall be elevatedto the Sacred College save those who have made their profession in theOrder; and We shall dedicate shortly the Basilica of St. Peter and St.Paul as the central church of the Order, in which church We shall raiseto the altars without any delay those happy souls who shall lay downtheir lives in the pursuance of their vocation.

  "Of that vocation it is unnecessary to speak beyond indicating that itmay be pursued under any conditions laid down by the Superiors. Asregards the novitiate, its conditions and requirements, we shall shortlyissue the necessary directions. Each diocesan superior (for it is Ourhope that none will hold back) shall have all such rights as usuallyappertain to Religious Superiors, and shall be empowered to employ hissubjects in any work that, in his opinion, shall subserve the glory ofGod and the salvation of souls. It is Our Own intention to employ in Ourservice none except those who shall make their profession."

  He raised his eyes once more, seemingly without emotion, then hecontinued:

  "So far, then, We have determined. On other matters We shall takecounsel immediately; but it is Our wish that these words shall becommunicated to all the world, that there may be no delay in makingknown what it is that Christ through His Vicar asks of all who professthe Divine Name. We offer no rewards except those which God Himself haspromised to those that love Him, and lay down their life for Him; nopromise of peace, save of that which passeth understanding; no home savethat which befits pilgrims and sojourners who seek a City to come; nohonour save the world's contempt; no life, save that which is hid withChrist in God."