The Assault upon Protestantism
TimeWatch Editorial
November 22, 2015
In 1919, Frederick Alley published a book entitled: “The Dignity of Man: As Shown in His Creation, Redemption and Eternal Destiny.” The book is written in four parts. It is a tremendous study of the historical influence of the Church of Rome upon society at large. Part four contains chapter VII which is entitled: “The Cowardice and Indifference of Protestants the Greatest Menace to Her Own Liberties.” The very first paragraph of that chapter opens this way:
“Some time ago a Roman Catholic writer in boasting of the power and influence of his church said: "The fear of Rome is everywhere." We acknowledge the substantial truth of this at least in many parts of the world, although among some nations and peoples it is wholly absurd. Still in Protestant countries Rome is a constant menace to their constitution and laws as also to their personal liberty of thought, speech, and conscience. Not only is Rome, in a general sense, a menace to our liberties but she is a menace to ordinary business and occupation and even to personal liberty and life.”
Remember the above paragraph was written in 1919, so it would almost be reasonable to assume that things have changed. Fourteen years before, in 1905, Charles Stuteville Isaacson in his book “Our brief against Rome” on page 1, Chapter I: The Claims of Rome says this:
“Rome claims to be supreme through the Pope over all Christians, in all places, and for all time. The Creed of Pope Pius IV is the final answer of Rome to all demands for liberty, independence, and reformation. It is the authorized and accepted exposition of the Claims of Rome, and in it are summed up under pain of anathema the results of the Council of Trent. This Creed is binding upon all Roman Catholics, and every Roman priest is obliged solemnly to profess his belief in all of its twelve articles. In two of these the Claims of Rome are thus set forth:—
Art. XI. 'I acknowledge the Holy, Catholic Apostolic, Roman Church to be the mother and mistress of all churches.'
Art. XII. 'I vow and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ.'”
Charles Stuteville Isaacson does not leave the matter open ended. On page 6, he follows it up with this:
“But are these enormous claims still maintained at the present day? Most certainly they are; for in this respect Rome never changes. She never abates one jot or tittle of any claim once advanced by her. If there is any difference, it is that the claim of the Pope to be ' as God upon earth'1 is even more strongly emphasized since the Vatican Council in 1870, which proclaimed the infallibility of the Pope.” Charles Stuteville Isaacson , the Claims of Rome
But Frederick Alley’s concern is not so much Catholicism’s dictatorial, intimidation; rather he is concerned with the cowardice and indifference of Protestant leaders. Listen to his description of the situation:
“The chief danger of Protestantism today is not from Rome but from her own Cowardice and Indifference. Her greatest danger is not external but internal . So long as Protestantism is loyal to her own principles she will live and prosper—when she becomes disloyal, she will be scourged until she reforms. The Romanist Religion is a crime against man and a rebellion against God; as such, and all such, it will perish.” Frederick Alley “The Dignity of Man: As Shown in His Creation, Redemption and Eternal Destiny.” Page134
Page 134 continues:
“The desire to be generous and charitable to this class as to all others is very strong. It is so much more pleasant to say a word of commendation than one of rebuke. The Optimist is like sunshine and genially greeted. The Pessimist is like the cloud and storm, endured with a scowl or a frown. But stern duty sometimes demands not only rebuke but denunciation.” Frederick Alley “The Dignity of Man: As Shown in His Creation, Redemption and Eternal Destiny.” Page134
Frederick Alley’s point is a strong one. Four years before his book was published, a lady died on July 16, 1915. But not before she said the following: “We have far more to fear from within than from without.” She was referring to the remnant church of God. The same applies to Protestantism in general. This is why Rome always weakens her opponents by first infiltrating the organizations. There is a place that is beyond infiltration. It can be barricaded with truth, rooted and grounded in faith. It is the conscience; the mind; the character. Secure that in Christ and all will be well.
Cameron A. Bowen
