ernal.

"But it is inconceivable how a clash can be avoided," Mr. Anderson
reminded him.

"Not when it is remembered that each authority is independent of the
other. The Church has no power over civil legislation in matters purely
secular, nor has the state a right to interfere in ecclesiastical
legislation, in matters purely spiritual, nor over spiritual persons
considered strictly as such. In every Catholic country the King, as well
as the humblest peasant, is subject to the laws of his country in
secular matters, and to the laws of his church in matters spiritual."

"Yet at the same time he cannot fail to recognize that the one is
superior to the other."

"Only in so far as the spiritual order is superior to the secular."

"Not in temporal affairs as well?"

"Not in the least. Only in the recognition of the fact that the
salvation of the soul is of more importance than the welfare of the
body. In this is the mission of the state considered inferior to that of
the Church."

"If this be true, how can a Catholic pay allegiance to a society which
he believes to be a subordinate one?"

"He does not consider it subordinate. It is supreme within its own
sphere. Theoretically it is subordinate in this: that the care of the
soul comes first; then that of the body. The state is the greatest
institution in matters secular, and in this respect superior to the
Church. The Church makes no pretense of infallibility in statesmanship.
Hence, a Catholic who is true to his Church and her teachings makes the
best citizen."

"Why?"

"Because, to him, patriotism is inculcated by religion. Throughout his
whole life his soul has been nurtured by his Church on a twofold
pabulum,--love of God and love of country."

"The Catholic Church expressly teaches that? I thought----"

"Exactly," agreed Stephen, interrupting him. "The Catholic has been
taught that the civil authority, to which he owes and pays allegiance,
is something divine; for him it is the authority of God vested in His
creatures and he gives ear to its voice and yields to it a sweet and
humble submission as befits a child of God, doing His Will in all
things. For he recognizes therein the sound of the Divine Voice."

"I see."

"He remembers the teaching of his Church, derived from the words of St.
Paul writing on this subject to the citizens of Rome, 'Let every man be
subject to higher powers, for there is no power but from God; and those
that are, are ordained o