This then is Our intention." 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 of which has its proper function and object.

In times past God has raised up companies of His servants to do this or that particular work--the sons of St.Francis to preach poverty, those of St.Bernard to labour in prayer with all holy women dedicating themselves to this purpose, the Society of Jesus for the education of youth and the conversion of the heathen--together with all the other Religious Orders whose names are known throughout the world.

Each such company was raised up at a particular season of need, and each has corresponded nobly with the divine vocation.

It has also been the especial glory of each, for the furtherance of its intention, while pursuing its end, to cut off from itself all such activities (good in themselves) which would hinder that work for which God had called it into being--following in this matter the words of our Redeemer, _Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit._ At this present season, then, it appears to Our Humility that all such Orders (which once more We commend and bless) are not perfectly suited by the very conditions of their respective Rules to perform the great work which the time requires.

Our warfare lies not with ignorance in particular, whether of the heathens to whom the Gospel has not yet come, or of those whose fathers have rejected it, nor with _the deceitful riches of this world_, nor with _science falsely so-called_, nor indeed with any one of those strongholds of infidelity against whom We have laboured in the past.
Rather it appears as if at last the time was come of which the apostle spoke when he said that _that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God._ "It is not with this or that force that we are concerned, but rather with the unveiled immensity of that power whose time was foretold, and whose destruction is prepared." The voice paused again, and Percy gripped the rail before him to stay the trembling of his hands.