A Future History of the United States

As far back as Tim could remember the Church had played a major part in his life. He could recall his parents taking him to church when he could barely walk. At age four they had enrolled him in classes where he learned the basics of Christianity. By age ten he was participating in some of the childhood plays at Christmas time.

In school every class started and ended with prayer. All classes emphasized how the subject being taught meshed with religion. The Bible was referred to occasionally, but the writings of the Church leaders were always presented as the ultimate truth. If a child had the nerve, he could question a passage in the Bible, but to even hint at a question about something the Prelate had written brought immediate punishment and a trip to the school office for “corrective measures”. The one rule always of prime importance was “The Church is ALWAYS right.” This, of course, meant that the priest, bishop, or other Church official was always right.

He and Jane were married in a Church ceremony. There was no other legal way to enter into a marriage. When Billy was only three days old they had brought him before the congregation for the blessing of the priest. Before the recent disruption of their routine, Billy was attending the same school Tim had attended as a child.

With this background, Tim was very nervous as he approached the doorway of the church. While his training had taken only a few weeks it had been very intense. Fourteen hour days had been quite common with some days even longer. Part of his training had included a virtual reality tour of this church and the surrounding area. Even so, he had to work to control his nerves as he opened the door and walked into the church.

Taking a deep breath, he looked around. This church bore a superficial resemblance to the one he had spent so much time in throughout his life. At the very front and center was a large cross with a realistic Jesus suspended from it. Along each side wall were large stained glass windows. Each portrayed a different scene from the Bible. Murals based on Bible themes filled every available space on the walls.

Someone watching Tim’s face as he looked around might have noticed the wry grin as he thought the pews here look just as uncomfortable at those I spent so much time in back home. Everything was obviously designed to present the same façade to those attending any church.

Keeping his head up and shoulders back, Tim walked slowly and majestically down the center aisle. He had seen no one since leaving Son City, but this was not surprising given the early morning hour.

As he reached the front of the sanctuary, a door to his left opened. A figure in clerical robes rushed out.

Approaching within about four paces of Tim, the newcomer stopped and immediately bowed low before him. Keeping his head lowered and his eyes apparently looking at the floor at Tim’s feet he said, “I beg your forgiveness, Your Excellency; I should have met you at the door. I can only say I had no notice you were coming. Please forgive my tardy greeting. I welcome you to St. Andrew’s Church. I place myself at your service. Everything possible will be done to assure your comfort during your visit. May the Lord bless your every endeavor.”

Tim had not expected such a subservient greeting from the priest, having never had the occasion to be present when a bishop first entered a church. After what he hoped was a suitable pause he said, “You are forgiven, my son. Indeed, I must apologize to you. My schedule gave me no opportunity to notify you in advance.” Then he recited as Dennis had said he must, “I will only be here a few days. I must depart immediately after the service Sunday morning. Between now and then, I hope to get to know you, and determine the needs of your congregation so that together we may serve them better.”

Still keeping his eyes averted the priest said, “I am indebted to you for your forgiveness. Please call me Thomas. Allow me to escort you to my humble abode.” He led the way to the door through which he had so hastily emerged a few minutes before. He stopped beside the door, “Please enter with the Grace of God.”

Tim stepped through the door into what was obviously the church office. The furnishings were simple; a desk, three chairs, and a small stand holding an open Bible.

Tim looked around. He had to suppress a startled exclamation of surprise when he saw the wall to his left. There were shelves from floor to ceiling and every shelf was filled with books! REAL BOOKS! Tim could not believe there were that many books still in existence in the entire country.

The priest entered right behind him, indicated what appeared to be the most comfortable chair in the room and said, “Please be seated. It is rare for us to have such a distinguished visitor. May I ask of what assistance our little church can be in your endeavors?” As he was saying this he had moved toward the desk and sat in a chair beside, rather than behind it.

Tim noticed a slight noise behind him. He was tempted to turn to see what it was, but he felt such a move would not be in keeping with his role as a bishop. If there was someone else present they would come forward and greet him, he would not have to turn to them.

No one else came into view within a few moments and he heard no further sound behind him. The priest still had not looked directly at him. “My travels brought me here on a mission that cannot be discussed just yet. I will let you know in due time. Don’t be distressed. You are in no way in danger from me. Upon the conclusion of my mission, I am sure you will be well pleased with our time together.”

“I am afraid I must once again beg your forgiveness,” Thomas responded. “I should not have pried into your affairs. Please let me know if there is anything I, or any member of my church, can do to assist you in your duties.”

“Thomas, try to relax in my presence. Though we be dressed in different rags,” Thomas jerked in surprise at the term. Nodding his head Tim continued, “that’s all they are. Though they present a fine appearance, in the end they are nothing but rags. The important thing is that we are brothers in Christ. As He looks at us He does not see the finery we may display for the world to see. He sees us as we really are. All any of us are in reality is sinners. The only difference in us, and all the other sinners out there, is that He has given us the responsibility of leading them to follow His way more closely.”

Thomas looked up with a smile on his face. “I have to admit that’s the way I have always looked at it. But I never expected to hear a bishop say that.”

“You just haven’t been talking to the right bishops. I will say some of us get a little overly impressed with our own importance once we put on these robes. Now the best way you can help me is to fill me in on everything that’s happening in your parish. If there is anything that is disturbing you, I want to know.”

Thomas paused before beginning his answer. While waiting for him to gather his thoughts Tim stood, stretched, and looked around. When he glanced at the wall behind him he received another shock. Where he was sure he had seen hundreds of books, there was now a totally blank wall. He wondered if all the stress he had been under was causing him to hallucinate.

Just then Thomas began to speak. “Before I say anything I want your word, as an official of the Church, that nothing I say will be used against me. I know it is against Church rules for anyone to condemn a priest, but even so, there is always a fear that there may be some way around that rule.” Thinking he may already have said too much he continued, “not that there is anything I have to say that I feel would deserve any punishment, but things can sometimes be misunderstood or taken out of context.”

“Thomas, I told you to relax,” Tim said in his most soothing voice. “I can promise you that I will say nothing to the Archbishop that will cause you any harm or trouble.” As he said this Tim was thinking, that certainly is true. I intend to stay as far from the Archbishop as I can.

Tim could tell that Thomas was still uneasy about speaking up. “I haven’t had any breakfast yet. If it’s not too much trouble, let’s get something to eat. We’ll continue this discussion later. Also, I left a small bag with my necessities at the back of the church…”

Before Tim could make a move toward the door Thomas interrupted, “I’ll have one of our attendants bring it in. I’ll also have the cook prepare our breakfast. While that’s being taken care of let me show you to the room where you will be staying while you are with us.” With that he opened a door which Tim had not noticed because it was covered with a curtain.

Breakfast was relaxed and enjoyable. Tim and Thomas talked about current events and individual likes and dislikes, avoiding any mention of the reason for Tim’s visit. Dennis and Claude had prepared Tim quite carefully for this type of discussion. By the time the meal was over, Thomas seemed to accept Tim’s assurance that he was not trying to trick him into some kind of trap.

Finishing the meal, Tim said, “I’ve had a rather tiring trip. If it’s all right with you, I think I’ll take a nap.”

With obvious relief Thomas replied, “That’s fine with me.” He was thinking, That will give me time to think this over.

Tim’s professed need for a nap was in reality a ploy to allow Thomas some private time for considering what had happened so far. He knew his approach was completely different than anything Thomas had encountered in a bishop before. He had deliberately downplayed the difference in rank and slipped in other comments to try to get Thomas talking about the current situation in the Church.

For the remainder of that day Tim saw Thomas only at mealtime. During these meals he was careful to avoid any further conversation about Church matters; however the economic condition did enter into the discussion. Tim had asked about any general problems in the region and Thomas had responded, “I am very concerned about the recent increase in the amount of poverty.”

When Tim asked if there was any one reason for the increase, such as factories closing or problems with the fall harvest Thomas simply said, “I may have more to tell you about that later.”

The next morning Tim found Thomas in his office, eyes closed and obviously in deep thought. “Have I interrupted you at an inopportune time?”

Thomas sat up, obviously shocked at Tim’s sudden appearance. “No, not at all, even before you arrived I have been in prayer about the situation with the Church. Since we spoke yesterday I have been praying almost non-stop concerning what I should bring to your attention. I am convinced the Lord wants me to tell you everything I know about the problems we are having. I find your coming right when you have to be a true answer to my prayers.”

“I’m certainly pleased to hear that. I have been in praying myself that you would be open with me so that I may be of some assistance to you.”

After a long pause Thomas began, “Much of what I have to say, you will find shocking. After hearing me out, you may even want to tie me to the post and light the fire yourself. If so, I will die knowing I have been true to my understanding of Jesus and the Scriptures, and have done my utmost to correct the grievous sins we are committing every day.”