Our King, in dealing with His subjects, does not issue all His commands Himself. He follows the method of all human government, and has officers who give their orders in His name and with His authority. Who are these officers?

They are the Bishops and Priests of the Church that He has founded who remain faithful to Him and His teachings. To these He expressly says, "He who hears you, hears Me." They bear His Divine authority. They are one and all, in their several degrees, the successors of His Apostles.

But there are other officers of my King who hold their commission from Him. Every lawful government in the civil order is a power appointed by Him, and every kind of natural authority, whether of parents, teachers, or other superiors, marks those who hold it as delegates of our King. Do I remember this when I am tempted to show disobedience or disrespect to my superiors, or to speak slightingly of them?

But if we are thus most strictly bound to obey the King's officers, we must also remember that there are very few of us who are not in some way officers in our turn, and that the influence we have with others, and the right we have to command others, makes our position a very responsible one. We shall be more severely judged for our own words and actions if, through our fault, our subordinates fall away.