We now come to the Three Administrative Choirs, who carry out the directions of the Regulative
Choirs. Of these three the highest is called
the Principalities.
The Principalities consist of those members
of the Heavenly Host who have entrusted to their
care provinces and kingdoms. They are the guardians
of nations and peoples. They seek to influence
the hearts of their rulers, and to guide events under
God's direction for the benefit of the land or
district committed to their care. We ought to pray
to the Angel who guards our country as well as
to its Patron Saint for its many needs.
The Principalities take so special an interest
in their own province, that we find in Daniel x.
2, a sort of contest between the Prince or ruling
spirit of Persia and the Prince of Palestine respecting
the return of the Jews. They each had, at first
an opinion of their own, yet as soon as God's will
was known, it is an equal joy to both to carry it
out. Is this my case?
The Principalities are thus the Generals of the
army of Heaven, carrying out instructions as a
general does those of his chief or of the Cabinet
at home. To their ranks will be added many who
are sent to carry the gospel to heathen lands, or
who are entrusted with widespread authority over
the faithful. Among them we shall one day see
many great Saints, and many Bishops and Archbishops,
Christian kings and others, who have ruled
faithfully the Church or State.