The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-08-15
NUMBER %,
Important Religious Movements.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who
may be considered the head of the Epis-
copal Church not only IN England but
America, has requested the bishops OF
that ecclesiastical body to assemble Ia
council at Westminster Abbey. Bishop
McIlgaine, Of Ohio, has already sailed
for Liverpool to take part in this convoca-
lion, and it is presumed that many othefs
of his brethern: will soon follow.
This Episcopal Council derives inipor-
tance from the fact that 1t is the ilrsf
which has assembled since the reform
ton. 1t is supposed that the principal
subject of discussion will be RitualIsu1,
which is making alarming strides in the
English church, and has thus far de1ied
all efforts to suppress it.
The tendency Of this movement Is un-
doubtedly toward Catholicism, and the
present Council may result in acceleratlng
adivision which is certain, sooner or Later,
to come. The Ritualists will go to Rome,
while the others remain at Geneva; and
the church itself will be stronger when
once the lines have been fairly and firmly
drawn.
1t is hardly necessary to say that these
deliberations will attract profound atten
ton throughout Christendom.
At the recent anniversary, the Pope II
his aliocution to the clergy gathered in ST.
Peters, iHtimated that It might soon be-
come necessary to cell an Ecumenical
Council and it is thought It may be con-
yoked before the prelates now at Rome
take their departure. -Four hundred and
fifty bishops from ell parts Of the world
are there-a greater number than ever as
sembled IN any previous council of the
Catholic Church. For, according to his
tory, at the first Council OF Greece 31S
bishops were got together, and at the sec
ond $50. At the first Council OF Constau-
tinople 80, at the second 100, and at the
third the number was carried up to 2S9.
At the Council of Ephesus there were
200. At the Lateran Council there were
800, at that of Lyons 40, at that of Con-
stance 100, at that of Vienna 500, at that
of Florence 14l, and finally at that Of
Trent 276.
Three hundred years have gone since
this last Council met; three centuries
crowded with vast political aud religious
changes which have left their marks up
on Church as well as State. It is time
perhaps that the successor of St. Peter de-
manded the advice of his Iieutenants -
the grand army of the Cross, and shotl :,
he do so, the most momentous cons
quences may result therefrOm. Mar :
suppose because the temporal power. &
the Pope has diminished TO a mere shadS-2G
of what 1t 0nce was, that therefore T..
spiritual power is likewise on the wand
and the great Church of which he Is thes
acknowledged head, is tUtterinc to its fall.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
Garibaldi might enter Rome Tomorrow.
and Plus Ninth be forced to take REFUGE
In the meanest village In Europe, but thu
sway which he exercises over the minds
and hearts of millions, would be strength
ened rather than diminished. In fact we
doubt whether that Church was ever real
ly stronger than to-day, and we certainly
see 70 reason why the wonderful organi-
zation which looks back upon an exist
ence Cf nearly two thousand years. may
not look forward TO a duration of twenty
centuries to come.
To the impartial eye, no signs of decay
are yet visible, and ''the milk white mind.
immortal and unchanged" bids fair To
live while Time Itself shall last.
But be this as it may, the gathering OF
these Councils in London and Rome will
constitute an era in history.-Alton Dss,o-
crat.