The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-27
DAY OF CHRISTIAN UNITY.
CARDINAL GIBBONS "a rs THE CATH
ORC CHURCH WAITS FOR r.
ne writss =. I.troauctien 60 the Trnnsi--
uon OF the Pops's Eseyciiesi-U.ion
Mast Ce--s TNrouNh ths Catholic Church.

m. writss .. I.tros-ctio. 60 the Trars,.-
tion or the Pops's Eseyciiesi-U.ton
Must Ce=s TAroush ths Catholic Chureh.
BALTIMORE, Oct. 2B.-Cardinal Gibbons has
written an introduction entitled "Christian
Unity" TO the official translation OF the Pope's
recent encycllcal on that subject, which will
appear In the October number OF the American
Catholic Quarterly ReUisw. In the introduction
the Cardinal says;
1.-TWO cries for religious unity have recently
gone forth TO the world Thinking men have
as never before been drawn to consider the
anomaly presented by the great diversity that
has existed In religious matters among the ma
lions Of the globe. uod-fearing men, profound
students. earnest souls, have bewailed such re-
ligious disunion, strife producing and oft to
deeds Of violence melting; have seen that such
a state Of things is disorder and not according
TO the dictates of right reason, and have thought
that the warning sects OF ChrlstendOm could he
brought together and In peace and harmony
follow the doctrines Of Jesus Christ. They rec
ognize the need OF unity in relEon-in divine
worship more Imperative here than In other
branches of human effort. They see that the
multiplicity of religious beliefs, the diversity OF
Christian creeds and churches by no means
strength either of religion or uf Christianity.
The Worlds Fair Congresses of Religions
took place n twclVCmOnth since IN II Western
metropolis, and eminent representatives of al
most all the principal forms. OF religious belief
ii rd SrGS O%Id o 81 %Gn % ss
From this parliament there resulted y clearer
apprehension OF religion "a meaning the love
and worship Of God and the love and service of
man. Greater liberty OF thought and wider toll
erance of opinion have been inculcated; The
erhood OF man have been learned more thor.
oughly and impressively than ever before. And
mating in n these Congresses that men will no
longer prosecute their brethren for cOnsccnces
sake, thinking that thereby they would be rem
derluR service to the good and Almighty God.
"ln June last another call for religious union
was sent forth--a call for the union Of Christians
In particular. 1t comes from one who; ,rever-
enCed and hUnored by all. has the worlds ear.
borrowing his own thought, as our Saviour, on
the eve Of HE death. prayed for His disciples
that they might be one as lie and the Father
are one. so now the venerable POntif In his de-
Ginning years He vicar. sends to heaven a sim
an amplfcetion, Of st. paul's words to the
with the Church OF Rome; not such union
that would be brought about by a certain
an Intercourse OF frsternai love. The true union
between Christians Il that which Jesus Christ.
the author EFT Of the Church instituted and de ns
a unity Of government In his view, which Is
the only true view. the supremacy Of the Roman
Pontif. the supreme jurisdiction OF st. Peter
and his successors, can alone unite US In the fell
lowship with our Redeemer. That has been the
ning. 3 She t" has rspested and insisted on the
necessity of submission 10 the centre OF Chris
tian truth and the bond OF external union. His
Holiness could not speak otherwise. He Ia con-
sCious Of what prerogatives Christ conferred on
the prince OF the Apostles.
THE position which the learned Pontin takes
is no usurpation or false assumption. Ii Il not
al egotstcal and complainant confidence In his
own wisdom, mere satisfaction with his
possessions IL comes from his earnest desire,
oft manifested, to better mans condition, both
temporal and spiritual. and Is characterized by
all the tenderness and love Of man and priest
who loves his fellow men. and knows that he
has the power and means of helping them.
"The Catholic Church has been made to appear
in false light to those not OF her communion
on the part OF enemies have too long kept well
disposed persons from seeing her as she Is, and
fear OF her so-called tyranny has driven many
from studying her position. 1t is not presump.
tuous TO say that the more she Is known and
studied. and the more deeply we penetrate into
her Mysteries ana understand her teaching, the
more radinntly will her charms shine forth, and
the more strongly will numbers be drawn toward
her and embrace her faith, saying, with IT. Au-
Rustine, Too late have l known thee, too late
have loved thee .
THE fear Of giving up cherished notions or
the teachings OF childhood must not deter or
delay union with the Catholic Church. For, in
joining her. really no one will have TO abandon
the Christian truth she possesses. He will never
experience any anxiety or doubt or be worried
by contrary claims or contradictory teachingsi
he will rest in contentmcnt, and tho angels or
peace will hover around him."