Evening star., 1900-12-08

however, claim the same and equal rights.
religious, social and civil. 1t is distinctly
asserted that the object is not political.
and 1t Is declared to be foreign to the tnten-
ton of the members to become a political
body or to affiliate themselves with any OF
the existing political organizations, and no
political jobbery Is to be allowed In the
federation, yet they will not keep out OF
politics altogether.
1t is alleged that Catholic interests. civil
and religious. are greatly affected In many
public institutions. the management OF
which IS subject to legislation and the
ruling of pubic officers. whether state or
federal 1t has therefore become neces-
sary, it is believed by those interested. to
rights American citizens, or those Of
their Catholic fellow-citizens, in public in
stitutions. This. it is conceded, must be
done through proper laws and lawgivers;
that Is, through political action or influence.
Again, should the several questions and
troubles of the day become a matter of pub
lie or political action Catholics will be
bound by duty in religion, as well as cit
izenship, to take part.
Archbishop Martnelli, the apostolic del
egate. will participate at services to be held
at st. Patrick's Church. in this city, at mid
night, December 81, to consecrate the new
century to God. A year ago the pope gave
a special permission. with a view to wide
exercise of the privilege. to sing a solemn
mass at midnight of December 81 of last
year to conSecrate the closing year of the
century, and to repeat it December 81 next,
at the same hour, for consecrating the en-
Of a year ago. is expected to be an un-
usually brilliant one. Most Of the bishops
throughout the country probably will hold
similar solemn services.
MISS Clara Barton has received many
kilograms and letters asking about the
twentieth century watch meetings. She
states that while the movement Is under
har a nc nd trn1 nj hn 6ofa a
committed to the New York Office OF the
Red Cross, in ine St. James building, New
York city. Many towns seem to be waiting
for special authorization to hold these meet
ings, whereas none Is necessary. All that
any church. lodge, military company or so
ciety of any kind needs to do is to organize
it's own watch meetings.
The latest proposition for the advance
ment of church work is that a society for
Christian unity be formed. The member
ship is to comprise all Protestant churches
and it Is suggested that in each state there
shall be an annual conference to which each
pastoral charge shall be entitled to two
delegates, one clerical and one lay. This
conference to elect an advisory board to as
SiSt pastors in securing churches, and
churches in securing pastors. Said confer
ence to elect such other boards as may be
necessary for the interests of the state
work.
1t is further suggested that once in four
years there shall be q conference to which
each state conference shall be entitled to
two delegates-one clerical and one lay.
This conference to elect such boards as may
be necessary for the interests of the inter-
state work and the establishment Of the
church in heather lands
1t Is believed that other Christian nations
will be organized similarly to the plan as
above suggested. and SO the mission fields.
when they become sufficiently evangelical
to make the plan feasible. and that every
eight or twelve years there shall be held
ecumenical conference, to which each
national conference shall be entitled to an
equal number Of clerical and lay delegates.
This conference to elect such boards az may
be necessary for the interests Of worldwide
Christianity.