The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-22
MONS|GNOR GUIDI
AND TAFT MEET
Discussed in General Way the
Friar Negotiations
EXTEND KINDLY GREE TINGS
Apostolic Delegate Says the Scope Of
the Missions Is Identical, One
Acting for Civil Power and
the Other for Religious.

Manila, November 21.-Governor Taft
and Monsignor Guidi exchanged formal
visits today and discussed in a general
way the prospective negotiations. The
date on which the negotiations will be be-
gun and the method of work, are still
undetermined Monsignor Guidi visited
Governor Taft at Malacanan palace and
made formal address to him. On his ar
rival he presented a letter of Introduction
from Cardinal Rampola and also ex-
pressed the personal greetings of the
Pope. He said he accepted the mission
because he knew Governor Taft was an
upright and sincere man. Continuing the
apostolic delegate said
"The scope of our missions Is identical.
namely, the settlement of affairs which
concern important interests in these is
lands, you acting for the civil power and
l for the religious powers. This end Is
necessary that there should exist har-
niony and confidence between the eccles-
iastical and civil authorities. 1t will be
my first and principal duty to see that
your authority is upheld and respected
everywhere in the islands by those de-
pendent on me and need hardly say that
l expect your excellency to do the same
for mine and for all the authorities of the
church in general In fact. the two pow
ers should go hand in hand. For my
part 1 will always be frank and open with
you, and l beg your excellency to be the
same towards me. Thus we all shall al
ways understand one another perfectly.
Taft Thanked Him.
Governor Taft in responding to this ad-
dress welcomed the apostolic delegate
and thanked him for his kindly express
sions. The governor continued:
LAS you say the best method of settling
the difficult questions pointed out be-
tween the church and state in these
islands, will be found in entire frank
ness and in open dealing. The negotia-
tions which have already taken place in
Rome point out the lines upon which we
should proceed and while undue haste
would be unwise, considering the import
ant interests concerned, / have no doubt
that we can with considerable speed
reach a satisfactory solution, Property
and rights of the church must be OBJ
served and protected by the government.
What those rights are, when in dispute,
unless they are settled by an agreement.
must be determined by the courts of
Justice. The preservation of those rights
is the duty of the government of these
islands, not only by virtue of the treaty
of Paris, but by virtue of the constitu-
ton of the United States and Of the prin-
ciples of American jurisprudence, which
are so deeply seated in the political creed
of every American that they cannot be
separated from"
Pope Lays Down Principles.
washington, November 2.-The text of
Pope Leo's latest encyclical to promote
the study of the Scriptures has been re-
ceived here. 1t is dated October 30 1902.
The encyclical declares that in view of
the complexity of modern studies and
the manifold errors which prevail, it has
become impossible for individual inter-
prefers of the Holy books TO explain and
defend them as the needs of the hour re-
uuire" ''it has become necessary that
their common studies should receive as
sistance and direction under the auspices
and guidance of the apostolic see." To
this end the encyclical says the pontif
has established a commission of serious
men, whose duty it will be to devote
their entire energy to ensure that the
divine words may receive the explana-
ton demanded of them by the times.
For the guidance of the commission the
encyclical lays down the following prin-
ciples:
First of all. they will carefully inves-
tigate the modern trend of thought in this
branch of study and regard nothing dis
covered by modern research as foreign to
their purpose. Nay. they will use the
utmost diligence and promptitude in TAX
ing up and promoting by their writings
whatever may from day to day be dis
covered useful for biblical exegesis.
Next In regard to the uncomprising
maintenance of the authority of the scrip
lures they must exercise earnest care and
diligence. In matters of faith and morals
relating to the formation of Christian
doctrine that must be held to be the true
sense of sacred scripture, which has been
and is being held by the holy mother
church to whom 1T belongs to Judge of the
true sense and Interpretation of the holy
scripture and see that no one may unlaw-
fully interpret the holy scripture con-
trary to this sense or even In opposition
to the unanimous concensus of the faith
ers.''