The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-29
TRADITION OF THE CHURCH
BODY OF THE VIRGIN IS BELIEVED
To HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO HEAVEN.
No Particle Left on Earth to BE Vene-
rated asa ReIic-Presbyterian Head
quarters Now n Valuable Asset. A
specIaI 10 n. Indianapolis journal.

archbishops and bishops or the ROMAN
Catholic world. Like the first one, this
new letter Of the Pope will be wholly relig-
ious in character. The subject VIII the
dogma Of the immaculate conception or the
Virgin Mary. which was defined in 1854 by
Pope Plus TX Hence the iftieth anniver-
sary occurs in 1904 Its exact anniversary
comes in December of this year, when the
feast of the immaculate conception will be
celebrated with special pomp. The Pope
will proclaim a jubilee, to begin on Dec
next, to continue one year. to all who viii
make a pilgrimage to Rome or to certain
churches. Devotion to the virgin will be
especially recommended to the faithful.
1t is said to be likely that in his forthcom-
ing encyclical the Pope will refer to the
new dogma of the assumption of the vir-
gin. Concerning this dogma all Catholic
bishops petitioned Pope Leo XIII in 1889.
and the matter was left over for Plus x to
act upon. II he mentions the new dogma
It will be the first time since the definition
Of infallibility was proclaimed In 1870 that
a Pope has practically made of his
great prerogative to declare new dogma
for his church.
Since II is counted certain that the dogma
will be proclaimed IT is interesting to know
what Is the Roman dogma-to-be. 1t is be-
lieved by the Catholic Church as a tradi-
ton but not now as a dogma. that after the
physical death OF the virgin her body was
taken by angels into heaven-so effectually
SO that no particle of her body has been
venerated among the relics OF the church.
II the Pope defines this to be dogma all
Catholics will be compelled to believe the
lsame-and all do not do so now. The FIRST
historical mention Of this tradition Is found
In the acts of the Council Of Ephesus In the
seventh century, which simply states the
fact OF the assumption Among the fathers
OF the church st. John Damascene was the
most strenuous propagation Of this doc
trine, which IL now believed as a tradition
by all OF the faithful. 1t is believed that
mention OF the Forthcoming decree making
II dogma will be contained In next weeks
encyclical, but If 1t should not be 1t Is ex-
pected that q year Of jubilee, in celebration
OF the anniversary Of the PRONUNCIATION Of
The dogma OF the immaculate conception.
Mn well pave the way for the new dogma.
The political uphesval in Colombia and on
the Isthmus of Panama Il accompanied By
religious disturbances, and the latter un-
rest extends to Chile on the south and
into the Central American states on the
north. A deputation OF educational leaders
f. now In this country, who bear letters
from two OF the presidents OF Central
American states, and from half a dozen
mayors Of Colombian cities. This deputa-
ton comes for study, and upon the return
OF it's members one OF them will establish
a school for young men In San Salvador.
Members OF the deputation declare the de-
feat Of the canal treaty at Bogota to be
due quite as much to religious as to po-
ntical and financial opposition. They at
firm that great struggle Is going on in
Pacific coast States OF South America and
In Central America against religious con-
ditions as they have been, and I'm favor Of
religious and educational conditions as they
are In the United States. Their statements
are confirmed by reports made to Metho-
dist, Presbyterian. Protestant Episcopal
and other bodies having work there. and
especially by letters from agents Of the
American Bible Society. In Chile so great
has been the extension OF public schools
that Methodist private schools are no long
er self-supporting, and Methodist mission
work has now, for the first time, to be
supported from the United States.
Methodists are to undertake mission
work among Koreans in Hawaii. So many
Japanese crowded into Hawaii that they
feared an exclusion act similar to our act
excluding Chinese. Artificially, therefore,
Japanese immigration into Hawaii ceased.
This left planters in bad way and they
appealed for ten thousand Koreans, Offer
ing good inducements. The Koreans came.
On the ship were thirty Methodist natives,
and they held religious services aboard.
with the result that upon arrival at Homo
lulu the number OF Methodists was fifty.
The fifty kept ut work for a year. and now
there Is a Korean Methodist church in
Hawaii. which the Methodist Missionary
Society has just decided to assist in the
erection of place Of worship. and in the
providing OF a regular pastor.
XXX
The Church News Association is count.
ing attendance at all places OF public Chris
tan worship on Manhattan island New
York city. 1t divides the island into four
districts. and beginning on Nov Is il will
conclude its count on Dec G. In the dis
trict covering the whole OF the island from
the northern end of Central Park north.
and Including all OF Harlem. II found 23O47
of the entire population inside Christian
all children attending regular services and
occupying pews, but Sunday schools were
not counted. The proportion of men ran
from Is In 100 In the Roman Catholic
churches TO 50 in 100 In some of the Protes-
tant ehurches- The Roman Catholic
churches got to their services 81 per cent.
OF their claimed membership. while the
Protestant churches brought to their serv-
fees more persons than they claim men,
bership. The population OF the district Is
4Ss.oss- Protestants at church services on
one November Sunday. that was pleasant
and yet not so attractive as to induce out
door excursions. numbered s. $50. when ac-
tusl membership is % $50. and Catholic at
tendance numbered 62,2lI in a Catholic pop
ulation of $3.50. Counts are making Of
other districts and comparisons will be
made and published
The trustees OF the Upited Society of
Christian Endeavor have issued a call TO
prayer on Dec l. On that day the trustees
meet In Philadelphia, when representation
Of State and city unions win be made. At
any rate. oil sgch officials have been in
yttsd 20 meet the trustees on this occa-