The Irish standard., 1907-05-04
WHAT 1T MEANS.

AS it develops it becomes very ap-
parent that it is not simply a. contest
between the Catholic church and the
present rulers of France. but a square
stand up fight between Christian civ
ilization and social anarchy. There is
no blinking that fact. The skirmish
line at present is in France. Tnmor-
row or the day after it will be pushed
country, says the New York Freemans
Journal.
The atheists and the anarchists who
make up this skirmish line flatter
themselves that if they can gain a
victory over the Church in France
they will strengthen the cause of in
! fidelity and of anarchy. first in Europe
aud eventually in America. The spe-
cial Paris correspondent of the New
York Mail. the only daily in America
that has made an honest and earnest
effort to place before Americans the
( 'Sp' Soliutttou vi illttlSS Ill TTdllCe.
furnishes true diagnosis of tho situa-
ton when he writes:
There is no peace. and there can be
none-religious, economic ur social
until conservatism or militant social
+ ism wins the battle for which the
! lines are now forming. The Catholic
Church happens in this country to be
the champion Of conservatism and the
principles of the worlds existing civ
ilization. 1t is bearing the brunt Of
the first assault in force. For that
reason, and that only. its status is the
local point Of interest in the world
contest in which every nation is now
or must be a slarer. And as for peace
there is NO peace in fight in which
the determination of the assailant is
determination. and the assaiIed is
battling desperately to save his life"
| Thoughtful men, no matter what
their religious convictions may be,
must see that an attitude of indif-
ference, whilst a fight of this kind is
in progress, would be tantamount to
an act of treason against the form of
civilization that has moulded Europe
and America for SO many centuries
Yet unfortunately Protestants as a
class have entered no protest against
the ruthless attempts Of French in
fdels to undermine the foundations of
tianity. Here and there the voice of
Il Protestant is raised in condemna-
ton of what is now taking place in
France. But it is like the voice of
one crying in the wilderness so far as
it affects his co-reigonists. One such
makes an appeal to Professionals
through the medium of the Sunday
Call. Newark. y. j. MIR. Walter j.
Kidd. the writer, thus eXhorts Prot
estants to shake off indifference:
why should not the Protestant
churches throughout the world
! ''' '"N' '''N'i StiiSlhi N'iINtlIliuIIS
general assemblies. synods. or other
representative bodies. pass resolutions
of sympathy with the Catholic Church
in France: Let every one who can do
so take up the work: let us pass on
the torch from one to another and
awaken public opinion to a truer
| l;.x,f Al
take up the cause; let our pulpts pro-
claim, the cnormity of this great
wrong.
| al the time If the French Revolu-
ton Protestant Bishops and clergy
came out in manly fashion for the per-
secuted Church in France. And re-
Gently Protestant Bishop has direct
ed that prayers be offered throughout
his diocese for the Church in France
1t is not sufficient to know that the
dream of the Jacobins, who think the
battle of Anna geddon has begun and
away, will come to naught 1t is sure
~ our business to help the Church to
be victorious in such struggle. There
mas been excuse for our misconcep-
tons. fnr the Whole question is so con-
trarN I" all our ways Of thinking But
let us seek To understand it better. 1t
Is the most vital one of the present
day. Let lis not misapprehend its in
trlnsic character. but realize it as both
violation of every requirement of
r'sht and freedom and warfare
against our common Christianity"