The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-01-11
THE PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES"


The Rev. Paul James Francis. S A. and the
Rev Spencer Jones' ". A., have in collaboration
written a book. entitled The Prince Of the Apos-
lies" Clamp Publishing Co, Garrison, n. V
The authors of this scholarly volume are ac-
credited clergymen Of the Anglican or Episcopal
church, and have brought to the compilation Of
their work an impartiality and erudition rarely to
be met with in historical and controversial books
The authors, after an impartial examination Of
Inc legal documents, critical study of the four
gospels and the acts of the Apostles. after thor
oughly sitting and examining the evidence sub
mitted by the Fathers and the DEGREES of the post
Nicene Councils, more than persuaded-they
are conyinced-that the primacy Of Peter and his
successors. the Roman pontiffs. among the bishops
of Christendom. is an established fact. We trust
we not taking liberties with their own views or
with the works with which they are very familiar
if add that the authors have proved, for the Ro-
man poitifs. not only the prmacy, but the suprem-
aey and nfalability, and in the supernatural order
the necessity Of til three. They have also shown
in the divine economy the wisdom Of this triple
alliance.
It is impossible or seemingly so, for any hon
man to read carefully Count Joseph de Maistres
learned work, lie Pape" and this last and erudite
contribution towards Christian union, The Prince
Of the Apostles" without being satisfied that the
verdict Of impartiality is delivered and the case
closed in favor of the popes. The reverend gentle
men modestly term their book with its accumula-
ton Of facts and logical argument. "a study" 1t
is more. 1t is a learned compilation, it is con
sohdation Of proofs digest Of the voluminous
writings the position Of the successor Of St
Peter face to face with all heresy and schism The
aim Of the writer's is directed towards corporate
reunion Of Christians doctrinaly and morally, but
the main purpose in the mind Of the authors, we
take it. is to help in the return of the Church
Of England to her old allegiance. Aud they are
right. If the great heart bright brains and strong
arm Of the manhood of the Church Of England
would return to the one fold and one shepherd, it
would, under God, be of incalculable help in the
fierce war raging between the forces fight
ing in defense of an undivided Christianity against
the troops Of an organized and oath-bound atheism
All heresy. all infdeitv consciously or not Is an
ally Of atheism. The historic and impershable
Catholic church-the Rock Of Ages-alone, for
nearly two thousand years, has saved Europe from
submergence and flung back the tidal waves of the
sea Of human passions and human errors. Re
move the rock and all is lost There would have TO
occur an impossibility, a second Redemption
After than three centuries of irritation, !
it is time that England and Rome should come to
an understanding
II is impossible that men Of the sincerity, the
honesty and intelligence Of the advocates Of this
Proyidential movement towards reconciliation and |
unity can remain forever away from their own
home 1t is not the viii Of God or the prayer of
our divine Lord would be above our understanding.
The one fold is theirs as much as it is ours: for
the one shepherd gave his life for US all, that We
all may be one: "As thou, Father in me and |
in Thee, that they also may be one in Us"
The primacy of Peter is proved, and unless God
himself returned TO earth we cannet add anything
more 10 a fact that has been with the human race