Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-05
CARDINAL GIBBONS
URGES CHRISTIAN
UNION UNDER Pope
Foresees FuIfllment of Re-
deemfr's Prophecy of Zone
FoN and One Shepherd"

BALTIMORE, Dec. ga plea for
United Christendom' was the subject
of Cardinal Gibbons's monthly sermon
In Baltimore Cathedral. He said:
1.-THE Episcopal Church in its recent
triennial convention is reported to have
advocated in strong and earnest Ian
guage the reunion of the various
4 Christian churches. I am grateful to
the members of the convention for the
praiseworthy sentiments they express,
and which reflect honor on their heads
and hearts. And l pray with them
that the day may be fastened when
the words of our common Redeemer,
Jesus Christ, may be fulfilled; when
there will be one fold and one shep-
herd.
this contamination can
only be attained when all Christians
shall recognize one chief pastor. For
we might as well expect to have a
united commonwealth under several in
dependent presidents, as to nave a
united church under various conflict
ing spiritual rulers.
Unity of government is not less
essential to the Church of Christ than
unity of doctrine, Our Divine Saviour
never speaks of His churches, but Of
His church. He does not say: Upon
these rocks I will build My churches,
but Upon this rock I will build My
church. from which words. We must
conclude thai it never was His lnten-
+ion TO establish or to sanction various
conflicting denominations, but one cor
porate body, with all the members
united under a visible head; Tor rs
the church is a visible body, it must
have a visible head.
Unity Essential.
"The church is called a kingdom.
Now, in every w~ell-regulated Kingdom
there is but one king, one form Oh
government. one uniform code OF laws
which all are obliged to observe III
like manner in Christ's spiritual
kingdom there must be one cniel 10
whom all owe spiritual allegiance
ona form of ecclesiastical government;
one uniform body of laws Whlch an
Christians are bound to observe.
"our Saviour calls His church a
sheenfold. What more beautiful or
more fitting illustration of unity can
we have thar that which is suggested
nv a sheepfold? All the sheep of a
flock cling together. They follow In
The same path. They feed on the same
PASTURES. They obey the same shep-
herd. 49,
.Hfs church is compared 70 a human
bodv. In one body there are many
all inseparably connected
with the head. The head
andsthe foot instantly moves; the hand
ia raised and the lips open. Even SO,
orr Lord ordained that His churcn,
composed of many. members, should all
he united to one supreme, visible heao'
Whom they are bound to obey.
N.In fact, our common sense alone
smart from revelations, is SUFFICIENT 10
convince us thai God could not be the
author of various opposing systems OF
religion. God is essentially one. He Is
truth itself. God is not the COO OF
d~,ssension, sblst, of-peace!s Where, tnen.
shall we ma this essential unity OIL
faith and government? . I answer on
fdently, nowhere save in the Catnoic
100000 900 Catholics.
f.orhe number of Catholics in the
xorId Is Computed at $50, 900, 900. They
have iau n Lord, one faith, one bap-
tism one creed. They receive the
same saeraments; they worship at the
same altar ahdspay spiritual allegiance
20 one ommon head. How sublime n
oonsoling is the thought that WINNER
soever' a Catholic goes over the nroao
world he is sure. to hear the self-safne
doctrine preached, to assist at the same
sacrifice and to partake of the same
sacraments.
"Wheneyer l wander as a pilgrim n
a stranger over the face OF the earth'
7 need no other passport in order to
and a warm welcome and to- be re-
caived into hearts and homes of my
hrethren in the Lord. I believe in the
one HOLY Catholic and Apostolic
Church"