The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-08

at once the most considerate and the most decorous court in Europe. It has its own code of etiquette which all visitors are expected to respect, and by which they are asked to abide
 The dispatch es show that the holy father and his secretary of state, Car dinal Merry del Val, have the high est esteem for and appreciation of the character and dignity of the ex-presi- dent, and have the utmost good will toward the country of which he is such a distinguished citizen. The car dinal, however knowing full we'll that an effort would be made to compro- mise both the holy father and tho ex-President. stated the circumstances under which MT. Roosevelt would be graciously received. That Cardinal Merry del Val did not err in his judg- ment subsequent events which obliged the ex-President to cancel the recep- ton at the legation clearly demon- strated. What we have to learn from the event Is mutual forbearanoe and good will, and, moreover, that when we have the privilege of visiting the Eternal City We may profitably heed the old and sage advice: When in Rome do as Rome does.'"
 Rev. George Eayes
 The Rev. George Eaves, pastor of
 
 My sympathy and profound respect are for MT. Roosevelt In an extremely annoying situation. No doubt the ex- President has his theological convic- tions, but he is not first a theologian and then gentleman. For the strained relations of the Methodist pastor and church in Rome with the vatican au- tn critics, l am inclined to blame the belligerent Protestants. There Is no mo n npl1fipp- mi iy, Rome than in fighting Buddhism in Tokio. As a missionary of some ex- perience l say that a missionary has no business to fight, and I intensely regret that instead of mutual esteem this rancor has been engendered be- tween two highly organized bodies of Christian folk. The wisdom that is from above is first pure and then peace able, but the purity is never obtained or expressed in episcopal or pastoral fuleminations Such pettfness Is dis tasteful to modern men"
 pr. Preston Blake
 The Rev. pr. Preston Blake, pastor
 of the Southside Baptist church, said:
 "I have not kept up closely enough with the Roosevelt incident to have very decided views on the subject, but I will say this much: I think MT, | Roosevelt's expressed desire to have l the matter regarded as entirely per- sonal should be duly regarded by his countrymen. The incident certainly | sh ould not be allowed to be the cause of strife among religious denominations. MT. Roosevelt did all in his power l to min imize the affair and l think his wishes in the matter should be re- garded.
 T think if there was any feeling aroused by the incident 1t has been | famed by unfortunate utterances in | this country since it occurred, nota bly, | that of Archbishop Ireland. It is such statements as that which magnify the | incident and arouses controversy
 which should be avoided among relig-
 ious denominations"
 pr. l.. C. Branscomb The Rev. Dr. l.. c. Branscomb, pas
 tor of the First Meth odist church, said You have asked me to discuss a very important subject a day when
 I have been especially busy and am
 almost completely worn out. When a I man Is tired he ought not to ta lls
 for the newspapers because what he wh en it appears in print the next ] morning. I will say this, however, | about the Roosevelt incident. do
 not see how MT. Roosevelt could have done otherwise than he did As free American and in the most thorough sympathy with American ideals and be- | liefs, he could not accept an invitation with the restrictions made and as an American citizen he could hardly have done other than decline under the cir cumstances."