The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-29
First Essential Require
ment Is Recognition
of Pope.
ALL CHRISTENDOM
UNDER ONE HEAD
When This Is Settled, Distin-
guished American Prelatc Be-
lieves Other Controvertcd
Doctrines Not Likely to
Appear as Formidable
as Is Imagined.
Especial to The Times-plspntch.l

baltimore, MD, september 2S.-Car-
dinal Gibbons. in an Interview granted
to-day to representative OF The
Times Dispatch. expressed the fervent
hope that union of all Christian
churches under one head might ulti-
mately bc brought about, and predicted
that such union would result in wen
derful advances of civilization.
OF tho efforts of Sir Oliver Lodge TO
produce scientific proof of the exist
ence of life beyond the grave, the Car
dinal said those who believed In tho
teachings OF Christ had no need of
such proof.
You want to know about the union
of all Christian churches?" repeated
the cardinal. when he was approac II ed
on subject so delicate that tho ma
jority Of prelates have refused to dis
cuss 1t for publication. He answered:
The reunion of the scattered
branches of Christendom is p consurn-
nation devoutly to be wished, and l
would gladly sacrifice the remaining
years of my life in lending a helping
hand toward this blessed result.
Recognition OF Pope.
The first essential requirement." he
continued. lis the recognition OF the
sovereign Pontiff. who. as the success
sor OF st. Peter, is divinely appointed
head OF Chrstcndom. Every organi-
zation. whether religious, civil or po-
htical. needs a head for its peace and
security. as we'll for its very existence
once the proper position of the Pope
is recognized, l do not believe that the
other controverJcd doctrines are as
formidable as is commonly imagined
w hen a proper explanation is given OF
the various dogmas upon which Chris
tianity is founded, / am persuaded that
the logical sense OF the people would
prompt them.to accept.
And IL the various Christian de-
nominations OF the United States were
once united. working with one heart
and one spirit. what wonderful In
nucnce our Christian forces would
exert In the civilization and the Chris
tlanizing OF mankind What amaL-
ing things would then be done for So
ciety and humanity.
But devoutly as we wish for such
Il union" continued the cardinal we
must wait for the conscience OF the in
dividual TO bring about state when
union becomes possible. There are
three courts-the civil tribunal. the
criminal tribunal and the court OF
conscience And until the last or
these acts, until the soul demands. un-
I'll. in word. such a moment arrives
the time is not ripe
When asked his views in regard to
the acts Of Sir Oliver Lodge TO prove
that there is life after death, the car
dinal remarked that he was not t-pre-
pared to say whether. or how FAR. the
continuity of life a:ter death could be
proved by scientific investigation.
His Faith in Hereafter.
"Of such vague proof" said the
cardinal, Il have 70 need. My faith
in the hereafter, in the Immortality
of the soul. rests not on conjecture. but
on a more solid foundation. 1t rests
upon the infallible revelation OF the
Son of God, who has said. I am the
resurrection and the life"
And the women? the cardinal was
asked.
why do YOU ask that?" was his
query. The more i see OF the world,
the more I am convinced that Il woman
brought up in the Catholic religion
should make the best wife and mother
She receives the right instruction. ana
is warned TO keep away from tempta-
tion-to shun the things the modern
woman is prone TO turn to-
The cardinal spoke ut some length
of the duties of woman 10 society. ana
vice versa, but returned 10 the union
of the Christian churches.
The union of the churches would
bring about an era OF civilization un-
known in history. You and ] may not
live to see it; but 1t Will come. T hope
and then the one undivided church Will
flourish and triumph"
For more than an hour this wonder
full man-James Cardinal Gibbons
this complete refutation Of the Oslerian
theory. gave free vent TO his thoughts.
He gave a remarkable display OF his
wonderful mentality.
A Memorable Hour.
Known as the ascetic among Ameri-
can prelatcs, Cardinal Gibbons is yet so
intensely human, so lovable. so In
touch with everything that makes life
worth while. that the hour spent IN
the gray stone palace" on North Charles
street was q memorable one. Severely
simple and a bit old fashioned are
the furnishings OF the palace" There
is. no display; the furniture is n bit
antiquated; the hangings are absent
entirely. \ few marble busts OF church
dignitaries occupy corners. y lire
sized portrait of the cardinal hangs
over the mantelpiece.
The statement has been made that
the cardinal who is in his eiEhtieth
year, was beginning to feel the weight
of HIS age. and that an interview was
out of the question, yet when the time
for the interview arrived, the cardinal
walked down a flight of stairs to the
reception room with the springy step
of Il healthy man of nifty. tIis hand
shake was not the trcmuous grasp of
tho man of eighty 1t was the strong
grip OF man still very much in the
fight.
The cardinals hair is not yet white.
His eyes are clear with health, and
there is a mental activity that is
something amazing.
Upon his head he wore the red skull
cap OF his rank About his neck hung
heavy gold chain supporting u mas
sive golden cross. On his left hand
was tho cardinnlato ring
There was nothing intirm about the
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