Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-25
WAR SHAKING UP
RELIGIOUS WORLD
Spiritual Revolution Many
Respects Will Be Greater
Than That of Politics.
WILL AFFECT ALL CREEDs

New York, March 24-(Special. -
Men who are we'll informed about af-
fairs of religion throughout the
world, interviewed since Russia
changed its form of government, a
British army took Bagdad and ar
rived at the gates of Jerusalem, and
the United States and China lined up
n war with the entente allies, unite
in saying that political governments,
even kings and emperors, will hardly
be more affected by the great war
than will the great religions OF the
world. These are six in number, IL
the Eastern Orthodox be counted one,
and the non-Christian world be
grouped, the Mohammedan leading.
With the fall of Mecca, the certain
change of political control of Jeru-
salem and the possible driving Of the
Turk out of Constantinople, tremen-
dtus changes are ahead in the nom
Christian world, greater than ever be-
fore were dreamed of, thinks DR..
John r. Mott. In India and China
the changes are hardly less signi6-
cant, while there is race on between
Christians and Mohammedans for
possession of the African Soudan.
Jewish State in Palestine7
There are l3,500,000 Jews, and they
are looking forward to American
leadership and support to better con-
ditions of 100000 of them in Cen
trail Europe, and possibly to create a
Jewish state in Palestine. In any
event, it seems certain that American
money and leadership will change
conditions in the Holy Land, making
it habitable to those who must live
there and for those who would 60
there, the greatest show place on
earth. British capitalists have long
wanted to modernize it, and with the
going of the Turks control and the
end of the war, the world will see, it
is believed, such travel to Mecca as
will make Niagara Falls, London and
Paris combined seem insignificant.
Unity in Eastern Church.
Reports fltering through from Rus
STA and the near east are to the effect
that there is such approach to unity
between the Russian and Greek
churches as was never seen since the
separation. 1t is to be noted that
while both are Eastern Orthodox,
there is distinct difference between
them. The Metropolitan OF Petro-
grad Is head of the Holy Synod of
the Russian church, and the Patriarch
of Constantinople OF the Greek Rou-
manians are Roman Catholics in
larger numbers than other Balkans,
but Bulgaria and Serbia have distinct
churches. closely allied with the
Greek and its Patriarch.
The possibility that Turkey in
Europe may come to an end and Con-
stantinople again become Christian
city, has fired the heart Of the East
ern Orthodox communion. That il
may be Russian has given the kus-
sian church an ascendancy, but it has
welcomed the approaches OF the
Greek, possibly because of the neces-
stiles of war, and hence the predic-
tons OF those who know that there
Is Immediately ahead an Eastern Or
thodox church, united as never be-
fore, its official seat in historic St.
Sophia's on the Bosphorus.
Pope Is Statesman.
Pope Benedict XIV is looked upon,
both by Catholics and Protestants, as
one of the ablest pontiffs of modern
times. He is regarded as statesman as
we'll as pope. His course toward the
Italian government, toward Angli-
can orders, and toward world peace,
has made, it is universally said, such
Of church unity in the west
ern world as has not obtained in CEN
turtles. The effect Of it Is felt
IN France in the revival OF church
activity, in Italy in cooperation be-
tween church and government, in
England In the sending Of an ambas-
,ador to the Holy See, and in Amer
ca in such degree Of respect between
Catholics and Protestants, and CO.
operation In places, as has never been
snown before.
Revolution In England.
IN England veritablc revolution
n ideas and in treatment has taken
,lace since 1914 in the established
.hurch's consideration for the free
.hurches, and the attitude Of nom
,onformists toward Establishment
rhe present archbishop Of Canter-
Jury has recognized free churchmcn.
allied them into conference, as no
canterbury primate has done in
modern times, and there has heen lit
le criticism of his course. Social lines
IRE said to be breaking down. West
minister Chapel and Westminster
Abbey and Westminster Methodist
church House, all in the very center of
he English speaking world, there is
UGH social equality and fraternity,
o reports from London agree, as
london never knew before.
United States and Canada.
In past years there has been scre
riction between churches in Canada
nd those of the United States, but
{ is already said that this will pass
$ one result of cooperation between
america and England in the war. Pro-
estants of the United States. who
ave developed the largest missionary
ocieties in the world, are reforming
Methods, and bringing to an end com
etition on foreign fields, and dupii-
4tion of churches in small villages at
ONE. Led by the Episcopal church
nd the Church of England in the
natter of a world conference on
'aith and Order, Protestant bodies
re joining here, and together there
J far better feeling than formerly
oward the great Catholic bodies.
astern and Roman. The last named
, absorbing methods Of Protestants.
specially those of the Christian and
Missionary associations and in the
lrger use of unordained men.