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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 12, 8 January 1892, Page 11

Cardinal Rampolla, having b^en appealed to as to what attitude the French Catholics ought to take up towards the Government in view of the prosecution of the Archb's' op "f Aix, has written saying that the Church is not opposed to any foim of Gov. rnment. It is impossible for anyone to deny that the Sovereign Pontiff was not exceedingly shaken by the sudden and disgraceful attack upon hi 3 artisan visitors on October 2nd. The revelation that the Holy See is indeed abandoned by the powers that be, was a shock to even the calm and strong character of L^o XIII. But our intrepid Pontiff very soon regained his habitual tranquility of mind, and is again busily pDgaged in his Father's work. "He is in most excellent health," said an Archbishop to me, who had, a few hours previously, seen and spoken with the Sovereign Pontiff Leo XIII. possesses a mind above all potty cares. — Liverpool Catholic Times. The Rev. Canon Luckock, an Anglican clergyman, has been lecturing at Ely, his subject being the life ot John Weslpy ; and he incidentally proved in a striking way that the belief of Wesleyans on the all-important question of Orders (which includes the belief in a divine mission and sacraments), was settled by them in a manner which plainly showed that they were manufacturing a religion for themselves. In his early jears Wesley believed that there was such a thing as Apostolic succession, that none but a Bishop could ordain. But after reiding a book ou the subject by one, King, he changed his odinion, and held that priests could coofer Orders ; and he himself " appointed "— he cruld not call it "ordained" — a Bishop for bis followers in America. At Wesley's death all was confusion on the point ; and the Methodißts cast lots to decide whether they should have any sacraments or not 1 Tne lot went against Bacraments ; so, we may presume, the sect di 1 not possess any sacraments, real or supposed, for at least twelve months. But next year they met again, and resolved a; part" tly, either that God had not spoken by the lot, or that the intimation was in S"me way no longer binding. They determined that they thould have sacraments, and tint no ordiaation wbatavei s ould be necensaiy fur those who administered them. Can anyone imagine that a creed settled by men who did not know their own minds for two years together, is that which was taught by Christ to His Apostles.— Liverpool Catholic Ziinct,]