Current Topics

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 33, 13 December 1895, Page 1

Current Topics

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

The Univers recently published a letter from ft correspondent in England, on the present attitnde of Anglicans to the Catholic Church. The writer takes a hopeful view of the outlook. He has bad favourable opportunity for forming ao opinion as to the effect of the Encyclical Ad Anglos. The bells in the Bteeple, bb Pio Nono wittily styled the Ritualists, who only called tbe people to pray now show aigne of entering the sacred edifies and joining the kneeling worshippers. The following extract will be read with interest :— " In the university circles which I frequented, notably at Oxford, no doubt the Encyclical Letter did not stir up tbe public mind to the aama extent »a the general election or the African question— that is a matter of coarse— but I have noted that enlightened Protestants attached to it equal importance to that accorded by French Catholics to documents emanating from the Holy See. Tae lay professors of the university are very willing to discus? the qaes'ion, and treat tbe Pope with marked respeo'. One of the most noted clerics at Oxford, a Fellow of Magdalen, told me he had read out tbe Papal Letter from the pulpit, nnd introduced it to his congregation as a document emanating from the highest moral authority existing in Christendom. I am a-sured that several pastors who do not belong to the Ritualist Church have done the same thing, and, finally, the episcopate has officially taken cogaizance of the Encyclical. Can anything more bedesirei? But fifty years ago the advances of Rome would »ava been repelled with contumely, and a cty of "No Popery " would have been raised. Tbe change of attitude alone is fall of promise for the future." Bisma.bck'B saying, " He lies like a telegram," has received fresh illustration. A few months ago tbe veracious cable agency informed us that the old Papal palace of Avignon, France, was about to be repaired at a cost of £80,000 for bis Holiness. To lie successfully one must be circumstanial. It turns out that the municipality of Avignon offered the " Pope's Palace " to Leo XIII, who referred, aa in courtesy bound, tbe matter to his Cardinals for consideration and report. Of course the Pope does not intend to leave Rome. If lie U driven out he will come back. Rome is for the Popes. " Some five and forty Popes before now have either never set foot in Rome or bave been driven out of it, said Cardinal Manning. Nine times they have been driven out by Roman factions, times without number by invaders. Nine times the city of Rome has been held by usurpers. Twice it has been nearly destroyed and once bo utterly desolate thai for forty days, we are told nothing human breathed in it and ao cry was beard but of tbe foxes on the Aventine." By the last Frisco mail intelligence has come that tbe Holy Father is in excellent health, In October he was to be frequently seen in the Vatican gardens tripping across to the Tower of Leo IV. Though extremely thru he is wiry and has all bis faculties unimpaired A fact will show bis marvellous memory. Tbe Bishop of Brindisi at a late audience was asked by the Pontiff if he knew Mgr Palmierl. Palmieri ? Why, your Holiness, I wasn't born in bis day, was the reply. Tbe Pope laughed. He had been speaking of 60 yean

•go when be was apostolic delegate at Beoevento I Tbe activity of Pope Leo is proverbial. He does herculean work, and never loses a moment. As soon as ao audience is over he tarns to his desk. He has a habit of constantly taking notes on little bits of paper. These paper?, scribbled in a ratber aoreadtble, bat deciJed and characteristic, band, are then thrown into a drawer, to be ased for the Encyclical or important doouments w\ ich astonish tbe world. Juat now well founded rumonr has it be is about to issue a second letter, Ad Anglos —another letter to the English people. He h%s had many communicUioas from Protettantp, thanking him, proposing objections, and asking explanations. For instance. The recent Ohnrch Re-union conference at Grindelw»ld addressed a letter to Leo XIII. The letter begins thus : "As a company of Bnglish Christians met together to forward the sacred cause for the Re-union of Christendom, we desire to acknowledge the Christian courtesy and devout aspiration of your Holliness' letter. " The letter is signed by representatives of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregationalism Baptist, and Methodist churches. Among the signatures we find F. W. Farrar, Dean of Canterbury (Anglican), J. Monro Gibson, ex-moderator of the Presbyterian Church of England ; Charles A. Berry, ex-president of the Free Church congress (Oongregaiimalist) ; J. Hunt Cook, editor of the Baptist Freeman ; Percy W. Bunting (Methodist), editor of the Contemporary Review. At tbe beginning of the letter we fiad also, then, words containing the talient ideas of the whole document. "We lament the divided state of Christendom, and, with yonr Holiness, continually pray for the visible unity of the Catholic and Apostolic Cburch. The letter ends thus :— " We implore the Father of All Marries that He will in His infinite compassion increase in us all that spirit of brotherly love for our fellow Christians which breathes through the letter of your Holiness to the English people." Tee next letter will be read with intense interest. Thj Pope will amwer objections and give explanations in reply to those wbo aak for concessions. One would think, from the reported programme of Papal work, that Pope Leo looks forward to see the years of Peter. Aa Oecumenical Council is spoken of. The Cardinals during November and December are considering importaat modifications in the Ecclesiastical Congregations. The political question will not be overlooked. Things ara well nii?h intolerable in Rome, not only for the aged Pontiff, but for all ecclesiastics and people. The country is bankrupt, and taxation, excessive and extraordinary, is crushing the heart out of the people. The use of gas and electricity is taxed by tbe progressive Italian Government t We are informed that travellers by train have to pay a "soldo "by way of taxition. ■arplus clothing — winter clothing for example — will probably ba soon taxed. It is on the tapis. Just thiok of it, young New Zealanders! M. Oonsale, Deputy from Spiro, is responsible for a proposition, thoughtfully listened to by Signor Crispi, to put a tax on beardt and mouttaches . The presont Government of Italy is criminally farcical,

A BRILLIANT GATHERING.

A conversazioce was held in the Sydney Town Hall on Monday, November 25, while the second Plenary Council w&b in session. The idea of a com* memorat.on banquet was wisely discarded by the promoters. The conversazione found favour because it allowed the inviting " of people of all divisions in politics and religion " to meet together in honour of the Australian prelates. A boat 2000 invitations were sent oat, and, with the exception of the Anglican Pumate and lome heads of the Protestant Churches, who merely Bent acknowledgments of the courtesy showD, there were few apologies for aonattendance. Ibe scene was a brilliant one. The Town Hall was decorated with pal ma and sweet-scented shrubs, and festoons of choice creepers hang gracefully from the balconies or clustered around the pillars. The new governor, Lord Hampdeo, attended by his suite, was received by Cardinal Moraa at the Dais. The conspicuous pretence of the Governor's own colours in the draping waa appreciated by His Excellency. The word " Welcome "on a handsome shield was not required to expresi greeting to the distinguished guests. It was a unique scene. Here were to be eeea a prince of the Church iv cardinalnial robes and tbe Governor in earnest con versa' ion. There the bishops, in full episcopal drese, held converse with gentlemen on whose breasts were decorations, in Beveral instances, from both Pope •nd Q icen. Tbe clergy, either in soutane or usual attire, helped to make the many guests at home. The names of those present would fill six columns of this journal. Oar readers can dispense with a profitless enumeration. Tbe Knights of St Gregory wore their red and yellow collars, and enamelled crosses. Sir Ueorf c Dibbs was to be seen in Windsor uniform, with sword at side and cocked hat under arm. The Jewish Rabbi was in his synagogue dress, and university men wore their academic costume. Marquess Jenniogs wore hU decorations (rom htH Holiness and her Majesty. Judges, clergymen of various denomination?, naval ifficers, members of Parliament and eminent colonists mingled in tbe joyous throng, aad conversed freely with bishops, and priests, and other visitors. It was a thorough it-union of divided politicians, and those whom

ODDS AND ENDS.

difference of religion otherwise parted. Lidies with titles and ladies without titles helped to intensify the brilliancy of the kaleidesoopio picture. The music was in M. Wiegand'g best style. The City Organist played, with intervals for conversation between each piece, (a) grande inarche Pontifioale et JubUaire dddie a Sa Sainteti Leon XIII. par a Wiegand, (d), communion in G (Batitte), (c), selection of old Irish melodies (d) fantasia operatic " Faust," Gouool ; (c) Idyll No. 1, «• The storm," A. Weigaod (dedicated to Very Rev Father Le Rennetel, Sydney) (/) A communion in F (Orison), Orizaba Gavotte (Wiegand), (A) Coronation March (Meyerbeer). Of course, sapper and refreshments were partaken of. Early houra were kept. "At 930 Lord Hampden," says the Sydney Freeman, " led Lidy Darley to the refreshment room, the Cardinal took the Hon Margaret Brand, Sir Frederick Darley escorted Lady Windeyer, Bir William Windeyer Lady Manning, Major-General Huttoo Miss Sylvia Darley, Captain Castle Miss K. Darley." The Vice-Begal party left at 10 and the pleasant company broke op at 10.30 It was a notable gathering — not a word has been cabled across the Taaman Sea. Tbe ailence of news agencies is inexplicable. The end of all right education of a Wuman is to make her love her home better than any other place ; that she should as seldom leave it as a queen ber qaeendom ; nor ever feel entirely at rest but within its threshold.— Bnskin. An Irish gentleman of a very obliging disposition, who thinks that personal favours do not cost mncb, while they make friends, was applied to some time ago by a labourer for a certificate of character. The gentleman, taking tbe applicant into his study, wrote out a very flattering recommendation, whioh he handed to tha man for perusal. The latttr took it, spelled through it, scratched hia head, and remained silent. " Well," said the gentleman, pusz ed at the man's bebavioar, " don't you consider it favourable enough ? " Oh no, sir, not that ; shore it couldn't be bettber, but but " "But what? " angrily inquired the gentleman. " Begorrs, sir," was the reply, " I was jist thinkin' that yer honner might give me sometbin' to do yerself on the stringth iv that recommindation." In tbe Unita Cutholiea, published al Turin, August 10, 1875, on account of the dawn of Cardinal Manning's conversion is given in bis own words. Just now when re-union occupies so much public attention the extract will be read with interest. " I was in Borne ; I visited museums, the ruins, the churches ; I witnessed the ceremonies like the rest of my fellow-countrymen, making a study of the city from every point of view. I had no doubt at all about tbe truth of Protestantism, of which I was a minister ; I bad no thought, I never even dreamt of changing my religious belief. Upon this subject, nothing of all that I had seen made any impression to effect me ; in fact, I was aa far from Catholicism as when I left England. Ont morning I went into the French Church of the 8t Louis (St Luigi dei Francesi) ; there, on the Altar, was expjeel the Most Blessed Sacrament, for tbe purpose of giving Benediction, a service I bad never seen before. Nothing more Bimple. Some incense and some candles burning ; the priests in their choir dresß. At the foot of tbe Altar knelt a handful of the faithful in prayer. What a contrast between thie and those solemn Pontifical functions in St Peter's ; but it wai tbe moment in which God called me to Himself. I felt my soul stirred within me in a mysterious way. I saw a little gleam of light. For the first time in my life it came into my mind that tbere might be truth in Catholicism ; my conversion no longer seemed to me an impossibility. I found myself, however, a long way from being made a convert : bnt God had called me, and I did not remain deaf to bis voice. 1 prayed, I searched, I studied with all sincerity; every day the light shone clearer, ana the grace of God did the rest." The Rev Canon Keating, in the course of a recent sermon at George's Cathedral, Southwark, alluded to the prominent question of Re-union. He said :— ■'• We cannot look for the conversion of Bagland at one great stride. What we have to work for is the conversion of individuals— the conversion of our neighbour— and then, when our number is great, the gates will open themselves, and Englaod will be Catholic once more. It is not preaching that brings men into the Catholic Church, neither is it the priests who bring men and women into the true fold — it is you, the laity, and I want you to feel the same zeal and the same hope that our Holy Father had when he penned that noble letter to the people of England a few months ago, so that, Wlt h God 'a power, you may be tbe means of bringing people into tbe Catholic Church." Under God the conversion of many a family in England has i been due to the good example of a Oatbolio domestic. Here is one out of many similar stories :— A gentleman and his wife, ia a certain large city, had in their employ a faithful Irish Catholic girl to whom they wer« much attached. They were in the babit occasionally of giving her sums of money over and above her wages, which, it would sesm, she was accustomed to lay aside, instead of spending.

On a certain Saturday, the lady, desiring to go away for the afternoon, requested her husband to inquire of Mary if she would be willing to give up her usual Saturday afternoon privilege of goiug ont. This she gladly aad promptly consented to do. Just before leaving the bouse, the gentleman, prompted no doubt by Mary's ready Bcquiesenca in tha wishas of her mistress, handed her some money, remarking : " Now this, Mary, you can present to your clergyman when you desire to obtain his absolution." The girl, indignant at the remark, handed the money back to him, adding that she also would return the orher sums which he had given her, and which she had laid away in her trunk. The gentleman was completely taken aback, and in bis astonishment asked what all this meant? especially as she informed him that she would leave his ssrvice immediately. In his perplexity he appealed to his witp, who soon had an interview with Mary, the first result of which was a declaration from the husband that he meant no insult, that he sincerely thought that what he had said was in harmony with Catholic practice, which be did not intend in the slightest degree to ridicule ; tbat he would not for the world hurt her feelings by allusion to what he presumed was the real custom of the Church ; and which, in fact, was none of his bnsioesß, and ended by begging her to remain with the family. Oonvioced of the sincerity of the gentleman, and prompted by a sincere desire for bis good and that of his amiable wife, Mary consented to stay, but upon one condition ! and what wpb that 7 It was that they Bhould both read a book wh'cb she had in her trunk. SmiliDg at her simplicity they consented. Wherenpjn she handed them tae " Catholic Christian Instructed." D.vine grace accompanied its perusal, and worked upn honest hearts. Convinced of the truth» they sought inßtruo'ion from a priest, and were finally received into the One True Fold, and are now happy, and devoutly thaokful to Almighty God for sending them such a good, boneet, faithful and pious lervant.

One of the little King of Spain's small friends recently announced to His Majesty that, to his great delight, he was going to live in England. " How is tbat ? " asked the King. " Because papa has just got a diplomatic post in London." "And who nominated him?" " Sanor Canovos del Castillo." " Indeed 1" said the 9-year-old sovereign, after some consideration ; "it is strange he has not mentioned it to me."

The Americans are not respecters of persons! Th« little Duke of Marlborongh was arrested last week (says The Pilot of October 26) for coasting on his bicycle in Central Park, New York. The heir of Blenheim was very indignant at what he called " an outrage " ; but he was let off with a reprimand by Surgerant Ryan, after being recorded on the blotter as follows :—: — ' Nam°, Duke of Marlborongh ; colour, white ; nationality, English; occupation, leisure; condition, ■ingle ; residence, Plaza Hotel ; offance, violation of park ordinances ; officer arresting, Michael Bweeney." Imagine the great Malbrook, with hii coronet on the back of his hdad, sliding down hill on a " bike," and being arrested by a " sparrow cop " 1

Oar readers have frequ ently read in tfaie j jurnal and elsewhere read of the Paulist Fathers. They were originally Bedemptorists, but now form a distinct congregation. They number tweaty-four in New York City. Ooe-half are converts from Protestantism. The Catholic World, a high class magazine, is conducted by one of the Pau lists.

About clocks.—" I have fifteen clocks I'd like to sell you." " I don't buy stolen goods, sir." " Why, they weren't stolen, my dear Bir ; I was married yesterday." — A discharged clockmaker's assistant recently played his late master the following practical joke. About lin the morning a fearful noiae was heard in the shop. The passers-by and the police hastened to see what was the matter. Every alarm in the shop had been set to Btnka at the same second.

A student of the Christian Brothers College (8t Joseph's N.Y.) was the first Catholic to hold the position of Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New York. His name — Hon William F. Shcehan.

We have not seen this in any Otago paper. Nae sac daft.— An old Scotchman not feeling well called upon a doctor. The doctor gave him some verbal instructions aa to how to regulate his diet advising him, among other things, to drink no spirits for some time. The old Ssotchman rose to leave when the doccor said : (1 I am in the way of chargiog for my advice. I will trouble you for half-a-crown.' 1 "Ob, maybe," said the patient ; " but I'm naegaun to tak'yer advice."

Antipodean Postmasters General.— A Catholic, the Duke of Norfolk, is Postmaster General in London. A Catholic, the Hon J. G. Ward, is Postmaster General of New Zealand. A curious thing has turned up in the case of the Duke of Norfolk. The English Postmaster General will Bhortly, it is reported, ba in the " peculiar position of a man granting a lease to himself. Before he could have had any idea of his appointment to the office he now holds, the Dnke had

undertaken, as owner of the most doirable site to erect a building suitable for a new pos'-offioe in the sawn of Arundel, on the understanding that whed completed it should be leased to Her Majesty's Postmaster General. As tha elructure is now nearly fijished some arrangement will have to be made in regard to the lease. It is understood that there will be no legal difficulty in getting over the curious point involved in tue identiy of the landlord with thd nominal leaseholder."

The South Australian Register, commenting on the shortness of the harvest, says with India and California so readily available to importers, any attempt to corner the Australian wheat will be a risky proceeding, as the price at which these foreign wheats can be landed it likely to rule the price locally ; at the same time, probably there will be a " dear loaf " for the year, and farmers must, to a great extent, be compensated for poor crops by enhanced values.

A son of the late Sir Charles Halle, the eminent pianist and composer, lectured not long ago in Australia on •' Music and Art." In passing we may mention that »ir Charles Halle was a Catholic; Well. Mr Clifford Halle, his son, who returned to Europe before his father's death, tells » good story at his own expense of colonial experience. A story-teller always scores heavily when he amusingly speaks of his own discomfiture. This is the yarn ot the English baritone :—" I recollect," he says, " a funDy thing that occurred in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, when I was travelling through that country as a baritone singer. The town is rather proTincial, and the poundmaster never considers that he has any duties to perform. The hall where I sang was in a portion of the village where donkeys, goats, and other domestic animals hold considerable of the available space. The night was warm and the main entrance waß left open for the purpose of permitting fresh air to enter. I had already enng two or three numbers, and was annonnoed to render a ballad well known in that part ot the world entitled ' Tbou Art Passing Hence my Brother.' It is full of sympathy and feeling, and as the audience seemed to be alive to my work I did my very best. The orchestra was reasonably good, and I had the audience pretty well under control. The conclusion of the song contains the words 'Brother brother, and just as I reached them and my voice was dying away and everybody seemed spellbound, a full-grown donkey stuck his bead in the door and brayed ' Ye-haw-w-w 1 ye-haw-w-w 1 ' seemingly in answer to my words. The audience went iato convulsions, and the applause I anticipated was turned into howls of mirth. We had to stop right there and conclude the programme. The violinist was all broken up over the incident, and walking up to me with his bow in his band, said, ' Say, Halle, if you expect to make a success of this South African toar you have got to keep your relatives away from the front door.' "

It is stated that large importations oE wheat from Amarica will be a necessity in Australia. According to present appeara icej it may hardly be counted upon tbat the four colonies of Eastern Australia this harvest will secure between ttiem 16 millioi bushels of wheat, which is ten and a half millions less than lust ypar, while their consumption as food and seed cannot be less than 21 million bushels. This points to having to import at least fi» e million bushels from the coast of America, and beyond that West Australia and Tasmania will probably need addition il supplies.

A would-be poet writes to a Home piper :: — '■ B 'lieving that I have a faculty for rhyming, lam ambitions to be a poet. A* I hive heard a great deal about the poetic license, I am anxious to know whether or not it is necessary for me to take out one of these licensed and if it is, where shall I apply for one 1 "

Apropos of the Dacres, Fairclongh, the tragedian, a better actor than Daore, addressiDg a naif-filled house at the old Victoria Theatre Sydney, at the close of a brilliantly artistic but financially disastrous Shakespearian season, said, " My parents foolishly had me educated at a University. Since then I have been a devont student of my art stnvmg always for the highest aad the best. What am 1 now ? An old actor worn out and pennilesß. would to Heaven I bad been born a clown or brought up as a step-dancer."

Tht first Pastoral of the newly appointed Bishop of Ascalon was printed in English and Welsh — sufficient evidence that the G»elio tongue i 9 still spoken by a large number of the people of Wales.

A circle of women, called "The Tweive-COlocks," is being formed to pray every day at noon for the Methodist American Un - versity about to be founded in Washington. May " The TwelveO'Clocka" bring much light and many graces to the new institution so that it may so^n come to teach the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Then it will become sn anaex to the Catholic American University.

" There is a movement at Home which must have struck you " said the Very Rev Father Grogan at St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin

on Sunday night. 4( There is a Bort of ' home-sickness ' amongst society. Society ii agitated to tha very heart's core. Men have discovered that they are on the wrong track. They have seen that for the last 300 years they have been on an expedition to fiod out npw trnthe and new doctrines, and to decide difficulties which the Catholic Church decided 1800 yeare ago, They are separated into a hundred divisions until there are no more names iv the English language to express them. Now, upright and thoughtful men amongst them are crying out fir union ; in their • home-sickness ' they yearn for a paternal word from our Hjly Father, the representative of Canst on this earth, tha Vicar |of Christ. Tbe paternal voice that was cried down for 300 yean they now wish to hear, and if he speaks one word it is published and read throughout the English-speaking world. What has brought about this wonderful change 1 Uneasiness and unbtppinf bs of heart. Men have found that they have immortal souls, that they must die, tbat they must renier an account to God, and that without divine faith it is impossible to pleasa Him, snd consequently tbere is no salvation."