Union of Churches.—The Evening Bulletin of Philadelphia, date of February 11, reports Archbishop Ryan (Roman Catholic) as saying that there may be a corporate union of the Anglicans and the Episcopalians with the Catholic Church in the near future. The present agitation, he declared, is "a continuation of a movement that has been going on for some time in England, aiming at a reunion with Rome." He says again, "I think a great many Episcopalians will come into the Catholic Church individually, and there may be a corporate union." Of the Episcopal clergy he says, "They are not priests. They would have to be ordained. The clergy of the Greek Church are priests, and when a number of them came into the Catholic Church their orders were recognized as valid. They came on the ground that concessions would be made to them in certain matters which were not essentials, but matters of discipline, such as receiving the holy communion under the forms, the marrying of clergy before ordination, etc. Then there are the Syrians, Ruthenians, etc., which are permitted to have their own peculiar rites. But all these peoples are one in articles of faith and in essential discipline, and all united in the Catholic Church under the pope, the successor of St. Peter." One of the schools of thought in the Episcopal Church led by Father Paul is doing its best to induce its fellow Anglicans to acknowledge the primacy of the See of Rome. If this point is gained, they will come into the Catholic Church in a body. Referring to a book written by Father Paul, Archbishop Ryan says, "It is a defense of the primacy of St. Peter and would be regarded as thoroly orthodox by any Catholic." The same paper in a despatch from New York, February 11, declares that the High Episcopalians are organized for the purpose of bringing their church back to the Catholic fold, with Father Paul as its head. Three special movements are referred to, one for the union of Episcopalians and other Protestants, one for a union between the Episcopalians or Anglicans and the eastern "Orthodox" churches, and the last a union of the Anglican or High Church Episcopalians with the Catholic Church. Sometime it will mean a confederation of all, for so the sure word of prophecy declares.
The milk question is becoming one of national importance in England and Germany, and ought to be in this country. A large percentage of cows are said to be afflicted with tuberculosis, and the handling of milk in many places is filthy.