p. 142 | News and Notes by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 26, 1885

News and Notes.

By Editor

RELIGIOUS.

—The Palestine Survey Expedition, it is said, has identified the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathaea, in which our Lord was laid after his crucifixion. Perhaps.

—A religious exchange says: "The Church of England is now in a state of ceremonial anarchy. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes." That is not very strange. We know of other churches and denominations where the same state of things exists.

—Australia has a Young Women's Christian Association, which is said to be doing a good work in evangelization. At a late anniversary meeting of the Melbourne branch, much attention was given to the temperance cause, with a view to pressing its claims upon the public. The association hopes to soon have a permanent building of its own, with a library and reading-room for the use of the young women of Melbourne.

—Regarding the present status of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Mirror says: "It is our opinion that a vast amount of unmeaning stuff has been talked about the progress of the Catholic Church both in England and America. It is true that there are 2,000,000 Catholics in England, and 8,000,000 in America. Nine-tenths of those in the former country, and three-fourths in the latter, are of Irish blood. There have been a few hundred people of what are there called the 'higher classes' converted to the faith in England; whether from a politic standpoint they have been an acquisition, we greatly doubt, but it is certain that the masses have not been touched. In America, also, there have been a few conversions, but they do not amount to a drop in the bucket in comparison with the immense loss the church has sustained."

—Bitter feelings exist between the Protestants and Catholics of New Foundland. Last year a procession of Orangemen was attacked by 300 armed Catholics, and five Orangemen were killed and fifteen wounded. Upon this the excitement became intense in all parts of the island, and all intercourse, social and commercial, ceased between the two parties, and both sides armed themselves. In the trial that followed the massacre, the murderers were acquitted by a Catholic jury. Trouble has again broken out, and the presence of a British gunboat is required to prevent open hostilities. Another collision is liable to take place any time, and none are able to predict what the end will be. One thing is certain: looking at the case in the light of the Scriptures, missionary work is as much needed just now in New Foundland as in any other part of the world.