A SIGN OF THE TIMES by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1887

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

By Editor

IN the Princeton Review for January, there is an article by the late Rev. A. A. Hodge, D. D., of Princeton, on "Religion in the Public Schools," in which the following significant words occur:—

"All we have to do is for Catholics and Protestants—disciples of a common Master—to come to a common understanding with respect to a common basis of what is received as general Christianity, a practical quantity of truth belonging equally to both sides to be recognized in general legislation, and especially in the literature and teachings of our public schools. The difficulties lie in the mutual ignorance and prejudice of both parties, and fully as much on the side of the Protestants as of the Catholics."

The Occident, of San Francisco, says of Dr. Hodge's article, "It may be considered a dying legacy of this able and lamented minister." And of the portion in which the above paragraph occurs, it says: "These suggestions are worthy of earnest consideration." Here we have the spectacle of one of the leading Presbyterian divines in the continent advocating virtual union with Catholicism, and admitting that Catholics have as much truth as Protestants, and the whole thing approved by his brother Presbyterians. Shades of Knox and Calvin! Where is Protestantism? It has already turned, or is fast turning, Catholic. What the end will be, it needs not a prophet to foresee.