The Union That "Must Be."
By Editor
In the Forum for last June, Monsignor J. W. Farley, vicar general of the diocese of New York, discusses the taxation of church property. Of course he is against it; all Roman Catholics are; to them the State is but the servant of the Church, and should always submissively so act. He says, "The union of Church and State is a bugbear in America, for the simple reason that not one in a thousand knows its meaning;" and that is literally true; and from the very fact that they do not know its meaning they do not know how to prevent it. The simple fact is we have literally a union of Church and State in many of our State governments to-day, and we have the inceptive steps in our national government. Of course the full-fledged control of the State by the church we have not as yet. M. Farley suggests that when it comes we will know it. But only those will know its coming who know what union with Christ Jesus truly means; and to know its coming is the important thing. Rome has always posed as not in favor of the union of Church and State in this country. But this claim belies all her past history. After saying that there is no such thing now, M. Farley continues:— In the meantime there must be always in existence in the very least such a union of action between Church and State as exists in this country. Both Church and State are concerned with the one individual, the citizen. They cannot be separate if they would. It is unavoidable that the church, if it be of any use whatever, shall help the State; is there any solid reason why the State should not help the church at least in the minor matter of making and keeping the citizen a moral and loyal creature? This union which M. Farley says must exist is but the beginning of the complete union which lies just before. Yes, all will know it when it comes; but the important thing now is to know that it is coming, and be prepared—to foresee the evil and hide in God. The quotation above is characteristic of Rome's craft, by which she destroys many.