CLASPING HANDS WITH ROME.
As THE spirit of confederacy, or unionism, for purposes of oppression is abroad in the land in these last days, it is well to notice one of which all the people should beware, because of its insidious, deceptive character. Its presence is lamblike, and its promises righteous, but its ultimate object is dragonic. A bill is before the New York Legislature which authorizes the opening of saloons in New York City and Buffalo a few hours on Sundays. As usual with people who advocate closing saloons only on Sunday, the opponents of this measure are more concerned about the "desecration" of the man-made "sabbath" than for the prohibition of liquor selling. The Indicator quotes Bishop Colton, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, as saying:— It is the spirit of the Catholic Church to keep the Lord's day for rest and spiritual observance, and anything that would clash against the religious observance of the day is something that the Catholic Church in this country is opposed to. . . . We should take warning by them [the Continental Sunday nations of Europe], and not give way to the small minority. The Buffalo Courier is then quoted with reference to remarks of a Presbyterian pastor the following Sunday, in which he said:— The words uttered by Bishop Colton last Sunday were strong and patriotic. This is a common danger to public welfare, and it is one against which Roman Catholics and Protestants should join hands in fighting. The bishop is right. I would like to see the Catholics and Protestants unite on this proposition. With these utterances it is pertinent to place the following significant words from a little book entitled "Gospel Workers," pp. 336, 370:— The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and, under the influence of this three-fold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. . . . We are coming to a crisis which, more than any previous time since the world began, will demand the entire consecration of every one who has named the name of Christ.