CHRISTIAN REUNION AND THE PAPACY.
[10 THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR...3
SIR,—There are many people whose interest in Christian Reunion leads them periodically to look towards the great historic Church which has representatives in every land and nation, and regards Rome as its headquarters. They are ready to forget the history of the -past, and to imagine a reformed Romanian' with which union would be possible. For those who have this interest a recent saying of the Pope is of some moment. So long as it is possible for a Pope to say this sort of,thing, the main body of modern Christian life and thought must be content to pass by on the other side. A Papacy which arrogates claims which Christianity has made only for the Saviour can never be a rallying centre for the reunion of those who bold the historic faith.
The publication La Croix, of November 22nd, contains the following :— Nous publions id, non point nne reproduction littera/0 de is parole du souverain Pontife— on salt la spontaneite avec laquelle s.s. Pie X. improvise la forme de sea discours—mais une recon- struction asses complete et aussi fidele quo possible de cette emouvante allocution. . . . "L'amour du Pape est effectivement un moyen necessaire de sanctification. . . . fl est is chef sous lequel nul no se sent tyrannise, parcequ'il represent° Dieu lui- memo ; il est le 'Are par excellence qui retmit en lui tout ce qu'il peat y avoir d'aimant, de Baer& de divin. . . . Quand on aims quelqu'un, on cherche 1 se conformer k sea pensees, h en prevenir les desire. On no s'arrete pas a discuter jusqu'a quel point precis va le devoir rigoureux de l'obaissance, et I marquer la limit° oh cette obligation s'arreterait. . . . On ne ii mite pas lo champ oh il pout et doit exercer sa volont6; on n'oppose pas l'autorit6 du Pape cello d'autres personnes, et doctes fussent-elles, qui different d'avis avec le Pape. Quelle qua Boit leur science, in saintet6 leur fait defaut, car il no saurait y avoir de saintet6 is o il y a dissentiment avec le Pape."
This is the high-water mark of religious egotism, and should be noted by those who keep records. In the presence of claims like these it is clear that those who hope for reunion must turn elsewhere. If unity is a right ideal, must not all evangelical communions, Anglican as well as Free Church, seek some simple form of federal fellowship which will preserve in unchallenged supremacy the Lordship and Saviourhood of Jesus Christ P—I am, Sir, Ste.,
DIIGALD MACFADYEN.
35 Jackson's Lane, Iiighgate, N.
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