The King and the Romish Archbishop of Malta.—
Attention has already been called to Lord Elgin’s despatch giving full religious freedom to all persons inhabiting Malta. One would have thought that this would have satisfied the Archbishop, but such was not the case, for he petitioned the King on the matter. The following is the Globe’s cynical remarks on the matter:— “It might have been thought that this could offend no one, but Peter, Archbishop-Bishop of Malta, was permitted to send a petition to the King, stating that ‘no greater blow could be given to the religious and civil sentiments of this people, always most loyal to the Crown, than by the projected clause as to liberty of religions in their island.’ Lord Elgin thereupon naturally informed Peter that the instructions were in no way inconsistent with the full protection of their religion, which has always been enjoyed by the Roman Catholics of Malta. To this plain and courteous statement Peter had the impudence to reply that he could but signify his deep displeasure and that of all his diocesans ‘at the sanction of liberty of religious worship in these islands, against our every expectation, by the Government of Great Britain, after a century and more that the exercise of public religious worship has been exclusively reserved to the Catholic religion.’ Peter may think himself lucky—as he no doubt does—that he has to do with England and not with France in this matter.”
Saluting the Archbishop of Malta.—
A question was put in the House of Commons the other day, asking if it was the case that British soldiers were ordered to salute the Romish Bishop of Malta. Truth offers the following remarks:—”I was a little sceptical last week about the information that the Bishop of Malta holds the honorary rank of major-general in the British army, and is entitled to a salute as such. An English chaplain, however, tells me that it is correct, and that he has himself often heard the order, ‘Guard, turn out!’ when the Bishop’s carriage was approaching. He adds that some years ago an officer who was an ultra-Protestant objected to salute a Roman Catholic bishop, and was dismissed the Service in consequence. My correspondent has been told that the rank was originally conferred in recognition of devoted services rendered to Roman Catholic soldiers during the Crimean War; but his reverence must have been so young a man at that time that it is difficult to believe in his being made a major-general at one step. Be that as it may, the Bishop does not seem to have much ground for complaining of the unsympathetic attitude of the British authorities either towards himself personally or towards his Church.”
New Protestant Monthly.—
The Vanguard, edited by Pastor W. H. Rawlings, appeared as a new Protestant monthly on the 15th of January. Previously it had been conducted under the title of Streams of Gladness, and did good work in the Protestant cause. The editor promises to make it one of the best Protestant monthlies in the country. We shall see.
Romish Tendencies in St. Columba’s Established Church, Elgin.—
Recently, a number of ritualistic innovations were introduced into this new church. The Elgin correspondent of the Free Press gives an account of a service held there, when a lecture on “John Knox and the Reformation” was delivered by Rev. Marshall B. Lang, Old Meldrum. The following is the correspondent’s account:—”The proceedings opened by the gowned beadle leading the procession, followed by twenty-six boys in black gowns and four elders, the rear being brought up by Mr. Lang and Dr. Macpherson, both of the latter taking their seats at the praying desks on either side of the apse. After prayers, &c., from the praying desk, Mr. Lang read the lessons from the reading desk with the golden eagle. On the collection being taken up thereafter by the elders, he descended a flight of steps in front of the holy table, and bowing low, he received on a brass alms dish from the elders at the bottom of the steps the bags of money. He then turned round with his back to the congregation and reverently laid the offering on the Communion table. Ascending the pulpit, he then gave the lecture on John Knox. After the benediction, Mr. Lang, following the beadle, headed a procession. The elders lifted the money from the Communion table, and carrying the bags in their hands, they followed the ministers, the gowned choir boys bringing up the rear of the procession.”