The East Bergholt Nun Case and the Home Secretary.
This case, which has been prominently before the public of late, reached a new stage when the Home Secretary was questioned by Mr. Sloan in the House of Commons. Mr. Gladstone gave the assurance that any other evidence than he had, whether written or otherwise, would receive attention. It is understood Mr. Sloan is in a position to supply him with information about the convent, received from the lady herself. If all this stirs up the nation to demand for the responsible authorities of this country the liberty of inspecting convents, it will have served a very good purpose.
Roman Catholic Disabilities Bill.
The second reading of the Roman Catholic Disabilities Removal Bill is fixed for 22nd May. That date, for any ordinary private Member’s Bill, is late in the Session, and its chance of becoming law this year would therefore be doubtful in any ordinary case. But the danger is that the Government may give it special facilities, and therefore it is necessary for Protestants to be watchful.
An Anglican Convent goes over to Rome.
It is not infrequently claimed by Anglicans of Ritualistic tendencies that they are as devoted to the Church of England as are their Protestant brethren. To all such, the news that the entire Anglican community of St. Katherine (Queen Square, W.C.) has been “received” into the Church of Rome will have a peculiar interest. The sisters were formally received last Thursday by a French priest, and Mass was said that day in their own Chapel. The Archbishop of Westminster has permitted them to retain their “habit,” and it is understood that their Patron Saint will continue to be Saint Katherine—whose emblem, it will be remembered, is a wheel. A “Pall Mall Gazette” representative was informed to-day that the School of Ecclesiastical Embroidery, long connected with the community, will be continued as heretofore. The version of an entire sisterhood is an event which is so remarkable that it may be commended to the consideration of those upon the Bench of Bishops who have licensed or encouraged the formation of Conventual bodies under Anglican protection.—Pall Mall Gazette.
The Genuine Writings of Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland.
A great number of Protestants, through lack of knowledge of the actual historical facts connected with the great pioneer missionary of Ireland, are apt to turn away from anything bearing his name. But these genuine writings of his, edited by Dr. C. H. H. Wryland, now to be had for threepence, reveal in Patrick, the early apostle of Ireland, quite a different person from the legendary St. Patrick of the Church of Rome. These writings are not free from what Protestants would regard as errors, but they are few in comparison with the later developments of Romanism.