An Outgoing Government and Gambling
A former Conservative Government marred the national life of the country by introducing gambling in the form of Premium Bonds where the interest payable on loaned money is put at stake. Before leaving office the present Conservative Government has indicated its intention to introduce a national lottery for the support of the arts and for other objects. At the time of writing we do not know whether the Conservative Government will be returned to office but if it should do so, how lamentable it is that they should succumb to this form of immoral behaviour in order to provide for what they deem to be good causes. Surely if the causes were good then an appeal to the generosity of the people would be sufficient without appealing to the sinful gambling spirit in man.
The Pope’s Universal Catechism
An R.C. bishop returning from a visit to Rome tells of a new Catechism outlining the teaching of the Church of Rome which the Pope is preparing and is soon to be published. The bishop said that the Catechism would emphasise the commandments and the teachings of Christ. The bishop had gone to pray at the tombs of St Peter and St Paul and to meet and pray with the successor of St Peter, according to a Press report. From this it is clear that the same darkness which prevailed in the Church of Rome in the past abides there still. The teaching of the Church of Rome is but the blind leading the blind, and that can only ensure that they both fall into the ditch. How different it might have been for the bishop if he had Luther’s experience at Rome when there was sealed on his heart and conscience that great truth that “the just shall live by faith”. That would have given the lie to all that the Church of Rome teaches.
The Queen and the Romanist Cardinal
At the dedication of a church in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, the Roman Catholic Cardinal Basil Hume preached before the Queen. It is said that it is the first time that a Romanist Cardinal preached to a reigning British monarch since the 17th Century. The church which was dedicated — whatever that means — is an ecumenical church, the building being shared by the Baptists, the Church of England, the Methodists, the United Reformed Church and the Roman Catholics. This form of ecumenism is growing. What is alarming is the increased exposure of the Royal Family to Romanist influence. It is in direct conflict with the Protestant vows undertaken by the Queen at her coronation.
The Queen was also present a short time ago at the Commonwealth Day Observance service held in Westminster Abbey. At this service there were not only readings from the Scriptures but from Jewish, Mohammedan, Sikh, Buddhist and other writings. This syncretistic worship is God dishonouring in the extreme and the Queen’s attendance at it is contrary to her coronation vows.