Our Non-Catholic Friends.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 29 December 1904, Page 4

Our Non-Catholic Friends.

Referring to our non-Catholic friends, may I not say that looking to the futiure of the Australian Ohuinch, we cannot but rejoice at the excellent spirit that animates very many among them. We see on every side a weariness ol their present state of isolation and a 'desrrc that some fashion at least of uynioja shomW prevail amongst tlhem. The broken cisterns besildes which they (have sio long been seated can no longer satisfy their souls athirat for the life-giving waters of Redemption. We mjust pray that every heavenly grace may abound with them, tlhat coming to the feet of I<he Goqd Shepherd they mjay find the reality of the Redeemer's, jprayer that there be one fold and one shaplberd. We aamnot bf course djosje our eyes to the fact that there >are some amjong them w/ho, endeavoring to keep alive tihe prejudices of tihe home countries, unceasingly assail the OatlDolic Ch,urcOi witlh demoniac hatred and leave nothing 'undotie tp stir up strife against her. For this end tftiey pour out their venom m lies aiitd calumnies against her "heavenly teaching. They preach the gospel of hate anld disqoAd, 'not the gospel of peace and love. Any system that As Dn need of s,uch aid betrays its origin and Btarids beflore tlhe w*hole Christian community as selfcondemffiad. We must, however, pray for ttiose who thus a^siail us. They l<now not what they do. By fervent prayer -we may hope that they too sfliall obtain the grace to kinow our Sa/vtour and to love Him. Their assaJults are tihe fulfilment of tihe Redeemer's worlds : ' If tlhe wiorld hatlh hlated Me, sio shall it hate you alslo.' TheiT enmity is an invincible proof that Holy' OKurch, faithflul tio her Divide mission, is walking in the paths of the sailnts and leading many -souls tjo heaven, afld

they; cannot but bring home to every thinkijng mind the cheering reflection tjiat at no distant day tjie lo.ve of twOti and detfotednoss to Christ, and earnestness in dhlanty are designed to rule supreme fchroturfiout our Australian Continent.