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4 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA Lord’s words very hard, and turned their backs upon Him and walked no more with Him, He turned to the disciples and asked them if they would go away, and as usual Peter responded for the rest: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” Why did Christ pay the tribute money for Peter and Himself? If He desired to identify Peter with Himself and show him signal mark of favor then I can understand this action. Does it mean nothing? V. The three, Peter and James and John, were taken by Jesus into the garden, and Peter alone drew his sword and defended his Master. I know that Peter on that same night was afraid to recognize that He knew his Master; and I know also that at the look of Christ the ashamed and repentant Apostle went out and wept bitterly. Jesus told Peter that Satan had desired to have the twelve, but that He, Jesus, had prayed for Peter that his faith should not fail, and that he being converted should confirm his brethren. Is there no mark of honor, no privilege of special na ture given when he was told to confirm the rest of the Apostles in faith? Was there no special honor in being prayed for by Christ that his faith should not fail? (Luke XXII-32.) VI. Peter was the first of the Apostles to see the risen Lord. Peter, first of the Apostles on Easter morn, entered the sepulchre. To Mary Magdalen our Lord said: “Go tell My disciples and Peter.” What was the reason for mentioning Peter? Was he not one of the disciples? Was there no honor given him here? If he was the Chief among them I can un derstand why Christ should make special mention of his name. Thrice on the seashore did Christ demand of Peter a profession of his love for Him. And thrice did Christ give him the command as well as the power of feeding the whole flock of Christ in the world. What does this mean? It means just what it says. Christ gave to Peter the commission of teaching, leading, governing and ruling all Christians. As the shepherd feeds and has entire charge of his flock, so Peter is told by Christ that it is his duty to teach and govern the flock of Christ. Was that no special honor? VII. After the Ascension of Christ the Apostles came back to the city and went to the Upper Room. When they came out after the descent of the Holy Spirit, it was Peter who first publicly proclaimed the Christian doctrine and told that Christ was the Prom ised One; and three thousand persons were converted to the faith. Why did Peter speak? If he was the head of the Apostles then I understand it. Why this constant mention and prominence of Peter? Com mon sense and reason answer that it was because of the position given him by Christ our Redeemer. It was Peter who told the rest of the disciples that it was necessary to select a successor to Judas, the traitor. Why was it necessary? Could not the eleven do the work? Evidently God enlightened Peter, for he gave a prophecy from David. At any rate the Apostles did what Peter told them to do, and they elected the successor, Matthias. Why did Peter interfere unless because it was his duty as Head of the Apostles. Peter and John went up to the Temple to pray and both saw the lame beggar and saw his piteous face, but it was not John, the Beloved, but Peter, the Great Shepherd of all Christ’s flock, who healed the man. Is there no honor here? Of course there was nothing out of the ordinary in this Apostle, Peter, and he had no privileges over the rest. Then why did God strike Ananias and Saphira dead for lying to Him? If he was the Rep resentative of Christ, the Guide, Ruler and Teacher of all who would follow Christ, I can understand it. St. Paul, who was so miraculously converted to the Church, tells us he went up to see Peter and spent a fortnight with him. Considering the mission of Paul, who labored in season and out of season for Christ and never spared himself, it could hardly have been a visit paid for recreation or purely a friendly call. But if Paul knew that Peter was the Universal Shepherd of the Flock of Christ, I can see why he deemed it necessary to “see Peter.” I might add here that his illustrious example has been followed down to this day; for at regular and stated times every Bishop in the world goes to Rome to “see Peter.” I set out to show that on the authority of the inspired Word of God Peter, the Apostle, received from Christ certain definite honors and privileges not given to the others. I really think that 1 have brought super abundant evidence of my statement. + B. J. K. POPE BENEDICT DECORATES ADMIRAL BENSON. Pope Benedict has conferred upon Admiral William S. Benson, chief of naval operations of the United States, the grand cross of St. Gregory The Great, mili tary class. The decoration of the order will be sent to Admiral Benson through Cardinal Gibbons, arch bishop of Baltimore. BISHOP KEILEY INDORSES JEWISH WAR RELIEF CAMPAIGN. (From Savannah Morning News, February 23, 1920.) The joint pastoral letter from the American arch bishops and bishops, read in the Roman Catholic Churches of the United States yesterday was presented at all the Catholic Churches of Savannah. The letter carried the signature of Cardinal Gib bons, who is the only one of the seventy-six bishops signing the pastoral letter in 1885 who is living. Car dinal Gibbons signed the letter in his home in Balti more. In addition to reading the pastoral letter, a letter was read by Rt. Rev. Benjamin J. Keiley, bishop of the Diocese of Savannah, indorsing the Jewish war relief campaign and urging liberal subscriptions to the fund.