The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-14 00:00:00

THE GERMAN REFORMATiON.

LOWER SAXONY, Nov. 3.—We learn from Baden that
Ronge's reception there would have been more cordial had
not the Government taken such effectual measures for sup-
pressing every demonstration. Our correspondent adds, "It
is, however, undeniable that those among us who are the
most thoroughly persuaded of the necessity of a reform in
the Roman Catholic Church are decidedly opposed to his re-
form in the direction it has now in many places taken, and
which they regard as founded on unchristian principles; it
seems, therefore, more than probable, that Catholic reform
among us will proceed in a distinct and self-chosen course.
Both clergy and laity are deeply embued with the principles
of Wessenberg, who, we have reason to know, is avowedly
hostile to the direction followed by Ronge's adherents."
In confirmation of these views, I may state that the clergy of
two chapters in this duchy have just laid their wishes re-
specting ecclesiastical reform before the Archiepiscopal Col-
lege. The chapter of Geissengen proposes—first, the educa-
tion of young theologians in the principles of Wessenberg, to
the exclusion of scholastic divinity ; secondly, the revival of
synods; third, the abrogation of the laws enforcing priestly
celibacy; and fourth, the universal use of the German lan-
guar4e in public worship. The Heidelberg chapter dwells
chiefly on the importance of a return to the ancient practice
of a regular observance of synods, trusting, no doubt, to
their originating propositions for a more thorough reform.
Runge is now (22d October). after a short tour in our duchy,
gone on to Ulm. Dowiat left him at Constance to return
direct to Dantzic. The effect of their tour has undoubtedly
been the formation in several places of German Catholic con-
gregations, from some of which Rouge received addresses
and other marks of attachment or respect, while in other
places hostile and threatening symptoms of popular indigna
tion manifested themselves. This was particularly observ-
able in some Roman Catholic districts of the kingdom of
Wirtemberg. Ellwangen especially distinguished itself by
the exhibition of an anti-reform spirit, among others, by
setting up a target on which a full-length portrait of. Ronge
was painted for the village youths to practise their shooting
skill upon. The police, gowever, soon removed the offensive
demonstration, lest a collision of sentiment might produce one
less intellectual in its consequences.
BAVARIA, OCT. 22.—1 t having been notified to Govern-
ment that an individual named F— busied himself in
proselyting for the new Catholic sect in the neighbourhood
of Wundsiedel and Baireuth, the local authorities have re-
ceived directions to warn him against persevering in such
practices; and should he attempt to do so, to place him at
once in close arrest. It is rumoured that similar attempts
have been made in various other places, though speedily
checked by the watchful interference of the police.
BADEN, OCT. 24.—We are credibly informed that differ-
ences, which have for some time existed between our Go-
vernment and the Archiepiscopal See, have occasioned a
mission to Rome for the purpose of settling some questions
respecting an alleged infraction of earlier agreements, of,
which the Government is, however, wholly unconscious.
Indeed, the conduct pursued by Baden towards the Catholic
dissidents gives, one should think. sufficient guarantee (were
a certain party ever satisfied), for its reluctance to invade,
even in appearance, the privileges of the Roman Catholic
Church.
The Ober-Rhine Zeitung, of October 25, states that Ronge
and Dowiat, desirous of .evincing their high esteem and re-
spect for Wessenberg's personal character, had expressed a
wish to pay him a visit, to which a friendly consenting reply
was given. Yet Wessenberg, foreseeing that the conversa-
tion at such an interview would either turn, or be supposed
to turn, on the questions of the day, expressed a wish,
that Dean Kneuze and Sub-Dean Kotz might likewise be
present, by which all false rumours would effectually be
counteracted. This very natural desire, however, was un-
fortunately the occasion of the visit being altogether omitted ;
for the very limited period of Ronge's stay in Constance ren-
dered a previous arrangement with the two reverend wit-
nesses quite impossible. Hence the unfounded, though in-
dustriously spread, report, that Wessenberg had declined a
visit from the reformers.
ELBERFELD, OCT. 25.—A Christian Catholic church has
been formed in Dinsberg, and purchased the chapel belong-
ing to the former St. Elizabeth Convent for their public
worship.
BERLIN, OCT. 27.—A statement appeared recently in a
Haniburgh paper, that " a deputation of the Catholic dissi-
dents had been honoured with an audience by the King, who
had informed them that two conveniently-situated houses
belonging to his Majesty, were at their service to hold their
meetings in." We have authority for contradicting the
above, in so far as the Catholic dissidents were not admitted
to an audience ; but the King had spontaneously, previous
to their request reaching him, conceded, at the suggestion
of the Lord High President, the houses in question for their
accommodation.
BRESLAU, OCT. 25.—Our cathedral dean, Ritter, is at this
moment in Rome, whence he is expected to return as Che-
valier d'Eperon d'Or. Dr. Thenier has already been sum-
moned to answer for his conduct before the ecclesiastical
courts, and will most probably experience the excommuni-
cation-thunders so soon as the Prince Bishop returns from
Vienna.
MUNICH, OCT. 25.—1 t is well known that, of all the Pro -
testant congregations which have in modern times been
formed in Roman Catholic Bavaria, only one, that of In
golstadt, has attained, after years of persevering effort, to
the possession of a church and clergyman of their own. The
churches in Newburg (on the Danube), Passau, Eichstadt,
Landshut, &c., are still in the unhappy condition of spiritual
orphans, unable to support a minister or to provide places of
worship of the humblest description. We are, however, in-
formed, and God grant it may prove true, that it is intended
by government to make such arrangements as that this cry-
ing evil shall speedily be remedied.
The following has appeared in the Ulmport :—" Oct. 20,
1845.—M. Julius Chownitz has seen fit, in his publication,
called The Reconciliation, to make an attack on my honour,
which has found its way into all the ultra-montane papers.
Little inclined as I have hitherto shown:myself to enter the
lists with those who employ their pens in bringing accusa-
tions against such as they are pleased to term ' creed-
changers,' I must still entreat the respected public so long
to suspend its judgment, until I can furnish, in a separate
publication, my justification from the false charges which
have been heaped upon me—my time being at this moment
too much engrossed with higher and weightier occupations
to admit of my doing so with the precision and extent which
I desire. (Signed) WunsiLE, German Catholic preacher."
BERLIN, OCT. 29.—The Dutsche Algemeine Zeitung gives the
following remarkable declaration from ProfessorHengstenberg
(who found a defender in the Prussian monarch when attack-
ed in the address of the Berlin magistracy), in his treatise
upon the Schleurmacher School :—" If, by a striving after
rule, is meant an attempt to use the press as an engine for up-
holding a personal and private influence, the editor of this
journal (the Lutheran Church Magazine) can safely appeal to
the accusers themselves to produce a single fact by which it
can be substantiated. He remains precisely in the same
position which he assumed seventeen years ago, and hopes
and expects to remain so to the end of life. His only joy in
this world is searching into the Scriptures, and he blesses the
hour as his happiest in which he can sit and meditate on the
Psalms. If he have, indeed, won any influence over the minds
of one portion of his countrymen, it has been gained by
spiritual weapons, and those alone, and few, perhaps, would
be willing to purchase this small gain at the price of a degree
of obloquy and abuse of which the present day furnishes no
example, but with which he is abundantly served."
STUTBGARDT, OCT. 29.—1 t was notified by our authori-
ties to the German Catholic preacher, Mr. Wurmle, from
Ulm, immediately on his arrival here, that he should desist
from taking any part in all such religious performances
which bear any relation to social life, as for instance, bap-
tisms and marriages, which latter two must in future be per-
fonned by Evangelical divines. Now, it so happens that
both of these instances exist just now, and that in the one,
a marriage, the Evangelical preacher refuses to solemnise it,
and as Mr. Ronge has been permitted to baptise during his
stay here, people are at a loss to account for its being now re-
fused to every other German Catholic divine. A great many
of our German Catholics set out yesterday for Esslingen,
where M. Ronge will perform Divine service, and where his
reception was very warm and cordial.
TSERLOMN, OCT. 26.—Oar German Catholic community
increases every day. Religious instruction has already com-
menced to be given to those who are preparing for confirma-
tion, and up to this time, their number amounts to twenty.
The great increase of the community has made it requisite
that, besides a Committee of five members, some elders be
also appointed. A hymn and prayer-bookfor the German
Catholic church is preparing, and in a few days the first part
of it wily appear in print, and will contain those hymns which
are to be chanted at the morning and evening service for the
first quarter of the year. Such a book is a great desideratum,
and will be an acceptable offering to all German Catholic
congregations. Parson Breidenbach will shortly favour us
with a visit, and perform Divine service to the German
Catholic congregations in our neighbourhood.
DANTZIC, OCT. 27.—The Committee of the German Catho-
lic community at Marienbugh makes it publicly known that
the German Catholic preacher, M. Rudolph, who till now was
officiating for it, arrived on the 13th of this month at Breslau,
and that he will probably perform divine service there. The
object of this public announcement is to refute the report
which has gone abroad of M. Rudolph, who has relinquished
his post at Dantzic, having returned into the bosom of the
Roman Catholic Church, from which he had separated.
BRESLAU, OCT. 29.—A German Catholic congregation has
just been formed at Friburg, which is composed of the inha-
bitants of six neighbouring villages, and which, styles itself
the sister Germait Catholic community of that formed at
Breslau.
BERLIN, OCT. 30.—Several persons at Koln, among whom
are an Attorney-General and several law officers, have met
for the purpose of establishing a German Catholic community
there. It is the principal town of the Rhenish provinces.

THE VOTATO CROP.—With one exception, the ac-
counts this day from the provinces do not differ materially
from those heretofore received. The single case in which
there is a difference, is a statement by the Agricultural So-
ciety of the county of Cork, that the disease has not reduced
the potatoes in that country below the average amount; and
that " there is a sufficient quantity" in that quarter. The
necessity, however, of the observance of the greatest care in
keeping the root dry, as the best means of preserving it, is
averred, and planting potatoes immediately is recommended.
It appears that disease does not prevent the potato from
shooting freely. The late rains have caused great anxiety
everywhere. The Government Commissioners have issued
a fourth report. It recommends " autumn planting," and
refers to cases in which it has been successfully adopted.
The Commissioners agree with those who believe " parasiti-
cal fungi similar in their nature to those which produce
mildew and dry rot to be the real cause of the malady."—
Dublin Pilot.
BOSToN.—On Thursday last, at a meeting of the
Boston Town Council,' it was unanimously resolved to
oppose the London and York Railway before the House of
Lords; hitherto that project has had the most strenuous sup-
port of the Boston corporation. It appears that the cau-e of
this change is an extensive deviation from the plan originally
proposed by Mr. Cubitt, and agreed to by the corporation, for
the site Of the shipping station, which, however, has now
been altered on the plans, and instead of being commodious
for the town of Boston, has been fined in the Skirbeck guar-
taro—Doncaster Gazette.