The New York herald., 1845-12-02

ing these laws by an order In council. That such
an emergency is approaching or at least is strongly
apprehended, Is manifest by the reluctant admls-
slons and dismal forebodings of the landed propre-
tors themselves Witness Lord Ashley's Speech.
The destiny OF the corn laws is fixed !"
This and the state of Ireland, both respects the
repeal ana the Orange faction, have already pro-
ducet distraction In the councils of the crown
The stern policy of the military Duke, and the tenn
porlslng moderation oiclvllian Peel, are moi in har
mony. The testy and lmpracticable spirit of Lord
Stanley Is not calculated to restore concord, BY
the way, Peel has been cunning enough to let this
lord work himself into a comparatively subordinate
position Ills false steps In the colonial admins
traon, adroltly permitted TO be plainly discerniblc
by the Premier, at the very moment when the lat.
ter affected to be extending his protecting shield
over the head Of his noble colleague, has complete
y reduced this member OF the cabinet TO the con-
diton OF u mere mouthplece OF its head 1t Is like
y, however, that he will GO. He ~ too wayward
and selt-wiled to follow, 100 troublesome mere
retainer, and too impraccabls a subaltern.
Accounts continue to arrive while write, atfordlng
gloomy corroboratlons OF our worst fears The
wheat crop is ascertained to be poor in quality and
deficient i'll quantity generally throughout Europe,
but more especially in England. The prices in the
continental markets do not encourage importation
into Britain, being little inferior to those of Eng
land, and prohibition on expectation in some OF the
States OF Europe IS by no means an Improbable
measure. The potato failure is universal. "The
result" powerful contemporary writer strongly
observes, is commercial phenomenon almost un-
paralleed. At this moment 1t is impossible to say
In what direction the currents of human food will
run for the ensuing twelve months, from
England to ireland or Ireland to England whether
from Odessa to England or to Belgium whether
from England to Belgium or vice versa. Where
there many calls the possessors are beginning
to discover the value OF their store. From one end
of Europe to the other, the fortunate holders are be-
ginning 10 hoard corn either for wealth or for sub
sisence There ISL rising cry to open the ports,
even to prohibit expectation. In Ireland the Gala
nifty seems imminent. Sensible people are count
Ing the months. Next January, say some, next
April say others, dire scarcity will begin her reign.
Tue cry has reached Downing street, A cabinet
council has already been held upon this solemn sub
ect, and it is not impossible that the steamer
which brings you this letter may also bring you in
telllgence OF contemplated measures of which am
now unable to give you definite information.
1t well behoves those who are engaged in this de-
partment OF trade on your side OF the Atlantic TO
grid up their oins and be doing. They may be as
sured of an ample mar ket here.
The general agitation on religious questions,
which referred to in my former letter, continues
to prevail in every part OF Europe; and here this
question is SO intimately connected with politics
and constitutional government that it is difficult to
in my last, the collision which was manifested be-
tween the municipality of Berlin and the Crown. on
points relating to the Friends of Light and the Pie
lists. AS you are so distant from the theatre OF
these operations, it may be well TO explain to you
the leading questions raised in this dispute.
The body of Protesants in Europe, and
especially IN the countries east of the Rhine, has
by insensble degrees in the progress of years, re-
solved Itself into two great sects or parties. The
one party consists of those who embrace the spirit
OF Professionalism, in its full latitude and maintain
the right of private and individual judgment in mat
ters OF faith and doctrine in its utmost completeness
no creed except the gospels. They hold that tn.
Interpretation OF these Is equally the duty and the
right of every individual, independent of any com.
munty or society OF individuals The other party
| Il
acknowledging in its stead some other ecclesiastical
| authority, admit formularies and rules OF faith
which are AS obligatory on the consclences of their
respective members or communicates, as the bull
OF the Pope, or the DEGREES OF councils are the
conscences of the members OF the Romish church
The Friends of Light, cause has been espous
ed by the municipality, and the bulk OF the popula
ton OF the Prusslan capital, belong to the former
class, and push its principles to their most extreme
limit. They have adopted successfully, almost al
the sch!sms which have prevailed In Germany
The deism of Kant, the pantheism Of Schelling
and even the atheism of Hege have, in turn, found
with pro,estantlsm, miracles may be denied, the
existence of Christ may be denied, the immortality
OF the soul may be denied; for professionalism, itse
IS nothing but negation
The Petests belong to more ancient tin es. Led
by Professor 4fengstenberg, (who has been de
nounced, by name, in the address TO the King OF
Prussia,) they declare their creed to be vigorously
and literally, the Confession of Augsburg In tIt
journal, edited ard written by this ardent. ntoleran
and fanacal teacher, the Friends of Light ar.
unsparingly attacked. and fiercely denounced.
While the conflict OF these parties confined
to the precincts OF the UNIVERSITY the popular a it
was undlsurbed. But more recently 1t spread be.
yond those limits and involved the multitude, among
whom the widest theories ami the most irreligious
ideas found easy abundance. Some time since g
society was formed in Berlin, of which the declared
principle was not to admit any of the doctrines pro-
mulgated In the gospel. This community did not
long survive but out OF its ashes sprang up the
cety OF the Friends of Light; whose cause is now
warmly embraced by the civic authorities and po
pulatlon OF Berlin.
Behold" says catholic authority, " the actua
situation assumed by professionalism in the very TO
cus o It's power )" on the one side party, who
abandoning the very principle of professionalism
which Is freedom OF inquiry, strain to the very let
ter, the Confession OF Augsburg and other slmilar
books; and on the other, party of sceptcs abusing
this sound principle, and pushing it even TO the ne
cation of the fundamental truths of christianity.
Such state of things has nothing in it consolato
ry or encouraging to the enlightened friends Of pro
gress general religious anarchy appears immi
nent on the one hand, or despotism OF the under
standing and conscience worse than the domination
of Rome, the other. AT Berlin, the king and the
government authorities are conscious of the serious
nature OF the CRISIS yet appear unable to resist 1t
The municipality have demanded the convocation o
protestant council to take cognzance of those rei
eous disputes, in which the king, who is the head
of the national church, declines to interfere But
of what avail will be such body in appt aslng the
ctement, when Its DEGREES are not obligatory!
In France the influence of the clergy of late years
is very clearly the increase After the revolution
OF 1890, ecclesiastics so unpopular that they
did not appear in their usual costume in the streets
but assumed the external appearance Of laymen.-
Now ii is quite reversed. They swarm in every
quarter of the city, conspicuous by their dress and
external appearance Shops are established in every
quarter, devoted especially TO the sale OF images
virgins, saviours, crucixes, rosarles, mlssals, re
gous pictures, and other objects of similar kind
In the toy shops, the most saleabIe play things
nun dolls and toy chapels. The bon-bon shops
abound with sugar virgins and candy saints; and sis
in sweet chocolate. The congregation in the
churches aew years ago consisted exclusively Of fe
males and few old men OF the lower orders Now
gaily dressed ladies abound, and there is sligh
sprinkllng of gentlemen having some external ap
pearance of belonging to the educated classes.
In short, religion seems to have suddenly come
into fashion here, least with the female section o
the community, and with such of the male part at
they can influence. 1t is, however, a matter oi