The New York herald., 1845-12-02

has received serious shock, from the detection OF
some Of the most distinguished members of that
stronghold OF Anglican professionalism, the university
of Oxford. Ii number of young enthusiasts had
joined the church OF Rome, the would have been
i bad enough, and we have witnessed the porthca-
ton with which the secession OF individuals among
The lay and clergy, within the last eight or ten years
has been viewed But al presenthe case is far more
serious. The seceders not only numerous, but
comprise among them some Of the most profound
theologlans and distinguished churchmen now llv-
Ing. Nor has this secession taken place from any
momentary Impulse. Il proesses to spring from
convictions of long growth ;-rom deep study; and
1t Is accompanied by large temporal sacrifices The
seceders enjoyed clerical, acadeinlcal and social
rank. They possessed large eroiuments, and larger
prospects OF great future advancement and wealth.
Nay they belong d precisely 10 that class from
which the Episcopal bench has been usually filed
! This position and rank this wealth actual and pros.
pectlve, has all been sacriiced 10 what these cier
gymen declare to be their conscientious perceptions
OF christian truth No candid protestant, of what
ever sect or shade OF OPINION can deny that such
spectacle Is calculated u make profound impress
sion on that large class of minds which do not de-
rive their faith from their own independent Inquiry,
but receive II from the presumed authority OF eml-
nent and learned persons whom they believe to have
honestly investigated the doctrines OF the christian
religion, and who have brought to that inquiry pie
ty, sagaciiy and learning: Such have been the cha
racter and position of the principal seceders who
have lately returned to the bosom OF the ancient
| church.
But what renders the case worse for the estab-
ceded belong TO large and influential class, which
still continue in communion with the church, and
are headedby the Reglus Professor of Hebrew IN the
University of Oxford, admitted to be one of the
most profound theologians. How many more OF
this body may yet go over to the Church OF Rome
| is uncertain.
This schism in the Protestant Episcopal Church
OF England must lead TO consequences IN an ecce-
siastlcal view OF vast Importance nor will they be
confined to England. They will splead wherever
Protestant Episcopacy extends; and they are already
1T~,t.
denying the fact that the letter Of the articles and of
the rubric not to mention many parts OF the liturgy,
the service OF the sick, and other forms which will
occur to every mind, do give counenance to Pusey-
ism. The proselytes OF this class of opinions take
their stand upon the Book of Common Prayer, and,
right or wrong, insist that its letter and Its spirit
support them. Not that this Is their only support
Far otherwise. But it is this by which they
best defend themselves against the rest of the
Church, of which they constitute so important Sec
uon. The Church must, sooner or later, Qf 1t do
not contemplate an open retrogression to the Church
OF Rome) Set about reform OF the Articles and the
Book OF Common Prayer. These were, well
known, compiled IN a spirit OF compromise, In an
age when education immeasurably more cir
cumscribed than at present, and when theological
knowledge was almost exclusively confined to &C.
cleslastcs Now, when all read, and think, and
investigate when, moreover, there are clergy OF as
many shades of faith there tints of color,
compromise on things SO momentous can continue
to be tolerated. But the heads of the Church in
England recoil with feelings of inexpressibe dread
been handed down to them from the early reformers
they once begin, where will they stop? If door
be opened to change, who can say what monsters
may not creep in by it!
mentioned to you in my last the intended convo-
cation OF synod of German Catholics at Berlin
That body has held its deliberations, which closed
on Saturday last. They have adopted with several
notifications, however, the statutes OF Bresiau and
Leipslc This is, therefore, only another ramifica-
ton # the new sect, which is spreading throughout
central Prussia differing equally from the religions
prevalent IN Polish Prussia. Siesla and SaXony.
" The time s approaching" says writer here,
that there will be as many churches and creeds as
there are parishes, or perhaps even, lndlyiduals"
On the 9th, the constitution of the Church was
debated and finally settled. It is based upon univer-
sal suffrage. Even women eligible to certain
ecclesiastical offices, and have equal voice all
deiberatlons !! Every individual that has arrived
at the age of fourteen, of both sexes, votes A
crime alone, or public scandal, can suspend the
right of suffrage. The General Protestant Council,
which was to have assembled at Berlin will pro
badly be attended with no result Hanover and
Hesse are the only States which have received the
overtures OF the Prussian government; but the
Duchles OF Sake Welmar, SAKE Cfotha, and several
other small German States, have declared against
the project.
Konlgsburg has followed the example Of Berlin,
and has addressed the King on the subject of the
Rhenish States OF Europe. The King, in his an
swer, says the present Is an epoch at which the faith
Of their ancestors has been attacked and shaken to
Its very basis, with more than usual hardhood, and
them lies, come forward to It's support, and direct
the ir efforts to repress that multiplicity OF secs which
would substitute the desposm OF Individual opln-
ions for the recognized religious authority
Amid the chaos OF conflicting theories, hypothesis
and opinions expressed by the press of Paris, whose
name is legion, you will perhaps be glad to receive
The Impressions OF dlspasslonatc locker on, who
is supremey indiIerentto to the points of politics and
doctrine by which these multtudnous sections OF
Partisan society s distinguished. The existing
cabinet OF the Iuileres is them at this moment, in
81 | had al mn aal rp
duccd to a crisis. M Gulzot, who holds the port
folio of foreign affairs, and who is and has been the
real, though not the nominal head OF government
IS said, by his opponents and neutrals, to be ex
tremely unpopular, more particularly with the anti
English party, and this assertion Is but feebly de-
MED even by his friends The nominal head ofthe
government is the veteran soldier Marshal Sout
whose name is identified with French glory under
the consulate and the empire. This parsonage holds
IN France position anal ogous to that OF the Duke
OF Wellington in England, and affords to Gulzot the
same sort OF sanction as that which Peel receives
from the Duke. Another soldier, Marshal Bugeaud
Duke OF lsly has, in later years. attained great mill
tary distinction by the victories he has achieved In
Africa, and although personally unpopular, asplres
on the ground of his position, rank and servlces to
succeed the Marshal OF the Empire, whenever the
latter yielding 10 the pressure of age, shall retire; an
peced to take place Marshal Bugeaud, however,
being mere soldier, OF uncomfortable force OF will,
having little respect or consideration for the civil
power, or civil funcuonarles, deeply conscious
moreover, that he comprehends the condition OF
Algeria better than his superIors at Paris, has
proved restlve under the cabinet, and de-
fclent IN that common courtesy which
would throw VEIL however thin, over the con-
tempt in which he holds it, and all and every OF
Its members This has produced disgust in high
quarter, and accordingly his admission TO the Ca
bnet to replace the veteran Soult, would be most
dlsagreeabe necessity. Yet Bugeaud, having no
particular political character, would present equal
claims to the war portfolio, whoever might be the
head OF the cabinet--be 1t Guzot or Thiers.
This being the condition of things, Soult has sig
nfed TO the King and to his colleagues, his desire
to be relieved OF the cares and iatgues OF office,
alleging that his age mperiously requires repose,
and that ne Is fully entitled that indulgence, con-
sidering the long series of years which he has