New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-09-10
GERMANY.
The Sect OF the Irvinsitcs.

The old system, thought they, rs now forever 'e'
Ahrown and with il the ohurch-nothng but the
State and political freedom will henceforth occupy
the attention Of men.
A similar idea was entertained by those who, IN
the time just preceding lSis, objected to science
and criticism, that they assumed needless
trouble, in treating OF the Church and religion
niuce their fate had already been long decided.
This illusion was speedily and effectualiy se'
aside. 1900,
Al the commencement Of the summer oil 1913,
when the revolutionary movement appeared 70
stand in full force, and in fact to be gaming ne"
yicpr, one of the first revolutionary demands-tne
separation of the public schools from the church
was fairly stifed by a perfect storm OF memo
rails 10 the Frankfort and Berlin Parllaments, ana
nv communications in the Berlin ne "spapers'
The proyincisl cities. influenced by the clergy and
Al. friends Of ecclesiastical authority declared Tor
still closer union Of the church and the schools
and when the Frankfort Parliament decided new
ertheless on the separation, it was felt by the
revolutionary legislators tsst their decision could
not be sustained by the prevailing public opinion,
and that, so far as it was an obligatory command,
there was no power sufficient for its execution.
What further made the transactions OF the
Frankfort Parliament in regard to the relations OF
Church aud State SO confused and perpexed
Why were the Revoutionists and Democrats so
.nx,ous when they saw how suddenly the Ultra
montanists and the most decided keactlonlsts be-
came the panegyrists Of Freedom Why did they
wish to intrust the State with the oversight of
ecclesiastical affairs Because, they dreaded the
power Of the Church, and hoped that 1T would be
checked and reduced within reasonable limits by
the Stste.
In vain! When the Paraments OF Frankfort,
Berlin. and kremseT we're dissolved or broken up,
and the Church blamed its independence as ths
reward for its anti revolutionary persistence, the
States were compelled to yield TO the general
pressure. Even tle Austrian Government, which,
IN spite Of its being champion of Catholicism,
had always asserted greater independence Of the
Pspal power, than the Prusslan, for Instance,
found itself co npelled TO grant the right OF self
government to the Catholic Church. and of per-
fectl, free intercourse with the papal See.
The Church has now gained such Prominence,
that at this moment it forms al most the only pub
lie interest. The German people are no longer
divided into Democrats and Redc -ionlsts, bat iuto
Catholics and Protestants. The Liberals no lon
yer fear the eDcroachmtnt of Governments but
look with intense anxiety on the advances and the
success of the Jesuit missions, which in the same
provinces, that in 1913 appeared TO be the bull
wayks Of Democracy now bring together popular
assemblies, such as were not seeH even III the
wear lS4S.
The Protestant Church is also 10 motion. Pas
tora Conferences issue their decees, as IT the
Safe must obey them as divine commands. Pre-
yious to the Revolution, the times were 80 gloomy
for the Church, that the General German Confer
ense which met at Berlin in the beginning Of the
wear 1916, was obliged to separate without any
result. But now the times are so favorable, that
IL no longer NJ eds, in thu year 1916, the SUN.
mons of king and his allied princes, but on the
contrary il assemblies at its own ecclesastIct Al
instance at Eisenach, believing that it may rely
with confidence on the execution OF its decisions.
In zone of the folio wing articles, shall attempt
to describe the character of this ecclesiastical
awakening and calculate the prob ,ble issue OF the
present struggle between Professionalism and Cath
olicism.
In the present article, will describe one OF the
sects that Of the Irvingites, because 1t is genu
Inc standard form Of this newly aroused religious
spirit and represents the origin as we'll as the hls-
tOrical issue Of these awakenings, IN a nominal
manner.
The principal seat Of the Irvingites in Germany
n at Berlin. Acting quietly and within a limited
circle before 1913, in the year OF the Revolution
they came forward prominently, and engaged with
great vigor in a course Of missionary operations.
Eminent official characters in the Government
ana the army among their proselytes-One OF
their most Efficient agents IS the editor of the
Nep Prussidn Gazette. The Provinces ia which
they have gained the greatest number of adherenJs
are Silt STA and POmeIania The Jealous PrOJes-
taDts look with Jealousy and pam on their success
it is notorious hat distinguished theolosian
and consistOrial counsellor IN Berlin exclaimed in
sorrow and complaint" these people are pluck
ing away from our fairest flowers
This sect has it's h. al quarters IN Scotland and
London-its real founder and original head was the
celebrated Edward iryiog, who dedin 1884. rne
present IIviOgnes in Germany would indeed deny
that their Church was founded by person, by
Irving-they would rather give the idea that their
doctrine differs from that of irving, but II IS fact,
that he the founder Of their alliance, and that
their coctrine is no other than irvIng's.
The chief points of their doctrin are as fol-
lows:
!. The return Of the Lord and the general judg.
me- MT near at hand.
9. The promises of the Bible are as firm as a
rock and are universally valid for all ages and
are hence valid for the present time.
3. The power of working miracles is promised
10 believers absolutely, and without restriction TO
a paIticular tme-hence, miracles now possI-
Bile. The church, as the representative of Christ,
must perform his work hence must work miracles,
and has received the power to work miracles, IA
the spirit, which was promised to it oy the Lord.
4. The git OF prophecy and speaking with
tongues is also promised to believers absolutely
ana not for particular time-and hence Is nov
granted To believers and the Holy GnOst, which
produces IL is not restrct TO the influences which
impel men 10 speak, but it is h, himself, accord
ing 20 the evident declaration of the Scripture,
VINO speaks from man what he hears from the LORD
in Heaven.
5. In the primitive age Of the church, the Holy
Ghost Determined by his commands Who were 10
be the servants OF the church-aDd ia like man
ner he now dets rmints by his commands the
ganiEaticn of the service, which separates the lr-
vingte Church from the defective aud imperfect
church Of modern Chnstendom.
This hierarchlcal organization Of the lryingite
church is as follows:
The twelve apostles, whose restoration is the
only help Tor the church, are regarded a. eorp0-
ration aud unity, the lasgveIs and rulers 10 the
church, through whom the Lord ful6lls his office.
ie' second office is tina, OF the prophets. they
what the Holy Ghost Communicates to them i'm.
meomtey TINS Is principally Of a threefSId ns.