The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-25


To Slavery's bastions lend slight shock
AS the poor troopers shot to Stirling rock!
SIGNS TIMES Letters Moritz Arndt the Dam
gers to Religious Liberty the Present World BY
Christian Charles Josas Bunsen, ID. d. d c. L., d. p. X
Translated from the German by Susanna winkworth,
author Of The Life of Niebuhr,n &c New York Hsr
per Brothers. 1856. For sale by Franck Taylor
Washington, ID. C.
1t is fact of some interest, that almost 81
multaneously with DR.. Baird's Religion in
America" We receive from the same press a
work of this character, relating to the develop
ment of the influences at work in respect to
religious prosperity in Europe. This is re-
markable book, and by remarkable man.
His varied attainments his habits of research,
accuracy of investigation and observation; his
acquaintance with the mechanism and action
of the different Governments on the Continent
his former positions as representative of the
Court of Prussia, both at Rome and in Eng
land-form a combined fitness for such an
examination and calculation of his subject as
few possess. He is also bold and freedom
loving; enters upon his selfprescribed task
with true German heartiness; speaks manfully
and manly in his rebukes Of every kind of des-
potism advocates with earnestness, as well as
uncommon ability, the cause Of civil and reli-
gious freedom; laying bare to the world the
encroachments of hierarchies, and the timid
and slavish compliance of their demands by
time-serving Kings and Princes; while here
and there flash out from the narration the rec
ord of some illustrious martyr to Liberty, who
has vainly struggled to resist the giant power,
and whose fate is an awful warning, to patriots
and friends of Freedom, of what is in store, if
the progress of despotic power in the Church
or State be as it has been. 1t is a book which
should be read thoughtfully, and its lessons
laid up to be reflected on. Many of the senti-
ments are opportnne at the present moment,
In this country, in the great struggle of Lib
erty among us, Some of these might be quoted
as apothegms of weight everywhere as
this: "No development of humanity is so
grand as that which takes place where there is
full security for the moral and legal freedom of
the individual, as well as of society,"" Or take
this longer extract: "For, if all individual
liberty can only bring forth wholesome fruits,
in so far as it is conscientiously regarded and so
exercised; if conscientousness, and therefore
true morality can only exist where the holy Of
holes in the conscience-the faith in God, and
the will to serve him-is respected, by the alb
sence Of every sort of constraint; then, surely,
the right use of every other liberty must lie in
this fundamental liberty. And what is true of
political liberty in general, holds good also in
particular of the free expression of opinion, or
what is called freedom of speech and of the
press, and of the right of free industrial asso.
Citations" Such language needs to be repeat
ed, and sounds strange, in contrast with that
which breathes forth from parts Of our coun.
try where the press Is sh~.l-i-I .~d tho mouth
Is shut, as here coming from a man who has
represented Monarchy in more than one Court
of Europe.
! The whole strain of the volume is pungent
rebuke of political and spiritual despotism, a
clarion voice for genuine Liberty in every form.
We bid it God speed on its mission abroad and
among US here. 1t has been like a bomb shell
thrown into the camp of those seeking to rivet
frmer their chains on the minds, consciences
and spirits of men, and has aroused discus
sion, in Germany aud elsewhere, which we hope
will be productive Of good. Numerous works
have been prepared, referring to it, or in reply
to its positions. We may not approve all Of
its opinions in various particulars; but as 9
book of facts, and for its grand outlines and
the aim it keeps in view, we are glad to com
mend it to our readers. The baseless fabric
on which are built up the pretensions of the
supremacy of the Pope are happily and clear
" exposed, and the arrogant demands nov
made by the Romish church, and with tot
much success in parts of Germany and else
where, are set forth and rebuked. The danger
to the liberties of man, of the concession
asked for, so seemingly proper, is shown, ant
the true nature and effect Of them laid bare
with the power of scathing severity. Hi
advocacy of Professionalism is unequivocal, ant
he claims that in this element resides the germ
of true cisil and religious freedom that tn
Bible is to be read and interpreted by ever
one for himself, as God has given to every on
a conscience, and laid upon him the response
biEty of answering for the use he makes of il
and does not lesEe to enother-priest, ruler, o
master-to stand in his place, In the day of fina
reckoning. What will be the end of the event
now taking place in Germany and other coun
tries of Europe, no mortal can tell but if tn
people will ponder well the pages of Bunsen'
warning and appeal, we may hope more salu
tary result than we have too much reason a
present to fear.
RELIGION AMERICA or Account of the origin, re
aion 10 the State and present condition, of the EvaI
gecal Churches in the Uni'ed States with notices {
the Unevangelcsl Denominations. By RoSer, Rair,
Nav York: Harper Il Brothers, 1856. For sale b
Franck Taylor, Washington, d. C.
In the year 1912, while residing at Genevs
Switzerland, DIR. Baird prepared work, beal
ing the title of " Religion in America whic
was the next year published in Scotland, an
in the course Of two or three years translate
into the French, German, Swedish, and Dutch
and which had a wide circulation in all part
of Europe. Its particular design was to flu
nish to the people of those countries reliabl
information as to the origin, history, econc
my, action, and influence, of religion in tn
United States" Of course, it embraced som
subjects and many details that would not hay
~ been necessary, had the book been intended f
readers at home. The author, on his retur
to this country, in 1874, bad the work publis
ed and circulated here. Since then, as he say
he has carefully revised the whole, and brougl
It down in all its details to the yesr 1856
This became necessary, as vast changes Ia
In tina noaan time taken place In the boundari,