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

To Slaverys basuOns lend as slight shock
AS the poor troopers shot to Stirling rock
SIGNS TIMES Letters Moritz Arndt the Dam
gers TO Religious Liberty in the Present World BY
Christian Charles Josias Bunsen ID. d. d. C. L., ID.
Translated from the German by Susanna Winkworth,
author Of The Life of Niebuhr" &c New York Har-
| per & Brothers. 1856 For sale by Franck Taylor,
Washington, ID. C.
1t is a fact of some interest, that almost 81
mutaneously with DR.. Bairds "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 a 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 we'll 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 it is conscientiously regarded and SO
exercised; if conscientiousness, and therefore
true morality, can only exist where the holy of
holies in the conscience-the faith in God, and
the will to serve him-is respected, by the abb
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 si.--ii-I ~~a tho month
is shut, as here coming from 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, q
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,
end 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 il, or in reply
to its positions. We may not approve all of
its opinions in various particulars; but as a
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 now
made by the Romish church, and with too
much success in parts of Germany and else
where, are set forth and rebuked. The danger
to the liberties of man, of the concessions
asked for, so seemingly proper, is shown, and
the true nature and effect of them laid bare,
with the power of a scathing severity. His
advocacy of Professionalism is unequivocal, and
he claims that in this element resides the germ
of true cisil and religious freedom that the
Bible is to be read and interpreted by every
one for himself, as God has given to every one
a conscience, and laid upon him the RESPONSE
biity of answering for the use he makes of it,
and does not lesEe to enother-priest, ruler, or
master-to stand in his place, In the day of final
reckoning. What will be the end of the events
now taking place in Germany and other coun-
tries of Europe, no mortal can tell but if the
people will ponder well the pages of Bunsen's
warning and appeal, we may hope more salu-
tsry result than we have too much reason at
present to fear.
RELIGION IN AMERICA; or, of the origin
anon 10 the State, and present condition. of the Evan
geica Churches in the United States, with notices OF
the onevangehcsl Denominations. By Robert Baird
New York: Harper Brothers, 1856. For sale by
Franck Taylor, Washington d. c.
In the year 1912, while residing at Geneva,
Switzerland, DR.. Baird prepared work, bear
ing the title of Religion in America which
was the next year published in Scotland, and
in the course of two or three years translated
into the French, German, Swedish, and Dutch
and which had wide circulation in all parts
of Europe. Its particular design was to fur
nish to the people of those countries reliable
information as to "the origin, history, econo.
my, action, and influence, of religion in the
United States" Of course, it embraced some
subjects and many details that would not have
been necessary, had the book been intended fol
readers at home. The author, on his return
to this country, in 1874, bad the work publish
ed aud circulated here. Since then, as he says
he has carefully revised the whole, and brought
it down in all its details to the Yesr 1865
This became necessary, as vast changes had
IN tba ,,,oar " t;,, takon ulace in the boupdaro(