The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-11
tendency Towards the separation of
Chnrch and state in the Old World.

A o1.voE at the religious world shows the
nrevalenoe of general condition OF agitation
and unrest. The temporal power OF the Roman
pontis. for a long time growing less and less,
now appears about to cease altogether. He
who once trOd upon the necks Of kings, and
absolyed nations from allegiance to their
rulers. is already reduced to the condition of
Governor of few insignificant States, and
finds even that humble station assailed
by the storms of revolution. The Pope
Of Rome will soon cease to be tenn
poral ruler, and must content himself
with purely spiritual functions and honors.
Thus from the politics of Europe will be eli
minated force which in the past has played
a most important and memorable part. AS
the head Of the Roman Catholic Church, the
Pope will still occupy a very high, responsible,
and influential position. All pretensions to
temporal authority being abandoned, more
room will be left for attending directly to those
spiritual matters which concern the souls of
men. II is by no means certain that the in
terests of the Roman Catholic Church, as a
Church, will be preiudiced by this change In
the condition of its head. Christ said, "My
kingdom is not of this world" and
those who claim to stand in His stead may
will remember these words of the great Founder
of the Church. The possession of temporal
authority is not essential to the performance
of any Of the great functions for which Chris
tianity was established. Indeed, it is incon-
sistent with their highest and most perfect
performance. The proper object of human
government is to protect human freedom; it
has nothing to do with mems spiritual condi-
tion. The Office of the Church, on the other
hand, is purely spiritual, and has nothing to
do with civil rule. All it can claim from the
State is freedom to do its work. The Church
and the State thus act not in opposite but in
totally distinct spheres.
1t is gratifying to observe that these great
truths, which have received their highest en-
dorsement and best practical illustration in
our own country, are already making their
way amid the other nations of the earth. The
downfall of the temporal power of the Pope
will be great step towards their realization
in Europe.
If we turn to the Established Church of
England, we find it torn with dissensions and
agitations. The ritualistic movement becomes
more powerful and widespread. The Royal
Commission only touch the matter upon
the outside; it cannot reach to its root. The
radical cause of the movement is something
deeper than mere desire to indulge in addi-
4ional forms and ceremonies, or to wear more
gorgeous vestments. recent English writer
says that the meaning of ritualism is "reas-
sertion of the claim of the priesthood to super
natural pow ers, and an attempt to restore the
discipline of confession and absolution." If
this be so, it is tendency on the part of a
large portion of the Church of England
towards reunion with the Church of Rome
On the other hand, in the same Church, there
is a powerful tendency towards a greater
freedom from forms and a more
purely spiritual creed. In doctrines there
is the widest latitude of belief, from the
striotest evangelical orthodoxy to the license
of Colenso. The State, in endeavoring to direct
and control the work of the Church, succeeds
only in maintaining an Establishment, {"
which is the refuge of every form of belief, and
the harbor of the most contradictory and diver
gent tendencies Of thought. 1t is not strange,
in view Of such state of facts, that many Of
the beet minds of England are seriously con-
sidering whether the State had not better
abandon all interference with the Church,
and leave it to the voluntary support and
regulation of the people themselves. The
days of the Church Establishment in England
are already numbered, Every hour but
Iastens separation which all must recog-
aize as inevitable, if not desirable. Thus,
while in Rome the Church proposes to relin-
1uish its power over the State, in England the
tate hastens towards an abandonment of its
oo@trol and support of the Church. The
0rce of things spiritual and things temporal
=., reaches completion. The change will be
be.-ofcial. We have shown in this country,
and are every day showing, that the Church
can live and prosper, can be powerful and
aggressive, can increase in numbers and in
good works, without any aid from the Govern
ment except the guarantee of freedom. The
voluntary system is ample for the support OF
the ministry, and for the maintenance of those
great benevolent organizations which have
come TO play so important part in the work
of the Church. On the other hand we have
shown that the State needs no aid from the
Church, except such indirect aid as is conferred
by the education of the people in virtue and
religion. The State secures public freedom
while the Church prosecutes unhindered iti
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