The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-08

00RUM0 Star AID CATHOLIC XD01D0&8.
NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY, MARCH Q, aaas.
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SOCIAL AGRDCIs OF GERMAN E10TEDTAHIIH1
Few, very few, indeed, are aware of tn
present state of religion in Germany, or NOR
properly speaking, the degraded condition
of Professionalism, as judged by the socia
status of it's ministers. 1t may be said tina
there is no logical connection between
fundamental truths and those who advocat,
them; that principles, not persons or par
sons, should govern in estimating the valu,
of things. It may not be philosophical, bu
the masses will, and there is pretty higf
authority for the proceeding, judge the trek
by it's fruits. If the self appointed expon-
-ents of religion be held in contempt the
system which inspires such sentiment, Of
perhaps we should say, fails to inculcate
sounder, better views, must be at fault
Lord Macaulay tells us in his history that
after the Reformation in iEngland-about
the time Of the Charleses, we believe
Protestant ministega were sunk SO low in
the social scale that they were only con.
sidered fit parts for ladies' maids-con-
venient in keeping dowagers' scores at the
gaming table, or serving as butt for his
patron, the squire, and deeming himself
honored in sharing with the upper servants
the run of the kennel and stables. Things
have improved in England. Germany
seems to have fallen heir to their neighbors'
"loose habits" In Catholic countries the
simple cure is thought worthy, and receives
the homage of the highest in the land. The
serf in rags, by taking holy orders, took
precedence of his former lord, aye, even of
royalty itself, when his virtues designated
him for the higher ecclesiastical dgnities.
In introducing the following we would
remind the reader that it is from high
Protestant authority:
I do not think that any >Englishman,
however heather his haunts or ungodly his
habits, however heterodox his opinions, or
defective his theology, could pass six years
OF his life in his own country without once
meeting clergyman in society.
am afraid that many, nay, that most of
my readers will be shocked at statement
which l shall presently make, but which,
since / have undertaken to speak on the
subject at all, it behooves me boldly to
register for the truths sake.
was seven years in Germany without
once meeting Protestant clergyman in
society. 1t sounds bad, know; but it is
still worse than it sounds--and that is surely
saying great deal! Such an assertion, OF
confession, as the one have made, will fall
on startled, possibly incredulcus ears aid
yet it is to the letter true. Protestant
their social influence is absolutely nil. 1t |
may perhaps be thought that frequented
ungOdly men, whose conversation was such |
as no clericus could well endure, and whose |
manners might not be sanctioned by the |
light of q reverend countenance or it may |
be argued that sat in the seat of the sc0rn-
full, and refused obstinately to listen to |
the charmings of wisdom and piety. On |
the contrary, I often and loudly expressed |
desire to meet some clergyman of the
Lutheran persuasion, and openly regretted
the absence of such from society. Neither
must it be supposed that 1 did not go to
church. l went thither industriously, pa
tiently " sitting under'' the pulpit humping
and cushion busting pastors of various
churches, and vainly hoping that, in time,
i might acquire taste for such church.
goings, and extract some spiritual consola-
ton from the eloquence of those holy men.
But it was not SO. found much to puzzle,
and but little to comfort me in the dreary
services and half-empty churches.
wish to confne myself purely and
simply to the social aspects of German
Professionalism, and to avoid anything like
and Professionalism have come to be little
thought Of amongst us. In truth, they
SAVIOR all too much of a clamorohs badness,
of itself barren and unfruitful. AS if before
Luther, and before Calvin, Gods sun had
not shone upon the earth and as though
there were but two ways to heaven-one
holding on by the skirts of Luthers cloth
ing, the other following in the train of CAL Il
WINS hard exclusiveness. =
Go to the churches-ef Protestant G. err
many, and what will you see? A/sprink-
ling of female worshipers, and man to
every forty women. = Every fortya Per-
haps, though it is Sunday, there win not be
above thrice that number in church. Then