The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-09-11
HONOLULU, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER II, 1872

"To supply deficiency of life by fOrmularies
has caused the religious decay of Catholicism,
and will cause still more profound decay in
Professionalism. Both the Orthodox and the
Liberal party have given themselves to the prac-
tical materalism of the age; religion and morals,
as well as politics. have been withered up by it.
But there is one law which will always prevail in
the Church, and it is this-that the only way Of
exercising serious influence is by the Christian
life. The life alone is real, all the rest is chime
rical. Throw into the fire all these documents
which only prove your decay and render it ire
mediabe unite yourselves in an effort to revive
some spark of the Divine fire.
This somewhat bold language seemed to make
some impression upon the audience, and suggest
ed to some of those present the interesting prob
lem as to which were really most Christian
those who hold the dogmas without living the
Christian life, or those who live the Christian
life without holding the dogmas. 1t did not,
however, alter the vote, for NJ Jalaberts amend
ment suppressing the act of, obligatory adhesion
to the profession faith was rejected by 81 votes.
The same kind of fight has been waged over the
narochial organization throughout the country.
There are about 500 Protestant parishes in
France. The Liberals moved that where one
third desired separation of parishes, with
separate Council of Presbytery, they should be
allowed to have it. This was carried against
them. Where the parish contains more than
500 members, the Council of Presbyters is to
consist of seven, who choose the pastor, who be-
comes their President. The Left moved that he
be elected by universal suffrage, but the ex-
perience of this form of election has answered so
i'll in France politically that it was put aside
without hesitation. They then proposed the
English idea OF representation by minorities, but
this was equally unsuccessful and the Left have
really not managed to carry single point. The
functions of the Council of Presbyters were
finally decided to be to administer the parish,
watch over the due celebration of public worship,
the maintenance Of the Liturgy aud of discipline,
the administration of Church property, and the
distribution of aims. As, however, it will be
seen that the members who compose this Coun-
ell need not have subscribed the profession of
faith, it seems somewhat dangerous, considering
the very strong objections to it which a large
of them hold, to intrust to them these
functions. For instance if any of
them agree with NJ. Gaufres that the documents
embodying dogma should be consigned to the
flames, they will not be highly qualified to main
= oip tho iturrv In uadinr thrpuuh tho lOnu
columns of these debates one cannot help re-
GREETING that some Of the time spent in deciding
what were the theological opinions that men
should hold had not been spent in considering
how the daily practice Of Protestant Christians
might be improved. and how the iGfuence of the
Church might be brought to bear more efica-
CUusly, not 81 much va what tho oieotose a"I
their clergy ought to think and to preach, as on
what they ought to practise.