The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
A Great European Movement.

a Great European Movement.
The combat between Church and State
10 Europe, still goes on, and with constantly
increasing menace of their old welded rela,
tions.
1t is not so much contest of theories as
of facts. Doubtless, theoretical views Of
the question have been undergoing grad
ual, yet profound improvement, within few
years, and most European statesmen see the
abstract correctness and great desirableness
of Cavour's idea of Ga Free Church within
free State" but the complication of eccle
siastical with political affairs, in Europe, is
so intricate that prudent craftsmanship has
shrunk from intermeddling with the problem
till it has become unavoidable.
Theoretical ideas, however, usually pre-
cede and prepare the way for practical ones
and now that the latter have cone into play
ON this great question, we can hardly be sur
priSed by any abrupt or extraordinary re
suits.
In Germany, Bismarck'S policy, not only
against the Jesuits, but the prelates, as in
volVed in the case of the Bishop of Erme
land, is firm, and hardly admits of compro-
mise. The remonstrance of the combined
Bishops, from their late meeting at Fulda,
only excites the hostility and ridicule of the
journalists, and will certainly fail with the
government. What must be the conse-
quence? The defeat of the ecclesiastics
signifies infinitely more than that fact alone
1t is the political defeat of the Church, and
we can hardly doubt that the question Of
thorough "diSestablishment" will come up,
and uppermost, at last, on the waves of the
agitated waters. There seems, indeed, to
be no other way out of these overcoming
ecclesiastical troubles of the European gov.
ernments but the conclusive one of separa
ton of Church and State.
In Italy, the controversy between the two
powers has had new incident The fiscal
provision of the government for the Pope
has been CURLY refused by the latter. The
government thus saves a considerable sum
of money, much to the qualification of the
liberal people, who are taxed for it, and who
do not wish compromises between the Qairi-
nal and the Vatican. The poor Pope can
not safely accept the money, however much
he may need and desire it, for if he receives
it, he practically comedies his dependence
upon and subordination to the government.
His refusal, however, is contumelious to the
government, and will tend to prepare the
way for the latter to adopt more summary
measures toward the Church. Thus facts
become potent arguments in the great con-
troversy.
In Switzerland, the contest between the
government and the new Bishop of Geneva
goes on obstinately. 1t has enlarged into a
contest between the government and the
Pope, for the latter has taken positive side
with the Bishop.
The same controversy, substantially, has
broken out in Spain. The journals say that
few days ago protest by the Spanish
Bishops was published, in which the gov
eminent was strongly reproached for with
holding their pay, which it was said they
had not received for upward of two years.
A much more elaborate protest, signed by
the Archbishops and Bishops, and addressed
to the Cortes, has since appeared. The
Minister of Justice has prepared bill which
proposes to reduce the number of bishoprics,
and to discharge the treasury from the obi
cation of paying the ecclesiastical endOw-
ments. Against these proposals the Bishops
protest with exceeding vehemence.
Thus the transition movement of the age
is cleaving and rending the ties of the Mid
die Ages between Church and State. Not
little confusion and alarm must attend the
change. but it is regeneration for both
Church and State.