, 1873-10-10
AN EXTRAORDINARY RELIGIOUS EVENT,

wo prosont reports.
AN EXTRAORDINARY RELIGIOUS EVENT.
The proceedings Of tho Evangelical Alliance
have acquired extraordinary interest by reason
OF its correspondence With tho "Old Catholics"
OF Germany, which foroHhndows tho breaking
down Of religious prejudicea that have hitherto
seomod iuvinciblo. Tho Alliance haa hitherto
boon composed of those bodies of Christians who
have boon strong IN dogmntio theology; who
hnyo boon more or less unrelonting in their def
nitonH Of tho essentials OF salvation; and who,
II thoy held ono thing in creator disostoom than
another, 1t was tho Roman Catholic Church.
Thoy held that tho Roman Church, in It's doc
trincB, faith, toachngs, aud practices, was about
on level with PaganiHm, Judaism, or oven
Aformonism. Wo suppose that not ono-third Of
tho men and women brought up in evangelical
churches in this country eyor hoard n kind word
said In their youth concerning the Catolic faith,
though It ia possible they hayo all heard this
Church denounced as tho Scarlet Woman = and
il tho Catholic laity escaped like e1coriation, it
was on tho ground that thoy were too ignorant
and too prieat-ridden to DO capable
Of knowing any better. This has
been the accoptcd Judgment Of the churches
composing tho Evangelical Alliance, not
of this country alone, but Of other countries.
In the meantime, the Catholic Church hns con-
tinuea to exist. and it's laynon haye continued
to constitute a largo portion of tho people, and
hnyo received but little, II my, recognition
as Christians, believing in common faith,
IRON tho Protestant denominations.
In July, 1870, the Council Of tic Vatican pro-
claimed the dogma Of Papal infallibility. Ita
PRONUNCIATION was, III aome countries, delayed
by tho French and German war and in others
stout opposition to tho dogma itsolf,
and in tlis opposition eomo diatin-
guiBhod theologians Of tho Church took
part. In due course these persons were oxcom-
municated. Tho non-adhorents Of infalibility
wero thus loft without any spiritual hoad. Aftor
Bomo dclay, thoro wore fow brave mon in
orders who dared express thoir opinions. Thoso
soon received acceBsions to their strength. They
had not, however, among them any porson of
tho rank OF Bishop, nor was it easy to obtain
one. Finally. Doctor Reinlens was elooted after
tho ancient manner Of SOLICITING Bishops Of tho
Church, and lo WAS in due form, md after tho
prescribed ritual of the Church, conBoerated
Bishop by ono of the Roman Catholic do
ceses Of Holland. Thus organized, With
Bishop, forty priesta, and large lay following
tho I" Old Catholic Church" waB proclaimed to
the world. The Old Catholic Church rejects
papal infalibility. In all things else it claims
to he tho Roman Catholic Church that haH exist
ed and been known to mankind for centuries.
! Bishop Roinkens claims apostolic a,1ccession
through his consccrator, back to S.. ? or. uo
! and his clorgy and all his poop!o beliovo in
all the doctrines of tho Church as thoy had been
| defined at Romo prior to the 18th July, 1870
They believe in the soven ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
oially that Of tho Eucharist, and olaim to be the
cus!odans of the faith as it oxisted prior to the
day on which Papal infallibility was proclaimed
| at Rome.
Tho Christian world will Eojoico at tho GU
thusiAam Of the Eyangoli cal Alliance, with its
delegates from all parts Of tho globc. in vol
coming to the common brotherhood Of
Christ thosa German Catholics. It indi-
catoa that at last 1t .has boon dlscov-
erod that there may be something good
and truthful even iu the doctrines Of tho
Catholic Church, and that, consequently, tho
Catholic Bishops and olorgy arc not, necessarily,
| tho antschrsts they have beon supposed
to be, aud that ovon tho laity hayo possl-
bly, some conception Of tho doctrines OF
eternal salvation through the Divine teacll-
ings Of Christ. Tho a!aerity with which
tho Evangelical Alliance has enrolled among ita
members thoHe Catholics of Germany, aud tho
aid and comfort they have extended to their
nowly-found brethren, bospoaks largor Chris
tlan charity aud q moro comprehensive Chria-
tian unity than has lithorto existed. 1t recog-
nizos tho wholesome truth that tho maBs of
mankind aro honest III their religious beliefs
that, while there may bo nistakcB, aud exagger-
atious. aud eyon fanRtlcism, tho average Of lr-
telligonce IL about the aa'no among
civilized peoples, and TINT religious opin.
ionB honestly entertained arc entitled
to respect. Tho Evangelical Alliance
has hitherto hold tho Roman CatLolio people
and clergy beyond tue circle OF Christian unity
-that Ia, havo excluded !arge majority OF the
Christian family and c,rolo, 1t now proolaims
In unmlBtakablo language, that to be Catholic
bishop, priest, or laYmxn. .--ia no longer an TN