New-York tribune., 1873-09-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THostpsoNs CHURCH AND STA

religious and patriotic service. During his resi-
aence in q foreign country, Dr. Thompson had be-
come deeply impressed with the ignorance, or TO say
she least the misconceptions which prevailed IN re-
gard TO the most important institutions of hs native
land Even in tho most enlightened circles
of European society, he found but an I'D
perfect appreciation of the influence of Amer
sea IN modern civilization. The misapprehensions
were increased by the behavior of many American
travellers abroad The vulgar display of money and
che ippant expression of national sefconcet, have
done much to excite distaste for American charac-
ter, and an aversion to American ideas. Compare
tively little is known of the highest features oi
American life. There is but faint idea OF the pro
Eress of science literature, and art IN this country
Nor has any adequate attention been gwen 10 her
development of the Christian ideal IN society ana 'h
the State and her growth in the broad and generous
ralture which should best thrive in the soil OF iree
dom Dr. Thompson justly remarks that the opinion
of Europe concerning Amenea can be rectlhed oIly
nv the exhibition Of facts which illustrate the
action of principles and institutions IN the higner
civilization. We can gain the respect OF statesmen
and scholars in no other way than by securing for
The elements which form our worthiest national
characteristics the estimate which they deserve III
is from this point of view that the author mas en-
gagged in the composition of 1.-THE present work when
Affords tribute TO the value of American ideas that
Ia pQuaIy nOnOIdnle 10 lut Va
and the feryor of his patriotism. DR.. Thompson, 1t
is needless to say, indulges in 10 expressions OF
yaip-gory. He shows no desire TO make out a
STRONGER case than is fully warranted by facts
There is nothing in his statements which betrays the
Eprit of the partisan HIS tone is always calm ana
judicial. He writes with eaTneStness, but without
passion. He make no extravagant claims IN be-
half of his country but enorces the estimate OF her
character which sense of justice demands.
Under the head Of "TheOeratc Government IN
New-England" DIR. Thompson draws fehcitous
parallel between Luther and the Puritan. in which
he summarily dsposes of certain popular errors on
the subject.
Its wellngh impossible for the German of the nine.
teenth century 10 comprehend the English Puritan OF
the sixteenth. One loves 10 associate with Dnther
genial humor generous beermug, broad and hearty
humanity love Of nature fOndneSs for children ana
in song often rising TO hanty-and Christianity that
emancipated not only from the traditions OF the
Church from the older traditions OF the Rabs,
and from the law Of Moses. In word with all his
vehemence reformer, ms bodness as dis
putant. his heroism as a champion of the truth,
his lofuuess as counselor OF princes ana a
leader OF his age, Luther stands forth as the
familiar man Of The people me ne, iSao on
the Puritan-ofteu met with in England and the United
States, as well as in Germany Of stern dogmatlst
within an iron mold OF CaVnlsm; nerce lcohoelast,
confOundne with superstition, and wagng war upon
Imagination as idOlary; rigld censor Of manners as
well as OF morals prescribing laws for eating and drink
ing, behavior, foroidding the drama the
Ascetc. denying pleasure SIM sourfaced, straight
laced, sanctmOnous legalst, imposing the code OF
we're Sabbath laws, and according TO the earicature,
Hanging cat Of Monday
This popular notion Of the Puritan largely due 10 the
court literature Of the age Of Charles H. when the reso
Of the brought IN food Of RIGHTEOUSNESS
10 sweep away the Puritan simplicity of the Common
wealth. But when one considers what corruPtions IN
Churcn and state IN doctrine aud practice, called the
Puritan into being one can pardon 10 m IA mt e OF
and, when considers what prosecutions the Puritan
called 10 endure, he VIII see that an iron resolution
sgainst the of ehurchy need Of the
times. But movement that produced Cromwell and
strength and herOsm Of American freedom in Church and
State largely due to that stern faith and that rigid
morality which the efeminsCy OF modern liberty affects
TO despse. Civilized New England Is the child OF En-
glish Puritanism Tue spirit of Pdritanism was no Gre
alton OF the sixteenth century IL Old as the truth
and man1ness Oi England
The alleged devotion of Americans to the worship
of money, and TO the cultivation of material
interests general is the subject of discrim
mating remarks in which the author traces that pro-
pensity not to national character, but to natural
tendencies
In 1887. Washington Irving, of his sketches TO
the money getting propensity of his country
men. represented THE almighty dollar as the chief
divinity OF the American people. This witty phrase has
been caught at by foreigners as expressing the one uni
tis that the people Of the United States have
shown almost unprecedented energy in che develop
IN individual and national wealth. This was due IN
part, 10 the necessity of their condition. Their first
Seaps the eeneat Of A%encaS utitarianiS@
and artists Of the Old World have not shown
themselves 20 the American dollar. As
Lowell has Wltuly said, All, without ex-
reptiOD, make no secret OF regarding US as
The goose bound to deliver them golden egg in return
for Ueir eackle" But, he reminds us, Human
tnre has much greater genius for sameness than for
opportunity OF rapid wealth, hears in Berlin quite
much talk OF prices rents losses, and gains and
quite as much eagernes for material prosperity even at
the expense OF the ideai me- as IN New YORK ltsei
Even palaces sold for streets of building lots
Meantime the Americans more and more subjectlng
the material 20 the ideal II heretofore they have
SHIPPED the dollar they have burnt their fingers in
rbcing TO that MOOch and have learned to
the dollar 10 the nObest uses OF humanity.
From the very nrst there was IN America ideal life.
Schools planted and learning cherished, from
The beginning. Intellectual culture aud spiritual refine
meDt have been the characteristics OF NewEngland:
and with the growth Of wealth. the Americans have
forgotten cherish letters. science, art until new
Of science founded by private munifcence Will
compare favoraby with those OF the Old World, and
American Libraries aud galleries purchase the treasures
which impoverished mobiles of France and Italy are
willing 20 exchange for the almighty dollar. There ex-
iss III American society guild of the cultivated TO
which no money could purchase admission
The influence of the pulpit American life is not
overTated by the author. Some of the State coDsti
tuons il is true prohibit ministers of religion from
holding political Office. This as DR.. Thompson ex-
plains is probably due to the jealousy called forth by
the interference Of the Jesuits with secular affairs
in Of the infant colonies The tendency of the
Roman Catholic Church, he argues is to the assump-
tiou Of political power, and it may yet become in
tbe United States the organ of perpetual revolution
against the Government Hence some American
patriots have contended that Roman Catholics
should be excluded from Office and even from the
polls. But this is to be set down as a yagary of
political fanaticism, and it has never gained more
than transient hearing from the good sense of the