New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-09

pressed TINS cndcavor. The conduct OF the tufla,
however. prevented such meetings, and the Syllabus
plainly forbade them. While the struggle which had
lasted so long was continued quietly in the realm of
science, it broke out into general and declared
war Immediately after the announcement. in ST.
Peters Church-Dec. 8, 1S69-of the opening Of the
Gcumenical Council, when the designs OF Rome,
and of the Jesuits who directed them. became known
The Vatican DEGREES Of July 18th, 1870, made this
contest open one
First of all We have those DEGREES which pronounce
in direct and violent terms the InfIllibiity of the
Pope and his universal epscopate bat which from
logical Inference include the POpe's absolute con-
troll of the conscience, mode Of life and rights of
individuals well of nations. This is our plea
and the reason for our movement because, after the
publication of those DEGREES, it became impossible
for any one who desired to continue in Christs
word and give evidence to tho truth to remain
silent without renouncing the hope OF progress.
1t has also become clear that these DEGREES had
the sole object of sanctioning system practically
called into life 800 years ago; declaring Jcsuitism to
be identical with Christianity, Romanism with
Catholicism, and Ultramontanism with Christian
policy and giving to this whole system an immOva-
bic foundation under the mask of divine Teye-
lation. Should the DEGREES of July Is, 1870, be
recalled in the same solemn and precise manner
in which they have been promulgated. CuTiasm
would be destroyed, and that Reform of the Church
would be begun which We are now striving for.
In that only could We RENTER into rela-
tons with Rome. Therefore we may acknowledge
in principle the prmacy of Rome as an histOri-
cal institution in the samo sense rs the ancient
undivided Christian Church acknowledged it,
We hope and strive for the restoration Of the
unity of the Christian Church We frankly ac-
knowledge that no branch of it has exclusive
the foundation Of the Gospel and the doctrines Of
the Church grounded upon it, and upon the founda-
ton of the ancient. undivided Church, unfcation
of all Christian forms of religion viii be possible
through a really Gcumenical Council. This is
our object and intention in the movement which
has led MS into close relations with the Evan
geiical, the Anglican. the Anclo-Ameucan, Rus
sian, aud Greek Churches. We know that this
goal cannot easily be reached, but We see
the primary evidences Of success IN the CIR
cumstaDce that a truly Christian communion has
already taken place between ourselves and other
Christian believers. Therefore we seize with JOY
the hand of fellowship you have extended to us, and
beg you hcnceforth TO tread a single path with Us
wherein all can walk alike.
In order that the work of tho formation Of a single
Church of Christ should become established fact,
every individual Christian creed must east of every
thing which has been introduced by men, and re-
store that discipline aud those rules which rest upon
the foundation which Christ the Lord laid and which
meets the just requirements of the different nations,
and of the age. This it is intention and task TO
perform for the Catholic Church. We wish to
cleanse 1t from the stains Of doprayty which has
gradually increased for more than athOusand years.
All that Roman domination has created through
egotism must be removed. Every institution and
custom which has crcpt in hurtful to true Christian
vitality must be cast OUT instead Of justification by
works, the justification by faith; instead Of
bypocritcal bigotry, pore Christian life
must be brought isto its belief and conduct
the deterioration Of the constitution Of the Church
into an instrument of the hierarchy aud Of the
Roman bishop must be prevented by the introduce
ton of the rules which guarantee to the congrega-
tons their fullest rights to the lowest well as to
the highest in short system Of discipline must be
introduced in which true Christian earnestncss and
Christian morality united with Christian love con-
stitute the end not blind subsection of the in
dvidual or Of all to the fiat Of class or OF single
man in brief we wish to reform the Church in such
manner that it shall become q fellowship in love-
in belief, and in the works Of all who believe in
Jesus Christ as the Son Of God and as the Savior
who alone has been and still is our Mediator
Great changes win be necessary TO attain ibis end
II can only be reached by rejection and wise
choice of ways and means Therefore we were not
disconnected at the irony Of those who said. You
only reject the nfallIblity Of the Pope; You wish
to retain all the other absurdities" We have over
come the desire that existed among ourselves for
sudden change, since we have all come TO the
belief that the preiudices and ideas in which
successive generations have been educated can
not be destroyed in single night 1t
has become manifest to all of us that our
reform will be far efficient if proceed with
deliberation because experience will then teach US 10
detect in the good we introduce the shadow Of evil
We may contend, without vanity and without being
accused of exaggeratiOn, that no religious move
ment which does not aim at the destruction but at
the ameoration Of the existing state Of things
which has to rely upon its own efforts, which has
hitherto enjoyed no assistance from the State, but
on the contrary has had great obstacles laid in
its way, which occurs in an age when on the one
hand indifference and materialism, and on the
other fanaticism and political influence predomi-
nate in all classes of society," has been successful
in so short time whether, consider its proper
tons OF internal results, either in the domain Of
the law or that Of life.
On Sept D. 1871, it was determined in Munich to
organize regular congregations, and thus to provide
for the spiritual wants Of souls. To-day the Old
Catholic Church numbers in the German Elm
pire nearly 100 congregations lin Baden, -
congregations in Bavaria, 80 congregations
in Hesse, 2 congregations in Prussia. - con-
| gregatious / Congregation in Dirkenfeld, &c.)
In these congregations over 5000 members are
enrolled. If despite the difficulties and incOn-
yeniences which many suffer from openly JOIN
ing an Old Catholic congregation, and in spite
of the want of churches and other means of
grace. such result has been already reached. we
may boldly hope for far greater
our Church has been recognized by the State. Over
40 prests of whom six have joined in the