New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-04

hardly rouse the spirit OF the people. Dreams of new
life were dreamt-it not the true awakening vet.
But other times were coming Already the Gro
nngen school had brought now element into Dutch
theological life, developing In its own way the main
ideas of sehleermach In placing Cnristoogy In the
CHRISTIAN character Of the whole sphere OF theological
| science though II cannot be denied that In
rouse 16e eli ought o 70
orthodox faith stu, heavy as the struggle
was between the GroninRcn school and the
orthodox, II was mere slnnsh compared to the strife
which was now tO ensue Meantime there had grown
up younger generation not satisfied with either VI the
parties The wei-know Tubingen school. the works Of
SHARP and Baur had made their way. and the era OF
for tangible reality became the predominant spirit.
Hence, as child Of the age, modern theology
Dorn AS tins Is no phenomenon proper to Holland
alone need not insist here its peculiar character.
Calling all supernatural equals 10 super-divne 1t ac-
ana development, winch consistently must lead TO the
denial OF All Almighty and prevailing God. 20 the riec
t0n and the absolute sulessness of Christ ami even
OF the character of sin guilt toward God calculated
Hne Jesus is the motto. greatly increasing
number number among the clergy ana lslty AR, are
opinions uureserTedy proclaimed from pulpit and chalr
IN churches and universities Nowhere, perhaps, s
modern science still pretending right TO keep It's
CHRISTIAN name, and Its place In the church, more reck
less In its negotiations aud assertions than Holland
No wonder that 10 this most earnest opposition was
reused. The University of Leyden, stronghold
OF the modern theology, is opposed by that
Others while in the University OF Gr0ningen the con
of Christian revelation however, stand opponents OF
modern theologians or Keep the same standpoint some
OF them being confessional" others calling them
selves ethic" by preference. There the authority OF
Scripture, here, that OF the Christian conscience
sensiOly modified by modern orthodoxy. But in
the main they agree IN Their contests
III what they CONSIDER as subyersye OF all Christian and
religious faith, ready TO accept the duly acquired re
suits OF really seenhc actual investigations they yield
arbitrary. The modern apriOrisuc spccuattons not
willing TO curta any ones right of liberty In processing
or proelaimng ms Individual opinions tney cannot Dd
deny the rlght OF modern theOloglaIs 10 he Ior te
parpose the ministry IN CHRISTIAN chure1'
If this is not utterly 70 be dissolved,
even opinions OF course cannot he tolerated.
i is EVIDENT indeed IeSt me neT confusion con an r into
not last very long, lest snOnd lead TO Total dlsorga
izaton and overthrow of the whole How this EVIL to
separation IRON the church, leaving the antago
nists eye the true Gospel Of salvation
the opponents OF faith Nothing for tins moment b
left but bear though not without earnest protest.
STATE Of things too abnormal ana TOO absurd TO las-
state TO which ere long an end must come
What Will this end be-the approaching Issue of the
present strife IN the theological aud social spherei As
Tor theological science do not fear the result Let
not endanger orr position by Undertaking. our enc
mics strength. They are, many Of them, wc[armed,
frnt and rho reiSnin spirit of me age M their side In
is easy to say ABOUT modern tneoogy-Nebla est
stbt-ut l. mere cloud, and VIII yauishJ Ihis
in the AR; 1t pours down its showers aud
rains Bat let US not forget that the flood
produces does not bring only devasatOn; when the
TIDE mas fallen again. II VIII have left frucng Ooze
for the benefit Of the Christian Church. Theology will
not Outye this without Improvement and progress and
the costly metal OF CHrstdn faith shall proceed purified
out of the furnace of discussion until new and living
faith will bring form as lis na1iral lrWt new ana true
confession OF tine Gospel truth.
And as for the religious Of the people, certainly
cannot be denied thht e recent result o. me pfedOm
mating tendency cannot hardly De too much depored
Where the WIND sOwn the whirlwnd will be reaped
Modern theOiOgy IOstefed by lauohlSllc ahd mate
realistic spirit, brand IN the cOmDustiDe OF
sundry bIooding social questions a great many are
asray from gospel truth and al,h aud virtue without
religion cannot stand Independent morality Is immoral
in It's root aud fruits ltcanno alas be denied bitter
are the fruits OF tie relgnng spirit OF the
age now already visible in Holland. Church
attendance is fast decreasing Leyty ana disspaiion
essng, and the Old Dutch character Is tending
to degenerate. But, on tho other hand, there are n'
dubable prOFnostics OF better future, TOO. In the
heat or the combat churches are tested ana Strength
eDCd. There 10 more cOlYlcon, edInestness truth now
in decided Christians than there was before home ana
brother missions are more aLaehty pursued 5uhG&y-
schools flourish, and Christian national education
valanty resisted the socaled neutral school system OF
the state IN reality 700 oeh Los.e 10 IHere
is lively interest in our great missionary festivals,
these Dutch campmcetings, and IN all that is
going ON Ia these Chrstlau spheres new ana Drtter
organization OF the church, more holy representing the
CHRISTIAN people, IS in way OF preparation. Aud even
the various tendencies, proceeding nom the osi oppO
points lnSOuutdTIy tending 10 one END, longing
Iol one SoIuVn' CeIuiSnE 20, 20 U bo . Ut6 No.
indeed ought 10 be the watohwOrd of all who believing
Of The Church, confidently rely on the might
OF Truth the undeniable rights Of con
Gospel. We Dutcn live and proclaim liberty, and we
enjoy II in high degree. We are as free as the ireest
the last ties loosened that stun bind State and Church
We want theological faculties and the ministry OF the
church freed from appointment 10y Government and we
want Christian education freed from membranes that
prevent ITS NATURAL growth and Gospel preaching in the
colonies set free, without the slightest restriction. In
claiming such rights are strong, because we have
right and truth. ana the age to come, and
the God of righteousness and truth. and the
cannot dcspair Despondency is a word that mas 10
place in the vocabulary OF the Christian Let only the
love OF true liberty increasingly live aud increase IN my
dear country, aud lis standard VIII be defended Ihen
Holland with IT. glorious history, with its own proper
is wealth ana colonies will have It's future sill and
with the blessing OF God Almighty IL can DO more IMAM
mere copyist i'll tho great family natOnallties IN
fhe holy Evangelical Alliance thc Christian peoples.
And for that We have an eye turned toward you,
ericn friends Where science aud learning are con-
cerued " have look eastward TO German neigh
bOrs When 10 concerns liberty westward no! Is our
device. and We look 10 yOu our spiritual children, VINO
application Of bOundless liberty, and there Is a
sympathetic band there are ties OF recollection
and regio that hind us together. The ocean divides
shores but does not divide our hearts NO" mges nos
seDdFet the immense sea does not separate us)
we say with the English Telegraph Company. To sea
faTing Dutch the ocean is rather bridge IMAM gun.
More ties than the telegraphlc wire INK the
ab o her veen ChTstiaas from one land
10 another, rOusing thru or sympathy
for every emotion and feeling We come, deir friends
we from Europe, from Holland, asking from your
vigorous American religion and life new graft on our
old stem, blood our veins, new seed 10 trans
plant in Our soil, Let mutually, by Christian inter
course sympathy, cOngenlal feeling, exchange what
is wholesome and good, and combining what IN
each nation and INDIVIDUALITY may he acceptable 10
God in Jesus Christ LOr the unity OF spirit and
mind. That Will be Evangelical Alliance In the
highest sense of the word that the prophecy prep
aTsfion of the glorious DAY when chosen all
Of COD M the hottest ana best rearzatons OF your
national emblem OF the device adjoining your stripes
aud stars pitribuS unum! SO may II be!
The succeeding paper was read by the Rev. II.
Krnmmacher of Brandenburg, Germany, full re-
port of which is given below.
PROTESTANT GERMANY.