The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-01-23
RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS.
The Church Work of the Past Year-A
Good Showing.
From the New York Times.

Good showing
From the New York Times.
The past year has been fruitful in
important religious movements. In the
ULited States the event most worthy of
notice was the meeting of the Worlds
Evangelical Alliance in this city in Oc
tober. 1t attracted a large number of
prominent representatives of the prin-
pal orthodox Protestant denominations
from Europe, Asia and Amer ca, and en-
listed degree of attention that is rare
ly given to a religious assembly not pre-
tending to authority. On reviewing
the diversity of opinions and of forms
of worship and church government
which were represented among its mem
bers, the range of topics discussed, the
catholicity of their treatment, the clear
ness and ability of the papers which
were presented, and the impression
which the meeting carried with it may
be justly pronounced an imposing de-
monstration of the force of protes-
tantism and its substantial unity in es-
sentials. The meeting of the Alliance
was followed by the secession of Bishop
Cummins from the Protestant Episco-
pal church, and his effort to organize a
new Episcopal church.
Aside from these movements the
year has been very quiet one for
American churches. The negotiations
for the union of Presbyterian churches
have come to a halt. The half dozen
or so Lutheran bodies have been cast
ing about for some means of establish
ing better understanding between
their respective organizations. One of
them-the general council, a body of
High church proclivities-has invited
its fellows to a conference for the dis
cussion of the points which divide them.
The scheme is we'll received, although
the belief is not entertained that any
material approach to union will result
from it. The affinity of churches seems to
be more operative in the British provin-
ces, where hetwo Presbyterian churches
of Canada and the two of the lower
provinces have agreed, through their
synods and assemblies, to become one
organization, and their presbyteries are
confidently expected to ratify the agree
mrnt. A similar success has attended
Methodist efforts, the Wesleyan and
New Connection Methodist churches of
Canada and eastern British America
having brought their negotiations for
union to the eve of a successful conclu-
sion. The effort to unite the Free
church and the United Presbyterian
churches in Scotland has been blocked
for the time, but the negotiations be-
tween the bodies answering to these
two in England are continued.
The church ofEngland has been apitat-
ed with the ritualastic controversy. The
conventions of the two Archiepiscopal
provinces quoted the discussions over
the Anthanasian creed early in the wear
by the adoption of declaration that
that eloquent and formidable document
did not add new doctrines to those 9th
erwise taught, but it was intended as
clearer expression and forcible reminder
OF doctrines inculcated in the scrip
lures. This theme of controversy had
hardly been removed when the convoca-
ton of Canterbury was again attacked
by petition from 4S3 "priests" of the
church of England, asking for the an
polntment of additional confessors. The
convocatlon was compelled to adopt an
other declaration to the effect that pen
ance and what is Gale sacramental con-
fession are not recognized in the formu-
!arIes. The archbishops were assaiIed
IN May by petition from $4,000 mem
bers of the church, asking them to put
down rltualistic practices, or at least to
enforce the decisions of the courts
against them. They replied, saving
that they were very sorry the practices
complained of existed, that til, V would
do all they could to repress them: but
that was very little, and suggested to
the petitioners that the most effective
remedies were with the Iaitv, who eould
institute prosecutions in all instances.
Germany, Switzerland and italy have
been in turmoil with the conflict which
has prevailed between the civil powers
and the pope. In Prussia new laws have
been demanded to meet the new atti-
tudes assumed by the Roman Catholic
bishops. They have been freely granted
and vigorously executed. Under their
operation the instruction given in the
theological seminaties, the appointment
OF pastors, the discipline inflicted by
the church upon its ministers and mem
bers have all to be submitted to the su-
pervlslon of the govern ment. In Swift
zerland the pope has undertaken to ap-
point bishop in defiance of the laws
and III the face of the civil prohibitions.
The would-be bishop has been e, corted
over the frontiers, and commanded to
stay there. The Roman Catholic
churches of Geneva have been subject
ed to regulations of newIy-increased
and three of them whose
cures would not conform to the provis-
ions of the law, have been turned over
to the old Catholics. The constitution
OF the republic has been amended so as
to make it extremely uncomfortable to
the advocates of paramount ecclesiasti-
cal authority, and the Jesuits have been
sent where if they continue to do harm.
It will not be to Switzerland. The con-
dict IN Italy has been a continuation of
that which has ragged for several years.
The government of the kingdom has
driven out the Jesuits, ordered the sup
preston of religious orders, and the ap-
of their houses, and forbid
den pllgrimages, and the pope has full
minated anathemas. In Spain, the &C.
cleslastlcs have intrigued and co.ope-
rated with the Carlists to destI oy the Re-
public and enthrone superstition again.
In France they have plotted to set ND
The Count de Chambord as king under
The pope, and sought by the institution
Of pilgrimages and the exhibition of
miracles, to rouse the people 70 frenzy
'or the church and monarchy, and they
have witnessed the failure of their
schemes.
In Brazil, the government and the
olsho's ore at war on the question of |
the Freemasons. The |
bishop of Pernambuco is under prose |
,ution of the empire in putting his in
erdicts in force after he had been for |
hidden to do so by the government. |
Mexico has expelled the Jesuits, and
Dromul gated amendments to the con-
titntion which separate church and |
tate, legalize civil marriages, do away
With the religious oath, and nullify the
obligations of monastic orlers. The
lnion of church and state has been dis
olved in Guatemala.
The past year has also witnessed the
inal organization of the Old Catholic
'hurch in Germany, and its recogni-
ion by the government and the courts
g entitled to all rights and privileges
4 lawful church. It's bishop, Rein
ZEN !, has been duly elected and conse-
rated with the Apostolic succession.
Is congress, which met at Cologne in
adopted liberal system of
hurch government. 1t pledged itself
q letter which it addressed to the