National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-03
THE CHURCH WORK OF THE YsIR,


event most Worthy of notice WIS The meeting
of the. Worlds Evangelical Alliance in this
city IL October. 1t attracted large number OF
r eminent Representatives of the principal or
shodox Protestant denominations from Europe
Asia and America, and enlisted degree OF at
tention that is rarely given to religious assem-
bly, not pretenlinc TO authority. On reviewing
the diversity of opinions and OF forms OF wo.-
ship and Church government which were rep
resented among its members, the range OF top
les discussed, the catholicity of their treat
meut, the clearness and ability of the papers
which were presented; and the impression which
the meeting carried with it, it may be Justly
pronounced ar imposing demonstration of the
force OF Professionalism and its substantial unity
in essentials. The mi citing of the Alliance was
follow ed by the secession OF Bishop Cummins
from the Protestant Episcopal Church, and his
effort to organize a new Episcopal Church.
Aside from these movements, the year has
been very quiet ore for American churches.
The negotiations for the uniol of the Presby-
terrain churches have comcto halt. The halt
dozen or SO Lutheran bodies have been casting
about for some means of establishing better
understanding between their respective organi-
cations. One of thern-the General Council,
q body of High church proclivities invited
the points which divide them all, and the posi-
bility of harmonizing them. The scheme Is
well received, although the belief is not enter
tanned that any material approach to union
will result from Il. The affinity OF churches
seems to be more operative N the BRUSH
Provinces where tho two Presbyterian churches
of Canada and the two of the lower provinces
have agreed, through their synods and assem-
blies to become one organization, and their
presbytcries are confidently expected to ratify
the agreement. A similar success has attended
Methodist efforts, the Wesleyan and New Con-
nection Methodist churches of Canada and of
Eastern British America having brought their
negotiations for union to the eve OF success
ful conclusion. The effort to unite the Free
Church and the United Presbyterian churches
in Scotland has been blocked for the time, but
the negotiations between the bodies answering
to these two in England are continued.
The Church of England has been agitated
with the rnualistic controversy. The convoca-
tions of the two Archiepiscopal Provinces
QUIET ed the discussion over the Athancsian
creed carly in the year by the adoption OF a
declaration that that eloquent and formidable
document did not add new doctrines to those
otherwise taught, but that II was intended as
a clearer expression and forcible reminder Of
doctrines inculcaled in the Scriptures. This
theme of controversy had hardly been removed
when the convocation of Canterbury was again
attacked by petition from iS3 ''priests OF the
Church of England, asking for the appoint
ment of additional confcssors. The convoca-
ton was compelled to adopt another declara-
ton to the effect that penance and what is
called sacramental confession are not recog-
nzed in the formulsries. The Archhishops
were assail . in May by petition from q, 200
members of the Church, asking them to
put down ritualistic practices, or ct least
to enforce the decisions of the courts against
IT.. l;n,l hat hoy
very sorry the practices complained OF
existed: that they would do all they
could to rcpress them; but that was very little,
and suggested to the petitioners that the most
effective remedies were with the laity, who
could 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 attitudes assumed by the Roman
Catholic bishops. They have been freely
granted and vigorously executed. Under their
operation the instruction given in the theologi-
cal scminaries, the appointment of pastors, the
discipline inflicted by the Church upon its
ministers and members have all to be sub
mitted to the supervision of the government.
In Switzerland the Pope has undertaken to
appoint a bishop in defiance of the laws and
in the face of the civil prohibitions. The would
be bishop has been escorted over the frontiers,
and commanded to stay there. The Roman J
Catholic churches OF Geneva have been subjected
to regulations of newly-increased stringency,
and three OF them whose cures would not con-
form TO the provisions of the law, have been
turned over to the Old Catholics. The consti-
tuition of the Republic has been amended so as
to make it extremely uncomfortable to the
advocates of paramount ecclesiastical autho-
rity, and the Jesuits have been sent where, if
they continue TO do harm, it will not be to
Switzerland. The conflict in Italy has been a
continuation of that which has ragged for sew
eral years. The Government of the Kingdom
has driven out the Jcsuits, ordered the sup
preston OF. religious orders, and the appropria-
ton of their houses, and forbidden pilgrimages,
and the Pope has Illuminated snathemas. In
Spain, the ecclesiastics have intrigued and CO.
operated with the CarIists to destroy the Re-
public and enthrone superstition again. In
France, they have plotted to set up the Count |
de Chambord as King under the Pope, and
sought by the institution of pilgrimaees and |
the exhibition of miracles, to rouse the people |
to frenzy for the Church and the monarchy, |
and they have witnessed the failure Of their
schemes.
In Brazil, the Government and the Bishops
are at war on the question 81 communicating
the Freemasons. The Bishop of Pernambuco !
is under prosecution for violating the Ccnstitu- I,
lion of the Empire III putting his interiicts in !
the Government. Mexico has expelled the |
Jesuits. and promulgated amendments to the |
Constitution which separate Church and State, |
legaliZe civil marriages, do away with the re- /
lgious oath, and nuliify the obligations OF .
orders. The un:Cn of Church and |
State has been dissolved in Guatemala.
The past year has also witnessed the final |
organization of the Old Catholic Church in
Germany, and its recognition by the Govern
ment and the courts as entitled to ell the
rights and privileges of lawful Church Its
bishop, Reinkens, has been daily elected and
with the Apostolic succession. Its (
congress, which met at Cologne in September.
adopted liberal system of church govern
nent. 1t pledged itself in letter which it
to the Evangelical Alliance to do
iway with all doctrines and usases which are
BASED on tradition. ani avowed itself in SYM
,athy with Evangelical Professionalism. At
his congress the Old Catholic movement re-
,orted strength which surprised even its |
friends, and it does not cease to grow. Il has
made relatively as much progress in Switzcr-
ard as in Germany, and mas there its most
Eloquent and advanced Spokesman in Father
iyacinthe. Old Catholicism has few bold !
md able advocates in France, but it has not
ret assumed there the shape of general GOV
rnment.