Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-12-06
RELIGION FRANCE.

The cable has announced the meeting
in Paris, OF the liberal branch Of the
Reformed church Of France, aud prob.
able schism in that body. The schisnl
really began last year at the session OF
the synod Of the Reformed church, held
in Paris November 10Th. Al the first
sitting the rationalistic or liberal men,
bers presented letter declining 10 take
part in the proceedings unless the ma
jority would declare the confession of
faith adopted the previous year binding
only upon its authors and adherents,
and could NOS be forced in the future
upon any pastors or members Of the
church. Ii was signed by Pastor Nignie
president Of the liberal meeting Of the
members Of the synOd. A reply Was
given 10 the effec- that the synod,
while tx would take no action
against the liberty Of the churches
or the cOnsciences OF members, would
not forsake the principles it had pro-
claimed. In consequence forty-tWo lib
eral members withdrew, leaving sixty
two to transact the business OF the sy-
nod. The latter asked and obtained Of
the government The right to publish the
declaration OF faith, snd 10 require all
candidates for the N nj stTy to subscribe
Reformed church remains faithful 10
the principles OF faith and liberty on
which it was founded. It proclaims
the sovereign authority Of the holy
scriptures, salvation by faith in Jesus
Christ, the only son OF God, who died
Tor our sins aud rose fOr our Justification.
Il preserves and maintains, As the basis
of it, teaching, worship and discipline,
the christian facts presented in the
sacrameuts celebrated IN religion,
and the s0lemnities expressed in the
liturgy, particularly ia the confession Of
sins, in the creed and in the liturgy of the
holy communion The government, az
ter the adjournment Of the BynOd, issued
a decree ordering elections or the vari-
Gus church courts 10 be held in April,
1874, according 20 the rules prescribed by
go synod The cCnsistOry OF Mines,
viii b is at the head Of the liberal move
ment, sud fOrty-One other consistories
Oi the same party, either abs aimed from
voting OF conducted the elections accord
Inc % tueir own method. In c0nse-
% en - Of this the minister Of public in
strUction and religion, upon examining
the sturDs, found that the elections
were not FegUla-, and refused 70 give bis
certificate OF approval. The following
is his circular:
PARIS. october :, Is74
Mr.. PRESIDENT have examined
the returns Of the elections which have
been held for the seventh partial re-
organization 81 the Reformed church
consistory OF Mines ami the Presbyterial
council Of Milhaud. 1t appears from
these returns that no account was taken
in two parishes Of the district OF the reso-
lutions adopted by the general synod at
its sittings of November 10Th Of last
year. The legality and the authority Of
the synod having been fully established
by the council Of state at its sittings Of
November Is md Il, 1873, and the mod
ifications made by the synod concerning
the religious conditions Of the electorate
having been brought 10 the KNOWLEDGE
Of the churches in the usual time by the
circular Of my predecessor, dated Sep
TENDER 22d, last, it is not possible iCr me
10 consider as regular and valid the elee-
tions held in the district Of the cOnsisto-
~ Of Mines, nor, consequently, TO give
them my appreciation. ] therefore an
nul them, s. also the act by which
the consistory- chose its president,
and / direct you to give notice Of this
decision without delay to the con-
sistory Of Mines and the presbytery OF
Milhaud. Measures ought 70 be taken
so that the parish registers, which were
10 be closed December 3lst next, may be
eyised. cOnformsbly TO the synOdical