The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-16
THE RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN
GERMANY.


THE RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN
GERMANY.
Editors Intellgcncer:
One of tho striking pecuisrties OF the
newspapers at the present time is the
prominence which they give to subjects
more or less nearly connected with reli-
giou. The material which finds its way
INTO their columns is, however, very pro-
misCuOuS. Novelty sometimes rather Than
weight, perhaps of necessity, determines
the question Of publication. II may be
well lOr the general public 10 understand
that even il it was worth the labor, it
would be impossible for the friends oil re.
IigiOn TO reply to all the vagAries which
thus are admitted to the honor Of print.
Bat now and then q case occurs which
seems to demand notice.
In the lNTELLIGENCER OF last Saturday
there appeared, by request, an account OF
M interview with a st. Louis divine,
which was copied from the Republican oil
that city. All that the reporter says
about the pietY, intellect, and indepcnd.
ence OF this minister doubtless is true.
But his views without modification are
not those OF any considerable portion oI
ProtestAnts.
MILLENIANIsM.
This st. Louis divine evidently is q
Pfemilleuialist. Both in the early church
and in modern times, there have been
some godly persons who have adopted
what are known as NLillenian views
OF prophecy. Their belief is that
at the beginning OF what is known
As the Millennium Christ will return to
reign visibly on the earth. They do not
expect that the world will be evangelical
until the Savior thus comes. On the con.
trary, previous TO his advent, wiCkedness
will so far have triumphed that 1t will
be apparent that the only hOpO Of the
reign Of righteousness is in his actual
coming. In this theory, we have the key
to the gloomyviews which the Clergyman
takes IN regard to the future. The vast
msiOrity Of Christians, Protestsnts and
Roman Catholics, are not pre.millenial-
ists. They do not expect the visible re-
turn OF Christ at the Millennium; they
only anticipate the setting up of his
spiritual kingdom. Nor do they 90 in-
terpret Scripture or Providence as 10 con-
clude that the world is returning toward a
new pagsnism, or anything OF tho sort.
The race is progressing in its spiritual
condition as well as in its material and
intellectual interests. There may be TEN.
porary checks and reverses, but on the
whole Christianity Is advancing with
marvellous strides towards the complete
triumph over all opposition.
ROMAN CATHOLICISM OR PAdANIsM
The ST. Louis divine expresses his
preference for Roman Catholicism rather
Than inGdelity or psganism. With this
feeling almost every intelligent Pro
testant will agree in a considerable
measure. But it is a choice
which no nation is compelled to make
Consequently 1t furnishes no reason why
we should throw our sympathes on the
aide of the Roman Catholic Church in
any of the struggles in which she is en-
gagged. Tho alternatives in Germany are
not Ultramontansm or infdelity and
Dagsnism. Bismarck and the King may
moi be very spiritual Christians, but they
certainly are making no war on evsngel-
ical Professionalism. They are It's aVcwed
friends.
THE PRUssIAE CHURCH Laws.
Again, it must bo conceded that in the
conflict which is now waging in Germany
over tho church laws, there arc principles
adopted by the State which are danger
Gus. Bismarck is welding twocdged
sword. With it at present he may be
conducting q justihable war against the
toes oil his country. But there may conc
time when he or some other ruler may
use 1t unjustiliAbly 10 smite, not ioes oil
tho country, but the cause OF true religion
In order to make the state OF tho case
intelligible 10 all readers, il may be neces'
sary 10 mention the substance OF tho
ecclesiastical legislation which has given
rise 10 the present difficulties In Germany.
One of these laws enacted by the Prus'
sian Chambers relates 10 the education
and appointment Of the clergy. Its de-
sign IL, by means OF national and scientific
study, 10 nationslize the clergy. All the
existing seminaries and colleges are taken
under the supervision OF State authorities
The requisites 10 hppuIu'uleu' oS N'0'SJ
men are laid down in certain rules
The candidates arc required TO have
gone through a regular scientific course
or a German Latin school, and three
yetr!' University study, also to have ac-
0uired a certain degree ot knowledge IN
philosophy, history and literature, besides
their merely professional requirements in
theology. In the appointment to eccles-
iasticsl cfflces tho provincial President
has right OF control. In cases specified
by law he can raise objections and enforce
the legal provisions against resident Dish
obs. Another Of these laws protects the
lower clergy against irresponsible cccles-
isstical discipline. A Royal High Court
has been created, to have jurisdiction for
ecclesiastical matters. This law provides
for a restriction In the exercise oI spiritual
criminal Jurisdiction, corpora! punishment
being altogether abolished, and the inflIc'
ton Of any other punishment being made
dependent either on the observance OF GER
tain prescribed proceedings, or on the
appellate Jurisdiction Of the Royal EcclOs'
iastical Court. Power Is given 10 remove
from office clergymen who shall abuse the
exercise OF spiritual discipline TO such an