The New York herald., 1874-10-27
THE GERMAN PRESS ON Mr. eLADSTohE'S
nRIIUALISMn

The North German Gazette recently con-
cluoed, from the impression proauceo ia 'reas
Britain by Mr.. Gladstone's article on rHuansii'
that It Is likely to nave an important innuence on
the political future OF the former Premier. "ine
author seems himself TO have OWNED tns' or a.
least to have desired H. as according 10 MS wont
he avo,ds giving any positive explanation Of his
individual views on the subject In his essay. Tue
treatise is in essential respects only an exposition
Of the speech which Mr. Gladstone delivered last
sesslon on eccesas teal discipline. In regard 10
the main point OF the whole rltualistic contro-
versy-naInely, the changes which the pioneers OF
the Htgh Church party wish TO introduce into the
doctrines oil the Anglican Church. In keeping with
their theatrical trappings-the Gladstone ar
the external elements OF the question. In the
Parliamentary discussion Gladstone declared he
to the same point OF view In the essay before US,
and on tnat account ne places Ut the outset crit
lcal inquiry into the meaning OF the term which
the rituallstic movement. Mr.. Gladstone nrst OF
A approaches ritualsm when, inquiring INTO the
dangers or the essence OIL the question, he makes
tue statement. which In any circumstances would
De weighly and Important as coming from MIN.
has the scheme OF komanisng the English Cnurca
been IN the least degree pos slbe." The German
writer then translates the passage from tue art,
Gle III which the ex-Prime Minister declares that
Rome tsemper cddeinj mas adopted an attituue
and policy III the nineteenth century wnlcA ren' a
ders reconciliation with II impossible. rms oecla-
ration,n he proceeds lis ior England especially
OF the greatest moment, since the recent peTvet r
ston oil Lord Ripon former colleague OF Mr.. Glao'
stone, has exclteu apprehensions o. the astrse.
tive force OF the Roman propag,aands wsvs1 70 "a
10 Uetray an unwarranled optimism or De regarded
~ reaiirmatlon oil the statement made ~ MS
SIow wSaI Ritnallsm is. ana therefore 1t is In no
ways surprising tnat the influential liberal papers
now as waen rne Ritualist controversy was dls-
cussed 10 Parliament, without exception attack
MIR. Gladstone and condemn, with more OF 'sss
sharpness, the views oil The writer as well rs us
nj ula
son. IN. Times ana DAILY NelrS dryiy remark
that Mr.. Gladstone has evaded the real point,
and, ii he would satisfy his countrymen, must say
plainly whether rituallsm Is not 70 De Tegaraea
as the expression 81 ns rom ad ,as dSs
waph formerly the organ of Mr.. Gladstone.
thinks very properly that Y the nation were com.
might might be be dispensed with But as
proiundity ana excellence OF the writer, ne must,
on the other nand rejoice with MIR. Disrael that
meaning people seeking TO Romance the English
Church under the elastic title OF religious Rstnet.
the conservative papers, .wncn write in the same
,train, cut with somewhat greater severity" the
German journalist concludes that 1t may be enough
or the party man To learn that mr.. Gladstone re.
ects, and ooes not lear the Papacy; but "puoiic
opinion IS entitled 70 require more from leading
statesmen; ana tnat is he refrain which Is heard
reecnoed from all the criticisms or the English
press.n
In the Cologne Gazette we nnd the following re-
marks on Mr.. Gladstone's article. Referring to
the definition OF ritualsm in the essay as the out
ward and visible expression OF the invisible. the
writer sayS:-
OF will have anything 10 say against the
principle which lies at the root OF this definition But
he matter cannot be got rid o!s easily For long
lue one has Understood rtualism IN England TO mean
merely the possibly latent need OF higher Rsthetic
:onsecrauon OF the Icecold English worship OF Co., bur
The attempt 10 smugge INTO Catholic usages In order
~ be brought by devations from strict frotestan
sm to the Que savaiion- bringing church. Instead Of
Evng purely phllosopncal definition OF rltualIsm Mr.
Gladstone ought to nave kept TO what Is occupying
Eneland and snoud have told mis- countymen what he
w., )
Danger litua ism in tins sensetha is LrytoCahoi
lcism and also whether as statesman ne Is OF opinion
that the urthsr spread OF these Catholic usages ought
ought not 10 be checked by Jaw. 1nis what
expected rom him. ard what people had right to
expect Now ttat he has fulfilled this pecation
his enemies H. be JUS fled in charging him with
tenronaly AIDING the real gis a the question, while
he has occupied himseh only with the Rsthe and
AYolds altuge fher the pollcal SIDE.