The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-20
GERMANY.
Under date of January 25th, the Berlin cor
respondent of the London Register writes:

Under date of January 25th, the Berlin cor
respondent of the London Register writes:
The State of Protestantism in Prussia The
encouragement of the conservative Protestant
circles increases to a great extent. oince inc
rules of the General Synod nave Oeeh sano-
toned, dependency even takes bold OF the
theologians of the Protestant Union. Their
organ, the Evangelical Church Gdsette, writes
when the joyful news was announced tnat
the close of the Ecclesiastical Constitution was
TO be discussed in the General Synod, our hearts
were filled with hope that new era would
dawn hr German Protestantism. We have
been %, .eIIy disappointed. or oil the failures
Of 1879. ,bie is the most painful. Although
the rules at the General Synod have been sane
toned there is not one idea in the whole work
which will show us the issue, from the contn-
zion of ecclesiastical affairs. The Prnssian
National Church will therefore possess %
great piece of constitution, but not one inch
more Of liberty. We have submitted TO the
May Laws, and we have consented 60 tho in
PRODUCTION of civil marriage, although we
propbesied the dangers. The losses which our
Church had suffered, in consequence OF there
measures, can DO statistically proved. we
have always deeply deplored the mhnifesta'
tiops of the sad religious condition OF our large
cities nevertheless We have frankly discussed
them, because truth lie better than delusion,
and wounds which lay open are easier to heal
than those which arc hidden. But one thing
is clear 20 men of common sense that Church
which 81 ows 80 much impotence must be seri-
onsly infected. Catholicism had come forth
unaffected, and even more powerful, from this
crisis, and we, who have the trnth OF the
Scripture" concludes the writer, have be-
come weaker than ever. If we investigate for
the reason Of this, we find many symptoms of
an HDbealthy condition; but the principal
moral evil lies in this, that the Church is too
much Deepen dent on the State" The dissolu-
ton of the Protestant Church in Prussia was
q mere question of time the religious conflict
has only FASTENED its ruip. We must, there
fore, bless it, for although We are not enemies
of. the Professionals, we are irreconcilable op-
-ponents OF Professionalism.
7Ae Catholic Church in Bdraria.-It must GER
taiuly appear very strange that for gen erations
the Catholic Church has never been in favor
with the Government in Bavaria, although 1t
is the only Catholic State in the new German
Empire, seeing that the majority of the people
and the Monarchs Catholics. Until the
persecution in Prussia began, there was no
county in Germany in which tho rights and
liberty of the Church have been SO limited by
the legislature as in Bavaria. 1t WAS certainly
bitterly felt by the clergy that the head of the
State, from whom they had naturally right
20 expect moro consideration, treated them
with 80 LITTLE regard The events of the later
years in Bavaria confirm the history of almost
Il whole century. We need not wonder at the
direction which the Church policy takes in
this country, when we know that King Lud-
Wig II. calls Dollinger his friend, and distin-
Euishes him publicly with proofs of his favor.
The qgesSion has often been raised How is il
that th:s unfavorable disposition against the
Catholic Church is almoat hereditary with the
BavaIlAn Mouarcbsf History furnishes us
with an answer. IL Is u well-know fact that
mothers ~ general exercise pow erful nflu-
once upou the faith and religion of child,
aud 1t IL very rarely that this influence can be
destroyed in soul, be it good or bad. Neither
rank Lor fortune makes an exception TO this
rn!e. Now, it has happened that ali the Baya-
Ran Aonarcbs, beginning with the great
grnnaFather OF tho present King, had married
Protestant princesses. The mother of the lat
Ter only embraced Catholicism after her son
had cone to the throne. The religious spirit
which prevails in families generally proceeds
from wives and mothers. Thus it was with
the Ba'a flan Regents; the cold and 10y blast
OF ProIesantisn destroyed the Catholic warmth
and pety. The Impressions and views in later
years much depend also, the Instructions
which We have received from tutors and teach
ers. King Ludwig's father was u great ad-
mlrer AID devoted pupil of tie anti Christian
Professor Dahlman, who had directed his
sCeatiLc Instruction. The Crown Prince then
attended rho lectures of his master with en-
ihusiaso and, impressed with the truth of
what he had henrd, he promised to be ever
mindt"! OF bis teachings. Ono of the principal
ndvices which be gave him was, never on any
account TO let the Catholic clergy have any
influence in the State. We know frem Pro
lessor Dahlmah's letters To one of his friends
that the King for some time thought of going
over 10 Professionalism, but that il was To
lDahiuianl who kept hlm from doing 80. The
Professor, although Protestant himself, pro-
fessed 10 faith, and Thought it best for the in
tereSts of the people that the King should re-
main \ Catholic. We need no further COM
snents upon these authentic accounts. Guided
as the present. King was, it would have been
bold TO expect the development of n truly Ca
tholic spirit.
Compulsory Military &urice in Bararia-The
IJdtI:p ZcifMHg learns that the BavuIian Gov
eminent mas recently given discourngiug replies
toyouuR theoluRians III this country who, being
OF the military uRc, had applied for informa.
ton as 70 their future immunity from service
according 10 She custom hitherto in force. The
Government Is reported 80 have replied that
the Minister of War has been strongly admon-
Ished from Berlin to discontinue the cousidera-
ton hitherto exercised in behalf of students
of theology and priests, who are to be brou ght
under the CONSUMPTION the same as other per
sons. a CaPuchin priest is NJ tho next con-
scription to exchange his cowl for the military
Innic, not TO mention students of divinity not
yet ripe for ordination, who will likewise be
made to serve.
The EaipresS Of Germany ard the Pesecgicd
NsRS.-Tne German Empress, having been re-
Gently been appealed to for protection by the
Sisters Of the Poor Child Jesus, at Neuss,
whose settlement is now threatened with forci
bio dissolution, has returned IA reply to the
Supetior OF THAT Order, which maintains or
OrPhanaEe AT the town mentioned, assuring
her Of her deepest sympathy and regret. a.
have done" continues the Empress, the only