New-York tribune., 1877-11-24
GERMAN RATIONALISM.

SECOND LECTURE BY JOSEPH COOK.
RELIGIOUS THOUGHT IN GERMANY-HVANGELlCAL
BELIEF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE UNIvER-
sITIEs-CHURCH AND STATE
The Rev. Joseph Cook, of Boston, who sew
era weeks AGO lcetured NewEngland skepiicism at
Association Hall. last evening delivered companion ec
tllre at the same place ON German Ratonalism. the
two were unit. the speaker said, and comprised
the historical subjects of his course in this city, Mr.
Cook was morally supported by. the presence on the
platform OF number OF NewYOrk clergymen, by one OF
whom the Rev. Taylor Of the Broadway Tabernacle,
he was introduced the audience in cordial words
There persons present last evening than NJ
the previous lecture the assemblage notably an
intellectual one, but still the hall was not nearly ul
For the same cause that operated at his first lecture,
Mr. Cook last evening did not afford the means OF est
mating his peculiar qualities his lecture was historical
not argumentatye In substance he spoke as fouoWsf
The formation OF the German Empire closes great
epoch German history Conclusions are being reacheo
concerning political unity and religious belief III pro-
portion TO its population, Great Britain sehds
one student TO the University where Germany
sends five II is from Germany that the great
intellectual decisions come. In the neld OF coued-
tiOn and research are never outside OF
the German universities for they iniame the whole ed
OF culture. Let this evening inquire what are the
causes OF raonalsm in Germany what are the signs OF
its decay I'm the universities who are the dead and the
ars the exchange of intellect the central part Of the
commerce of ideas yet there find the conflict OF iaith
and One-sidedness. The average German nature
is not so well balanced as the EnghsG'
though broader and deeper and compeer except III the
royal English quality of sefesteem There are thrce
kinds Of heads IN Germany: G0ethes or the IegulHr'
Schilers the irregular, and Rsm9rcks, OF Ine uca
high and round, prime cause OF German latiolsin @
the church and the world was early lost ana 'o-ay Is
scarcely recognized If al all Is Bslharek y mrs
f.lr Eln1n rH "a
jew ?" was the reply They know nothing OF conver
si,u "a distincuised from confirmation. For this :ea-
SON church institutions languis, church discipline is
lax there lttle pastoral care, ana an inquiry cohcri
ing personal religion would probably result in the zeal
ops Quesiioners being shown 10 the door There are
Another gcat cause of German raiionalsm Is the mhu-
cree OF French Thought and French he. Yet Lad not
been IN PARIS week when was cured or an respect
for French rationasm. As CARLYLE eaid TO me
in bis study iu chelsea. 1ley lave done
nothing tut lie in Paris for 500 yeais.'
Paris city Of little boys Of ull age several c1an-
again, her wars have had vast influence upon
SAN and Won viii discover Tartar" In tue same way,
scratch "a German peasant Atter lhe blst scratch
you win come upon tie Of MAJ oleon after tie sec
oud upon Thirty Years War, and after he trd upon
the Middle Ages Germany FOR hundred years was the
hunting ground for the rdbbe Of all nations Too ofien
the cause OF raonasm in Europe has necn that the -
be has been thrust down tne propes trJats With tnc
bayoue and STATE Church has been supported 10y her
German Universities mas had much 10 do with German
Cernanv and the Universities absorb the intellectual ell
elgics OF tine people. Another cause OF rtuon!rin ~
Germany il slate AID 10 ratiOnalstlc ch cEes. II ma
oIity Of a coueregitiou vote to have "a raioMIisuc
preacher thev can have him, and Vet claim state ad
There are three relations OF Church ana state.
In America separation, IN England exclusive
church establishment, in Germany conclusive
Church establishment. In Germany ratiOuasm is with
in tue Church whereas in America is without ana pay
Ing Its own bills Catholicism in south Germany is an
other cause Of German ratlOnalsm, II prevents the
peasants from knowing what the Church can accom-
pi>h. First ztzen and iAen Cal1gnc, or hisl a
Catholic and lhcna citizen. this Is the Od question when
Berlin is disVutIg with Rome.
The lecture ab0unded IN those striking aud dramatic
expressions which Mr. Cook uttcrs so unexpectedly a. a.
most TO starte those wHO have ucGrd hlm most
often Following some oi them; The thirty years
war shyCrcd the bright German constellation into as;er
odds" a.Sar'. robe full pt dagger tn Iu-- as
Germany Of bate-Geids." The sun is rising Do Ger
many with God behind IT. o. We are TOO apt
to look East through English t0gs." "lre
sad ewes OF the blind aud staggering aecs.'
The ,Ophcrs passing away. Strauss laughs al
PauuS Bauer 40 strauss, keuan =, Bauef-,he hUusass
az them all Whoever follows, for many eala the trend
OF The cuustl latiOus touches c Icm az the garment
Of Almighty God" Mt Cook has finished his historical
lectures Next Friday and on Subsequent evenings DC
Will eXpOuud his own philosophy.