, 1879-04-20
THE PROTESTANT CHURCH N GERMANY:

THE PROTESTANT CHURCH IN GEhhAh9. I:
The RELIGIOUS controversies IN Germany, 1t
seeu,s. are about to be intensified by sch'sln
in the Established Protestant Church. The
London Saturday Rsuie.o explains the matter
by saving that it has been proposed to enact
a law granting sort Of divorce, OF Mt least
furnishing the means for divorce, between
tha +" Orthodox" and Liberal" parties IN
the Established Church Of Germany, which
is the Protestant 5: Evangelical" It will 10
remembered that some years ago there was
A dissension in the Roman Catholic Church
of Germany, growing out of the adoption OF
the dogma of Infalhbility, tho dissent'ents
organizing under the name of sod Catho-
lies" The Government thoreupon inter-
fered, and By law protected the Old Catholics
in their ecclesiastical Us, well rs property
claims. Ills now proposed to enact aslm-!
liar law to protect the Liberal Protestants IN
the same way agains. the Established Church.
From the articles published on this subject
iu the English and German papers we gather
the following facts:
1871 the Lutheran and the Reformed
Tor Cnltinistic) Churches we're consolidated
by the King Of Prussia, FREDERICK WILLIAM
Ill, under the name of the -Erangettscho
.Eirche, which has continued ever since as
one body, and the only Protestant Church
recognized by the State. Tie union has
been rigidly maintained by the Government;
but there has been at all times protest
more or less vigorous, and the opposing fac
tions may be likened to those in the English
Church and known as the 'sHigh" and
GLOW" Church parties, represented by the
Orthodox and the Liberal, while there is
section such as in England would be called
the ssBroad Church" The original differ
ences have been growing wider and deeper
for years, and it is stated that it was only
by the personal Intervention Of the German
Emperor that the Apostles Greed was saved
two years ago from being tabooed by one Of
the Consistories, when the Rationalists pre-
dominated" The idea Of separation has
therefore become more. than mere senti-
ment. It is suggested by irreconcilablo
antaeonisms, personal and theoretic. The
proposed law, originating with Liberal cler-
gyman, has, however, produced dissension
among the Liberal church-members. Some
of the ecclesiastical tribunals, which we sup
pose are controlled by the Calyinistic or Or
thodox body, have recently rendered judg-
ments adverse to some Of the Liberal congre-
cations, and this has resulted in q crisis
The proposed law permits the Liberals 10
retain their status as part Of the State
Church, and their share of tho Church
property, and also to maintain an independ-
ence of the authority of the general Church.
The Liberals, il made Independent and
retaining their property, do not object
to o spiritunl communion with the
Established Church; but the other side
the Orthodox body-violently object, de-
claring that the fundamental principles of
the Liberals are SO opposed to the Bible and
to the Church that it is by mere incon-
sistency they are preserved from falling
into the gulf Of "atheistic mnterialism. +"
The one party demands. freedom Of thought
and Of action as an essential principle Of
Professionalism, while the other asserts the
exercise of authority as necessary to protect
Evangelical Christianity from destruction.
The differences are of that Kind which seem
to be irreconcilable, and which always find
their solution, in church matters, in separa-
ton by the contestants.
A writer in the Algemeino Zetung, Lib
eral, strongly opposes separation. He con-
siders that the Liberals form strong force
in the religious as we'll as moral resistance to
11nterinlism and Pessimism. As part Of the
United Church, they strengthen The cause Of
religion; separated, the two branches Of the
Church are weakened. He declares that
even the Orthodox are divided, one branch
combining ''true Christianity" with their
dogmas, while the other ars simply 'bald
and iude1iblo dognatists,' with " slavish
belief in the letter." This difference Of
opinion is tolerated, and why rot the Lib
erals? It is admitted that the Orthodox arc
in minority, md he seems to be sensible
that the authority of the Church will be re-
spected in case Of a separation by those who
are not able to appreciate the subtle ques~
tions on which the separation will take place,
thereby weakening the Liberal cause, which
is already in minority. Tho Orthodox put
forward three points as essential, and which
they will not compromise. These are belief
in miracles, belief in the divinity of Christ,
and in the authority Of the Bible. On these
points the Liberal branch Of the Church de-
1nand aud practice the widest toleration Of
opinion. While disbelief in miracles is