The Owosso times., 1882-02-17
BOARDERs wANTED.-At the Estey
House near ID. & NJ. Depot. $3.50 pei
week.-Mrs.. B. G. McCrccdy.

week.-Mrs.. B. G. McCrecdy.
The two greatest religious forces in
this world are Professionalism and CathOl-
icism. Europe has been the scene of the
seyercst conflict between these forces for
the past three centuries. Everybody is
is acquainted. more or less with the
great struggle, the battle of Armagedden.
Let US see by a study of some of DR..
Dorchcster's exhibits how the battle goes
to-day.
"Statistcians are nearly agreed that in
the year 1900 Europe had population of
100. 600, 900. all Roman Catholics except
portions of Russia. Turkey, Greece aud
the Ionian Isles where the Mohammedan
and Greek religions prevailed; The few
Waldcnsc, Hussites. Lollards and Jews
combined were insignificant elements
compared to the whole. Eighty millions,
OF four fifths may SAT ely be estimated as
the papal population of Europe at tina,
time. Passing over the three and three
quarters centuries to the pre- sent, the
population of Europe is now divided re-
ligiously rs follows; according to Prof.
Schern; Roman Catholics 140, 900, 900;
Greek Church rs, 0oO. 900; Protestants "A,
100000; MohammedAns 6,GoO, 900: Jews
$500, 900. total 800, 100000
Rominlsm starting on a basis of so, 900,
c)0 in 1900. his gained 90 900 ,000 while
Professionalism starting soon after from !,
basis of nothing has gained "A, ZOO, 900 of
adherents in the same territory.
The population of Europe in this time
gained three fold, but Rom,nism did moi
double hers with all the advantages she
had. while Professionalism gained all OF
hers ia the face Of powerful opposition.
| Within the last twenty i've years tho
rel tive ch inge in the two force has beer
remarkable. 1t is frequently observed
tlat Ron .nIsm all over Europe is smitten
with decay. The populations of Roman
Catholic countries are having mcagr,
| grOwths, while those of Protestant coun
tries are advancing. In 1900 Spain and
italy were among the leading powers OF
Europe, now they are among the weaker.
When the 'Invincible Armada" threat
encd to overthrow protestant England
Spain could boast of 43, 800. 900 subjects
ow she has only IL O)O,0)0 England
Wales and scotland then numbered only
aboat 10000 now they have NOR,
han $1,000 900 besides colonial subj oct,
all over the world swelling the numb:i
to 800, 900. 900; AMI while their wealth has
increased hundred fold and more, Spain
has become impoverished.
In Italy under the very eyes of the
Pontiff the old foundations are sliding
away. Said Garaba!di in letter moi
long ago There is no place OIL cartl
where the Pope is less regarded than III
Rome. From the window of the Vatican
he beh0ld' the flag of the reprobate king
who rules in his stead, and depository
of Bibles with its eager seekers after the
word of life" The work of gospel propa
CATION is carried forward in Italy now
with the same freedom us in other parts
of the world. The different Protestant
Churches are planting their mission sta
lions in various parts of the peninsula
while in the City of the Seven Hills seven
| different Protestant den JmiGations are
building their churches organizing their
schools and giving to the people the free
word OF God Professionalism has numer
IFS distinct missionary societies ut work
mong the papal nations Of Europe: viz
in Ireland eight, in France eight, in
Italy, Sicily and Malta seventeen; in
spain. Gibraltar. Portugal and Madeira
nineteen, making in all fifiytwo mission
ary societies, with their stations and sub
stations, ministers and helpers. schools
and presses laboring among the Roman lists
IF Europe. And their labors are being
crowned with rich results.
France, which few years ago. and
for centuries had been so completely I'M
der the papal power has become one OF
the most promising fields for evangclistiC
work in all the world Since the loss OF
the temporal power of papacy in Italy, it
has rapidly declined in France, and each
successive election reduces its influence
in the Cabinet and the Assembly. There
are now more than CSC, 900 Professionals in
the Republic.
In some of the smaller powers OF
Europe as Bavaria, Belgium AMI Austria
Catholicism holds something like its for.
mer sway, except that in no country is
the papal power longer supreme.