The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-22
Notes about France.
(From the London Cbristian.l

(from the London Chrlstlan.)
1t is hardly possible to buy news
paper in France, and not find a reference
to the religious question. Clerical scan
dals, well or i'll founded, are constantly
kept before the public; the Church is
not allowed a single days peace, but is
being attacked like CULVER by thou
sand little darts from ali directions.
The Clericals appear greatly depressed,
and catch, like drowning men, at every
straw. They believe themselves perse-
cuted, and collect and publish every fact
that tends to encourage the idea.
a number of such instances have been
given during the last few weeks in its
diocesan news by La Senalae Catho6q,le
Each Of the narratives ends with a refer
ence to the lay schools The religious
struggle in France is between the priest
and the schoolmaster. Hitherto nanv
schoolmasters have had to exc out their
small incomes by performing the inferior
othces OF the church-such as those OF
chanter, beadle, or bellringer. Pending
a new law for the general improvement
OF the position of the schoolmaster, the
late Minister of Public instruction de-
sired the Projects of the various depart
ments to propose to the Councils, general
and municipal, to grant an indemnity to
all schoolmasters DESTROYS of relinuuisb
ing such Offices.
That the authorities referred to will
not only do as requested but in some
cases take the sum they grant to the
schoolmasters from that they formerly
allowed the clergy, the following facts,
which have just occurred, seem to sug-
gest. AT Marseilles the Municipal Coun-
ell, invited by the Project to reconsider
vote of October last, deciding no long
er to pay the house-rent of the ministers
OF the recognized religion, unanimously
determined to maintain their resolution
AT st. Etlenne, great manufacturing
town IN the centre of France, the NUM-
clpaI Council have this year decided TO
suppress all grants whatsoever in con.
nexlon with public worship.
Indeed, the iconoclastic spirit appears
rising all over France. The ma5re OF
Ravleres, who but three years ago, ac-
cordlng to Il UniUerS was a Jealous
Catholic, walking in professions and
helping to make affairs in the street, went
latel y into the school of the Commune.
and, seeing cruci6x, ordered its removal
as an object of superstition. The school
master hesltating the marie tore it down
himself. In the church of Montlucon
department OF Alier, on January last
some one set fire to a statue of the Vir.
GIN; The dress was completely DESTROYED.
and the image itself reduced almost to
ashes. This, it is said, is the third out
rage of the kind
At Brest, the great naval arsenal
Admiral Peyron has recently ordered
the suppression of the official cortSge
which, with great pomp, has hitherto at
tended mass at the chapel of the naval
cadets. He will not even allow a mill
taary band to assist any longer in the ser
Nothing can exceed the jealousy the
municipal councils in the great towns
exhibit with reference to clerical inAu-
ence In education. The Municipal Coun-
Gil OF Amiens has lately refused 10 allow
the Charities Committee to accept leo !
acy of 100000 fr., left on behalf of neces.
sltous female children, because annexed
to 1T was a condition that they q ould re-. |
oeiye Christian. e., a CathoIic-edn- !
cation. The Municipal Council of Paris
has refused to allow NJ Henri Martins
. Joan of Arc to be read in schools un-
der its control. As M. Martin is not
only the greatest living historian in
France, but also very sound Republi.
can, the placing Of one Of his works on
The democratic index must be due rather
10 the subject than its treatment. Who
would suppose that in this intensely
rational land the authorities would come
% dePrecate children reading the most
glorious page in its history But the
ravesties at La Salette and Lourdes no