The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04
The Evangelical Church of Ger
manV.

The Evangelical Church of Ger
many.
American Christians in the enjoyment
of religious freedom, will feel keen sym
pathy with the earnest struggle of the
Evangelical Church of Germany for
greater liberty and independence of the
control of the state Some weeks ago we
mentioned in these columns the fact that
the tar-reaching concessions made by the
Prussian Government to the Vatican in
the matter of the May laws, had aroused
the Protestants also to ask for rights and
privileges similar to those accorded to
their Catholic neighbors What was
then only an underlined longing has I'M
expectedly, and with remarkable rapid
ity, assumed definite and tangible shape,
and given rise to strorg agitation in
the length and breadth of the Father
land. Representative Won Hammerstein,
seconded by the great Berlin religious
and political agitator Stoecker, has in
troduced into the Prussian Parliament
measures granting the Evangelical
Church the rights they ask; and al
though this motion has been temporarily
tabled, it has managed to arouse wide
spread discussion, and kas secured the
appreciation and encour zgement of con-
servative Germany everywhere. The
motion of Won Hammerstein asks for two
things, namely, grsg er freedom and
independence of the q iurch, and, Sec
ondly, more funds TO ca ~ on the work
OF the Church. In bota these respects
German Protestants haze, in their own
house and home, been Disseminated
against to their serious detriment and to
the prosperity Of their Catholic rivals. A
prominent German religious paper COM
plains 1.-THE Roman Church draws
money from the state in sums far beyond
what the Evangelical Church receives,
and the Catholic Church enjoys freedom
but for the Evangelical Church the bread
basket is always being hung up higher
land the money-t hest is locked, although
she has ali along consented to a close de-
pendente on the state. The actual in.
tent OF the Won Hatnmerstein resolutions
is, that the Church shah have the right
OF self-government and decisive voice
in the election of the theological profess.
ors, and that more means be given her
to carry on Church work. According to
present arrangements, the Emperor, as
King of Prussia, is the S1ln1aatts EIpiSco-
puS of the Prusslan Church but access
IN Church matters can be had to him
only through the consistories, by whom
the Church is governed, and who are a
pS itical and not religious body, being
appointed by the state without the voice
OF the Church. In a similar manner the
theological professors are thus appointed
and the Church, as such, has no voice
whatever in deciding who shall instruct
the coming generations of preachers and
pastors and what the character of this
instruction shall be. The time for the
agitation of these fundamental abuses
was most favorably chosen. The Pente
cost week is the regular time for the
holding of annual conferences through
out almost all Germany, and the Vol
. Hammerstein resolutions proved to be il
ali OF these the burning question, exolud
!, ing almost all other discussions. From
all parts Of Prussia come accounts o
these meetings, and almost to man TIT
rank OF the native ministry is urginl
their adoption. The German Church
notably the conservative portions, have
seldom been so unanimous on any matte
as on this; and from the character Of tn
. discussions it is apparent that they com
, from the heart. Opposition to the move
ment comes from two sides only-name
) ly from the theological professors an,
from those actually occupying position
in the Church government AS voiced
for instance, by Professors Harnack, Kat
? tenbusch, and Hermann, at the Giesse
, Conference, the former oppose the move
ment, because they fear that taking tn
control Of theological faculties out Of til
3 hands Of the state will seriously endan
ger the cause Of the freedom of scien
J t.fc research (FIejbet der TN5ssen8chaf
and the latter class naturally, in the pr
J clouao spirit, defend the actual state q
. affairs as satisfactory. 1t is surprising t
j, see how deeply this matter has take
= root in the German Church even th
D radical papers are beginning to treat th
j, demands with respect and are discussin
D their merits. The actual state OF affair
is certainly humiliatng, and the agits