Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-07
GERMAN SELF.WORSHIP.
Christianity Being Replaced by q Del.
fication of Military Triumphs.

Dean Lichtenberger in Harpers Magazine.
When, in 1861, William l succeeded his
brother, first as prince regent and then as king,
cessation Of the religious reaction was hoped
for. The new sovereign was said to be ami
mated with liberal sentiments, protector of
the Free Masons, and hostile to the feudal and
pietist party of the court preachers. But the
absolute and bellicose character which his
reign soon assumed destroyed all illusions so
far as concerned his relations with the church
and the religious parties. During his conflict
with the parliament Bismarck. the new chan
cellor, had to seek support for his policy in the
conservative party. In order to induce his
master to stake the destinies Of Prussia in the
struggle, first with Austria and afterward with
France, he was obliged to make the religious
chords vibrate. The king, his master in his
native honesty, had scruples which do
him honor. 1t was not until success
had crowned the policy of blood and iron, which
William had adopted with hesitation, that he
finally persuaded himself tLsth was the envoy
of Providence, the instrument chosen by Provi-
dence to chastise its enemies. and to accom-
plish the great designs which it had reserved
for Germany, the country highly favored Of
the Gospel. Henceforth his fervor became
more lively and more mystic; the praises of
the god of armies, Of the German god, for
whom floods of victorious blood had been shed.
filled his proclamations; and the ecclesiastical
reaction could feel sure of seeing many
triumphs.
1t is natural that the Germans should not
have been able to resist q sentiment of patriotic
satisfaction when they saw their dream of ma
tlonal unity finally realized, and the German
empire raised to the rank of the first military
and political power of Europe. 1t is natural
that they should have venerated the old en-
peror, and that they should profess boundless
admiration for the iron chancellor. the head of
genius which guided the docile arm. What is
less comprehensive is that the intoxication of
success should prevent the Germans from re-
alizing the dangers which this new and unpre-
cedented situation involves. The theologians
especially seem to have been literally smitten
with blindness. Not only have they applauded
the policy of injustice and violence, which
under pretext Of anne Nations, has reopened the
era OF armed conquests but they have not seen
that the sacrifice Of all liberties is dear price to
pay for the benefits OF unity and political great
ness
An eminent publicist Constantin Frantz. in
volume that attracted much attention THE
Religion of National Liberalism" has pointed
out to his compatriots the danger of this stu
alton. With courageous frankness and rare
perspicacity he has shown that Germany is
gradually replacing Christiac.., by a sort Of
worship of the nation, and substituting justifi-
cation by success in the place of justification
by faith. The church, which formed a salu-
tary counterpoise to the national egoism, has
completely misunderstood the role which cir
cumstances imposed upon it, thanks to the
servility of its chiefs and thanks to excessive
Capitalization. Instead of preaching modera-
ton in victory, humility and the fragility of
earthly glory. the church, if it has not actually
invited the German nation to bow down before
its own triumphs, has at any rate neglected to
warn it against dangerous intoxication. How
ever great may be the victories we have won,"
says Herr Frantz, 1--WE cannot boast of
that still greater victory which would have
consisted in conquering ourselves in order to
preserve an equal mind even in the midst
OF the most unhoped-for prosperity. Salts
faction with ourselves forms essentially q part
OF the spolia optima which we brought back
from France"