New-York tribune., 1892-01-03
PERSECUTED METHODISTS.
~ CURIOUS BIT OF SECTARIAN SPITE IN THE
AUSTRIAN CAPITAL
Vienna nccem her Is.

lRlAN CATllAl-
Vienna, December l6
Religious intolerance is not thing one eXpec'e
to find in any European country in this age of the
world outside OF Russia. Certainly one would not
look see force used against the doctrines of one
of the greatest and respectable churches in the
world Yet such a spectacle is to-day presented IN
this city, and the object of the persecution is none
less than the great Methodist Church. There has
for some time been a church of that denomination
in Vienna, under the present pastOrate of the ReN.
Frederick Roesch 1t founded several years
ago, and has been steadily growing in numbers and
importance At first il had no fixed place of wor-
ship. But early in the present year the Baroness
Won Langenau, member of the Lutheran Church.
became interested in Mcthodism, and Joined the
new congregation. Possessing great wealth. and
having also generous disposition, she became a
great benefactOr She purchased suitable build
ing and transformed it into chapel and also
founded, in connection with it, a chdrens home
and servant girls home. These institutions were
found 10 be most useful, and the Methodist Church
was in decidedly prosperous condition.
Some of the less worthy spirits in the Lutheran
Church. however looked upon these dongs with a
jaundiced eye. They were angry because the good
Baroness had left them, and were envlouS of the
prosperity Of Methodsm They were especially
displeased because She had given much money 10
the Methodist Church, and they set TO work to ham
per her good deeds and to get revenge against the
rival congregation. for in that S-'It they regarded
the Mcthodists. Finding their first attempts at
annoyance unfruitGl. they sought official inter
ference. When the international Postal Congress
was held hero Sir Arthur Blackwood, of London.
showed much active interest in the Methodist
Cb rch, and especially in it's P"stmens Mission
Hhls gave the Lutheran malcontcns a chance TO Cry
hat the Npth nj
and the civil authorities urgently appealed TO
TO stop them. A cursory investigation. however.
quickly vndicated the MethodistS, and their foes
were driven 10 seek some other rock of offence
This they have at last found, and in the Methodist
Book of Discipline itself.
There is religious liberty in Austria But there
is also religious protection. And there is law for
bidding any public uttcrance or the promulgation of
any doctrines which are insulting TO any form OF
religious worship recognized by the Government
So these truculent Lutherans greatly pleased
when one day they noticed in the Methodist arti-
ces of belief reference to the celebration Of masses
in the Roman Catholic Church as blasphemous
fables hnd danger0ds deceits". Surely that was
an insult to the Roman Catholic Church, and that
church is the one. above all Others that is recog
nized by the Government. Forthwith they hur-
red 10 the Public Prosecutor with their discovery.
and he AT once granted their plea. He issued Il
peremptory writ closing the Methodist Church and
fOrbdding its pastor to preach anywhere in Vienna
curious feature of the case however is that
The various Anglican churches are not mocstcd, and
this shows that the anmus of the prosecutors is
simply against Che MethodiSts, because Of their pros
elyting of the Baroness Won Langenau. For the
Anglican Church is Just as much of offender a.
the Methodist Its articles of belief contain the
very same insult" in the words. Indeed,
= nf distR tn
gcther with much more of it, is identical with the
liturgy Of the Established Church of England, from
which il was taken bodily. When the Wcsleys
drew up the fundamental laws of Methodism. they
appropriated and adopted verbatim twenty-five of
the Thirty nine Articles and the thirtyiirs in the
Protestant Episcopal thus became the twentieth in
the Methodist creed II is this article that is de-
clared by the Public Prosecutor to be IAN insult
against of the religions recognized by the
State And Vet it is to be found in every English
Book of Common Prayer, many copies of which are
publicly circulated in Austria and publicly used in
the services of that church here in Vienna. Con
sistancy would therefore 10 require that the
Public Prosecutors decree he directed equally |
against every Anglican church and minister ex-
ceptng possibly the chaplain Of the British En-
bassy, who is privileged and exempt. That any |
such action will be taken is grossly impr0bab |
There is no with sufficient spite against the
Anglican Church 10 demand it: and even if there |
were. it is doubtful if the Austrian Government
could be induced to against the State Church |
Of Power whose friendship it so much desires 10
cultivate
There are many curious comments, however. upon
the present situation. IL is not the Roman Cath |
olcS prosecuting Protestants. IL is one Protestant
sect prosecuting another, and invoking the power
Of Rome to aid il in doing. Other ProtestaAts
Of all sects are watching the progress of the case
with interest and with deep regret. But the gen
eral expectation is that the Methodsts will ex-
punge the offensive words from their creed, and /
then he permitted TO go with their services. In
fact, just such course had to be taken, long ago.
by the Lutherans themselves, and by the Prcsby- /
teranss before they permitted TO enjoy the re-
]igious liberties of the Empire.