The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-23

Martin Luther went on from that time
All oyer Europe, until 1t burst out N
France toward the end OF the last cen
fury IN that astounding social convul-
sion which we call the French Revou-
tion." On an article headed THE Res.g-
nation of the French PresidentD
Here the Reformation Of the sixteenth
century IS placed In causal relation TO
the French Revolution towards the end
of the last century. For this there is no
other reason than precedence in time.
There was not. as Is affirmed in the arti-
Gle. "a part Of the Reformation led By
Martin Luther" whether IL be called "A
democratic movement for human free
DOM or anything else, which haahy
burst out in that astounding soclai CON
wilson which We call the French heFoiu-
tion
Now. indeed, II "a democratic move
ment for human freedom" has q natural
tendency thus to burst out, and TO dos
som into such fruits as the french heVo-
luton: In other words, II there DE any
causal affinity between the two, "hy'
were IL not better for us TO abandon our
precious democratic form or government
at once? Are such things in store ior US
In this country OF democratic freedom
Stop. We people or your march 10 iree
dom: you are on the way TO the FrehcH
Revolution, or does the article, perhaps
mean that said democratic movement LOT
human freedom, as part OF the Retotina-
ton led by Martin Luther. was what IL
further on calls this destruction Of all
reverence for authority II so, and Il
the Reforation had any part or element
or germ of this sort in 1t. then, indeed,
there would be a caYsal aftiLlty between
RpN0lfftiGn
must we look 10 find out? Evidently IN
the great historical standard OF the he
formation as led by Martin Luther, To-
wit. the Augsburg Confession. There we
read In Article XVI, of civil Policy ah'.
Government: Concerning civil pOiity ana
government. it IS e ught tn lt all aulhoI''E
I'm the world, established governments ana
laws. are good and divine" And In Aru-
Gle XVIII, OF the power Of the bishops
or clergy, we read: concerning the power
of bishops much has been written IN
former times, and some have Improperly
mingled together civil and ecclesiastical
power. From. this Heterogeneous commiN-
tire extensive wars, Tebellions and insur-
rections have been produced by the pom
tins having. under pretence of power
given them by Christ. not only established
new modes Of worship. and oppressed
of certain cases. and with violent eX-
communications, but also presumed 10
dethrOne kings and emperors at pleasure
and 10 place others i'm their stead. Tn
presumption has long since been cen
sured b. learned and plous men, Hence
those who think with us. for the purpose
Of consoling the conscicnces Of men, have
been compelled TO point out the lines OF
distinction between civil and ccclesiasti-
cal power And they have taught that
both civil and ecclesiastical power, 1l
account Of Gods commandment. oughs 10
be hOnOred and sustained with all sin
cerity, as the two greatest blessings OF
God on earth There Is nothing of the
destruction of authority in that on the
contrary. by setting forth the respective
provinces of Church and State, the au-
thorty of both was strengthened, and
kings and princes in most Protestant
countries inserted in the Church prayer
Thanksgiving for this blessing of restor-
ing civil government TO its proper au-
thorty which they owe to the Reforma-
ton. We here find the healthy principle
of true conservatism; clearing up the
heterogeneous commixture of Church
and State. which has always been the
cause of wars, rebellions and revolu-
lions, 1t puts both kinds of authority
into healthy. beneficent action.
or, perhaps. the peasant war In the
sixteenth century was such a demo-
cratic movement for human freedom, as
a part Of the Reformation led by Martin
Luther But what do the facts show.
This, that Martin Luther was the strong
This: That Martin Luther was the strong
est and most efficient opponent Of that
war, and showed that the pen was
mightier than the sword. and that Martin
Luther among all his bitter enemies, had
a0ne more bitter than the leaders Of that
war. How then could that war be a
part of the Reformation led by Martin
Luther? True. historic philosophy will
say that the peasant war resulted from
the heterogeneous commixture of Church
ana State. and from the tyranny Of con
science which this commixture always en-
Tails. 1t will say IL WAS a blessing tOi
the world that the Reformation was then
IN operation, by which that war was
Quelled as the princes and mobiles them
selves had 10 acknowledge. Why did not
the French Revolution burst out in some
Protestant country, where all the parts
and germs Of the Reformation led by
Martin Luther had a chance 20 bear
their fruits? Why not in Norway anC
Sweden? Why not in Ensland2 Why moi
IN GermanyF why not IN our own De-
loved country? Why in France where
every germ OF the Reformation was
smothered meath the blood OF the might
of st. Bartholomew. and that with tho
sanction Of that heterogeneous cOmmiX-
ture Of Church and State? And now, "
philosophers Of history. look at tht
French Revolution IN this light, and say
what might have been the extent Of that
astounding social CONFUSION but for the
Reforma ton led by Martin Luther
4 4 OEHT SCHT ,Af,fiER