New-York tribune., 1900-12-02


vance that period when
Man IA man the world over
shall brishers he and a' that.
The history cf religious liberty is a long and
glorious record OF human striving after pre-
cious and Cod given right. The heroes Of this
mobiles, freedom do not all belong TO the nine
feeuth century. Socrates died a martyr TO intel
lectual liberty; Jesus Christ taught principles
which involve the sacred lights Of conscience;
Paul exercised a glorious liberty in preaching
the doctrines which liberate the soul In the
first three Christian centuries the Church,
speaking through Justin Martyr Tertulian and
Lactantius proclaimed the right OF every man
70 worship according 10 his convictions Con-
stantine put forth the federation Edict After
TIE long night of mediaeval intolerance came the
dawn Of religious liberty. which. however, did
not reach high noon at once. Erasmus fought
priestly intolerance; Giordano Bruno was mar
tgr 10 the rights Of conscience: the founders Of
the Dutch Republic achieved both liberty and
liberation. Jeremy Taylor, Milton Locke and
Roger Williams are names not 10 be omitted
from the great story. Cromwell hefriended the
prosecuted Jews. The Mahometan Akbar was
grand exception to Moslem intolerance. Lessing
in his Nathan the Wise" Voltaire in his iercer
way. wrought much Tor the spirit and practice
OF liberation. jefferson and Madison are great
names in the history which records how the
American Republic established Itself on the
rock Of religious freedom Napoleon became, in
a measure. the emancipation Of the Jews
BUT II we contrast present conditions win
those prevailing In most civilized lands al The
beginning Of the century we shall see that one
Of the marked features Of the last hundred years
has been the Vondrous growth Of the idea OF
liberty Of conscience. In arguing with those
who oppose toleration Professor Bonet-Maury,
of the Protestant Faculty, University Of Paris,
IN his jdst published and very important His
tory Of Liberty of Conscience in France from
the Edict Of Nantes TO July. 1870" rightly says:
They f0rcet that mems beliefs are the fruits
OF liberty. and that the disposition TO impose
upon men by force any sort OF faith is 10 attack
the divinity Of conscience and TO outrage the
majesty OF the divine image which is within u.s.
TWO SERIOUS ERRORS.
He has very clearly exposed the errors Of those
who fsht the rights Of conscience. Their first
error is psychological. the notion that philosoph-
ical or religious beliefs depend directly and ex-
clusivey on the Will; and secondly, the theo-
logical crror-the notion that diversity Of re-
iigior is a fault or a transgresson Of the divine
viii
Most thinking men have come 10 realize that
toleration is q word representing an imperfect
sririt in regard 20 the rights Of the human mind
Governments which may tolerate would seem 10
reserve the right 10 Prosecute. The most des-
potic governments are tolerant toward subjects
who are too numerous or too useful 10 be killed
or exiled." But liberation is a stepping stone
20 liberty. no sensible man. acquainted with
the facts, fan 20 realize that the wide
growth 81 liberation is one Of the most i'm
portant facts OF :he century. Wherever we
look whether 10 Russia OF 10 italy, TO Germany
OF South Africa, 10 Great Britain or China to
France or Austria. we behold the area Of toera-
zion. and hence Of religious liberty, widening In
the German Empire the progress Of federation
has been conspicuous SO that according 10 Dr.
Schaft, the great Teutouic realm is committed
10 the principles Of religious liberty and equality
much the United States. and can as little
interfere with the religious convictions and the
exercise Of publlc worship deny 10 any citi-
zen his civil political rights account Of his
reHaious opinions"
By the Treaty Of Westphalia in 1913 religious
equality was granted TO The Catholic and Prot
estaut churches, but. although this limited toll
GRAFTON was not approved by the Papacy and
although the Papal Syllabus Of 1864 condemns
religious liberation among the eighty heresies
~ the age, The Catholic Church has widened in
Germany the realm of its independence. In the
long struggle between Bismarck and the Pope
JHe Papacy triumphed. and deserved 10 triumph.
T. We Inus- qualify DR.. Schan's contention that
Germany is ar free religiously as own coun-
try. IL would be by recalling The fact that ths
Jesuits were Criven out Of German territory in
lNI2 The claim is made however, that il waa
an act of self-defence against political agtators.
TOLEBATIoN IL AUSTRIA
IN Austria the history Of religious progress. be-
ginning lu 1875. eliminates with the law Of 1865.
which granted fun liberty Of religion. but a
liberty limited % the churches recognized by the
Government. Whether that freedom is enjoyed
or NOT depends largely on the sentiment Of local
authorities. federation and freedom have other
victories yet 10 be won in Austria. in Italy the
Nsldenses were emancipated in that year-1S4S
Which marks a new era Of religious prog
Fess throughout Europe. The constitutions
granted az that memorable epoch guaranteed
int FREE exercise OF divine worship Since 1870
the Free italian churches and many others have
sprung into Hfe and new Ieaven is working
ior The emancipation of the Italian mind. In
SPAN religious liberty dates its feeble begin
AlAgs from 1888 Concessions are ueutralized by
certain restrictions. for the Constitution Of 1876
iAniis the liberty of those who are not Catholics
% "ors Dip in private houses. Switzerland comes
heares- to America in religious freedom
IN France the Catholic Protestant and Jewish
churches have teen placed on a level before the
law. The right of assembly and teaching is
"eaiy unquesJioned. and Protestant mission
snes are able 10 go everywhere in France and
carry ~ their jealous propagandism. But the
spirit Of persecution is not dead in France, as is
shown boy The recent fierce agitation against the
Jews and large number Of earnest Clericalists
are opposed 10 the free spirit Of the Third Re
public The alphabet of liberation is yet 20 be
Iesfned by some Of the leading eccesIastics OF
france. VINO reRa rded with fierce disfavor the
proposition 10 hold second congress Of re-