The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-10-10
Disintegration of Professionalism.
Iiterary Digest.l

1t has long been the theory of Roman Catholic
critics that Professionalism must fall to pieces by
us own innate weakness. To which Protestant
scholars have replied that their church is strong
because it Is built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets as revealed in the Scrip
lures. In view of the fact that through the one
ration of the higher criticism many Protestant
churches are discarding traditional Scriptural
principles, some conservative Protestants are
themselves incining to the belief that the dsinte
grafton of Professionalism is an actual danger Tn
the "Alte Claude" Qeipsic No. 49,. well known
German Protestant church paper this view finds
expression in rather strong TERMS in a series of
discussions on the recent German elections. We
quote as follows:
he recent elections to the Reichstag have
revealed the deplorably weak hold of the German
Protestant state churches ON the mind of the
pubic. 1t Is not surprising that the Ultramontane
press IS boasting loud and long that German Pro-
testanusm no longer has any roots in the nation
and that its end has come. Conservative Protest.
ant Journals declaring that a really Christian
people would have selected a different parliament
and that If the church were a real power in the
hearts and minds of the people the elections in
the leading Protestant country of Europe would
not nave resulted IN such marked victory of its
enemies, the SOcial-Democrats and the Roman
taught by the Reformation, of making ones own
conscience the arbiter in matters of creed and
deed, has degenerated into absolute subiectyeness
that acknowledges no authority and no com
mands.
The current Protestant theological schools
nave succeeded IN reducing Christianity to q re-
hglous phenomenon which is but one of kind
ana IS 1ndIssolubly connected by its history and
ideals with other great types of religion, such as
Heathendom Islam and Judaism. If any suprem-
acy Is accorded to Christianity it is not that or
the one truth over against the many forms of err
ror but at most only the prominence of a Eprimus
inter pares,' According to a critical Protestant
theology, the absolute truth of Christianity must
De sacrificed IN the interests of scientific research
This process of disintegration in fundamental
principles is finding its way into Protestant pulpits
and pews and the popularizing' of the latest re
suits OF the very newest criticism In school and
press is one of the demands of the day. In the
same way the attitude of critical thought toward
the person and work of Christ is changing. For
many Jesus Christ is little nothing more than
a model man and a great moral teacher but not
the eternal Son of God.
And now what are the fruits that Protestant
Germany is reaping from this abuse of the prin-
clple of individual rights in matters of faith
what IS happening is simply that the two great
enemies OF Professionalism, Social Democracy and
roman Catholicism. are crowding it to the wall
and planting their banners where the Protestants
themselves have discarded their own fundamental
principles lhe fact of the matter is, the Center
or Catholic party in parliament, being unit in
action, really rules the country, of which two
thirds of the population is at least nominalIy
PROTESTANT; and the Protestant emperor is COM
PEELED to come to an understanding with the Gath
Ole Center is order not to allow the Social-Demo
Gratis and other radical parties to become the real
ruling power in the land"