1845. 1846.

1847.

1848.

1845. 1846. 1847. 1848.

KING OF PRUSSIA'S SPEECH-DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON IT-POLITICAL DEMORALIZATION THE RESULT OF INFIDELITY-EC

CLESIASTICAL STRUGGLES LIKELY то ISSUE IN POLITICAL CHANGES-CONVERSION OF THE LITHUANIANS то THE GREEK CHURCH-BIBLE DISTRIBUTION IN RUSSIA, AND AMONG THE LUTHERAN SOLDIERY IN THE RUSSIAN

SERVICE-SINGULAR ACCOUNT OF A TRIBE OF IDOLATERS IN RUSSIA CONVERTED TO THE GREEK CHURCH.

Shores of the Baltic, May, 1847. THE pages of "Evangelical Christendom " are not, I am well aware, de

signed to be the vehicle of political intelligence or political sentiments; and yet, in the present day, the religious and the political, the civil and ecclesiastical, concerns of the kingdoms of this world, and those of that kingdom which its divine Founder so emphatically pronounced to be "not of this world," are so intermingled and intergrown, partly as the result of old political relations, and partly with a view to erecting new ones, that it is extremely difficult to depict even Evangelical Christendom " in its true colours, without adverting to those struggles to maintain, or to subvert, existing state-policy, which so peculiarly characterize the age in which we live. In this point of view, the assembling, for the first time, of the

Prussian Estates General may claim notice in a religious periodical, as now occupying the eager attention of very many who both "fear God, and honour the King," and who (however they may differ as to the fittest mode of accomplishing it) are yet sincerely as one in desiring to see civil and religious liberty maintained and extended. Such notice is, perhaps, the more called for from the circumstance, that a closer acquaintance with the texture of German society, in all its phases, than many foreigners possess, is requisite, in order to escape the danger of passing harsh, if not false, judgment on the most prominent movers in passing events.

The speech with which His Majesty Frederick William IV. opened his first Parliament, has naturally been the subject of most lively interest, and as naturally of most widely differing comments, although all parties bear testimony to the energetic eloquence which it displayed, (a gift which the Prussian Monarch possesses in an eminent degree,) the high-souled courage which breathed in its uncompromising language, and the honest conviction from which it emanated. To one paragraph especially every Christian heart must throb a joyful response,-I mean that in which, alluding to the efforts made by disloyal and infidel writers to inveigle and misguide the people to their temporal and eternal ruin, the King said, "Yes; even in our national Church the fruits of this tree of death have manifested themselves, by the twin poisons of indifferentism and fanaticism. This, indeed," he continued, "is no place for religious discussion, our ecclesiastical confessions both possessing their legal and authorized organs; yet I cannot possibly refrain from this day making my confession, in reference to the fearful attempts which have been made to rob my people of their most sacred jewel,their faith in our common Saviour, our divine Lord and King. And this my confession," (Frederick William rose from his throne, and held up his right hand to heaven as he spoke these words,)"this my confession is,-' As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!'" Such sentiments so nobly avowed, must endear the royal confessor to all true and loyal hearts.

But as neither deepest reverence nor strongest affection can insure complete conformity of sentiment, so the political principles developed in the course of the King's speech are variously regarded by different classes of politicians. The

an

strongly conservative and, in some sort, autocratic principle, which lays down all extension of privilege as a free, unclaimable boon of royal generosity; the declaration that the period of re-summoning the Estates is wholly optional with the Monarch; the unequivocal nouncement, that the King is, and will maintain his position as, sole lawgiver, coupled with the pretty plain hint, that the decision, whether this first may not likewise prove the last meeting of the Estates General in his reign, depends on the spirit evinced by the present Deputies, has given umbrage to not a few ardent spirits, more especially from the southern and northernmost provinces of Prussia's widely-scattered dominion.

Others, again, hail every word of the speech as little, if at all, short of oracular; and that, not because uttered by the King, but because it chimes in with their own conservative views, and seems to offer some counterpoise to the dread evils anticipated by those best conversant with the fearful extent to which negation of all divine, and contempt of all kingly, authority have been preached by the several propagandi of "Young Germany," "Young Switzerland," and the government-contemning Communists. A third and very numerous class, numbering among them many enlight. ened men, including all those whose watchful perusal of Europe's later history has induced the conviction that it is safer to let the people talk than to confine them to acting; and that the most seductive engines of secret societies— mystery and alleged oppression-would be taken out of the hands of their leaders, were free discussion of all supposed abuses permitted to a legalized body of representatives; deplore the Prussian Monarch's partial abandonment of the ordinance of the 17th of January, 1820; feeling assured that there would have been more safety, as well as honour, in its observance than in its breach.

Britons, long accustomed to regard chartered rights as their dearest possession, will, naturally enough, feel surprised that any can think otherwise: and yet, the recklessness with which revolution, club-law, equality of rank, and community of goods, have been boldly avowed both in word and writing; the zeal, worthy a better cause, with which tracts and brochures, containing those seductive views, are circulated gratis among the now deeply-suffering proletarians; and the truly diabolical care taken to render the poor victims equally unscru

pulous as daring, by uprooting all belief in God, judgment, and eternity; may well excuse those, acquainted with these "depths of Satan, where his seat is," for shrinking from placing political liberty within the reach of men so little fitted to use it safely either for others or themselves. Nothing short of a succession of papers could convey to your readers any adequate idea of the state of political demoralization which infidelity, whether under a Romanist or Protestant veil, has been the instrument of introducing, and with which Prussia has now to contend, particularly in her Rhenish and northern provinces. Rank and bitter is the harvest now flourishing in those regions, to the empoisonment of the public mind, from the seeds so diligently sown, at various times, by Voltairian sarcasm, Kantian philosophy, and Straussian Socinianism. The aristocratic classes have long looked on with calm indifference, if not with actual satisfaction, at the rapid conquests made by rationalistic over scriptural Christianity among the million; but the intimate connexion between infidelity and anarchy, between men thinking they can save themselves, and rule themselves, is every day coming forth in bolder relief.

The struggle between the modern Illuminati and the upholders of orthodoxy, has not only reached a wide extent, but attained a strongly political character; and however sincere some admirers of philosophical Christianity may be in their belief, that they have but cast off the non-essentials; of the ancient faith, and however just the abstract principle, that the energy and essence of Christian faith demands free hope if it shall deserve the name of conviction; still it is palpably evident to every calm observer, that the efforts now making are essentially revolutionary, and that in all the stages of the present ecclesiastical ferment, party-spirit and political bias impel, consciously or unconsciously, every grade, from the iron orthodoxy of the old Lutherans, down to the unblushing Rationalism of Feurbach. An overturning spirit is at work, and one which must, sooner or later, operate political change, if not convulsion; for, in the first place, it is undeniable, that the old tenets, which held Christians aloof from the world and its politics, and prescribed their province to be the "leading of quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty," are generally regarded as antiquated, and wholly unsuited to the manhood to which the human race has now attained; while, on

the contrary, principles inculcating a lively and active share in all worldly arrangements, political rights, and social advancement, are made to occupy the foreground. In the second place, we must note, that every congregation desirous of constituting in this country a free and independent body, is unavoidably forced into a state of political opposition, because, as things are now, every sign of such separate existence is, in Germany, a virtual antagonism towards the state-protected Church; and the greater the degree of the enlightenment and intellectual advancement possessed by such congregation, the more will the anomaly between its claims and wishes, and the claims and wishes of the state, be clearly seen and deeply felt. Were such congregation impelled to sever from the Established Church by the necessity (real or supposed) of greater conformity to God's revealed will, no political danger could accrue, because that will is the basis of all the binding relations between man and man; but when human reason is to be the rule of right, it requires not a Solomon's wisdom to foresee, that "religious liberty" may easily serve as a watchword for rebellion and rapine. So much for the boasted harmlessness of philosophic religious views. Nor, when we learn their prevalence, can it excite any surprise, that the Lutheran Church should be shook to its very foundations by the open attacks of the Friends of Light, and the sapping advances of the Schleiermacher school; or that the Russian Autocrat finds so favourable a theatre for the exhibition of his proselyting zeal in the once-Lutheran Baltic provinces, that a recent Petersburg Gazette could announce the conversion of fortyfive thousand Lithuanians and Esthonians to the Greek Church!

The explanation of the fact thus stated is as simple as it is grievous. In Germany, the attempt to unite outward conformity with the right of private judgment, produced a laxity of interpretation as to the foundation-pillars of Christian faith, which sanctioned the admission and retention of Preachers, whose unbelieving "leaven" has gone near to "leaven the whole lump," while, in the Baltic provinces, the indolence of some, the intolerant bigotry of others, and the unbelief of a third class of Ministers, led to a neglect of their flocks both as to pulpit and school instruction; and, as is unfailingly the case, the work they were unable or unwilling to do themselves, they would not suffer any one else to perform.

Accordingly, at their instigation, the Moravian Missionaries were complained of as intruders; their chapels shut up, and themselves officially silenced. Now left to eat the fruit of their own doings," even the most careless "read their sin in their punishment," and would gladly aid the once-despised, faithful Lutheran Pastors in rescuing their flocks from the "paw of the bear.' But reflection and remorse may come too late. And such will be the case, it is to be feared, with thousands, who, unless God in his mercy "grant them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth," must bear the heavy penalty of their Esau-like preference of temporal advantages.

While lamenting over the triumphs which unbelief is permitted to make, whether by means of lofty pride of understanding, or of debased and venal ignorance, it is refreshing to meet with proofs, that God will and does work, despite every hinderance, and in the most unpromising positions; and perhaps the lesson designed to be taught us by this a lesson which we are, indeed, particularly slow to learn-is, that as no weapon formed against God can finally prosper, so neither can the most efficient weapons forward the divine cause, unless used in entire dependence on God's blessing. But it is, we say, refreshing to learn, that even in Russia, although Missionary stations have been broken up, and Bible distribution much abridged since the accession of the reigning Emperor, good is yet being effected, and the truth is making its way, with the silent, fructifying power of the morning rain and the evening dew. Bible Societies now indeed exist among the Protestant population only. But they are active and watchful to seize every opportunity of usefulness which comes in their way. The Mittaw Bible Society makes it a rule to present a Bible to every bridal pair at the altar. The poor receive it gratis; and the more wealthy willingly purchase the sacred volume at a price above its current value, in order to enable the Society to bestow so appropriate a gift on the poorer couples. This Society likewise circulates a great many copies among the military the heart-felt longing to possess, and the joy at obtaining, a New Testament, expressed by the Lutheran

soldiery in the Russian service, is often most affecting.

was

Some short time since General Superintendent Flittner, of Narva,* visited by no fewer than seventy soldiers, quartered in a neighbouring small town, who came, with the permission of their officer, to request the privilege of partaking of the sacred supper. All of them belonged to the Lutheran communion; but by birth they presented a motley group of Germans, Livonians, Esthonians, Fins, and even a few Russians. "I spoke to them," says Dr. Flittner, in his report, "in German, Russian, and even in the Letti tongue, as well as I could; but the Lord spoke much more impressively, as well as effectively, to them by his Holy Spirit, through the medium of his written word; for, as I happened to have a number of New Testaments in their various languages lying by me, I invited them all, as soon as the church service was over, to come home with me, promising each who could read the gift of a New Testament. Never shall I forget the impression which the scene that followed made upon me; and I often think back on it, as affording proof, that a heart-felt longing for the word of God may surpass the keenest desire for temporal gain which can exist in the breast of the most carnally-minded; and its possession confer a higher degree of satisfaction than is felt by the worldling, even when his wine and oil do most abound.' I called each of the soldiers separately into my study, and made him read a few verses from a New Testament in his native tongue; and strongly characteristic were the effects produced on some of them. An old, grey-haired veteran, a Livonian, whose resolute air and muscular frame seemed to proclaim fear a stranger to his bosom, who had crossed the Balkhan, fought at Varna and Brailoff, who had been at the storming of Wola, and entered Warsaw in triumph, seized the book I held out to him, pressed it to his heart and lips, exclaim. ing, while big tears coursed each other down his deeply-furrowed cheeks, 'Many, many thanks, reverend Sir ! It is long since I have had it in my power to enter a Protestant church, to listen to the word of God in my native tongue, or to approach the table of my adorable and ever-blessed Redeemer. Often have I

sighed for spiritual consolation, and, in hours of bodily danger or soul-distress, have prayed God to be gracious unto me, and help me and now my prayer is heard; for in this book I possess a treasure, which will make me rich and happy to my last hour. Again, reverend Sir, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

a

"Another soldier told me, that on entering the army as a recruit, thirteen years before, he had received from his mother a small book of prayers as her parting gift, which he had succeeded in preserving throughout all the Turkish and Polish campaigns. Many a bullet had pierced his knapsack: many heavy day's rain penetrated even to his book, which had been twice soaked through and through. But he had redried it carefully again, and borne it along with him, to his great comfort and encouragement, for about twelve years. At length, about a year ago, he said, his treasured book had become so entirely worn out, that the leaves literally fell to pieces. Since then he had felt the most ardent longing to obtain some similar book in his own language: indescribably great, therefore, was his joy on receiving the volume which excels all others, and from which he declared nothing but death should part him.

"But never did I behold such deep, unfeigned, nay, I may say, such ecstatic, joy, as was shown by a young Livonian of about twenty-five years of age, on getting a New Testament. He kissed

my hands and the hem of my robe, patted me caressingly on cheek and shoulder, and protested to me, both in Livonian and Russian, while his tearfilled eyes were sparkling with delight, that he would never cease to pray to God Almighty to bless me, my wife, and children; expressing his full confidence that God would hear him, and that the last great day would reward me for the inexpressible benefit I had conferred on him. He told me, that since becoming a soldier, he had often saved money with the view of buying a New Testament, and had many times tried to find out where one could be purchased, but always without success; and so, in despair of gaining his desire, he had laid out his savings on something else. But that now, having so unexpectedly become possessed of the jewel he had so long sought in vain, it should assuredly be treasured by him to his dying breath.

"After the whole company had retired with many lively expressions of

joy and thankfulness, and I was sitting pondering over the scene I had just passed through, a knock was heard at the door, and an old soldier re-entered, whom I had not particularly noticed in the crowd. He was an Esthonian by birth; and after making me a deep reverential bow, he stammered out, 'O Sir, you did not think me fit to get a New Testament, because I cannot read! It is very true, I am an old man, and my stupid head is no longer capable of learning that which I neglected in my youth. My time of service, however, will be out next spring, and I shall then return home to Esthonia. I have a wife and two children; and I therefore make bold to beg a New Testament, that they may be instructed in God's word, and so become better and more pious than I am.' I need scarcely say his request was granted; and O, with what a joybeaming countenance did the old man hasten after his companions!"

On reading such an account as this, do we not involuntarily revert in spirit to the seven thousand hidden ones who had "not bowed the knee to Baal," and feel revived with the thought, that even in these dark and troublous times, God may have yet "reserved to himself," not seven, but seventy times seven thousand who, unseen and unknown to us, are scattered throughout the world, and preparing, if not to swell the enrolled ranks of the church militant, at least to join that "multitude which no man can number," and which, "gathered out of all peoples, and nations, and tongues, shall stand before the throne of God and the Lamb!" May the not-unwarranted hope enable us, instead of asking, in our secret soul, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" to "thank God, and take courage to proceed in the way of duty? T. B. K.

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P.S. A rather singular account has recently found its way into the daily papers, of the conversion of a heathen tribe, which remained until very lately in the practice of their ancestral idolatry in the Russian empire. The statement given is shortly as follows:-In the district of Birsk, on the Russian frontier, in an isolated corner, and surrounded by impenetrable forests, lived a nation of idolatrous Tscheremissen, who were subjected to the rule of the Minister for the imperial domains, and who formed a special society among themselves under the name of Wedris-Kalmasch. The religion of this tribe consisted of a tissue