# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_M rz 1857_S95
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Contemporary Church History. 95

...concerning the burial of the Augsburg Confession, and so forth. In this work too, Cyprian follows the excellent method of substantiating all his assertions, so far as they touch on historical ground, historically as well, from authentic sources, and in the most convincing manner. The book therefore contains an exceedingly rich treasure of pertinent historical disclosures that one would seek in vain elsewhere. However excellently all fifteen (15) sections are worked out, and however instructive they all are, we would draw particular attention to the 7th, 13th, and 14th. The seventh, namely, treats "of the origin of the Reformed doctrine within the Roman Empire, and of the unfairness of the separation by which the first Reformed tore themselves away from the universal Christian church and from Luther in the doctrine concerning the Holy Supper, and, being foreigners, stirred up discord within the Empire besides." The thirteenth chapter contains the "proof that the Evangelicals*) have reason to demand of the Reformed a joint confession, on account of their weighty internal disputes." The fourteenth, finally, contains the "proof that ours are not to blame if the Pope has derived some advantage from the separation of the Protestants." — We recommend Cyprian's thorough work all the more gladly since, having gone through several substantial editions, it is easy to obtain secondhand. Little known as it seems to be, we have nonetheless, through diligent use of it, become convinced that it ought not to be missing from any Lutheran pastor's library.

(To be continued.)

Contemporary Church History.

I. America.

Retrograde movement of Methodism. According to the "Christian Apologist" of Jan. 29 of this year, the membership of the Episcopal Methodist body amounted last year to 800,327. The increase in members for this year therefore came to only 896 members. The "Apologist" itself accordingly adds: "The increase stands in no proportion to the manifold gifts, powers, and instruments (5161 traveling preachers, 6718 local preachers) that stand at our Church's disposal. Something must be lacking. What can it be but the growing conformity to the world in luxury and finery of dress, and a lack of spiritual life among the members and of the spirit of Elijah in the preaching office?" We add: But whence does this come, if not from the fact that the Methodist manner of conversion and care of souls is so superficial? Why does one not return to the old measures and doctrines? When almost universal death and lukewarmness prevailed in other churches, Methodism could indeed, despite its superficiality, reap a great harvest. This wheat, however, thank God, has in large part withered.

The licensing system. The Synod of Virginia, too, on the occasion of its meeting last year on Oct. 16–20 of the past year, resolved to hold fast (to adhere) to the aforementioned unbiblical, unchurchly, soul-destroying system.

*) That, as is well known, is what the Lutherans were still called at that time.