st interests of
their country, have generally found that the most discontented of their
subjects are the most skeptical. Infidelity and error have
systematically arrayed themselves against civil authority. This
infidelity does not always assume the same type; for, while in Germany
it was a general disbelief in the authenticity of the Scriptures, in
France it was the rejection of the existence of God and of the
immortality of the soul. Even Robespierre testified before the French
National Convention of 1794, that "the idea of a supreme Being and of
the immortality of the soul, was a continual call to justice, and that
no nation could succeed without the recognition of these truths." A
revolution in Christendom, which has its basis in the skeptical nature
of man, or in an anti-scriptural idea, may succeed for a while, but it
must eventually fail; because, like a vessel without compass, chart, or
star, it lacks the cardinal elements and safeguards of progress and
security.

FOOTNOTES:

[62] Appleton's _New Am. Cyclopaedia; Art. Hegel_.

[63] _Life of Jesus._ Ch. I. American Edition.

[64] Cf. _Revue des Deux Mondes_. Vol. 16.

[65] _Life of Jesus_, 852-3.

[66] _New York Independent_ and _New York Christian Advocate and
Journal_--1864.

[67] In _Wesen des Christenthums_, Leipsic, 1841.

[68] The hesitation to become independent was very decided, even as late
as July, 1775.--Bancroft, _History of the United States_. Vol. 8: pp.
55-6.

CHAPTER XII.

THE EVANGELICAL SCHOOL. ITS OPINIONS AND PRESENT PROSPECTS.

There is a group of theologians who deserve to stand side by side with
the immediate opponents of Strauss and his disciples. We mean the
Mediation or Evangelical School. They represent the advance of German
theology from Rationalism to positive orthodoxy. Beginning with able and
irrefutable arguments for the Evangelists, they have extended their
discussions to other important branches of Scriptural defence. As a
consequence, they have built up a valuable apologetic literature which
will occupy a prominent place in the theology of the church.

But, in order to portray the character of the Evangelical School, we
shall need to dwell upon certain members in particular.[69]

Not least in honor and achievement is the late Karl Ullmann. He
contributed to the _Studien und Kritiken_, a quarterly established by
himself and Umbreit, an article on the sinlessness of Christ, which he
subsequently elaborat