NOT GOSPEL CONVERSIONS.
By Editor
UNDER the heading, "Conversions in Mass," the New York Observer tells us that the German extremists of Austria threaten "to renounce the Catholic faith and accept Protestantism in a body. The motive of the proposed change is political, the maintenance of German ascendancy in the monarchy, which the Germans claim as the more enlightened of the races within the composite empire. Now this ascendancy is seriously menaced by the increasing demands of the Slavs, and by the concessions made by the crown in the decree placing Czech on an equal footing with German as an official language. The German radicals, therefore, hope to find in closer relations with Germany, whose royal house is not noted for its disinterestedness, a weapon which may replace the Austrian Germans in the position they claim,—that of a dominant minority ruling a majority, or, if not, may lead to their final absorption into the German Empire. Such relations would, they think, be greatly promoted by conversion in mass to Protestantism, the dominant religion of Germany. For the governing men of Germany would have not only more sympathy for the Austrian Germans in their struggle for ascendancy, if they were7of the same faith, but also, as they would not increase the German Catholic vote, less hesitation in adding them to the empire, if that alternative became necessary. The German extremists believe, therefore, that either solution of their political problem would be furthered by the conversion of the Austrian Germans to Protestantism." And this might accomplish a political object for a time; but when disappointed, or believing that more would be gained by returning to the Roman Catholic Church, the same motive, if the object desired be sufficient, would carry them back. It would seem that it need not be said that such conversions are purely political, and of the basest sort. They have not even the principle which often moves a man to change his politics. It is a change for pure self-interest. Such a change might be spoken of as a conversion to "Protestantism," that is, a conversion to an ism or system opposed to Rome; but it is not a conversion to the Protestantism of the Reformation, or to the Christianity of Christ and the apostles. True conversion to Christianity, to true Protestantism (which rightly regarded Christianity a life, not a system), is individual and personal. It pertains to a man's personal attitude toward God, to his relations and vital connection with God. No political revolution or resolution accomplishes this; it is accomplished by each man yielding to God for himself, whether any other soul goes with him or he stands alone. Protestantism has too many of the sort of converts that the German Austrians propose to give. We will see, no doubt, much of these kind of conversions among the heathen in the future, but be not deceived. Such acceptance simply puts the religion of Christ on the same basis as its counterfeits.