6 JULY 1872, Page 2

The orthodox majority in the French Protestant Synod appea determined

to drive out the heretical minority. They have not only accepted a creed, and vested the right of electing pastors. in the Presbyteries instead of the people, but have created• small Synods specially charged to supervise public worship, the teaching of doctrine, and the ordering of ecclesiastical, affairs. They will be, in fact, as M. A. Coquerel said, " the police of the orthodox party." The object, of course, is to compel the Liberals to resign, but the latter declare they will stay in, as they represent a majority of Protestants, though not of' pastorates, and if anybody is to go, the orthodox should. The new organisation is clearly borrowed from Scotland, but as the French, Synod cannot deprive a pastor as the General Assembly can, it lacks the essential power of discipline, and may be broken up. altogether, should an entire Presbytery adopt sceptical views.