THE JESUIT IN THE PRISON.
OIIR readers will perhaps think that if the Jesuit is in the prison he had better stay there. We shall not grudge him his powers if he be gaoler, or his maintenance if he be gaol-bird. This, however, is a superficial view of a question, which only German profundity can thoroughly sound. Dr. Von Holtzendorff, whose penetration has exposed the whole mystery, declares, that "the rights of the im- prisoned, and the interest of the State administration, imperatively demand" precautions against any further growth of present abuses. Fortunately the matter is very easy to understand, in spite of the pamphlet that has been written upon it, and we need not fear in examining it to trespass on Mr. Whalley's peculiar preserves. The Jesuits in question are only spiritual kinsmen—cousins-german at most—of Loyola's-brotherhood, and use so many Protestant shib- boleths in their writings, that if they are not the deepest and most designing of enemies, they are undeniable friends. We may there- fore discuss the whole matter as a family quarrel. It will throw some light on certain English cravings after fraternities and sisterhoods, and will probably startle not a little those who persist in believing that every little German tradesman has substituted Strauss and Feuer- bull for his family Bible.
To begin at the beginning, it seems that nearly thirty years ago a certain Dr. Wichern, who had devoted himself to philanthropy, and had founded a sort of ragged school with eminent success, conceived the idea of a reformatory for young criminals. Something of the sort was already in operation at Hamburg when Howard visited it ; but the present idea had so many new features as to deserve to be called original. It was the precursor of Mettray and of our own Red-hill. As, however, the work of reformation is better performed by volun- tary than by paid ,instructors, Dr. Wichern appealed successfully to the religious spirit of his countrymen, and succeeded in forming a staff of genuine missionaries to work the .Rauhe Hans. Under the organizing hand of the chief, this little company gradually became a brotherhood, which may certainly be compared to that of St. Vincent de Paul. The first establishment, or Convict, at Horn, near Hamburg, has been the parent of nine-and-twenty more, to which more than three hundred brothers are now affiliated. Germany is the chief sphere of their activity, but their correspondence is said to extend to Holland, and there is one Convict, Beersheba, in London. Although they are chiefly occupied with prisons, they are allowed to choose different pursuits under leave from their Superior, and regard, we suppose, being had to their special qualifications; so that some are schoolmasters and city missionaries, while a few are allowed to engage in trades or professions. The late appointment of Dr. Wichern to high office in the prisons administration of Prussia has enabled him to obtain a recognized position for the brethren as State servants. At this point, then, we may begin to consider the charges which Dr. von Holtzendorff brings against them, and which he professes to ground on their private papers, signed in most cases by the Superior himself. They resolve themselves into the one accusation of forming a secret society which is to wield spiritual power. Every one who joins the order is obliged to pay a small entrance-fee and a yearly contribution, which goes to a fund for the relief of the sick and destitute among the brethren, but all claim to which is forfeited if they quit the brotherhood with- out leave. The order pledges itself to provide its members with places, if possible, and the brothers contract expressly to perform their duties in the spirit in which they are imposed. The doing good and the leading a Christian life are defined as the special objects of the association. But as it is found practically that unworthy wives are a great hindrance to spiritual work, every man is bound before he marries to give notice of his intention to the superinten- dent and the society, and to obtain leave. If he fail in this,. he is liable to be dismissed, and to forfeit all claim to assistance or relief. Wherever the brethren live, they are to meet together for conference I I .3 often as once a fortnight, or once a month, and a rather vague rule provides that every one is willingly to accept reproof and chastisement from his fellows. He is further to take all the orders laid upon him patiently, and to keep strict watch over his tongue in matters concerning the order. But he may indemnify himself for this reticence by communicating all family and professional news in the let- ters which he is to write at regular intervals to his Superiors. He may also solace himself by reading circulars, which Dr. Wichern addresses from time to time to the brotherhood, and which, we are told, would contain more if the brethren could be cured of their unhappy ten- dency to gossip with the uninitiated. Further, as any special occasion arises, fly-sheets are issued in a cypher of which only the brethren have the key. Although the Association is declared to aim at nothing more than the permanent connexion and mutual support of its members, they are forbidden to co-operate with other similar societies, as, for _instance, with the Deaconesses of Kaiserswerth. In brief, the system is based on secrecy, blind obedience, and a tie superseding citizenship, while celibacy and confession are promoted if they are not enjoined. So, at least, say Dr. Wichem's assailants. That gen- tleman has replied to the charge by emphatically denying it, and he points out that the brethren of the Reinke Hans are bound by no vow, that a third of them are married, and that they believe in justi- fication by faith. He admits, however, that they all hold together "like a great family, every one for himself, and each for all and all for each." Perhaps he is a little less happy as an apologist, when be calls them "a royal priesthood."
What are we to say to all this ? Is Dr. Wichern really a German Loyola, or is he nothing more than a theological Mason, who caters for the harmless vanity of his followers by a system of lodges and committee meetings, and a secret language? We are strongly inclined to believe the latter. All who have ever studied the organization of little sects, will find that jobbing for one another, and an affectation of discipline and secrecy, are almost necessary t2, them as a bond of union. What is the good of being a brother, ir your family has no property and no secrets ? All the points enumerated against the Rauhe Haag are true, more or less, of half a dozen little communities scattered over the face of the earth. Not to mention Mormons and Shakers, the Irvingites have a system of house to house visitation and confession, discourage marriages with all but their own body, and have private books of doctrine, which only members are per- mitted to see. Even the excellent Moravians claim a very doubtful right over the services of the brethren as missionaries, and supply their distant stations with wives chosen by the lot, who are con- signed to bridegrooms whom they have never seen. The history of John Wesley's life shows that the propriety of his marrying was con- sidered a question at large to be discussed by his followers. In a country like England, where the law is.always at hand, and where it is difficult to escape publicity, we believe this sort of thing may be permitted with perfect safety. If John Smith likes to be written about as letter A, and to see his suburban villa designated as No.166, the public will not be so unreasonable as to grudge him the pleasure. In Germany, and in all continental countries, the case is perhaps a little different. Liberals there fear lest any secret society permitted by the police should become its tool. The vanity of half-educated men is easily worked upon by a clever manager, and the battle which "the elect of God," in their own phraseology, are to wage against the world and the devil may come to mean espionage and electoral canvassing against a political opposition. Neither do we wish to undervalue the danger of encouraging any system by which men resign their freedom of will into the hands of a superior. The best moral me- chanism is less healthy and hopeful than the worst life. Still, con- siderino. the small numbers and limited resources of the Rauhe Haus brotherhood, and the high chances that Dr. Wichern will not be- queath his mantle to any adequate successor, we believe the society may fairly be left to work as it best can in its little sphere. It is a case for criticism and surveillance, but we think for nothing more. The real lesson to be drawn from all this is the absolute necessity of training a people by the double education of thought and political action. Secret societies fail in England, because they can effect no- thing which is not better done in the light of day. No amount of back-stairs intrigue will change the opinion of the nation on subjects like Reform, or Italian freedom, or negro slavery. But, on the Continent there is always a hope that the course of events may be turned if the Minister's old nurse can be cajoled, or the King's valet- de-chambre bribed. The nation is divided between leaders, not be- tween ideas. The results of such political conditions have been excel- lently described by P. P., Clerk of the Parish, in his account of the "divers worthy meft" who met at the Rose and Crown alehouse under his own presidency. "Now were the eyes of all the parish upon these our weekly councils. In a short space the minister came among us ; he spake concerning us and our councils to a multitude of other ministers at the visitation, and they spake thereof unto the ministers at London, so that even the bishops heard and marvelled thereat. Moreover, Sir Thomas, member of Parliament, spake of the same unto other Members of Parliament, who spake thereof unto the peers of the realm. IA% thus did our councils enter into the hearts of our generals and our lawgivers, and from henceforth even as we devised thus did they." The issue, it will be remembered, was that the Peace of Utrecht and other great measures, commonly ascribed to
Harley and Bolingbroke, were really owing to George Pilcock and his fellows, but above all to P. P. The class to which that unac- credited statesman belonged is reduced in England to managing parish vestries. But it evidently thrives in Germany, and though we suspect its actual operations are not as extensive as P. P.'s, it seems to excite public interest, which is apt to stagnate around questions like constitutional freedom or reform of the Bund.
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