Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-06

which from time to time followed the ex-
ample set them, it was commanded in 1880
that all, VINO had not previously done i,
should without farther delay make use of II.
Thus, the churches of the two confessions
The Reformed and the Lutheran, which had
before had different liturgles, catechlSms,
&C., which were cndeared to them by the
usage of 800 years, were compelled to give
up their separate existence. This is 4 d.
rect violation Of the 7th, 10th, and 2Sth
articles of the Augsburg Confession, as
well as contrary to the Formula ConcordlH,
the articles agreed on in Smalcaldcn, and a
grievance to the conscicnces Of those who
adhere 10 the doctrines Of Luther. Al
though they willingly acknowledge the
rood intentions Of his majesty in his en-
dcayorine to unite the two churches. yet
thev cannot consent to violate the solemn
VOWS and promises made in baptism and
confirmation; they cannot agree to depart
from the doctrines of their fathers; they
cannot use liturgy which does nol ac-
cord with their conscientious opinions.
They think themselves bound to obey the
law of Him who has said (Luke xvi. l0,)
ole that is unjust in the least, is unjust
also in much" And again (Rev. ii. %
{" But that Which vc have already, hold last
till | Gomez and iii. 3, " Remember,
therefore, how thou has. received and
heard. and hold fast, and repent And
thus St. Paul admonisbes Timothy (Tm.
vi. IA, that he should "kcep the command
nrent without spot" They wish for moth
inc more than to maintain without spot the
confession of faith which their church has
taught them; and this they have been for
biddcn to do ever since 1880. Those pro-
tcssors in the Universities and clergyman
in the churches, who would not agree to
use the new liturgy, have been suspended
from their Office as teachers in the church
of Christ; and when they felt it TO be their
duty to break the bread OF life III private
houses, and administer the sacraments ac-
cordins to the forms used from the time OF
the Reformation, they were punished With
Imprisonment for so doing. Those OF the
laity who joined to sing, and pray, and
read sermons in their own houses, were
punished with fines and those who had
actively engaged in conducting such prI-
yate services were imprisoned. These
punishmcnts were not inflicted because they
had transgresscd against any of the laws OF
the country, or because they had neglected
or refused to pay the taxes required by the
government, but solely and wholly because
they would not exchange the liturgy, which
has been used for 800 years, for new one,
which implies in those who make use OF 1t
a consent to the union OF the Reformed
and Lutheran churches. They suffer,
therefore, purely for conscience sake.
They have often pctilioned the king, the
ministers, the consistory and other authorl-
ties, for federation, but in vain Most OF
the congregations have no ministers; the
children cannot be baptized, because these
who ought to baptizc them are in prison;
and many fathers have baptized their own
children with fear and trembling IN this
season Of suffering and need, and have
been sent to prison for so doing. The
communion can very seldom be held, and
| that in the night, when minister ventures
in disguise to go among the people. They
90 at a time when no one expects them,
and many wait for year together without
having an opportunity for partaklng OF line
body and blood Of Christ. The meetings
for PRAYER in private houses are broken up
by the police. Alta place in the duchy OF
Posen the police pulled the Lutherans BY
the hair of their head from their knees.
! The ministers dare not often venture to 90
among the people, as they are almost sur
to be speedily sent back 10 the prisons
which they had just left. Eleven ministers
have been sent to prison in this way, seve-
raj of them two or three times, for three
months or more. They were committed
to the common prisons Of Breslau, Posen'
and other places. Forty other persons
have been sent to prison on the same
charge, and Il great number of heavy fines
have been imposed.