Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-05-07

The tIUles,ant 1ouuu. r,is on the
teachings Of the scriptures. If his teachers in
struct him wrong the Bible must be right. If
does not affect his religion-that is derived from
the scriptures, and not from the opinions Of men,
He believes the true Catholic or Universal Church
is composed Of the pious and the good of every
tongue and nation, and every form of religion,
and that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
The time now came to test the efficacy of
these different kinds of teaching in the same city
and within a few days of each other.
Leahy was about to give a lecture as he at
the time informed some Of the clergy, on the i'm
pure tendency of Denis Theology-which is used
in many schools in the Roman Catholic Semina-
ries. He requested that women and youths
should not come to his lecture, for he was about
to make lawful disclosures" From the nature
Of the teachings of Den's Theology, which directs
the Priest how to ferret out the secret thoughts
of woman's heart, should be sorry to hear it
detailed oven to the ears of men. At the first
publication, however, of his intentions, mob
gathers around his lecture room, and neither the
laws Of the city, or the power Of the Bishop, or
notices read from their pulpits could restrain
them from threatening violence and blood. The
man was compelled to fly.
About the same period and little later,
Roman Catholic Alderman did not threaten on
y, but actually made "awful disclosures" pro-
Tossing to convict "the Chief Reformer of the
Protestant faith with immoral teachings and
plainly sanctioning concubinage, polygamy and
adultery" And what was the effect on the
Protestant part of the community. especially on
that branch of it which processes the Lutheran
faith! They are composed of probably nearly
an equal number with those of the Romanists.
They hnve two large congregations and have
made preparations to build athird church. They
are composed of men of all ranks; high and low,
educated and ignorant, rich and poor, from the
Chancellor on the bench to the laborer on the
rail road. They revere the memory of theiI
"Chief Reformer" What was now their con-
duct! Did mob threaten to pull down the
house of the offending Alderman over his head
Was it necessary to call on the City Council for
protection? Did their ministers find it necessa-
ry to issue a Bulletin to their people imploring
them to keep the peacel No; their answer was
.we will tolerate error as long as we have truth
to combat it."
The public will have the kindness to indulge
me, whilst, in succession of numbers, enter
coolly, dspassionately, and minutely into all the
charges brought by DR.. Belinger and previous
Romanists, against the immoral teachings and
immoral practices of Martin Luther. After much
labor and research have obtained such docu-
ments as will assist them in forming unpreju-
diced judgment; and as authorities have been
quoted against him, will bring an array Of au-
thorities Catholic and Protestant-on
the other side, that will enable them to Judge Of
the estimation in which bis moral character and
teachings were held by the wise, the great, and
the good of every age.
am aware that my language in this paper
may, to some, appear severe If it is more so
than the occasion demands, 1 shall regret it.
can conscientiously say that entertain no un-
kind feeling towards any human being. II, how
ever, DR.. Bellinger can exclaim: "Nor will l wit
ness an attempt to blacken the Holy Catholic
Church Ito which l am bound by the strongest
ties Of affection and loyalty, and on which my
eternal hopes are anchored without holding be-
fore me that bright shield Of truth, which dazzles
and confounds her enemes," he will accord the
same feelings and the same privileges to Others.
JOHN BACHMAN, d. D., L. L. D.,
Pastor of the Lutheran Church
of German Protestants.