Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-18

Trouble IN the German Lutheran Church
az Ncwnrk--H1aM Minister turned Catholic
-.Hev0it a. he OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the DCors,-Ihe Mayor Of tho City called
upon for Assistance.
From tho Newark Mercury, Dec. is.
We learn that difficulties of very serious char.
actcr have arisen in the German Lutheran Church
OF this city which promise TO attract large share
Of public attention at this time. The circumstan
ces, as near as we can ascertain, are as follows:
Some eleven years since, the church in question,
which belongs to the Synod of New York, employ
ed minister of recognised ability in their denomi-
nation TO preside over the spiritual interests Of the
congregation, STIMULATING in the agreement that he
should occupy the pulpit for term Of fifteen
years. The person employed took possession of
his post, and for time all went well, the church
growing and thriving rapidly and substantially as
could be desired.
Some eighteen months since, however, through
the influence Of . brother-in-law, Ia Roman Catho-
lic,) the officiating minister induced to desert
the Lutheran faith, and embrace that of Catholi-
cism-and from that time are dated the troubles of
the church. OF course the priest did not at first
exhibit any abatement of zeal in the service Of
his congregation. This would have been TO ex-
cite their suspicious and place them upon their
guard, and this was not the policy for him to pur-
sue. Instead Of making overt demonstrations in
favor Of Catholicism, he moved stealthiIy and with
Jesuitcal cunning, introducing into the worship Of
his people none but the most trivial Innovations
His first movement out Of the established order OF
things the introduction Of candles into the SER
vice. aGes "
Entertaining no suspicious of foul play, this In
novation excited little or no comment among the
congregation, nor did the second, which was the
introduction of waters. 81
Presently, however, seduced out Of his eau
ton, probably by the indifference of his charge,
the priest struck out old and dear formulas of the
Lutheran faith introducing in their stead the most
offensive Catholic forms. This fragrant breach
of discipline at once aroused the congregation, and
excited the greatest alarm BY this time, however,
the priest had acquired decided advantage, and
was not to be driven either by threats or persua-
sion from his position. His schemes discovered, be
at once threw off all disguise, and boldly set him
self in opposition TO his people, claiming the right
in all things to control the church discipline as best
pleased himself
In this spirit, he instituted regulations directly
conflicting with the established worship, such as
requiring worshppers to observe the Catholic pos
ture during prayer &C., and if any refused to OBJ
serve this form, choosing to adhere to the Luther
an the priest called in the aid of the police, and
had the offender at once placed under arrest. BY
this absolute exercise Of authority some five or six
of the members were in time intimidatcd, and went
over on the side of the priest. Thus strengthened,
he grew still more tyrannical and instituted still
more imperious regulations, among them the con-
fessonal, 80 that the majority of the congregation
finding it impossible to maintain peace, came out
in open revolt
The war henceforth, ON the priests part, was I'M
relenting Not satisfied with previous assumptions
he now took upon himself absolute executive
power, dispacing all officers unfayorabIe to his
scheme, and substituting satellites in their places
When the time arrived for the election of trustees
he placed paddock on the door Of the church, and
refused entrance to the dissenters, doing the
thing also on the day assigned for the sale of
pews
Thus denied all excess to and participation in
the government of the church, the trustees some
months since applied to the chancellor for redress
but that officer refused to entertain their cause on
the ground that the congregation and officers of
the church had right, without order of his, to
force the church and assume their legitimate posi-
ton. Not wishing, however, to increase the diff
Guilty by resort 10 absolute measures the dissent
have at length applied to the mayor for assist
ance, calling in the aid also of eminent counsel
This is the position the affair occupies at present
the ultimate issue we cannot of course predict.
The case is one of peculiar aggravation, and eX-
cites considerable attention among our citizens.
The dissenters, some forty-fve in number have for
some time past worshipped separate and apart from
the old congregation, but are determined, il posi-
ble to obtain their rights therein and in their ef
forts to this end, they will undoubtedly have the
sympathics of all who prefer Professionalism to
Catholicism and freedom Of conscience to spiritual
bondage,