The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-18

4lOE0 NnuTcn DtnncukUhe1 tn NEW OeF4eYs
A LUTHERAN CHURCH WITH CATHOLIC PRIRE.
From the Newark Mercury, Dec. 1911
We learn that difficulties Of very serious charac
ter have arisen in the German Lu,hern Ceurch Of
public attention ~ this time. The circu stao ,es
% near - No can ascertain, are a. follows: Some
eleven years snce she church in question: which be-
longs to the Ssnod OF New York, employed minis
PIT sds eyer shs sprites interests Of the congrexa
tioD, ssipulating In tue aycsemsns thas he shoo,d
occupy tbe pulpit for . term Of fifteca gears. The
person emp.oyed took possession Of his post, aai
trivng rapidly and suhss au,ially al could BE- 10
sired. Scms eighteen months sioce, hO yever,
through the influence offs brosher-in.sv, q Rom IN
Cafho'ic) tho officiating minister vas indnc4d 50
desert tnc Luthern faith ard ebr that OF Catho
hcisu--and from ,ba. time are dated the troubles OF
the chui ch or course, the priest did not ~ lest cx
bibit any abatement Of zeal in the service Of his
congregation. This would have been to excite their
suspicious, and place them upon their gusrd, and
tnis was Nc. trc p,Ncy for him to pursue. Instead
Of making overt demons'rat ons in favor Of Casho-
fcism, he moved seAlthily and with Jesuitcai cum
ming, introducing iIto the Worship OF his people
movement out Of the established order Of things
was the Introduction Of candles into the service
Entertaining 10 auepicions Of foul play, this
I'm excited little Or no com nent amoog
was tie Introduction Of waters. Presently, how.
ever, seduced out Of his caution, probably BY the
indifference OF his charge, the priest stru k out
CID and dear formulas Of the Lutheran faith,
introducing in their stead the most offensive Casho.
Lis forms. This fragrant breach of discipline ct
once aroused the congregation, and excited the
.eafest alarm. By this ZINE. however, the priest
bad acquired q decided advantage, and was not
TO b driven, either by threats or persuasion,
from his position. His schemes discovered, be n
once threw ID ali disguise, and boldly set himself
IN opposition to his people, claiming the right in
ell thrgs TO control the church discipline ~ best
nd In h.
stiops directly conflicting with the essa slshed wor
ship, such IS requiring worshppe's TO observe tse
Catholic posture during prayer, Sc, and II any re-
fused TO observe this form, choosing to adhere to
police, and had the offender at once placed under
arrest By this absolute exercise Of autho ity some
i've or SIX Of the members were in time inamidsted,
and went over on the side Of the priest. Thus
instituted sill moro imperious regulations, among
them the confessional, 30 that the majority OF
the congregation, dnding it impossible 70 main
tain pesce, came out in open revolt Tae war
henceiorth, on the priests part, was unreient-
now took upon himself absolute executive pow.
er, displaciDg all officers unfayorab!e 10 his
rchenea, and substituting satellites In their place.
When the time arrived for the election Of trus
tees, no placed . paddock on the door Of the
church, and refused entrance to the disssntcs,
dong the ssme thing also on the day assigned for
the sac OF pews. Tina denied all access to, and
paricipsti,n In, the government Of the cnHrcb the
trustees some months sizes eopijad TO the Chan
ctllor for redress but that offer refused to enter
tar their cause, on the ground that tae coDgseea
tion and off ers Of the churcl hsd rigat, without
asy o. der Of his, to rec tbs church and assu rs
ther legitimate position. Net wishing, however,
10 increase the difficulty by rescuto absolute mel
snrss, The oisseLters HAYS a. length applied to tas
hoy0r for assistance calling ia the aid also Of emit
nsnt council This is the position ihs affsir occu.
pies at present; the ultimate issue We cannot OF
ceuIse predict.
The case 10 ore Of peculiar agg-ava.ion, aud ex-
cites considerable atfeI or among orr citizens. Ta
dneenters, same forty dve 10 nnnter, have fsrsoms
time past worsbiped separate and apart from tle
old congregation, bat are determined, II possible,
10 obtain their rights tterein and In their efforts to
this END they will undoub,e y have the sympashies
Of all who prefer Proesfantism to Catholicism, and
freedom OF conscience 70 spiritual bondage.