Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-07
EBerlm tAug IL Correspondence Of London Ilmesl
A Reckless Young Student Shoots Cler-
gyman in The Pulpit.


81 believe in God the father, God The Son
AMI God the Holy Ghost"
"You lie !"
A shot, cry, a general commotion.
On Sunday, August Sth, in the presence of
numerous congregation, this sacrlllgious
scene was enacted in the Cathedral Church
of Berlin. The Rev. II. Henrich was
standing before the altar, reciting the Belief,
when young man, rising from font seat
and interrupling the clergyman, gave him
The lie, and at once discharged pistol al his
breast. The next moment he was IN the
hands of the sexton, and quietly suffered
himself to be led away to the vestry. A por-
tion of the congregation seated alta distance,
having only heard the report and seen the
curling smoke, without any definite notion
of what was going on, Immediately began
to move towards the door, creating consld-
cradle tumult; but those near the altar, who
had been witnesses of the daring attempt,
retained their seats. In preserving iheir
composure thay but initiated tAe noble IS,
annie of the noble Clergyman whose life had
just been placed in such jeopardy.
The Rev. H. HciurichI was unhurt, nor
had the moral firmness OF The man whose
body the ball had missed been shaken. No
sooner had the trying interlude, the details
of which seem to have been observed WIZ
terrible distineiness by those near, come to
an end than the intended victim calmly re-
sumed reading the Greed, and with redou-
bled iervor proclaimed that Belief, the utter
ancc of which had imperilled his Lille. After
the service was continued in accordance
with the prescribed ritual, the Rev. ID.
Heinrich left the altar, where the Rev. DR..
Kopel assembled the pulpit and preached o
sermon, in which he introduced passage
| expressive of his thanks TO God for the mi
raculous escape of bis clerical brother. Quiet
had been speedily restored, aud the greater
portion of the congregation, agilated as tney
were by the most powerful emotions, leli
the church only after the fnal benedielion.
| In the meantime, the criminal had been
conducted by policeman 10 the nearest sta
ton, and examined by a superior officer. lo
all the questions put - hi1 he -e2Hsc ~
the utmost f-ankness and composure. Ht
| said
ssATy name is Bland. am 10 years o
age, Protestant, and the son OF black
smith, in the village OF Lank, county o
Lower Barnim, a few miles from Berlin
My parents seat me to grammar-school
wishing one to become candidate lor INT
ministry in the Established Church. But MY
ewes were soon opened TO the falsehood o
the creed was some day expected TO teach
and my dislike was increased 10 DISCUS
when / perceived the many of those profes
sing 10 believe IL were liars al heart. re
fused to pursue career which had Decom
so hateful to me, and resisted all attempts u
my parents to force me TO persevere. Event
ually saw myself lett by them 10 my owl
devices. and began 10 study art-the dra
matte art, mean.
81 wished TO become an actor, and I
, preach to the public in my own way; but th
religious mendaclty rampant around m
gave me no rest. Some saw utteling dc
, llberaie untruths, while others, KNOWN
them 10 be such. listened with contemptuou
Indifference. Gradually thought that som
striking deed was indispensable to rouse til
! public mind from its apathy and chase ava
! the misis of superstition. therefore detei
!, mined 10 seize the first favorable opportun
ty that offered for shooting clergyma
; while in the act Of uttering his accursed PEI
|, iuries. have done it. | have myself cai
:, the ball and done my best TO render the sht
: taial. | am sound in body and i'll mud, an
scorn the suggestion that have acted und'
the disturbing influence of temporary insal
= ily perfectly knew what was about, an
am convinced that there are many able
comprehend the disnterestedness of M
] purpose, though they may, perhaps, not a.
= prove the method chosen 10 compass IT,
! My design was 10 shoot Mi. Hcinrchl, al
\ l was prepared to pay the penalty OF u
Z, deed -
Z Such, in substance, was the statement
=, q the reckless, misguided young man. lnqt
u RES seem fully to confirm bis words II
-. having missed at distance Of three PAGES
n first gave rise TO the surmise that he hf
~ y. fired with blank cartridge; but il is only L
=, true that there was a bali in the barrel. III
- - course of the ball has been exactly traced.
~ Passing within an inch of the clergyman
- head, Ii penetrated the open baluslrade
',' t1 the gallery, in which the Dom Chor-cel
= brated for lis vocal performances-was ST
~ toned and grazed tie cheek Of one OF u
"a choristers, boy of twelve. The little fl
y ~ low, although his cheek instantly began
" " swell, did not leave the church, but SUI
70 his allotted part to the end. The Prn
iu Admiral Adalbert, the only member of t
% royal family present, when the service W
do over fastened 10 express his sympathy
- the two clergymen and the little chorisl
T. boy.