The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-07-25
A Correction.
JACKSON

Rev. h. II. Flick, formerly pastor
Of the Accident and Friendsville CON
gregations of the Lutheran church,
in letter published last week in the
Messenger of Manchester, Md. in
which town Rev. Flick is now sta
toned, lays before the public his po-
sitiOn in the reported controversy
existing between himself and his con-
gregation and at Mr.. Flick's request
we reproduce the letter herewith;
To the Editor of the Messenger:
Permit me to say that the article
you published in last weeks issue
with the caption, Refused to
Preach" is misstatement of facts
from beginning to end.
To begin-there was no friction"
between the pastor and the members
and the pastor never used the phrase
sore displeasure, neither did the
congregation decrease, but on the
other hand the pastor has been told
frequently that our congregations
are larger than formerly, but such at
tendance never amounted to more
than one-fOurth or One-third of the
total membership. There was no
German service in the morning, We
had German service at 2 p. Ill. and an
appointment was made for the next
regular time, viz, in two weeks from
that date at 10 a. M, which service
will be held d. V.
That l delivered some very plain
talk is correct. l always try to do
so. The phrase The people lie
around like dogs is manufactured
from the whole cloth. What | did
say was quotation from DR.. Luther's
Large Catechism, where he shows
that the third commandment is VIC
lated, not only by those who grossly
abuse and desecrate the Sabbath,
but also by those who lie around like
swine, etc. In the case referred to
the word dog was substituted for
Swine
To say the least, it ill becomes ig-
norance to criticise the writings of
the great hero of the Reformation
who gave not only religious but also
civil liberty to the entire world.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l never was a for
eign missionary and do not know
what kind Of an audience | could get
from the converted natives-but |
presume not any, as l am unable to
speak their language, and they can
not understand English, German,
Greek, Latin or Hebrew. What was
said was this: The question, Don t
you think that from a congregation
of oyer 600 converted heathens there
would be better attendance?'' | said
this because foreign missionaries tell
us they are very devoted and come
many miles, if necessary, to attend
divine worship.
There was no reference made to the
church council at the conclusion" OF
the remarks. The pastor does not
make announcements at that time
They are always made before enter
ing the pulpit. The announcement
was simply this-that there would be
no announcement made for further
services unless the people wanted it
The council had nothing to do in this
matter, neither was there any coun
Gil meeting Monday evening, as every
intelligent church member knows
that council meetings must be called
by or through the pastor, and the
pastor had nothing to lay before the
council. On the other hand Cody
and pious members deeply grieve
over the too common Sunday desc
Grafton and with tears in their eyes
have asked me to continue to preach
which | have consented to do, anG
they have promised to make every
effort to improve the services anC
help their fellow men to see the truth