The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-09-12
T1un-G -GatboIlt Queries, and Hnswers Cbereto

What proof have you that Lrther sanctioned big
amy?
His permission to the landgrave Phillip Of
Hesse, to take second wife during the lifetime
of the first and his published writings afford ample
proof.
Philip OF Hesge great friend of the Reforma-
tion applied in 1888 to Luther for authority to
marry an additional wife. bigamy being punishable
at that time with death by the German law. In his
letter he cites the exampl of the old law prophets
declares biganly not forbidden by the old law and
the new, and personally declares it impossible for
him to be pure with only wife. The landgrave
had in mind published sermon of Luther (1521)
in which be said: 1T is not forbidden that a man
should have more than one wife. | could not for
bid it today. But | would not advise it." (Cf. Luz
ther's complete works, vol. XxXii p. % ct sep.
This permission was granted on condition that ii
be kept secret de Wette. Luthers Letters. etc. V.
pp. 237 et scq), and Philip married March 1,
1540 10 Margart Won Sala by Meiander, himself
q minister with three wives living (Janssen His
tory of the German people" vol. iii p 40S).
When the matter became public Luther on the prin-
rpc that the end iustifes the means. declared it
lawful to deny The fact of the marriage 'HWhat
would it matter If. FOR the sake of greater good and
Of the Christian Church one were to tell big lie 2!
(Jansscn. iii. 432l. On this question read "Lu-
ther: An Historical Portrait" ]. Verres. ch. Xxi,
p 312-329.
What the conditions of entrance into the Cath
Must convert to your Church be baptized again
and confess the sins of 4 lifetime?
The Catholic Church, in accordance with the
teaching Of the Scriptures requires of all adults
who seek admittance into her true fold the re-
pcnance of all past sn the detesation of all past
error, and the firm certain belief In all the doc
uines taught by Christ. He that believeth and is
baptized shan be saved" (lIart XVI 76); "'Do pen
ance and be Baptized" (Acts ii, 3s).
If a convert Is absolutely sure of his baptism.
he cannot be rehapzcd. but is bound to confess all
grievous sins committed after baptism. If Prot
estant IS uncertain about his former haptism-a
frequent case III day of lax Christian views and
practice-he Is baptized conditionally with the
FORM 'lf thou art not baptized | baptize thee in
the name Of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost The Sacrament of Penance is also
given condit;onaly so that convert is certain of
The forgiveness of sins through one sacrament or
the other.
A convert is obliged to study carefully the doc
trnes of the catechism. so that he may have an
accurate knowledge of Catholic Teaching and be
able ntegentlv to take the oath of the profession
of faith: with a sincere heart. therefore and
with unfeiened faith, detest every-error heresy
and sect, opposed to the said Holy, Catholic and
Apostolic Roman Church. SO help me God and
these His holy gospels, which I touch with nv
hand"
Should person live and die in the Church of their
baptism especially if they have sworn to do so?
have met a number of Lutherans in the north
west who told me that they had taken an oath to
die Lutherans. Such oath to worship Christ in a
false Christianity, which He as God of truth ne