The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-02-21
Lutherans MayAid
 Bruno Haupt71ar11,
tContinucd from Page D

tContinucd gone through such dreadful changes that he found himself a stranger in strange land."
 The minister then pointed out that the former German machine gunner was the sole support of his mother and this and the law of self preservation led him ito do something for which he has paid truly and for which he has truly repented."
 Knows Him, Loves Him
 But what about Hauptmann to- day?" Matthieson asked. T know him and I love him. He is a true Christian and e brother in Christ. He has Q keen mind and Q tender conscience-if a murder had to be atoned for he would not shrink from making that atonement for he knows that God demands @ life for 6 life"
 T feel" he said in conclusion, "that we as ministers have a great duty to perform. We have to preach and stress civic righteous ness as based upon Gods word. And there Is great deal for us to do.
 we have Q right to uphold these people who are interested in that end and especially ct this time in the governor of the state, Harold c. Hoffman. An encouraging word from Christian people at this time would be greatly appreciated" Text of Letter
 Trenton, N. J., Feb. 2l.-(UP).-- Text of the letter in which the Rev John Matthieson, spiritual advisor to Bruno Richard Hauptmann, ask cd Lutheran clergy to intercede for the Lindbergh baby slayer follows Dear Friend and Brother:
 "T.ere seems to be Q dreadful misunderstan of facts current among our Lutheran ministers and the people of our churches with re- gard to the life and character Of BrunJ R .Hauptmann, whose spirit ual advisor the undersigned hap pens to be.
 "This letter come to you for no other purpose than to enlighten you about his moral and spiritual at- titude toward the kingdom of God and the Lutheran church.
 Criticised Editorial
 Prof. Theodore Graebner In the Lutheran Witness of January IA, 1886, passing his editorial on a re- port received from the National Lutheran Councils News Bureau, comes to the conclusion that Haupt- mann engaged Rev. G. D. Werner, an Adventist, because he had been outspoken in his belief of the pris- oner's innocence. He winds up with the assertion that Hauptmann drift ed completely away from the church and from communion with our Lord which faith in him makes Q wei. come, strengtening privilege. Only when faced with the supreme crisis of hi life, that is, with death, does he recall and confess the fact of religious instruction in ris youth in connection with the church.
 Challenged Statement
 "This Is an insinuation with re- gard to Hauptmann'sN attitude of soul in the supreme crisis of his life which cannot 90 unchallenged. l might have been just as outspoken in the condemnatio nof that circus maxlmus as Rev. Werner was. Many Lutheran ministers were of that opinion. But that was not the reason why Werner made the contact with Hauptmann through the civil au- thorities. We were all at Q loss Herring, Weibel and myself and oth- CTS. We forgot that the only ave- nue of approach was through Mrs. I.aup::s:iann and that we lost sight Of. I came day too late because of the distance. Werner beat me to 1t. But why did not c New York Lutheran minister think of 1t? Or were they afraid?. Whatever the reason, do not blame Hauptmann, the man who took with him to his cell his Bible, which Bible was tak- en away from him and instead he was furnished with wild west stories by the sheriff of that jail.
 Another Correction
 And another correction I must make. The impression Is conveyed that Hauptmann came to realize the importance of faith and confidence in bis Lord and Saviour when met win the supreme crisis of his life- death. I believe that Hauptmania has been greatly wronged. Hauptmann was born and baptized in a Lutheran home and church which is situated in that part of Germany where the cradle of Lutheranism stood. It was there where he was deucated and confirmed and where he took his first communion. The deep impress siors he received from that he often has related to me.
 Enlisted in Army
 When e mere chap of i6 years, he was enlisted in the army and a year later he had to 90 to the front. After being wounded twice and after the armistice was signed, he came back to the fatheriand which did not appreciate his service and which had gone through such dreadful changes SO that he found himself e stranger In e strange land.
 Weeks and months he walked the streets in search of work. Nothing