# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1851 11 11_S46
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

46

Mich. How do you mean that?

Chr. I mean the harm which we draw upon ourselves when we load upon ourselves God's displeasure and become an abomination to God the Lord. You surely know the saying, Deut. 18, 10-12: "There shall not be found among you an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer; for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord."

Mich. I remember it.

Chr. Good, then you also know that against all superstition, by whatever name it be called, from A to Z, from the observer of times to the sorcerer and exorcist, war has been declared by God, that He will have all who are addicted to superstition blotted out from the congregation of His believers, because He has the highest displeasure at them, because they are an abomination to Him.

Mich. I must confess that I find your conclusion correct!

Chr. If that is so, then it is also evident that whoever approves such things, and takes refuge in them, becomes displeasing to God Himself

Mich. The conclusion may well be correct, little as it is heeded.

Chr. That is at any rate very striking! One otherwise guards oneself so anxiously against contact with that of which one has loathing and disgust; one does not like to touch a carcass, one considers before one cuts down a malefactor. Why does one not guard oneself against that which is an abomination to the Lord and makes one abominable?

Mich. I share your astonishment; but still I could imagine that one who is near to death by hunger might even take a carcass for a dainty morsel in order to sustain his life.

(Conclusion in next number.)

Catholic Germany Rouses Itself.

(From the "Pilger aus Sachsen".)

Of the formation of the Catholic Society of Germany you are surely already informed, dear fellow believers! You know that in Mainz the first so-called "Pius Society" was formed in the year 1848 and spread further from there. You know also that in October 1848 a great assembly of delegates of this society from many cities came together at Mainz, and that they there united into a body and called themselves "Catholic Society of Germany." This Catholic league has also been ecclesiastically recognized; the bishops of Germany have promised their protection, and the Pope, under the 10th of February 1849, imparted the apostolic blessing upon it. In May of last year the second assembly of this society was held in Breslau. From the year 1850 on, however, only one general assembly of delegates of the Catholic society of Germany will be held; besides this, however, a provincial assembly is to be called each year in every province at least once. A society mission has also been organized, which serves partly for the strengthening and quickening of those already existing, partly for the founding of new societies in such places where, for lack of stirring persons, none has yet arisen. All this is probably for the most part known to the dear readers of the Pilger.

But do you also know what sort of spirit prevails in this society, and what we can learn from the Catholic society? That I should like to indicate to you in the briefest way and commend to your consideration.

At the assembly in Mainz it seemed as if we, that is, we Lutherans, had nothing hostile to fear from it, for they confined themselves merely to the securing of their own rights. The Mainz report also spoke a mild, conciliatory language. This language, however, has already fallen silent; in Breslau quite other voices have become loud. The well-known convert Dr. Haas openly called the Protestant Church an "uncanny place." Dr. Malkmus of Fulda speaks of "a revolution let loose for three centuries against the European system of churches and states" — for so he regards the Reformation — and thinks "that it can be banned again and laid in chains only through the spirit of the Catholic Church." Do you hear it, then, dear fellow believers! our Church — an "uncanny place" — and the work of God, the Reformation — "a principle of revolution"? And with it the arrogant self-esteem: "from Catholicism all salvation must proceed, on the Catholic society the happiness of Germany depends." Already the hope is expressed in triumph that we would overcome ourselves and let ourselves be transplanted back into the garden of the Church.

Take heed, therefore, watch and pray, dear brethren! The enemy is gathering his hosts anew and whetting the sword. Do not think that nothing is to be feared from that quarter. Their number is not small. In Mainz at the assembly only 38 societies were represented, in Breslau already about 90, and 200 delegates were assembled. Of the 38 bishoprics of Germany 30 have already received the society, and its cause is making very desirable progress. And their power and craft are not to be reckoned lightly. But do not lose courage!

Despair not, thou little flock,
Although the foes are minded
To destroy thee utterly
And seek thy overthrow,
Whereof thou art truly anxious and afraid,
It will not last long.

From the foregoing you see, then, that the spirit of that society is anything but friendly to our Church, but rather hostile. It is also hardly to be expected otherwise. But what are we to learn from the Catholic society?

Two things: first, the right prudence, and then the right holding together.

At the assemblies, as they were held in Mainz and Breslau, general and special assemblies alternated. To the general ones non-members also have admittance. Thus at least 3000 persons are said to have been present in Breslau. To the special ones only the delegates are admitted. The general assemblies are devoted solely to addresses, the special ones, on the other hand, have to occupy themselves with deliberations.

Mark that, dear friends! This arrangement is without doubt very expedient. Deliberations thrive best in smaller circles which stand on the same ground of outlook. Public assemblies, on the other hand, accomplish little if they allow general freedom of speech. They have rather only the purpose of giving stimulus and leaving an impression.

At the Breslau assembly the delegate for Breslau said: "The local Central Society comprises not only 2000 male and 600 female members, but has also ramified into 110 societies in the province. All these societies are secured in their existence and exert their influence over a circuit of many miles, for every 8 or 14 days general assemblies are held, which are a true school for faith — namely the Roman — and morality." Count Stollberg reports that Westphalia already counts 40,000 society members. To the chief society at Cologne 147 branch societies have already attached themselves. To the chief society of Augsburg, which had existed only 5 months, 31 branches had been added in that short time; the chief society itself numbers 6000 members. Regensburg has 15 societies belonging to it. Württemberg has 50 societies with 3000 members. With Speier 28 societies stand in league.

Bautzen, too, has its Catholic society, and the Catholic Lusatia has contributed not a little for the Pope, as collections were arranged last year.

That a better future is to be expected through the activity of the Catholic society Count Stollberg testifies from the fullness of his breast. And on what is his expectation grounded? on the Catholic consciousness which has awakened again with the Catholic society. It is their pride and their strength to confess: "I am a Catholic." And what heavenly help the society seeks is evident from the motion which was made at Breslau on the 10th of May of last year: "the Catholic society shall continue its holy work under the protection of the Queen of Heaven, the holy Virgin and Mother of God, Mary." The assembly raised this motion to a resolution and chose the holy Virgin as its patron saint. Therefore the speaker at the Breslau proceedings also says: "Let us greet this star in prayer" and sings with a loud voice the old Latin