# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1854 03 14_S117
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

117
Thus the dragoons' armor was to the sufferers a joyful sign, a star of comfort, an arm of refuge.

Truly it did not last long. The Archbishop learned of the matter and was exceedingly enraged at it. In all haste he sent couriers to Vienna, and our brave dragoons were relieved. How unwillingly one sees these men of war, with the peace and the love of Christ under their soldier's dress, depart from the Salzburgers! Yet what matter is it, — the true Teacher, Comforter and Keeper has not been relieved together with them! —

The year began to decline, and winter was already sending its rough forerunners, when there came something which the Lutherans themselves really did not want otherwise, but which nevertheless, now that it came and as it came, seized their minds most violently.

At the beginning of November the Archbishop suddenly had an Emigration Edict posted throughout the whole land. In it the Lutherans were called rebels and the Salt League an act of high treason. And it said: "All inhabitants without movable property, lodgers, day laborers, servants of both sexes shall within 8 days, with bag and baggage, cross the border; all workmen at the archiepiscopal mines and salt works, at the timber floats and smelting huts are forthwith dismissed from their service, forfeit any gratuity, and are to avoid the land within 8 days; the citizens and tradesmen, as perjurers, shall have forfeited their rights as citizens and as masters of their trades, and must, if they have no house or land, depart within 8 days. All inhabitants with immovable goods shall, according to the extent of their property, enjoy a period of 1, 2 or 3 months to sell their property, but not to keep in service more than one person of the same confession. All, however, these as well as those, shall, on pain of the loss of their possessions, their liberty and their life, obey the orders of the government. Moreover, it is reserved to call the ringleaders especially to account and to exclude them from the grace of emigration."

Our good fellow-believers had indeed been familiar with the thought of going out to a dwelling-place in a foreign land. But when now the order for it appeared from their former government, they felt only then in the depth of their hearts what it means to take leave forever of the soil of home, the land of the fathers. Also they had not yet put their temporal affairs in order, and they were to take up the pilgrim's staff so quickly. And the winter was at the door; in showers of rain, in snow-storms, in tempest and frost they were to journey over the desolate fields with their old, their sick and their children. And whither? To what safe goal, where the weary pilgrims might again find rest and refreshment? They were designated as insurgents in the edict and everywhere decried as such, if this was believed, what Protestant prince would receive rebels?

So the sudden emigration edict produced general dismay and stupefaction. They let their work rest, ran hastily to one another, trembling took each other by the hands and looked at one another with distracted glances. They ran about in their dwellings, sought to save of their possessions what could still be saved, and often seized upon insignificant things while they neglected the valuable. Everywhere anxiety and confusion reigned. So several days passed beyond the first term. The higher mountains covered themselves far down with their white winter garment, and the snow was already blowing from them into the valleys. Then suddenly it grows still, the adversaries withdraw, the torments cease. The oppressed hearts recover again; they venture to bring an urgent petition before the Archbishop, that he might be merciful and extend the term for all until the return of spring. They trust in a hearing and go again to their usual occupations.

So the 24th of November draws near, and with it appears the archiepiscopal answer. But what an answer! With wild shouting the imperial horsemen suddenly burst into the jurisdiction of St. Johann, to rouse up the laggards. That was the signal for a general attack in the mountains. From all sides one heard cries of anguish and lamentation, on all sides one saw the driving swords of the soldiers gleam. From the plow farmhands were driven, and maidservants from their cattle, without being able to greet their masters, to demand their wages, to pack up their property and take it along. Fathers and mothers were torn from their screaming children, where the other spouse was Catholic and remained behind. With loud weeping master and servant fell into each other's arms, brother and sister embraced, often even where faith had separated them and had made them hostile before.

But when once the departure had begun, then the breath of a higher power pervaded them, a holy enthusiasm pervaded their souls, that they were martyrs of the Gospel. Even Catholics looked with astonishment at the radiance of their countenances, and many, driven by an irresistible impulse, joined their company. Whole villages arose to go into banishment, and soon the soldiers had only to hold them back, lest the capital be flooded all at once too greatly.

Here I must, dear readers, report to you also a wonderful occurrence. It was already dark night when near Radstadt some hundred fugitives were walking through the snow. They had lost the way and felt about with their feet, in order not to fall into chasms. Behind them rode the soldiers to drive them back. Then suddenly there appeared above them a shining appearance in the air, so that they saw the near bridge over the river Ens; but the pursuers were wrapped in thick darkness. Terrified, the soldiers stood still and cried: "With these is God or the devil, we will have nothing to do with them." We know well who was with them!

We now accompany the first emigrants to the city of Salzburg. Here it went with them far too wretchedly. The citizens had been told, God knows what, about them; they were held to be veritable monsters, looked upon with abhorrence and treated with the bitterest scorn. Barns and stables were assigned to them for lodging; and without means of their own, most had to be content with scanty bread, many to go without a warm covering for their nakedness. And in this condition they were kept waiting several days more for the issuing of their passports. During these days the priests applied everything possible, arts of persuasion and other shameful means, to bring the apostates back into the bosom of the Roman church. With broken hearts 36 fell away; but about 1000 remained faithful in all temptations.

At last, toward the beginning of December, the longed-for hour came when they could embark on the Salzach. They pressed forward to be first in the boats. A loud farewell they still called to their native land, unforgettable, alas! in a double sense, — and floated down toward Bavaria. —

But the reader has long wished to know what the Protestant princes and the Emperor did to put a stop to the tyranny of the Archbishop. The promised account shall be given him here.

Already at the beginning of the persecution, 1730, the men who had first been thrown into prison and driven over the border, Hans Lerchner and Veit Breme, and later still several others, as actual deputies of the Lutheran party, had gone to Regensburg, had faithfully reported the events in the Salzburg territory, and had earnestly implored help for their fellow-believers. In Regensburg, namely, were envoys of all the Protestant princes of Germany, who were to take exact care for the security of the Protestant church in the whole Empire and especially to look after their fellow-believers in the Catholic lands. There were in Regensburg also the envoys of the Catholic princes of Germany.

On the evangelical side they took up, immediately upon the first message and petition of the poor Salzburgers, their cause most earnestly. They addressed the Archbishop very seriously and pointed him to the articles of the Peace of Westphalia, where it says: "In all Catholic lands of Germany those going over to the evangelical church should either enjoy freedom of their faith, or receive a term of three years for emigration, in which time they might sell their goods without loss