# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1848 02 22_S104
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

He promises to come even more often than I do, and indeed without charge; he rails against my lovelessness, by which I have hitherto withheld the Holy Supper from those of Union and Reformed persuasion, and promises to provide it as soon as possible to all who desire it;*) indeed, he does not shrink from uttering the crudest lies in people's houses, such as, for example, that we Lutherans "in part also pray to deceased saints." You can imagine, dear reader, that upon hearing this news I felt like one who, with sweat and toil, yet in expectation of the fruits, has cultivated a little garden for himself, and now all at once sees the snout of a filthy swine*) rooting about in it. As a shepherd who not only teaches but also defends, I warned against this man both orally and in writing, and wished to have the opportunity, through a personal encounter with him, to strip off his sheep's clothing in the sight of the congregation.

My wish was soon fulfilled. On the Monday after Epiphany III, I had just finished the service in Staunton when my opponent came riding up. Eager for a fight, he strode toward the house in which I was still present with the whole assembly. He entered. For a time we stood facing each other like David and Goliath. Then at last he came up to me and wanted to offer me his hand, as once Judas offered the Lord a kiss.

I (stepping back). No, I will not give you my hand. How should I extend the hand of brotherhood to a robber and murderer of my sheep!

He (taken aback). Indeed! — But I have not come to quarrel with you in front of these people.

I. That remains to be seen. But I am truly glad to see you face to face for once, and I therefore call you once again, before this assembly, a robber and murderer of my sheep.

He. That I am not; for when I had preached here for the first time, I asked the people whether I should come again, and they said yes.

I. Precisely for that reason I stand by my accusation. Do you not know that Paul did not want to boast "of things made ready by another man's rule" (2 Cor. 10:15,16), and made it "his special aim not to preach the Gospel where Christ's name was already known, so that he might not build on another man's foundation"? (Rom. 15:20,21.) You knew quite well that I have been preaching here for nearly a whole year now; why did you not go to places where no one preaches? That I am not yet fully in agreement with all the people here in the doctrine of the Holy Supper is none of your concern; you do not know whether I may yet come to full agreement with them. Those who accepted your offer to preach to them again would certainly have declined a second visit from you, if you had said outright: "My intention is to make you Methodists." I came to the people plainly and openly; but you sought to gain entrance by concealing your intentions, by pretending to serve without charge, indeed by all manner of lies.

*) Indeed, the Methodist preachers regard themselves not as stewards but as lords over the mysteries of God. The apostle Paul warns against unworthy partaking of the Holy Supper — and yet they are so quick to be ready to administer it to those who, in their opinion, are still unconverted. But of course, in the Supper there is, after all, "only bread and wine"; and for that, the end sanctifies the means!

*) For the benefit of those unfamiliar with scriptural expressions, we note here that the above expression is genuinely biblical, used to depict church-thieves, such as the one designated, in a figurative way, that is, with a veiled expression. Ps. 80:14. The Editor.

He (after a while). I have already read your disgraceful letter which you wrote against me.

I. That I described you in it as a false prophet and ravening wolf who comes in sheep's clothing — for that I shall gladly answer on the Last Day. It remains so: you have climbed into the sheepfold as a thief and a murderer.

He. You are a Stephanist.

I. How so? Prove that to me!

He. The Old Lutherans are Stephanists; you are an Old Lutheran: therefore you are a Stephanist.

I. Excuse me, but that proves as good as nothing. Or would it be a proof if I were to say to you: "All preachers are drunkards; you are a preacher: therefore you are a drunkard"?

He. You bring nothing but empty phrases, with nothing behind them.

I. I could accuse you of that with greater justice. But you still owe me proof that I am a Stephanist!

He. I will not involve myself with you any further. Had you shown more love toward me, I would have explained myself more fully to you.

I. I have treated you no less lovingly than the Lord Christ treated the Pharisees, and St. Paul the false teachers who threw the Galatian congregations into confusion. Or should I actually stroke and caress the wolf that attacks my flock?

He. I can see by looking at you that you still lack the Spirit of God.

I. Then you have a good eye. Where do you see it in me, then? In the eye? Or in the nose? Or where else?

He (after a while). The Old Lutherans exalt themselves above everyone. You have indeed claimed here that the Lutheran church is the only one that saves.

I (to the assembly). To whom did I claim that?

A man. You once said to me that the Lutheran church is the best.

I. Yes, I said that it is the church in which God's Word alone is taught purely and clearly. But does that mean it is the only one that saves? To guard myself against such a misinterpretation, I have on the contrary here publicly and specifically testified that it is also possible to be saved in the other Christian confessions, for the sake of the individual portions of truth which are found, more or less, in each of them. So this is once again a lying accusation!

He. The Old Lutherans, after all, bow before crucifixes and worship them!

I. Prove that!

He (falls silent).

I. So, once again a shameful lie! Keep on like this, and you will have to leave this place.

He. And if I am not received here, then I will shake the dust from my feet and go to Alton.

I. Because I have already preached there too, and am in the process of forming a Lutheran congregation there. But that is simply the way it is, that the Methodist preachers break in and reap where we Lutheran preachers have laboriously sown. We must endure it; but the right hand of the Lord can change everything.

He. As long as I live, I will go into Lutheran congregations wherever I can, and preach there.

I (to those present). You have heard it. Now the wolf has completely dropped his sheep's clothing!

He. Yes, I repeat it: as long as I live, I will go into Lutheran congregations wherever I can, and preach there.

I. Good, that shall also be made known to the Lutheran congregations, along with your lies, so that they may be on their guard.

He. For that you may make use of your "Lutheraner."

This has now been done through this faithful sketch, true to life. Should similar scenes already be known to you, dear reader, from experience, they will at least comfortingly remind you, whether you be shepherd or little lamb, of the word: "Know that the very same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Peter 5:8). But should Mr. Kunz (?) still feel inclined to accuse this contribution to the characterization of Methodist preachers of untruth, let it be known to him in advance that I recorded the main points of our conversation immediately after it took place, and that I can have the truth of this account confirmed by most of our hearers. F. Lochner, Lutheran pastor near Collinsville.

*) A similar, but even more tragic scene recently occurred in the editor's own congregation. A local Methodist preacher, namely, dared to try his underhanded arts even on an old member of this congregation, a Hessian by the name of Philipp Lepper. Mr. Lepper, however, soon showed the uninvited guest the door, and when the latter would not budge, the former found himself compelled to sweep his room clean of the intruder literally with a broom. This could not, of course, prevent the house's owner from having the preacher — rewarded with such shameful ingratitude — deliver, to the amusement of the neighborhood that had gathered because of the noise, a reproving sermon through the door left open for him, on the open street, to the confirmed Lutheran. — We publish this with the good intention of warning all whom it concerns not to trust their "spirit" if it should ever again suggest to them that a sneak and corner-preacher could do good business among the local Lutheran families. We, at least, are now excused if similar attempts should end in a similar tragicomedy. The Editor.

Death Notice.

Today my dear wife died, at the age of 23 years, 6 months. She leaves behind two motherless little orphans, one of 3½ years, the other of 14 years. This is for the information of sympathizing friends.

Newdettelsau, O., February 3, 1848.
A. Ernst, Pastor.

Received.

a) For the heathen mission on the Cass River, in Michigan:
$48.50 from the Lutheran congregation of Rev. P. Fürbringer in Elkhorn Prairie, Ill.

b) For the synodical mission fund:
$51.00 from Mr. Heinr. Biermann, $1.00 from Mr. Christ. Herrling, 50 cts. from Mr. Gottfr. Rausch, $15.00 from the Sunday school children of the congregation of Rev. P. Wyneken in Baltimore, $1.00 from Mr. Steinbrück, $2.14 from the Lutheran congregation at Neumellt, St. Charles Co., Mo.

Paid.
For the 3rd volume: Rev. P. J. Gruber.
For the 4th volume: Messrs. Fr. Brandt, P. Dumser, P. J. Gruber, Kern, P. Löber (3 copies), Löffler, Heinr. Meyer, Joh. Rothschild, P. Stübgen.
For the 5th volume: Messrs. P. J. Gruber, Santschi.

Printed by Arthur Olshausen, publisher of the Anzeiger des Westens.