# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Januar 1863_S27
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ecclesiastical Contemporary Notes. 27

and princes, upon whom, in the train of their indulgence and unwariness toward these very "hypocrites," heavy trials are now breaking in, may soften and bring them to clear insight into the striving of the revolutionary "works" hidden within the Freemasons' league." Would that it were so! Herr v. Bennigsen too, as Grand Master of the German Eclectic League and President of the Nationalverein, has delivered a fine piece of work, of which the catechism affair is the crown. At this writing the King of Prussia's eyes are said to have been somewhat opened, and he is said to have found the "hypocrites" where he did not look for them at the beginning of his reign. If only he has not found them too late!

The Masonic order, moreover, is a mere vessel, of which the current of the age makes use in its own way, just as it does of the Jews. Accordingly it is at times more, at times less dangerous. Only the secrecy of an inaccessible league must always give rise to concern, because it can serve dangerous intrigues both as a hiding-place and as machinery. Rightly, therefore, does the Bishop Ketteler of Mainz demand that the league come out into the open, in an age which everywhere, in every proceeding, makes openness into a law. That, however, would be the end of the Masonic order, though not the end of secret orders as such. For once a certain party wills to rule the world and to make everything turn on its threads, it must demand that everything in state and church be drawn out into the light of publicity, so that it may be handed over to the arrows of suspicion or to the shelter of the marketplace-crier's flatteries, while the party itself carries on its undisturbed mole's-work in the dark. The Berlin Freemason ought not to complain that his brothers take the whole hand after he has offered them a finger."

Ecclesiastical Contemporary Notes.

I. America.

The "Observer" on the "Purpose of God in the Present War." However much we must sigh under the hand of God, which in this earnest season of visitation lies heavy and persistent upon us and upon our poor land, it does nevertheless seem, God be praised and thanked, that the chastisements of the LORD have not been altogether in vain upon us, since the voices are increasing which recognize our great national sins as the true ground of our national misfortune. So too does the "Observer," in its number of December 12, in an article under the above title, answer the question as to the purpose of God in the present war as follows: "In the first place he wills thereby to humble the pride of the nation. "He who is to be brought to ruin first becomes proud, and proud spirit comes before the fall."" We have become too proud, both as regards individuals, families, and states, and as regards the nation as such, and we must be humbled or perish. There is no help for us except in humility. As with individuals, so with nations it is said: "". He who exalts himself shall be brought low, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." — Further: God wills through this war to break the terrible bent of the nation toward greed. We have been as a people sold to this vice, have become a nation of idolaters who serve the god Mammon, and the Almighty has resolved to lay his hand upon our idol and to grind it to dust before our eyes. Thirdly: God wills to teach us our dependence upon him. We had become in our own eyes so rich, great, and wise that we could imagine we "needed nothing" and could get on quite well without our Creator. We had such a land, such agriculture, manufactures, trade, and knowledge, were able to raise up such armies and fleets, to build such fortresses and iron-armored ships, and to do such wonderful