Socialist violence in a church – Walther's 1884 report: “freedom” to rampage

      The Socialists never fooled C. F. W. Walther, like they do most Americans today.  Even now it seems that people are more interested in their physical and commercial well-being, than defending against the wide-spread ideology of Socialism in America today.  What we hear occasionally reported today in America was also happening in Germany in Walther's day.  The 1884 Der Lutheraner, p. 21 contains Walther's news and commentary (translation by BackToLuther):

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What kind of spiritual children the Socialists are was once again clearly revealed in a church in Vienna on December 30 of last year [1883]. When a Catholic priest by the name of Hammerle preached on “Christian love and charity” in the evening service before an audience of about 2,000, and in doing so lashed out against Socialism, a whistle suddenly sounded which was the signal for a general uproar. In all parts of the church the present Socialists rose up, and among the shouting and whistling the cry rang out: “Out with the Jesuit!”, whereupon one stone after another flew toward the pulpit. Everything got into the highest excitement, and when finally a bad boy shouted loudly “Fire!” through the whole church, such a great fright took possession of those present that everyone rushed toward the exits, so that incalculable misfortune could easily have happened. However, only about a dozen people were injured and the priest, whom they intended to stone, escaped with his skin intact. However, this incident has once again made it quite clear what the Socialists actually mean when they shout: “Freedom and equality!” They demand that they be allowed the freedom to go on the rampage in their meetings against everything that does not think like them in a socialist way; but to speak publicly against them is considered by them a crime worthy of death. W. [Walther]

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      One may note that Walther stays focused against Socialism in this report and does not defend against Catholicism, as he does in many other places. "Social Democracy" today would promote its "peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism" (Wikipedia), but at its core, it will always revert to a "revolutionary approach to transition." — The true, Old “Missouri Synod” was always vehemently opposed to Socialism.  It is a spiritual, not political, matter. And this blog is committed to being “publicly against them.”  What would Luther say?  Listen to Walther.