He then folded the paper, and gave it to the priest.
“That your congregation may be informed of my command,” said he, “you must nail this police notice upon the church door. Now go!”
Before the priest had left the garden, the Berlin official burst into a loud laugh.
“Oh! this is sublime!” he exclaimed. “I must confess that you have these priests under splendid subjection. The Russian method is admirable, and must be introduced into the new German Empire.”
“My opinion,” said the professor, in a tone of indescribable sarcasm, “is that this Russian method is even excelled by the Prussian. The governor has not forbidden the pastor to preach, he has simply given him matter for his sermons; but upon the doors of several churches in certain cities of Prussia police notices are placed, which forbid preaching altogether; and not only preaching, but even the hearing of confessions and the celebration of Mass. I think, therefore, that we have surpassed the Russians.”
“That is so,” replied Herr Schulze; “but the order of which you speak is unfortunately directed only against the Jesuits.”
“It is all the same,” answered Beck. “Catholic preaching, the holy Mass, and confession were forbidden. The war of destruction is not made solely against the Jesuits, but against the church.”
“You are correct, professor!” answered Schulze. “Do you know Dr. Friedberg, of Leipzig?”
“Not personally,” replied Beck; “but I am familiar with some of his writings.”
“Well,” continued Schulze, “Dr. Friedberg is Bismarck’s most faithful adviser and assistant in the combat against the ultramontanes, who are so hostile to the empire. Friedberg has lately published a work in which he expressly says that war is to be made not on the Jesuits alone, but on the whole Catholic Church, and that this war must be energetically carried out.”