The Diocesan Messenger (Belleville, Illinois)/Alone in Death

by anonymous

Alone in Death.

Bartos Bittner was the author of a most blasphemous catechism, which has been widely used by Bohemian and other socialists to destroy the Christian faith. Arranged in the simple question and answer form were teachings that God, the Blessed Mother, the pious practises and devotions of millions of Christians were men’s inventions to chain the mind and fetter human action. The catechism taught free love, the following of every animal instinct and derision of the commandments. Portions of this catechism were recently printed in the Common Cause. Offensive as these excerpts were to one with any spirit of reverence, they were innocent compared with much of the teachings of Bittner’s catechism for socialist instruction.

Bartos Bittner is dead. A strong odor attracted the attention of the persons who lived in the same house in Chicago where Bittner had lodgings. The odor was traced to his room. Bittner had not been seen for several days. His body was found in his room, advanced in decomposition.

At war with the world on the question of religion, at war with the prevailing view concerning marriage and childhood, at enmity with his family, an apostate from his religion, a seducer of souls from God, corrupt in inclination, foul in teaching, alone in death, Bartos Bittner was found a mass of corruption.

Poor Bittner! May God grant His mercy that that soul so corrupt in life, and that body so corrupt in death, despite the double signification shown in his life and end, may be met with mercy by the Great Judge at the final judgment!

---