itizens of the old faith, who surpassed them
in numbers. The latter sought advice from their neighbors of Obwalden,
who, on their part, very willingly came forward and tried to gain over
their allies to the support of the Oberlanders. In this they were not
unsuccessful. Even the ruling authorities of the Five Cantons exhorted
them to hold fast to the old religion in public or in private, and
hinted at coming events and help just at hand. Under the pretext of
looking once more upon the bones of Saint Beatus, the Abbot of Uri, the
_landamman_ and several prominent Zugers came to Interlachen. Ought not
the wicked attempt of the innovators to commit them to the earth be
prevented? Captain Sch[oe]nbrunner of Zug, asserted that he had
concealed at least part of the relics in his cap and thus saved them.
"Come to us in future," they now said, "as we heretofore made
pilgrimages to you. St. Beatus lies with us." The public mind became
more and more disturbed in the Haslithal. One Sunday in June, some of
the leaders, instigated by persons from Obwalden, called together a
general assembly of the people. The question was started whether the
mass should be restored; and it was decided in the affirmative by a
vote of one hundred and fifty one, against one hundred and eleven.
Dispatches immediately went forth to Obwalden and Uri for priests, and
several were conducted by the country people of the Five Cantons, yea,
by the very magistrates, with drums and fifes to Hasle and Brienz; and
mass was again celebrated amid great rejoicing. What should the
government do? It was a perilous undertaking for them to carry out
changes in worship against the decided will of a majority of the
people. Some members of the Council declared their opposition to it.
The mass, they thought, might be permitted, without bringing back
episcopal power and foreign church-rule. But the Great Council firmly
rejected every such compromise. Copies of the treaties, by which they
had come under the dominion of Bern, were sent to the inhabitants of
the Haslithal, and appeals made to their duty of submission to the
highest authorities of the Canton, even in ecclesiastical affairs. It
was all in vain. The adherents of the old faith, stirred up by their
new priests, determined to yield under no circumstances. They asked
help from Obwalden; they ventured to appear before the deputies of the
Five Cantons, assembled at Beckenried, with a similar request. But no
resolution was