Since the charge has been denied, we have again extensively examined the writings of the Reformers, and whilst it would afford us pleasure to withdraw it, and acknowledge our error; our conviction has grown more firm, and we shall be greatly surprised if the great majority of impartial minds do not find the evidence of our position fully satisfactory.

At the same time, whilst we charge the Confession with favoring merely the _ceremonies_ of the mass, other writers of the first respectability, have expressed the charge in stronger language.
Thus _Fuhrmann_, in his Lexicon of Religious and Ecclesiastical History, speaking of the Romish mass, says: "_That Luther for some time tolerated it, and gave if a a German garb and afterwards abolished it, is notorious_.

[Note 3] And that impartial and highly respectable historian of our own country, Dr.Murdock, whose extended and valuable additions to the classic church history of Dr.Moshiem, abundantly prove his acquaintance with the subject; in giving a synopsis of the contents of the Augsburg Confession, thus epitomises the 24th Article: "_The Protestants are falsely taxed with abolishing the mass_.

They only purified it; and discarded the idea of its being a work of merit, or offering for the sins of the living and the dead, which militates against the scriptural doctrine, that Christ's sacrifice is the only sin offering." [note 4] In order that we may give this question an impartial and conscientious investigation, let us first inquire into the meaning of the word mass among the Papists, apart from the present dispute.

"_Mass_ (missa, Mess,) says _Fuhrmann_, in his Lexicon of Religious and Ecclesiastical History, [Note 5] at first signified that worship of God, which _preceded_ the celebration of the Lord's Supper.