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John Lloyd, of Ebensburg, grandson of Rev. Rees Lloyd, Father Gallitzin was on terms of intimate friendship and often called to see him when in Ebensburg and which friendship was reciprocated by the former who sided with Father Gallitzin in his troubles with rebellious members of his congregation.
Mr. Riddle tells the circumstance which led to the publication of these works as follows:
"In 1814 or 1815, the Government had directed the observance of a 'day of humiliation and prayer.' It was during the war commenced with England in 1812. The pastor of the Presbyterian church at Hartslog, in Huntingdon County, preached a sermon on that day which was published in the Huntingdon Gazette.
"It was in some respects a very disastrous affair. It said to be a re-cast of a sermon delivered about the time of Braddock's campaign by William Smith, D. D., of Philadelphia, proprietor of the town of Huntingdon, an Episcopalian. Something was said in it of `our papist and heathen neighbors,' and also of `popish superstitutions,' referring to the French in Canada.
"The Democratic wing of the congregation took offense at things said against the administration of Mr. Madison and `seceded.' And Dr. Gallitzin, through the medium of the Gazette, demanded an explanation or retraction as to 'our popish neighbors,' etc.
"I have never read or heard of a retraction in a theological dispute, to the best of my recollection. Of course, none was given, and there was as is to be expected in such cases a `piling up' of ridicule and abuse in the reply.
"For some time the correspondence was in the Gazette, published by John McCahan, recently deceased. It, however, became too voluminous for a little newspaper and was discontinued there. But the Presbyterian minister, who by the way, was also a worthy and estimable man, apart from his sectarian proclivities, published a pamphlet against Dr. Gallitzin and his religion. As a general reply, the latter published in 1816, `A Defence of Catholic Principles.' It circulated freely in Huntingdon County, and, amongst Protestants some said it was the abler expose of the two.
"I have reason to believe that these observations in particular instances reached Dr. G., and induced him to
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