New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-11
THE STORY OF THE HYMN.

LUTHER As A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by HEiNE
AND CAmALE.
IN the library Of Heinrich Klcmm. publisher IN
Dresden, is preserved thick volume OF music
which IL believed TO be n relic Of Martin Luther.
This book is known in Germany rs the Luther CodcN
of 1890 and is The SUBJECT Of unique publication
from the press Of its owner, which was issued in
numbers during the carly part of the year 1871.
Various circumstances combined 10 cause deal oil
delay in the acceptance Of the book as genuine but
the author Of the publication in question, Otto
Kadc musical director Of the Grand Duke Of
Mecklenberg-Sch subjected it to care
full scrutiny and, taking tho testimony
Of experts ia chiroWaphy aud musical
history came 10 the conclusion that the CodeX was
genuine, that the inscription was unquesiionaby
III the handwriting of the great Eefomer and that,
a. his words indicated the book was rift TO him
from Johann Walthcr, musician in Iorgau. These
facts mako the book an extremely interesting relic
forcombned with other established facts they make
il probable that the page which is given in fac
siInile below is one from which Luther Was wont
to sing the hymn which IIcinc APPLY described
1.-THE Marseilaise hymn Of the Reformation"
The story of the book is not complete
1t came into the possession of Herr
KleIm by purchase at the sale Of the
effects Of a young theological student in LeipsiC
who died in 1880. This young man is SAID to have
received il from n side branch Of the Luther
family living between Eislobon and Halle on the
Saale. II had long boon an heirloom in the family
but they simple folk aud ignorant OF the inter
est attaching to the curious old quartO. The con-
tents Of the book, which il in manuscript, are the
one voice part OF number Of hymns (amOng them
" Elm festo Burg y written by Luther, aud other
portions OF the Church service. II was the custom
Il o4 b tl,ofr
compositions in single parts as orchestral music IS
published now ; the book, in which the voices were
copied were called pGr0 or SHmBbGchcr, and the
Luther COdeX is such voice book" Ii IL much
worn, but ha, been preserved intact except az TO
single leaf. It's binding is the stout hogskin fimil
lar TO all lovers of old books. On the front is pici
urc rather lll-exccuted, of Luther surrounded by
Latin hCxametcr:
Noseiur scripts mems tua hnc foTma Iuthcrt,
which might be freely translated 10 mean "Luthcr's
writings disclose bis spirit, this picture his Inca
ments" On the back is picture Of Mclanhcthon
surrounded by q similar hcxamcter to this effect
Here the form of Philip, but his spirit deics the
Waycr" Such notices common "A few centu-
Tics ago, aud it was doubtless in compliance with
the custom Of writing thom that Ben .JOnsOn
wrote his quaint lines On the portrait of Shakes
peare" pTelixed as trOntspiece 90 tho first folio
edition of the pOet5 works IN 1858. On the title
page of the book is the inscription in which Luther
Walther, and which is also reproduced below in
fac-simile. This is the text:
Hat myr vorchret mcyn gutter Frcund,
Herr Johann Nalthcr,
CUmpOHist Nusicc
IA IOrLaw,
1880,
Dem Cot gnade
MaItinus Luther.
The meaning Of this is that the book was pre-
scented to Luther by his good friend, Herr Johann
WaltheT, musical composer at Torgau, in 1880"
1t is signed with piOus expression.
What use did Luther make of such a book
Matthias Ratzenberger, in passage of has biog-
raphy preserved in the" Bibliotheca Ducais Goth
ana" tells us in the quaint style Of his time:
"Luhcrus" be says, chad also this custom IA soon
he had the evening meal with his table cOmpan
ions Uhe companions probably who treasured
devOutly the words % wisdom which M let fan In
satiOn, aud afterwaId published them in the "Tablc
TAX "a community of BOswels he would fetch oGt Of
his little writing his pdrtss and hold a mus
with those OF them who had mind for music. Greatly
was he delighted when good position OF the old
Ter htted the responses 0rhyos h tD,re dnH and es
peoialy did no enjoy the cGuta greg .rt0RO
aud chorale. IL at time he perceive IN song
that was incorrectly copied he set II again upon the
lines that g. he brought the parts together and reced
IL continent. Right gladly did he join IN the singing
set by the MIlsieEs to q Canaan Gregoridnu8', as
We have said, and his young sons. Hartinus,
and Pauus has also after table 10 sing the FspOHSora de
tsmpOre as al Chrstmas, IejbRW caro- HcfaDi est IN
DrnoiDO eraf ferbUH ut Easter ChrS'Us JtSV0cHs er
ssortns Vita sGRetortf, FfotlHU guSchdH ahae etc.