The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-13
LuTHER'S LIGHT LIVES LONG.
Ceremonial Celebration OF his Four'
Hundredth birthday.
Impressive Ceremonies in Richmond
Churches.

ne Hrst saw tue ilBnL or ire IN lne tO"h ol
Eisleben, In Germany. Last Saturday was
the four-hundredth anniversary, and was
recognized and celebrated all over the
world. In America Sunday was generally
set apart for the celebration.
A large congregation, representative oi
nll denominations, gathered ut the First
English Lutheran church on that day
to celebrate the four-hundredth annlyer.
sary OF Martin Lutbers birth.
Above the pulpit, among golden dates In
Luther's life, hung life-size portrait OF
him. The floral decorations were chaste
and elaborate. The music gratified the
highest expectations. Professor Ide pre-.
sided at the organ, accompanied on the
cornet by Mr.. Smith. A chorus OF male
voices led the congregation in singing the
grand hymns Of Luther, and II was grand
singing. The hymns and responsive SER
vices were printed and distributed through
the congregation.
After the introductory exercises the pas
tor, Rev. w. c. Shaefler, read Luther's IA
vorite Psalm, the 10th, and began his adj
dress by a1uding to the great memorial
jubilee now in progress throughout the
world wherever Protestant Christianity
has place and home. 1t is the recogni-
tion OF Luther az the champion and re-
storer OF civil and religious liberty. The
history OF the human race is the history Of
| one man.
The prominent incidents Of Luther's life
were then briefly bat graphically sketched,
with the remark that no scene in human
history presented so grand spectacle as
Luther at the Diet of Worms. The civil
and religious liberties OF The world trem-
| - 4 - L.. al -
august presence. By Gods grace he was
equal to the occasion, and in the face OF
Emperor, cardinals, bishops, priests, and
the Pope, he vindicated the right OF pri-
yate judgment and forever set the world
| free.
Luther had long and painful struggle
from the darkness OF superstition and er-
ror into the light and liberty OF the gospel.
1t was not until he apprehended the great
truth that not by works and pilgrimages
and penance, but that " the just shall live
bv faith" that he became free man, made
free by the Truth. Luther now burned
with the desire TO give the gospel to all
men, and performed work that challenges
the admiration Of the world-namely, trans
lating the Bible into the German. Three
| printing presses were employed on the
New Testament, and on the Dist OF Septem-
Der. 1922, the first edition OF 5000 copies
appeared and was sold for sixty cents a
copy. So great was the demand that by the
1st OF December a second edition appeared,
and by 1888 tiity-eight editions had been
issued In various parts Of Germany.
Luther was an Indefatigable worker.
Besides teaching and preaching he issued,
during his life, 352 volumes. He was a
preacher of great power and wonderful
fascination. He announced the true prin-
ciples of republican government, Illus
trated now by our country. He restored
the purity and sanctity Of domestic life,
and himself gave an example of Il sweet.
happy. pure, and pious home life. He was
musician, and composed some grand
hymns. He was philosopher. He was a
truly great man in every view OF his life
and character and work.
| But that Luther lives to-day in the hearts
OF so great a multitude is due TO the fact
of his great faith in God, chosen Of God
to set free the enslaved will. mind, and
soul OF the race for ali time. God honored
Luther. 1t is right that we should honor
him. Let his faith and life and success
stimulate Us, as they come to us to-day, a
precious legacy.
Dr. w. w. Landrum's Address.
The afternoon service was held in the
First Presbyterian church, and the address
delivered by Rev. w. w. Landrum, OF the
| Second Baptist church.
Mr.. Landrllm took his text from Ephe-
slams xi. 20: "And are built upon this
foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief cor
ner-stone; in whom all the building, ftly
framed together, Croweth unto holy tenn
pie in the Lord; in whom We also are
| builded together for a habitation OF God
through the spirit"
The minister said among the greatest
OF the prophets in all the centuries, ante
biblical, biblical, or post-bibicai, high on
fame's eternal scroll was the name OF Martin
Luther, whose divine reformation has been
the Joy and inspiration and glory OF the
civilized world for nearly four hundred
wears. No man shall surpass me in enthu-
siasm. feel at liberty to reverently and
humbly paraphrase my adorable Masters
words and say: "ThOu art Luther, and on
this Rock will hold my Church. and the
gates Of hell shall not prevail against it,
"Luther," he said, "is a great worlds
figure in the procession OF human thought
God was preparing the world for Luther
while he was preparing Luther for the
world.
Throughout all Europe there was q
mighty quickening OF thought, and OF con-
science, and Of the spirit OF liberty in the
latter half OF the fifteenth century. In
1886. at Mayence. the invention OF print
inc paved the way for the extensive cir
culation OF the reformer's views.
Mr.. Landrum then gave a graphic de-
scription Of the condition OF the world at
the time Of Luthers appearance.
Luther's revolution, he SAID, may be con-
sidered from several points OF view. II
was q quiet and comprehensive movement
in the direction OF the emancipation OF
thought. Enemies join with friends in
conceding that. That is a reason why it is
proposed to build Luther monument in
Washington, the capital OF the freest coun-
trv on the globe. DR.. Dollinger, president
of the Royal Academy mt Munich and
leader OF the old Catholics, writes that his
co-religionists will take part in the festiyi-
ties commemorating Luther's birth. This
we do, he says, apart from religious
grounds, because Luther did so much for
the language, letters, and education OF the
country as TO deserve the everlasting
thanks Of all Germans.
| ST. Johns German Evangelical Church.
The services at this church were very
grand and imposing, and the decorations
were gorgeous and pretty, consisting OF
floral designs and time-honored pictures.
The exercises commenced with the OPEN
ing voluntary, after which the church choir
sang 1.-The Lord Is Now Within His TEN
ple." Then followed the reading Of the
I22d Psalm by the pastor. AT the conclu-
sion OF this the entire assembly arose, and
in the next moment the majestic strains OF
Luther's grand old choral. :" A Mighty
Fortress is Our God,' filed the church
with burst Of harmony.
TIE SINGING.
| M u,x.,.;,,e, ,,oc a e,roaf faof,tro Tho