St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-12-14
Letter From Germany.

happen occasionally. Pleasant for
those who are most interested in the
happen, if the happen happens to be
pleasant and pleasant for others who
are thereby relieved of the mOnotony
of weekly letters upon weakly sub
iects.
Something has, indeed, happened in
this staid old German town of Leipsic.
Do you ask what it was? Consult
your calendar, and German history and
you will discover-as though you in
the states have not thought of it yet
that Martin Luther was born four hun
dred years ago day before yesterday.
The celebrations made in the last two
days in honor of that remarkable baby
extended throughout Germany-yes,
throughout all Christendom.
For several months past arrangements
have been making in this region for
this occasion, and from time to time
elaborate festivals have been given in
honor of the great RefOrmer. At Els
enach in August, at WittteEberg in
and at Jena the past week,
were imposing ceremonies.
The evening of the 9th inst. sacred
concert was given in this city consist
ing of Reform -cantata by Sebastian
Bach, and a Reformation -cantata by
Albert Becker. The performers were
the choir of the church where the con-
cert was held, the city orchestra, and
solo singers from other cities. The
choir and orchestra were very large,
and their performances fine. Though
we went an hour before the concert
was to commence, the seats were all
taken and we could scarcely find stand
ing room however, by means of small
fee we enlisted the sympatlies of the
sexton who opened Il door and let us
step into Il sort of cupboard like room
where we found chairs and a good posi-
ton. 1t was a sacred concert and one
of the finest of its kind.
The forenoon of the 10th, sacred ser
vices and band music were given in the
city schools. The rooms were decOrat-
ed with evergreen and adorned with
plants and flowers and fine busts of
Luther. In the University an Grafton
was delivered on ''The Personality of
Luther
A vast long procession was formed
in the market place, which marched in
the rain to the new Luther monument
which was to be unveiled, with hun
dred banners floating and fifty divi-
siOns in full uniform. Great crowds of
people lined the streets, vainly trying
to protect themselves from the rain.
The statue is in bronze by Professor
Schalling of Dresden, and represents
Luther in sitting posture with the
Bible upon his knee, and MelancthOn
standing beside him with his hand
upon Luther's shoulder and looking in
tently ut him. 1t stands upon high
pedestal of stone, upon the four sides
tablets in memory of remarkable
dates.
The uHveiling might have been
pleasanter. The rain had produced
its natural effects upon the covering,
so that, instead of promptly obeying
the cord that would lift it, it clung
persistently to the uneven statue and
was removed with much trouble.
Then followed an Grafton by one of the
University professors having many
titles, Handel's Hallelujah with the
orchestra, and the ringing of city bells
for half an hour.
At five o'clock religious services
were held in nearly all the churches,
and as that was the time for our
American prayer meeting, we were in
sympathy with our German friends,
hope, i'll something more than curiosity.
At six o'clock almost all the buildings
of Leipsic were Illuminated with all
manner of devices. Merchants COM
bined patriotism with business-hOnOr-
ing Luther with their unique adver
tisements. | say patriotism, for it
seemed to be that rather than religion ;
perhaps | should say both combined,
for this people honor Luther as a man,
as German, and as a benefactOr of the
empire, rather than as an instrument
of God for spiritual good to each one
personally.
On Sunday the lIth, was laid amid
great display, the corner stone of the
new Luther church, for the building OF
which, understand that 200, ,0W
marks or about $50,000 have already
been subscribed. How would that dc
for Il Sunday service in st. JOhnsbury
| In the afternoon was a children's
service in all the churches, and one
procession made up of one mission
Sunday school, numbering 500, who al
went to one church, and that was ont
of five churches which | saw filled, il
like manner, with little children anG
their teachers. They all had "A printed
program of the exercises and all joined
heartily in them. How those littl,
folks did sing !-loud, heartily and il
good time and in sweetest harmony
1t was delightful to hear and to Sc,
them.
At six o'clock a general service wa
held like that of the morning. Ant
again another service at eight in til,
evening, which was the most peculia