Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-10
Lutheranisnl i'm America.

Lutheranism is the prevailing form of Protest.
antism in SaXony. Hanover and the greater part
OF northern Germany as well as in Wurtemburg
1t also prevails to a considerable extent in other
parts OF Germany. 1t is the national religion of
Denmark. Sweden aud Norway. and there are
Lutheran churches in Holland, France Poland
etc.
In 1921 the first Lutheran came to the United
states with the early Dutch settlers landing In
what is now New York. They had no minister
In 1858 some Swedish Lutherans settled at Will
n'in-ton. Delaware bringing minister with
them. Their second pastor translated the cate
chiSm into The Indian language, and abOred
among the sayages. These Iutherans afterward
united with the Protestant Episcopal church.
and the old Swedes' church still stands in
Wilmington.
The first German Lutherans settled in New
York in 1914. 1t was some years before they
had minister. In 1903 their place of worship
was on the corner OF Broadway and Rector
street. In ITO four thousand German Luther
ans arrived in America and settled in New
York. Pennsylvania. and South Carolina.
Another large colony settled in Georgia IN 1884
Dr. Meichor Muhlenberg. who came here at the
request of the Lutherans il 1742. was promi-
nent!y identified with the early history of the
church. 1t was through his influence that
synod was formed in l74S. which eventually met
annually, with beneficial results. In 1749
an orphan asylum was erected at Ebenezur
was commenced. and. two years later, Franklin
college was founded by the legislature of
PENNSYLVANIA "for the special benefit of the
Germans Of the commonwealth as an acknoWl-
ed@Tnent of services rendered by them to the
state and in consideration of their industry and
public virtues" In 1871 the same legislature
gave five thousand acres Of land to the free
schools OF the church. In 17S5 the New York
synod was formed: in 1903 that of South Car
DINA: in 1919 that of Ohio; in 1920 that of
md irri,l In rr,hI Ito
mary was established at Hartwick, New York
The frst Lutheran church where the English
language was exclusively used was built in
1893 In 1920 the general synod was formed,
having 135 ministers and 33 600 church mem
bers. After the war the Southern General
synod was formed. division on doctrinal
grounds occurred in the northern synod owing
To difference OF opinion as to interpreting the
Augsburg confession, some claiming that it was
not necessary for church membership to be
strictly adhered to- In 1864 the synod of Penn
syiVan!a withdrew and formed a separate cOun-
Gil. In 1880 there were in the United States 50
synodS 3hl5 ministers. ), 22f congregations and
S2o.UGO church members.
The Nincty-five Theses.
LCfHER's PROTEST AGAINST THE PRACTICES OF
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Protestant Reformation dates from the
3lst OF October, 1917, the day on which Luther
nailed to the door of the church at Wittenberg
the famous nnety-iiye theses. According to
the historians of the Reformation, Pope Leo X
In 1910 resorted to the plan of selling indul-
l.enccs as a means Of filling the empty treasury
at Rome. This traffic was entrusted to monk
named John TetZpl and Others. Luthers first
knowledge of this traffic was brought to him by
some of his own parishioners. who living in
"ittenberg. had gone to neiThbOring town to
purchase some of the new merchandise They
ire, orit in,
and even crimes which they had committed and
on being rebuked by Luther they replied that
they did not intend to abandon their SINS
her was shocked and would not absolve
them unless they promised to change their
habits. They then showed him their letters
of Indulgence. believing in their efficacy. The
poor dnpes returned to TetZel with complaints
against Their c0ntessOr. and he threatened to
eXcommunicate and bring the most dreadful
maiedictions to bear against Luther and any
Others who dared question the efficacy of his
induleences. Luther appealed to the bishops
and to the Pope. They would not interfere.
Then he wrote out the ninety-fve theses as
subjects for discussion at the coming HOLIDAY of
All Saints and nailed them to the door of the
church.
The principal points of the theses are as fol-
lows
l. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ when He
commands us to repent intends that our whole
lives Shall be one of repentance
2. This word cannot be understood of the sac
rament of penance g. e., confession and satisfac-
tom as administered by the priest
). Still the Lord does not mean to speak in
this place solely OF internal repentance, which is
null If it produce not externally every kind of
modification OF the flesh.
4. Repentance and sorrow that is true peni-
tence lasts as long as man is displeased with
himself; that is, while he passes from this to
eternal life
5. The Pope neither intends. nor can he remit
any other punishment than that which he has
imposed, according to his good pleasure, or in
conformity with the canOns-that is to the Papal
ordinances.
g. The Pope can forgive no debt but can
only declare and confirm the forgiveness which
GOD Himself has given except in cases that re-
fer to himself. If he does otherwise the debts
remain unremoved and untorgiven.
Z. God for@ives the sins of no one whom he
does not at the same time humble, and who is
not willing to obey his cOnfeSsor.
3. The laws of ecclesiastical penance ought
to be imposed solely on the living, and have no
regard to the dead.
81. Therefore the preachers Of indulgences
are in error when they say that in consequence
of the Pope's indulgences men are liberated
from all sin and saved.
%. The same power that the Pope has over
purgatOry throughout the Church, each bishop
possesses individually in his own diocese and
each priest in his own parish.
q. They preach mere human folly who main
tain that as soon as the money ratties in the
strong box the soul flies out of purgatory.
%. This is certain, that as soon as the money
tinkles ayarice and love of gain arrive, increase
and multiply. But the support and prayers of
the Church depend solely on Gods will and good
pleasure.
30. Those who fancy themselves sure of saliva
ton by indulgences will 60 to perdition along
with those who teach them so.
S5. They are teachers of anti-Christian doc
trines who pretend that to deliver a soul from
pursatOry or to buy an indulgence there is no
need Of either sorrow or repentance
IS. Every Christian who truly repents of his
sins enjoys an entire remission both of the pen
atty and of the guilt, without any need of in
dulgences.
81. Every true Christian. whether dead or
alive, participates in all the blessings Of Christ,
or of the church, by Gods gift and without a
letter Of indulgence.
80. Still We should not contemn the papal
dispensaton and pardon: for this pardon is a
declaration OF the pardon of God.
40. True repentance and sorrow seak and love
the punishment: but the miliness OF indulgence
absolves from the punishment and begets
hatred against Il.
AZ. We should teach Christians that the Pope
has no thought or desire of comprising in any
respect the act of buying indulgence with any
mark Of mercy.
43. We should teach Christians that he who
gives to the poor or lends to the needy does
better than he who purchases an indulgence