Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-17


the members Of the Lutheran denomination Of
the United States, in front q the Lutheran
Memorial church. fronting Thomas circle. in
this city. Will begin tomorrow evening This
event will be- made the occasion of great
gathering of the clergy and members of that
denomination. 1t is the design to begin the
ceremonies with meeting On Sunday evening,
followed by ore on Tuesday evening. when ad-
dresses will be delivered On Wednesday the
statue will be unveiled the ceremonies consist
ing simply of addresses and the singing OF
Iuther's battle hymn. The memorial OF the
Lutherans will then stand in the capital city Of
the nation to bear its testimony to the power OF
individual character.
Description Of the Statue.
SUGGESTIVE AND STRIKING FIGURE UPON A
MASSIVE GRANITE PEDESTAL
This addition to the memorials i'm bronze and
marble which now adorn the parks and reserva-
lions of this city will give no occasion to the
criticism so frequently made that statues are
unmeaning masses Of metal and stone. There
Is character about this statue of Martin Luther,
and a sugQestyeness of strong. resoute man.
hood that is real and living it is q reduplica-
ton of the central 6gnre Of the famous group
in Worms. the last work of the great German
sculptor Rietschel. The statue. cut of which
appears on this PAGE OF THE STAR. Is in bronze.
OF colossal size. 1t is IL Z feet in height. and
stands upon massive granite pedestal of the
same height The base of the pedestal is
solid block of granite, eleven feet square. Upon
this is placed large square block, with I'M
dressed faces. the rough and rugged exterior of
which is typical of some phases of the great re-
formers character. Resting upon this block is
still another of smaller dimensions and upon
the smooth surface OF the front face is raised
scroll. upon which is craven in plain characters
the words Martin Luther" This is the only
inscription of any kind about the monument.
The statue itself rests upon a broad fiat surface
OF granite. and faces the south. Luther is
represented as clad in the ministerial robes of
his time His left hand holds q closed Bible.
and the right resting upon it. is clenched with
iron resolution. His face Is slightly turned up
ward, and his lips are parted. representing him
as he stood before the Diet of Worms concluding
his defense. The expression of the face, as we'll
as that of the entire figure is that of firm reso-
luton and determination. The pose is graceful
and natural and this effect Is heightened by the
soit and flowing drapery OF the clerical gown.
A History Of the Movement.
\ SUGGESTION THAT WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED
THE STATUE ASSOCIATION, ETC.
The history of the movement which culmi-
mated in the erection of the statue in this city
possesses an interest apart from the success
which has crowned the efforts made. The occur
renee of the io0th anniversary of the birth of
Luther, in November of last year. and the ap-
prOpriate observance of that day. not only by
the members of the religions denomination
which bears his name. but by all Professionals
throughout the world, emphasized afresh the
great work wrought by this humble monk Of
the fifteenth century. The interest taken in the
preparations for this anniversary paved the way
for the prompt and hearty acceptance of a sur-
gestiOn that the anniversary OF Luther's birth
be concentrated in an enduring monument Of
the great refOrmer.
THE FIRST SUGGESTION
To Mr-Chas. 4. Schiern, of New York city,
belongs the honor of having first suggested the
Idea of a static of Luther to be erected in this
city. The Washington correspondent of the
Lutheran OjSeTreT, Rev. j. G.. Butler in one Of
his letters in the early part of last year, men,
toned the suggestion of Mr. Sehiern. Rev. Dr.
D. e. Morris. of Baltimore, another correspond
ent of the OjseFcer. gave his hearty endorse
ment to tins suggestion. These publications
attracted the attention OF Mr.. G.. A. DObler of
Baltimore, and he at once entered into CORE
spOndence with Rev. Mr.. Butler. Mr.. DObler
transmitted photographs of the Luther statue
In the group at Worms. and also copies of cor
respondeEce with Iauchhammer at whose foun-
dries IN Germany the original bronze had been
cast. Mr. DGbler further suggested the names
OF Hr. \. j. ID. Wedemeyer and Mr.. j. W b.
DOb!er. OF New York city, with whom Rev. Mr.
Butter at once opened a correspondence In
reply to letter to Mr. Augustus kountze of
came as dld also cheerful response from Mr.
George Ryneal. jr-. OF this city.
THE STATUE ASSOCIATION
These gentlemen, with the addition Of Hon
Daniel VI Fox. of Philadelphia. suggested by
the editor of The O6strrer, formed themselves
into an association for the accomplishment of
this object On the 14th of February 1888 O.
Circular was issued, which gave picture of the
proposed statue and invited subscriptions The
papers Of the Lutheran church gave the project
their Endorsement. as well the religious press
of the country generally. After the movement
lad been fairly started and SUBSCRIPTIONS began
20 come in. the question arose as to the proper
OcatiOH OF the statue in this city, The hone
was expressed that permission might be OBJ
iained 10 place the statue upon one of the pub
lie reservations This, however. was found to
Dc uiteTsE il3pract!cabie. The Memorial Iuthe-
ali Church. at a congregational meeting, au-
horned the trustees to transfer to the statue
association. as soon as Incorporated. so much Of
he Triangle south OF the church as might be
ieedei for the location Of the statue. The
question Of the site was in this way finally set
led.
MONEY READILY GIVEN.
SO prompt and hearty were the responses 20
.he arpea! Of the circular that on the 18th of
Apr! the committee felt warranted in ordering
NE statue 10y ca5egram, less than two months
from the date OF Issuing tine Circular. Ii was
then tAe expectation that the statue would be
reads for unwilling by the 10th of November.
the 4GJth anniversary Of the reformer's birth
IL was soon learned, however that the statue
Could not be completed at so early a date
THE PEDESTAL.
Several artists and architects submitted de-
signs for pedestal, the committee eventually
adopting that presented by Messrs. Cluss /
Schulz, OF this city, who gave their services
gratuitousy in this memorial Of their fellow
cOuEtryman. \. III. JOuvenal was awarded the
contract for constructing the pedestal The
statue was transported from Hamburg 10 this
city by the North German Lloyd steamship com
pany and BY the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
company. and from the depot in this city to the
present site by MeSsrs. Springnan & Co. free 0i
cost.
The cost of the statue was SIS eco. and tine ey.
pense attendant upon erecting the pedestal and
other items OF expenditure swell the total
cost Of the memorial to about 5000. The funds
raised were sufficient 70 meet the entire expen-
diture with the exception OF a small amount.
On the Sth instant Rev. DIR. Butler in the
presence of q few spectators placed in the pedes-
TAI copper box. hermetically sealed. contain
Ing the following documents: Bible HoOt-
ms Life OF Luther. Iuthers Smaller Cate
ehlsm. the Lutheran Almanac for 1854, a United
states Blue Book. the Lutheran papers and the
CITY papers, history of the statue, and a list
Vi the subscribers TO the fund.
The Worms Memorial.
DESCRIPTION OF TIE FAMOUS GROUP CON-
hAAoIAIING THE REFORMATION.