National Republican., 1884-05-17

would not have been. 1t stands an unyield-
ing protest against all priestcraft and king,
craft, q pledge Of the coming glory, when all
oppression shall be destroyed by the word Of
tho Loyd." The assemblage then quietly
dispersed. The box contained Bible pre-
sented by the Washington City Bible society,
q copy Of Bostlin's Luther" Stairs year
Book" the "Augsburg Teacher" Luthers
Catechism, Yard other books and Lutheran pa
pers, n copy Of The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,
aud the other city papers, the blue book of the
United States, and history OF the movement
which illuminated in tho erection OF tho
statue.
The statue ia fne piece Of German work
manship. II is an exact counterpart of tho
central figure of tho world.rGnowned group
at Worms, Germany. In IL Luther appears
in colossal bronze about eleven feet six
inches high and standing upon pedestal OF
granite nearly sixteen feet in height. lilo is
standing erect, with face and eyes raised, and
clad in the ministerial robes of his time. lie
bears upon tho left arm closed Bible, upon
which his closed right hand rests. The right
foot is advanced, and ho is said to be appeal
ing to God, with upturned face, for tho
triumph of the gospel. The total cost of this
grand work Of art will be about $1,000.
To Mr.. Charles A. Schieren, of New York
city. belongs the honor Of having first sug-
gesting the idea of erecting statute of
liuNhSI ia Lulb COuull1 uhu oh INV hAS NihS
front Of the Memorial church, which will
hereafter be known as Luther Place Tho
sentiment grew rapidly, and the Luther
Monument association was organized. ON
Feb. a. 1888, the first call was made for
funds. The response from all quarters was
so generous that in less than two months
afterward the statue was ordered b" cable
from Lanchhsmmor, Germany. Tho 'uni'ty
originally intended to erect it Nov. 10 nst,
when the 400th anniversary of the BIT" ~
Luther was celebrated but II was foHu" 'm-
possible to complete 1t by that date.
Luther Place." whore tho statute is 10.
Gated, is owned by the Memorial church.
After the unveiling it will be decided to tho
Luther Statute association, bin for the in-
corporation of which has passed the house
and is pending before the senate.
Among the many designs presented for the
pedestal that gotten up by hessrs. Clnss and
Schultz, of this city, was accepted. 1t is ap-
preached by two broad steps, and bears no
inscription besides tho simple name of the
reformer. This firm rendered thoir services
Rratutously in honor Of their distinguished
ellow-countrymen. Tho pedestal was con-
structed by A. H. Jouvonal, also of Washing
ton. The society has tendorod Its heprtiest
thanks to Secretary Lincoln. Col. Casey, Mr..
Jacob Viehmeyer, and Mr.. Brodderiok, of
the state department, for aid rendered; also,
rthe North German Lloyd Steamship COM
pauy for transporting the statue free from
Hamburg; to the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road company for bringing II to this city with
out cost, and to Messrs. sprngman d Bro,
of Washington, for city transportation.
The event Ia attracting unusual attention
among Protestants all over the United
States" said Rev. Mr.. Butler last evening.
at will be the FIRST public statue of the kind
ever erected ut the nations capital, and the
only statue of Martin Luther, the great re-
former, on this side of tho Atlantic. 1t is
only natural, therefore, that it should attract
great attention"
Preceding the statne ceremonies by two
days another celebration will occur hero that
will be of general interest TO Lutherans
everywhere The tenth anniversary of the
Lutheran Memorial church will be celebrated
tomorrow morning and afternoon, as an
nounced in the programme above.
The church was founded as "a memorial
of freedom and peace" soon after the close of
the late war The free-seat system was at
once adopted and has been in vogue ever
since. Rev. Mr.. Butler was the founder of
the church. 1t began as n mission at tho
corner Of Sixth and p Streets and was known
then az the Church of the Fatherland. 1t
was intended to meet the needs of the Ger
man-Americans of Washington. AT that time
the membership was barely fifty persons.
Since that time II has increased to over 800.
The present church building is constructed
of Seneca hrownstone. with neat chapel
attached. 1t is estimated that 1,OOO persons
can be easily seated within the CaphciOus
edifce, which is of the amphitheatrical style,
with circular seats and raised floor from the
pulpit to the wall. All of the seats are
cushioned, and the windows are chapel
shaped, with merging hues Of stained glass
in antique designs. A friend Of the church
is engaged now in expending $1,000 to COM
plete its unfinished towers Among tho
Iutherns abroad thn Sdihco is huUwu as
tho "Gem Church of Washington" They
feel q deep interest in its welfare because
the money expended upon it was contributed
by people all over tho country. Tho church
property is valued at 100000
Rev. j. G. Butler, the venerable pastor, has
preached in this city continuously for over
thirty years lie was pastor of st. Paul's for
twenty years He has received many con-
gratulatory letters during the past few weeks.
He is assisted now by Rev. Albert Homrig-
haus, who conducts a service in the German
language every Sunday forenoon.
A mass meeting of all the Luthern Sunday
schools in this city will be held at the Memo
rial church, at o'clock tomorrow afternoon
An interesting programme is being prepared
by the committee, Messrs. Robert b. Kensell
L. ID. Alden, Daniel Ramey, Rev. L. II
Schneider, Rev. Alfred Homrighaus, Rev
Mr. Leonhart, and Prof. A. l.. Guss.
The children will also be present at the
unveiling OH Wednesday.
-Dawr Cs..s ~, Dzl.