Morning journal and courier., 1892-11-01
IN LUTHER,s MEMORY.

An Imposing Celebration at witten.
berg - Crowds Present to witness
tho Dedication OF the Restored
Chureh-Partlcipati OF Emperor
william and Several Princes-The
Emperor's speech.
WrTENBKRa, Dot. 31.-This old town of
pointed gables, quaint towers and narrow
streets is in holiday dress to-day in honor
of the rededication of the restored church
to the door of which Martin Luther nailed
his theses against papal indulgence. Every
where bright banners and floral fsstoons
are seen. A great pavilion has been built
in front of the Schlosskirche doors where
the emperor will receive the keys of the
edifce.
This church was begun in 1889 and fin
ished in 1899. In 1850 it was seriously in
jured by bombardment. and 1t suffered in
the same manner in 1884. 1t was first
restored in 181417 and has now, owing to
Emperor Williams generosity, been again
restored. On the north side of the church
were the wooden doors to which Luther
affixed his theses. These doors were burned
in 1760, but were replaced in 1853 by metal |
doors ten feet in height, presented by Fred |
eriok William ". They bear the original |
Latin text of Luther's theses. Above on a
golden ground Is a representation of |
Christ, with Luther and Melancthon at his |
feet. On the right and left above the door |
are statues of the electors, Frederick the |
Wise and John the Constant. The bodies
of these electors are buried in the church. |
in town are evidences of the
great reformer.
From Luther's house the emperor and
his party reviewed gorgeous historical
procession, composed of nineteen groups,
the foundation and develop
ment of Wittenberg and the foundation of
the Schlosskirche. The eleventh car, the
chief feature, was emblemstic of the
reformation. On it was a representation
OF Martin Luther on horseback and sur
rounded by his adherents. Behind tine car
rode the five leaders of the famous League
of Schmalkald founded at Wittenberg in
1858 to defend Professionals against
Charles V.
The procession ended with car bearing
a model of the Schlosskirche. This car
was surrounded by representatives. of the
trades which took part in the work of res
toration.
The imperial party. when the pageant
was concluded, proceeded to the refectory,
where a banquet was awaiting them. There
we're 220 guests. The Duke of York rep
Queen Victoria. At the conclu-
zion of the banquet Emperor William de-
ivered q speech. He said
The thought of restoring the Schloss-
kirche, the scene of the first of the refor-
nation, struck a chord in the hearts of nv
orefathers. After my grandfather had
prepared the means my Iamented father
ook up the scheme with all the warmth of
lis deep feeling. 1t was not Gods will
hat my father should behold the finished
work, but grateful posterity will never
orget that his name Is inseparably con-
lected with this memorial of the reforma-
ion. To us the church is not only mem
rial, but a serious admonition and an ex-
PRESTON of divine blessing through the :
Protestant church. The confession of our
aith that we may add to day in the presence
+ God binds us and the whole of Christen- ,
om. Therein lies the bond of peace, (
ising beyond all the ties of division. In T
he matter of faith there is no compalsion. 9
rec conviction of the heart and tine de-
ision acknowledgement thereof is 4
lessed fruit of the reformation. We
rotestants make feud with nobody on &C.
CUNT of belief, but We hold fast our faith
q the gospel to death"
The emperor then thanked the German
rinoes and protestant sovereigns of Eu-
oncludsd by raising the cup that Witten- 9
erg presented to Luther on the occasion c
f his wedding. "This cup" he said, I
once touched Luther's lips. 1t shall q
eIve me to drink to the welfare OF my IL I
1strious guests. Long life to the Protest. 2
mt princes of Germany and the govern
tents of German free townsl"
After the banquet tine emperor and A
impress proceeded to an improvised
heater in the cavalry barracks where they
'itnessed performance of q Luther feat n
piel, illustrating the principal events in
he reformer's life. Afterwards they
rove to the railway station. The route f
'as brilliantly illuminated and thousands
f people lined the road. Their msjes- I
les were given a tumultuous ovation.
he whole celebration was very impress
ca T