The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-11-03
IN MEMORY OF LUTHER.
REDEDICATlON OF THE VEN
ERABLE SCHLOSSkIRcHE.
Emperor William and Other Menu
bers of the Royal Family At
tend Services Comment
orative of the Great
Reformer.
Time Turns Backward.

Wittenberg, Nov. This old town of
pointed gables, quaint towers and mar
row streets, to-day presents an unique
aspect. Everywhere bright banners and
floral festoons are seen, and the whole
town bears a holiday appearance. A
great pavilion had been built in front of
the Schlosskirche doors, where the EN-
peror received the keys of the edifice.
This church was commenced in 1439 and
finished in 1899. In 1760 it was seri-
ously injured by bombardment, and it
suffered in the same manner in 1884.
1t was first restored in 1871, aud has
now, owing to Emperor Williams gen
erosity, 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 1860, but
We're replaced in 1858 by metal doors
ten feet in height, presented by Freder-
ick William Nv. They bear the original
Latin text of Luther's thesis. Above on
golden ground is a representation of
Christ, with Luther and Melanchthon at
his feet on the right and left above the
doors are statues of the electors Freder-
lex the Wise and John the Constant.
The bodies of these electors are buried
in the church. Everywhere in the town
are evidences of the great reformer.
Not far from the railway station, out
side the Elster, there stands an oak that
was planted in 1880. This tree is said
to mark the spot where Luther publicly
burned the papal bull on Dec. 10, 1920.
Upon the arrival of the imperial party
at the railway station they were well
~, C%o1hn,.cr o1a
who conducted them to the town hall.
The railway station is some distance
from the town, and the whole route was
lined with troops. Back of the soldiers
the crowd stood four or five deep for the
entire distance. The emperor wore the
uniform of an officer of the Garde du
Corps. He walked the entire distance
from the station to the town hall, and as
he moved through the lines of troops
they presented arms and the crowd
shouted and cheered enthusiastically. The
imperial party were received at the
town hall by the burgomaster of Witten-
berg, who, on behalf of the municipal
authorities, read an address to the en-
peror When this was finished and the
emperor had replied In a few words,
thanking the town officials for their good
wishes, the procession began to move
slowly across the market place in the
direction of the church. Lines of troops
guarded the, route, and as soon as the
order was @given for the procession to
move the church bells began to peal mer=
rily, while the strains of "Ein Feste
Burg" broke forth from the instru-
ments of the trumpeters stationed in the
towers of the castle church. When Em=
peror William arrived at the doors of
restored edifce, presented the key to his
majesty, who, with a few gracious
words, handed it to the president of the
church council The latter in turn
handed the key to DIR. Quandt, the pass
tor of the church. DIR. Quandt then
opened the door and the emperor and his
train passed through. As the imperial
party entered the church the congrega=
tion arose and sang the hymn, ECome.
Holy Ghost, Our God" When the im=
perial party had taken their seats as
of the church in Saxony, opened the
services. DR.. Vieregge, the court chap
lain, preached the sermon, taking his
text from Romans, ill.,, a: Being justi-
fed freely by his grace through the re-
demption that is in Christ Jesus
Upon the conclusion of the service, the
| imperial porty drove to Luther's house,
where the emperor signed the deed eff
dedication. They than proceeded to the
| them. There We're 30 guests present
| The duke of York, who represented
| Queen Victoria in the celebration, was
seated opposite the emperor. At the con-
clsion of the banquet his majesty arose
| and delivered a speech. }