The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-01
In MEMORY OF LUTHER.
CELEBRATION ar WITTESBURG.
The Emperor and the Princess OF Germany
Present-The King OF Wurfemburg
Absent-The Exercises.

ager Queen Of Wurtemburg, the Grand
Duchess Olga. the King appears to have
promptly grasred her death ss an excuse
for not proceeding to the Lutheran cele-
bration at Wittenburg. King William.
who is himself Lutheran, was travelling
to Wittenburg when he heard of Queen
Olgas death, and Immediately returned
to the castle.
King William. although faithful ad-
herent OF the Lutheran Church. has not
taken kindly to the Wittenburg celebra-
ton. ThIrty-hve per cent. Of his subjects
are Roman Catholics, who are opposed to
making the Lutheran official demonstra-
tion in favor of Professionalism, and IL is
said to have been only at the earnest in
vitation of the Kaiser that King William
consented to be present at all. Added to
the religious controversy involved in the
demonstration is the fact that for some
time past there has been a frownins cool
ness on the part OF the Wurtemburg
royal family toward the Kaiser, and par
ticularism is gaining ground in Stuttgart.
EXHIBITION OF HOSTILITY.
Throughout South Germany and among
the Catholics of the other part OF the
Empire the sentiment is very strong that
the official gorihcatlon of Luther at
Wittenburg is an uncalled for exhibition
Of hostility towards several millions OF
Germany's population, who claim TO be
faithful subjects of the Kaiser, and as
devoted to the Fatherland as his Protes-
tant subjects. This view is taken es-
pecially In Bavaria, where botn people
and press are Outspoken against the
course OF the Kaiser. 1t is said that on
his way back from Vienna recently the
Kaiser stopped for upwards Of an hour
at Wittenburg, to inspect the Schloss-
kirche, the church associated with Luther,
which has been renovated for the recon-
secration to-day. The Emperor greatly
admired the beauty of the edifice and its
fittings, especially the limestone altar
the oaken pulpit and the imperial pew,
which are all by the court sculptor,
Loder, whom His Males y congratulated
on his work. The Emperor asked what
was the composition OF the fluid with
which the oak Is stained. ThereupOn the
architect, Professor Adler remarked:
THAT is a business secret, your Majesty"
TO which the Emperor replied: Indeed.
Then, as 1t Is no official secret. l do not
want TO know"
PLEASED THE EMPEROR.
The builder of the fine organ, Herr
sented ia His Majesty, played at his re-
quest a flute duet on the instrument, and
was so surprised that he asked whether
there existed such another organist as
he. Herr Iadegast replied: yes, Your
Majesty, If your mother were here she
plays very beautifully" a delicate COM
pliment with which the Emperor was
much pleased. The Emperor has invited
not only the German Protestant sover-
eigns, but also all the foreign ones. in
Guiding Queen Victoria, TO the opening.
The absence of the King of Wurtem-
burg Is a serious blow to the celebration,
as It leaves south Germany represented
only by petUy soveregns.
The Emperor William. with the EN-
press and three Of their sons, started this
morning for Wittenburg. The Emperor
drove in an open carriage to the town
hall OF WittenburR, where he was re-
ceived by the municipal officers. The
town was gaily decorated with flags and
floral festoOns.
The centre of interest to-day is the
venerable Schlosskirche, to the doors of
which Luther affixed his defiance of
Rome. The restoration of the church by
the munifcence Of the Emperor william
IS the occasion Of tO-day's celebration.
Upon the arrival Of the Kaiser at the
town hail Burgomaster Schlidt read an
address.
THE EMPEROR'S REPLY.
In his reply the Emperor said: II will
always fulfil what my grandfather and
father promised and ! rejoice to be en-
abled TO finish what nay father with his
great love for the Lutheran religion as
pired 20 complete"
From the town hall the procession
81 Co 4 oh
OF male voices sang Luther's hymn as the
procession approached and halted at a
pavilion opposite the doors where Luther
had nailed the theses. Architect Adler
with much ceremony handed TO the Kaiser
the key Of the door and the Kaiser
handed the key over 20 Herr Barkhausen,
president Of the high cOnsistory. The lat
ter gave the key 10 Superintendent
Quandt. who unlocked the doors OF the
church, and the procession entered
The Kaiser took his seat on an elevated
throne with the Princes Of Germany
grouped around him, presenting In their
attire of State most picturesque and
imposing spectacle. Superintendent Gen
eral Schultze. of the Province of Saxony,
then formally cOnsecrated the restored
church, after the form provided in the
Lutheran service. The bells rang out a
joyful peal in honor Of the event and
Superintendent Quandt read the liturgy.
LUTHERS HOUSE VISITED.
After the services the Kaiser his fell
low Princes and the other dignitaries
proceeded to Luther's house. The streets
on the way were thronged by an en-
thusiastc crowd, who repeatedly cheered
the Kaiser. Upon arrival at the house
the Kaiser inspected the apartments
which the founder Of the Lutheran
Church had occupied.
The Kaiser. standing in Luthers own
room, read the document testifying TO
the conservation of the church. which
the Kaiser and all the princes with him
had previously signed. This document re-
cited that William l., King OF Prussia
and German Emperor, had ordered the
renovation OF the church and that the
Emperor Frederick had taken much in
terest I'm the work which William II. had
that day concluded The document con-
cluded as follows: "In the Evangelical
faith we have implored Almighty God
with ardent prayer TO preserve TO our
Evangelical people the blessings OF the
Reformation-piety charity and faith
fulness- and 70 keep our German Father
land in his gracious care.
We hope to be saved only by this
Evangelical faith, but we also hope that
all servants of the Evangelical Church
will always endeavor 10 dispose their
functions In the spirit of the clear and
Christian faith. The restored Reforma-
ton is a guide TO the people In piety and
faithfulness as subjects. and In
Christian fellow-love towards all
fellow-creatures including those who
are Of heterodox religion. We hope
our Evangelical subjects will always In
falthfulness cling TO the holy work OF the