The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-01
in LUTHER'S MEMORY.
Adherents Of the Great Reformer
Flock to Wittenberg.
THE FAMOUS SCHLOSSkIRCHE.
The German Emperor Reviews the Cor
geous Historical Procession Assisted
by several other Crowned Heads and
a Crowd of Nobility and Great Men.

wrTrENBERo, Nov. This old town
OF pointed gables, quaint towers ana mar
row streets yesterday presented unique
aspect. Everywhere bright banners ana
floral festoons were seen and the whole
town put on a holiday appearance.
great pavilion had been built in front OF
the Schlosskirch he doors where the en-
peror received the keys OF the ed nee.
This church was commenced in l435 and
finished in 1499. In 1860 IL was seriously
injured by bombardment, and III suffered
in the same manner in 1913 and 1sli IL
was first restored in loli-lSl1, aud mas
now, owing to Emperor Willlam's gener-
osity, been again restored. Under bra
zen slab in the Schiosskirche lie the re-
mains of Luther.
Immense crowds OF people from-aA
parts OF the country were in town TO wit-
ness the ceremony OF the re- dedication
OF the restored church.
The emperor invited not only the Ger
man Protestant sovereigns but also the
foreign ones, including Queen Victoria, TO
the opening. The absence OF the king OF
Wurtemberg is a serious blow to the cell
ebration as II leaves South Germany rep
resented only by petty sovereigns;
Upon the arrival of Emperor william
and the imperial party at the railway
station here thev were welcomed by
Prince Stolberg -Wernigerode, who con-
Quoted them to the town hall. The rail-
way station is some distance from the
town and the whole route was lined with
troops The emperor walked the entire
distance from the station TO the town
hall and as he moved through the lines OF
troops they presented arms, while the
crowd shouted and cheered enthusiastic
cally.
door OF the church Professor Adler, the
architect OF the restored edifice, present.
ed the key to his majesty, who, with
few gracious words, handed IL TO the
president of the church council. The
latter in turn handed the key to DR..
Quandt, the pastor OF the church, saying;
s'By command OF the emperor, the pro-
tector and high architect OF this house OF
God, and in virtue OF my Office, deliver
to you, as an ordained minister OF the
Word, this key. May all who enter
through the door which this key opens
enter through the gate of heaven"
DIR. Quandt then opened the door and
the emperor and his train passed through.
As the imperial party entered the church
the congregation arose and sang the
hymn, "Come, Holy Ghost, our God"
When the imperial party had taken the
seats assigned to them DR.. SchaItze,
leader of the Church in Saxony, opened
the services. DIR. Vieregge, the court
chaplain, preached the sermon.
Upon the conclusion OF the services the
imperial party drove to Luther's house,
where the emperor signed the deed OF
dedication.
From Luther's house the emperor and
his party reviewed a gorgeous historical
procession, composed OF nineteen groups
Illustrating the foundation and develop
ment of Wittenberg and the foundation
of the Schlosskirche. The eleventh car,
the chief feature, was emblematic OF the
Reformation. On 1t was a representation
of Martin Luther on horse back and sur
rounded by his adheronts. Behind the
car rode the five leaders OF the famous
league of Schmalkald, founded at Wit
tenburg In 1886 to defend Protect ionists
against Charles v.
The procession ended with a car bear
ing the model Of the restored Schioss-
kirche. This car was surrounded wit
representatives of the trades which took
part in the work Of restoration. The i'm =
perial party, when the pageant was con-
cluded, proceeded to the Refectory,
where q banquet was awaiting them.
The Duke OF York represented Queen
Victoria.
At the conclusion OF the banquet EN-
peror William delivered q speech. He
said; "The thought of restoring the
Schlosskirche, the scene OF the first act
of the Reformation, struck a chord in
grandfather had prepared the means, my
lamented father took mp the scheme
with all the warmth OF his deep feeling.
1t was not Gods will that my father
should behold the finished work, but a
grateful posterity will never forget that
his name is inseparably connected with
this memorial of the Reformation.
To us the church is not only memo.
rial, but a serious admonition and an ex-
preston of divine blessing through the
Protestant church. The confession oi
our faith that we make today in the
presence of God, binds US and the whole
OF Christendom. Therein lies the bond
of peace, reaching beyond all lines o'
division. In the matter of faith there is
no compulsion. Free conviction OF the
heart and the decisive acknowledgment
thereof Is a blessed fruit OF the Reforma'
tion. We Protestants make feud witt
nobody on account OF belief, but we hole
fast our faith in the gospel TO DEATH"
The emperor then thanked the Ger
man princes and Protestant sovereign
OF Europe for taking part in the festival
He concluded by raising the cup tha
wittenberg had presented to Luther OF
the occasion OF his wedding. "This cup,
he said, "once touched Luther's lips. i
shall serve me to drink 90 the welfare o
my illustrious guests. Long life to thi
Protestant princes OF Germany and tn,
governments OF the German free towns.
After the banquet the emperor anc
empress proceeded to an improviseC
theatre In the cavalry barracks, wher
they witnessed performance OF a Lut he
Festspiel, illustrating the principa
events in the reformer's life. Atterward
they drove to the railway station. Tn
route was brilliantly illuminated an,
Thousands OF people lined the road
Their majesties were given tumultuou
ovation. The whole Celebration was yer!
impressive.