The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-31

At Holy Trinity Lutheran church,
Adams avenue, yesterday the two nun
dred and eighty-frst anniversary of
Luther's mailing the ninety-iive theses
on the door of Castle church in Witten-
berg was observed with a special SER
mon on the subject by the pastor, Rev.
Charles Spieker. at the morning SER
vice. and history of the Lutheran
church at the evening session, at which
time collection was taken up for mis-
sions. The date of the mailing of the
theses was oct. 81, 1917.
In his review Of the history of Luth-
eranism i'm this country Rev. Mr.. Spie-
ker said he believed much of the credit
given to William Penn in his treat
ment of the Indians should be accorded
to the early Swedish settlers who went
among the red men before Penn's time
and taught them Luthers catechism.
At the morning service Rev. Mr..
Spieker took as his text: Let my
heart be sound in thy statutes that
be not ashamed" psalm ll9; verse, SO.
His introduction referred to the con-
dition Of affairs as they were at the
time that Luther launched out into the
Reform when he posted the ninety-fVe
theses on the door of the Castle church
in Wittenberg; and referred to the
various things there, his study of the
gospel, his sermons, his teaching in the
university.
DECRIED AS \ HERETO.
! Up to this time he had been already
| decried as a hereto; and the mailing
! of these nnety-fiVe theses was on "A
| matter that virtually brought things to
| a head. That marked the time when
the controversary had become public
| and general which had prior to tina!
| been of local character.
| Rev. Mr.. Spieker then went on In
| tell how Luther had translated the bi-
! Bile into the common vernacular for
! the use of the laity, and that after he
! has discovered the statutes Of God II
| was his desire as was DaVid's of old
| to be firm in the word of God.
! Luther had a heart that was sOuHG-
| ly with the statutes of the Lord. fil+
| aim and purpose was to preach and
| teach nothing save the truth Of Gods
| words; and he was ready to suffer
| and sacrifice. all things rather Than
, III the least deviate from that word
AS Luther once preached; "As Christ
| cared nothing for his person, and will
| ingly suffered the reprOaches which
were heaped upon Him, yet He defend
| ed his doctrines" For" says Luther
"the doctrine is not ours. but God!
who is not TO suffer anything, Her,
| forbearance is at an end, for / am tC
risk all that | have and to suffel
| all that my enemies may infliCt 81
that the honor Of God and His wore
may not be violated. For if l perisi
little harm is done, but If / silently
allow Gods word to be suppressed
and corrupted then | am doing harm
to God and all the world The doc
trine is not mine it is Gods.
Then Rev. Mr.. Spielter brought ou
the thought that all his followers mus
be sound and upright and undivide,
with the word of God. And anything
that is contrary or opposed to the wor
or any doctrine not taught there mus
be banished.
BIBLE THE GUIDE.
Tie bible and it alone is the guild
and rule of our faith, he said. Luthe
was not ashamed of his doctrines
neither was he put to shame. He con
tinued steadfast to the end, standln
, sound in the word and statutes of Goo
| He not only prevailed against pop
t and emperor, but when the hour c
l death came he triumphed over tn
terrOrs of death.
As life was swiftly passing out {
his tired and worn body he lifted u
his eyes and said: "Oh, my HeaVenl
= Father, God and Father of our LOr
D Jesus Christ, Thou God of all comfor
4 / thank Thee that Thou hast rcVeale
{ unto me Thy dear son Jesus Christ,
Z Whom believe, Whom | preached an
confessed, Whom l loved and Glorihet
. Whom the pope and all the Wicke
e mock, persecute and blaspheme.
pray Thee my Lord, Jesus, receive IN
little soul. Oh Heavenly Father thOug
! I must depart from this body, an
must be torn out Of this life. yet
8 know for a certainty that ! shall |
q with Thee forever and no man sha
I pluck me out of Thy hands"
: Shortly after this Luther repeatt
g three times: Father into Thy han(
c I commit my spirit" And after whi
DR.. Jonas asked him, Venerable faith
= will you steadfastly die in Christ an
I the doctrines which YOU have preaCi
: ed?" And Luther answered so lot
d that all in the room could hear it, sa,
g ing Yes" Thus he departed strong
; the faith,