The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-26
THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION.
IT'S a03TH ANNIVERSARY CELE-
DRAFTED AT CRURCH OF THE
ASCENSION.

Morning and Evening Services De-
voted TO "a EuIogy and Discussion
of the First Monument of the
Protestant Faith-Rev. DIR. sehaef-
fer Preached Two Eloquent Ser
mOns-"A Minority in the Right
Against Majority in the Wrong"
The Confession the First of the
Protests Against Civil and Relig-
ious Oppression.
The 369th anniversary of the present
ment Of the Augsburg Confession by the
Protestant princes and cities to the EN-
peror of Germany was celebrated at the
Lutheran Church of the Ascension at the
morning and evening services yesterday.
No day In the year is regarded by the
Lutherans with more reverence, and it is
the occasion of fitting ceremonies
throughout the world. wherever there is
a Lutheran Church.
In the morning DR.. W. c.
Sehaeffer, pastor of the church,
preached an, interesting sermon
upon the confession, dealing with its
history and doctrinal features. The events
that had caused 1t, the demand of the
Emperor Charles for an expression of the
differences that divided the Christian peo-
pie of Germany and the prompt response
that was made by the Protestants through
this Augsburg Confession were dwelt up
on and explained, and the heroic resolu-
ton of the princes by whom IL was signed
commended and exIolled.
In the evening, DR.. Schaeffer delivered
an address 10 the Luther League, in which
he stated that he would deal not so much
with the confession itself as with some in
teresting facts connected with 1t and some
valuable lessons that might be derived
from 1t. Ii Is the oldest, said the speaker,
of the Protestant confessions of faith and
forms the basis of all others. Its influ-
ence has extended around the world and
it stands to-day for what it stood at the
time il was first formulated and promul-
gated, the liberty of the individual soul
TO think and act for itself and to approach
the throne of divine grace without other
Intermediary than the Son of God, the
Savior OF Humanity.
For nearly five centuries" said DR..
Schaeffer, sit has stood as a living pro-
test against oppression and suppression. 1t
is the announcement to the world that
men are free, in soul as well as in body,
and that they are accountable for their
actions and their beliefs to none other
than their Maker and themselves. ! wish
10 call the attention Of the young men to
the fact that it is the expression of civil
liberty as well as religious liberty, and
that much of the freedom that We enjoy
in this glorious country to-day results
from this old protest against the suppress
sion of the individual. II was the begin
ming of the conception of the principle OF
free government and the germ that has
produced the free governments under
which the right of men ito life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness is assured them.
I'VE can learn from the history another
iesson-that che majority is not always
in the right, and that it becomes some
times necessary for the minority even
though il be q weak one, to stand stead
lastly for the principles of justice and
right and to declare them In the face of
the opposing world. 1t happens sometimes
that the few are in possession of the
truth, while the many adhere to the false,
and 1t is the assertion of the truth under
just such circumstances as these that has
brought the names of the signers of the
confession down through the ages blaz-
oned with a never dying effulgence and
rendered immortal 1t is the assertion and
defense of the truth under similar circum-
stances that brings fel ,wship with The
Almighty, and though 5Le may lack OPP
portunity to fight for great truth ana
though ones name may never be inscribed
on the scroll of fame, the humblest sol
der in the battle for right is as dear
10 God as the highest and on the book of
life his name as clearly writ"
THE concluding lesson that we may
learn from the history of the confession
of our faith Is the fact that a regard for
others, a desire for their happiness and
a thought for their well-being is the true
road to content in this life, and the best
assurance of an Immortality of glory in
the hereafter. The sgners of the confess
sion opposed their belief and faith in the
right, their love and trust in God, against
the will and the power of mighty people
and they conquered. So is it always God
protects those who love Him and watches
over those who regard his command
ments. Yea. though l walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, l will fear
no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod
and Thy staff they comfort me-