The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-02
LIFE OF LUTHER
AND THE REFORMATION DISCUS
SEQ IN LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
THE REFORMATION FESTIVAL.
MARKED BY SPECIAL SERVICES IN
IN BOTH LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

Addresses At Church or the As
censicn-AnnuRl Reformation Ad-
dress, Dealing with History and
Significance of the Movement, De-
IIvered at Night - Sundny-schOOl
Anniversary Combined with Fes'
tivnI at ST. Paurs Church.
YESTERDAY was a festival day in thu
Lutheran churches of the world. i
was the 3S6th anniversary of the post
ing of the ninety-five theses on the
door of Schlosskircher Wittenberg by
Martin Luther 1t was from the dis
cussion following the posting of THESE
famous documents that the Reforma'
ton took it's birth. Yesterday is OBJ
served as the anniversary of the birth
of the Lutheran Church. Special serv-
ices were held in both the Church OF
the Ascension and in st. PauPs Luth-
eran Church.
At the Church of the Ascension Rev
w. C. Schaeffer, pastor two addresses
were delivered by Rev. George A. Gro
mer, Ii. D., president of Newberry
College. The morning address was
from the subject Luther and Chris
tan Education"
Or. Cromer began with a brief re-
view of the conditions existing in Eu-
rope at the time of Luther's work in
the monastery. He called attention to
the absolute supremacy of the church
in things both temporal and spiritual
and took the position that the Papal
See was strongly opposed to a general
education of the people.
When Luther first started his contro-
versy by posting the famous theses it
was not for the purpose of creating dis
sension and separation in the church,
but rather to induce the councils 10
correct certain forms which he adj
judged wrong and to prohibit certain
abuses which were being practiced. The
action of the powers of the church,
away entirely and later the doctrines
of which he is the author were promul-
gated.
The speaker then traced the effect
of the Protestant teachings on all con-
ditions existing, and especially in re-
gard to the diffusion of learning. The
general spread of education throughout
the world he characterized as the re-
suit of the Reformation. He also
traced the effects of the separation on
the principles and teachings of Chris
tianity.
The Reformation Address.
At the evening service Rev. DR.. Gro
mer delivered the anniversary address
The address, like that of the morning
treated of Martin Luther and his
work, his principles and his teachings
The speaker endeavored to bring out
the real meaning of the great move
ment known in history as the Refor-
nation, in all its phases. He showed
what it meant for the church. for po-
litical government and for persona
liberty, not only in religious matters
but in all.
The address treated for the progress
made by the movement against its
hosts of enemies. The most powerful
opposition was brought against it and
everything possible done to crush it Out
in its early stages. Yet the more il
was oppressed the stronger it grew
and spread to all nations and to al
peoples.
a strong tribute was paid to Martin
Luther himself. The speaker called at
tention to his sturdy honesty and his
steadfastness to the principles that he
had promulgated. His heroism is un-
questioned and his reward has beer
greater than is given to many men
Professionalism, in all its branches, looks
back upon Martin Luther as the rea
founder of the Protestant Church. be
the denomination whatsoever it may
To Lutherans he stands especially Gloss
and 1t is very meet that they should
honor him.
At ST. PauI's Church.
At St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rev
NJ. ]. Epting. pastor, the Reformation
anniversary was combined with the an
niversary exercises of the Sunday
school and the annual rally service
A special programme was rendered by
the children of the school,
The programme consisted of recita-
tions and readings appropriate to the
occasion. The majority dealt with in
cidents of the Reformation and the re-
formers and several of the poems OF
Luther, which have later been set to
music, were rendered.
Reports were given of the progress
that has been made by the school since
the previous rally day. All reports
showed that the school was flourish
ing in all departments. The number
of scholars enrolled shows a crafty
ing increase and the financial condi-
lions are excellent. The outlook fol
another successful year is very bright
Special music marked the service
here as we'll as at the Church of the
Ascension. Many of Luthers hymns
were sung by the congregation anc
some were rendered by the choir and
specially arranged quartettes. The sing
ing Of what has become known in his.
tory as Luther's "battle-hymn, the
well-known Elm feste burg list unsel
Colt" was a feature of the musica
selections at the Ascension church.
Services Next sunday.
Next Sunday will also be a specia
day among the Lutherans 1t is the
anniversary of the birth of the great
reformer. While not considered so sig
nificant in its broad meanings as the
Reformation anniversary, yet it is al.
ways concentrated as one Of the feast
day of the church.
The exercises of the day will not be
so elaborate as were those of yester-
day Special programmes will be rem
dered by the Sunday-schoOls and the
choirs of both churches are preparing
special musical anthems for the occa-
sion. II is probable that an address
on the life of Luther will be arranged
for.