The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-11-01
SPECIAL SERVICES MARK DAY
Famous Doctrines of Luther Are Read
to the People in the German Lutheran
Church Other Congregations Plan
TO Celebrate Later.

&
sary Of the Reformation. -Four hundred
years ago Luther nailed his world fam
Gus ninety-fve theses to the church
door of the castle church at Witten-
berg. With this that great religious
movement Of the sixteenth century
was launched which is now known
as the Reformation.
Tt was not a revolution, seeking to
overthrow the existing order of things,
but conservative movement, endeav-
oring to cleanse, purify and develop
the church. 1t was not simply the
statement Of a doctrine nor the asser-
ton of a negative principle. It was a
fresh revelation through the Bible that
God is Love and has loved the world
with an infinite love. Tt was re-.
discovery of the gospel teaching that
the just shall live by faith. From a
moral point of view it was inward
freedom. 1t liberated the conscience
of men from the bondage Of ecclesias-
tical tyranny. Intellectually it was the
right Of private judgment.
The principle was laid down that
every enlightened Christian has the
ability and right to read and interpret
the Bible for himself. The doctrine
of grace is the foundation stone
of the Reformation.
These were ninety-fve propositions
written and arranged by Luther in
tended for discussion between the doc
tors of the university. Luther never
intended that they should be public
document. This is seen from the fact
that they were written in Latin The
occasion of the theses was the scandal
GUS abuse of the sale Of inddgences
by Tetzel. They were nailed to the
door Of the castle church because the
custom of the times was to display
such documents in this manner.
1t was not Luther's intention to
present an adequate plan of salvation
In the theses, but to point out what
evangelical principles are violated in
the traffic of indulgences. He goes
right into the heart of the matter in
his first thesis. He does not attack the
doctrine of indulgences itself, but he
assails it's abuse. The decided refer
ence to faith in Christ as the only
ground of salvation involved the life
principle of the Reformation. The
chief thought in the theses is express
ed in the first one, "When our Lord
and Master Jesus Christ says, Re
pent.' He means that the entire life of
the believer should be a repentance.
The chief effort in the theses is to dis
tingpish between the idea of 'Pen-
ance' and Repentance.
The effect of the theses was astound-
ing. Luther's friends thought he had
spoken unadvisedly. With incredible
rapidity they were spread all over
Europe. Gin fourteen days." says
Luther, "they few over Germany.
elm four weeks,o says Myconius.
"they were diffused throughout all
Christendom as though angels were the
postmen.' They met with so much
favor that the Catholics were compelled
to resist them. Tetzel publicly burned
them and prepared counter-theses.
In commemoration of this 400th an
niversary local Lutheran churches will
celebrate. At twelve o'clock noon the
bells rang for FIVE minutes, this being
the hour at which Luther nailed the
ninety-fve theses to the church door.
This afternoon special services are
being held at the German Ev. Luth.
Friedens Church in Rice Park. This
evening a children's service will be
held at st. Luke Church.
The jubilee services will not be con-
fined to the day. Some have been held
already. In the larger cities great
mass services have been held. Others
will be held on the following Sundays
st. Luke's on the west side will cele-
brate on the coming Sunday Also The
German Luth. Friedens Church will
celebrate on November IL in both
morning and evening services. Other
local Lutheran churches have also
special services.