South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-08
.LUTHERANS HOLD
BIG CONF ERENCE
Prof. Edward KOehIer Speaks
on Luther, Bold Comics
SOr' at High School.


The f00th auniversary Of the
south Bend Lutherans was held
sunday afternoon with mass meet
ing az the high school auditorium.
Representative delegations from la
porte and the 10 congregations in
tl,at vicinity attended the meeting.
The address In English WAS deliF-
cred by Rev. p. J. Iakanau. Napo-
lean. O., who has been "a mission
AIRY FOR the past 10 years The adj
dress in German was given by Prof.
Edward koehler of River Forest.
H.
Prof. Koehler's address Ola 'Luth-
er. the Bold ConfessOr." follows.
Like David. Luther suffered ter
rible pangs Of conscience until Inc
learned this truth. The Gracious
j. the Lord. and righteous. yea, our
God is merciful' re learns 90 know
the gracious God. finds peace Of soul
and conscience and joyfuily confess
es his faith. He believes therefore
he speaks. This Bible which thus
comforted him In his great trouble
hencefOrth remained his hrm foun-
dation of faith But little attention
was given 20 the law and the testi-
monv i'm the dominating church OF
those days. The words of men, The
lecrees of pOpes and councils, ETC..
were added To the bible. as of equal
authority Luther. however. cluug
solely % the word OF God. He gave
% the word the position IN the house
Of the Lord which il justly deserved.
Whatever the word of God says ne
believes and speaks.
This principle is clearly set forth
in the % theses which he nailed o.
The church door at Wittenberg on
the 31st of oct, 1917. by which act
lac commenced his great work Of the
reformation. The very first thesis
l,egan with the words, 'Our Lord and
Master. Jesus Christ, says. Signiu-
cant words. Here Luther indicates
me ground on which ne stands.
These words reveal the chief princi-
pie according 10 which the refOr-
-na:ion was begun and carried out.
They furnish the true viewpoint ac-
cordiug 60 which we must judge the
work Of luther 90 this day.
llututF lfntu HaA:llftFtts
Just so at the diet az Worms
1921. When commanded by the
German emperor 20 recaut his doc
trine or die at the stake. Luther
spoke those memorable words I'm
less / am convinced by proof from
Ioly Scriptures. and my judgment
Is brought into subsection 90 God S
word. 7 neither can nor viii retract
anything. since 10 is not advisable
nor safe 20 do ought against con-
science. Here I stand, 7 cannot do
otherwise. God help me. Amen.
That was a characteristic answer.
Characteristic of Luther character
istic Of the Lutheran church. Luth-
er stands ou Gods word: siI else
counts uaught with him. Whence
did this poor and humble monk get
the courage 90 make such comics
sion" tie believed. therefore he also
spoke
"The same stand Luther tool.
against Zwingli and tine misguided
zeaIots Tie took his position
against them upon the foundation
~ Gods word. From this DE- did
not swerve Pope. councils. new
-evclatious human reason must be
set aside if they contradict the
written word az God. Luther says
with Samuel. speak, Lord. for ths
servant hc3rcth This testimony oI
Luther GUed The century JIM which
ne lived. it changed the history of
nations. it Tel thousands of souls fin
his days unto the way Of salvation.
yea. 10 rcsouuds through the cen
turies and Is become 20 millions of
-ouls the compass co eternal peace. "
The speaker closed his remarks
av showing how necessary such
faith Is for am men. and how neces-
sary such hold confession iu our
time