T H E
LUT H E R STAT U E
AT TH E
N ATIO N A L A P ITA L C .
H — V — R E ISTO RY UN EILING A DD ESS S.
ED IT ED BY
e’ ow e ov g
J . Gr . I > U T L E R § .
' - P a to r L u h r - s t e P la ce fifem o r za l Ch m dz .
R ES F O R D R I E E E E E E E E R B E P E E E E E E EE EE E E E E E E E C ONTENTS .
DI C I O N DE AT .
UT H ER A N D T H TAT E E L S U .
T H E FEA ST O F U N V EI L l NG .
P M O P R OE EV . DR . M . SH E E LEIG H .
IST OR Y O F T H TAT E E H S U .
A D D SS O F H O RE N . E N ATOR CO ER S NG .
DD SS O F R EV O RE . D RR R . M I A S .
TAT U E NV E E I L D S U .
P OE M O P OE L W ART J ' S , D . D . D ED I CATED
TO T H E F RI EN DS O F CO NSTI T UTI ONA L L I B E RT Y
D OF M R C I N T H E UNI T E STAT ES A E I A ,
T H E R EP U B L I C \VH OSE V ITA L P R I N CI P L E
W' M \VAS ASSE RT ED BY M ART I N L UT H E R AT O R S .
H E H I '' S TE E 'Cf'.
iafia fimm n .
In co rp o ra t ed by Co ng res s
D D LL D . G. . . . . J M O R R I S , , ,
P res iden t .
G . A . D O B LE R ,
R eco rdi n g S e c r et ary
C S . HA R LE A SC H I E RE N ,
r eas u rer T .
B TLER G. . U J ,
Co rr es p o n di n g S ec re ta ry .
K ' AUGUSTUS OU NT E , G RY NEA L EO R GE , fi g M F O ' . DA N I E L .
uth er an dth e tatu e S S .
B H Y T E EDIT OR .
The u nvei l i ng of a statue of Marti n Luther , the first i n the
’ ‘ e o Unit d States , and i n the Nati n s Capital , marks an epoch i n
the h istory of Protestantism .
It i s fitti ng that this ‘ first statue o f the Reformer Shou l d stand among the mon u ments that beauti fy the Capital o f o u r
Republ i c , a republ ic whi ch , u nder God; b ut for Luther , had not
Lu been . M i chelet , the Catholi c histori an of France , cal ls
ther the resto rer of l iberty i n modern ti mes , the l iberator of
' “ modern thou ght . O u r own Webster says the asserti on and maintenance o f rel i gi ou s l iberty have thei r sou rce i n the Re
o f fo rmati on Luther , and thi s l ove of rel igi o us l iberty b rin gs
' with i t an ardent devoti on to the pri nci ples of c ivi l l iberty . The fou ndati ons of o u r Republ ic l ie back of the Declaration
O f I ndependence , even beyond Plymouth Rock and the May
o f flower ; they were lai d by the grani te , Alpi ne man faith f and O c ou rage at Erfu rt an d Wittenberg an d Worms . When Col u mbu s di scovered this Western wo rld and dedi cated it to
1 8 Ch rist , Luther was a boy at Ei sleben . H e was born i n 4 3 . The fou r h u ndredth an niversary of h is bi rth sti rre d al l Ch ris t en do m ' n as i t has never been sti rred by the b i rth of a y man .
Sin c e l Pau l n o man l ike hi m has l i ved . AN LUTH ER D THE STATUE .
’ h w Lut er stands i n the orl d s heart for free thought , free men ,
w r free Govern ment , hose Magna Cha ta i s the Bi ble . Thi s
o w n l iberated h i s conscience from al l enslavement , and was
f w eve r the focal po w e r of hi s l i fe and o hi s o rk . The Reforma
w w as ti on , i n hi ch th i s emancipated monk the central figu re ,
\ o f w as both radical and conservati ve . Vith al l the energy h is
’ honest , earnest so u l he h u rled H eaven s engi nery agai nst the f usu rpati ons o a corrupt h ierarchy . H i s u lti mate appeal ever
s r h w a to the \Vo do fGod . Wit equal earnestness he contended
for the freedom of eve ry i ndi vi d ual , for the ri ght of private
j udgment , yo u r God given and i nal ienable i n heritance and
‘ “ o w n re mi ne . O u r honored Banc roft says , tru ly , Luther pelled the use o f vi olence i n rel i gion ; he protested agai nst
w w propagati ng reform by persec u tion , and , ith a ise modera
o f o f ti on , he mai ntai ned the s ubl i me doctri ne freedom con
science .
’ The ch u rch beari n g Luther s name and ci rcl i ng the w orl d w o f i th his faith , preach i ng the g ospel i n most the languages
o f Of Ch ristendom , an d n u mberi ng fifty mi l li ons people i n i ts
w S comm u ni on , has al ays been marked by i ts c riptu ral conser
is m w w h i l r v at . I f there be fou nd ith i n i ts fol d those o are n to e
o r ant an d excl usive , there i s noth i n g i n the l i fe spi ri t of th e
w Reformer to arrant any such i ntol erance . The spi ri t of sect
w i s h ol ly i n con flict with the gospel ; In essentials un ity , i n
' - w as n o t n on essenti al s l iberty , i n al l th i ngs chari ty . I t h i s
w h o w fri en ds , but h i s enem i es , , i n deri si on , cal l ed h i s fol l o ers
w Lu therans . H e ou ld be known onl y as a defender o f th e
gospel , hen ce th e h istori c nam e , Evan gel i cal Lutheran Ch u rc h .
w o fo u r w The conservi n g po er gro i ng Republ i c , representi n g
w w so many an d d iverse nati onal i ti es , i s th i s same B ible ith hi ch th e Reformer fou ght the battl es of the si xteenth centu ry . Great
\'Ve peri l s e nvi ron us . are yo un g among the nati ons , the h istory LUTH ER AN D TH E STATUE .
u r o fw hose ri se and fal l su ggests both ou r dan ger an d o d uty .
- The agitating an d unsolve d probl ems of to day , the problems t o u r hat center i n i mmense i mmi grati on , i n Soci al i sm , i n M o r
i i n w w mon sm , the l i quor po er , i n o u r rapi dly gro i ng wealth , a n d o f o i n the u n rest lab r , can fin d thei r sol u ti on al one i n th e wel l defined pri nci pl es Of truth and pu rity and j usti ce an d
equ i ty o fthe Word of God . J eh ovah i s the supreme law giver h and final arb iter . Th rough M oses and the Ch ri st have we t e u n derlyi ng pri nciples and framework of al l abi di ng govern
“ o o u ment . As ye wou l d that me n shou l d do t y do ye even
o f s o to them , is th e germ pri n ciple , the seed corn eternal
“ ri ght between man and man . The nation an d ki ngdom
l n o t w that wi l serve God i l l peri sh ; yea , th ose nati ons shal l be
' utterly waste d , i s the su ggestive fiat Of prophecy , confirmed
’ a nd i l l ustrated i n the h istory of the worl d s governments . Al l lovers of c onstituti onal freedom revere the memory Of
Luthe r . H e stands a Gibraltar , defyi ng the wi l d s u rgi ngs of t yranny , whethe r ci vi l o r reli gi ous . D espotism and anarchy al i ke fal l before the spi rit of the man w h o champi ons the free
. H is dom wherewith Ch rist makes free . The sceptre of k in g do m o f is a sceptre ri ghteou sness , and that al one wi l l s u rvi ve t h e wreck of nati ons .
o fin s iratio n It i s fitting , too , that thi s statue , so fu l l p , sh ou ld a dorn the pi ctu resque Memo rial Ch u rch , i tsel f standin g among the mon u ments of the Capital a memori al Of God ’s goodness
i n del iveri ng ou r lan d from bondage and from war , a memorial — O f freedom an d o f peace a free dom and peace secu red an d perpetuated al i ke to every citizen of the Republ i c by the Word of God . O u r land has had i ts days o f dark ness and i ts bap t is m o f bl ood . I n the darkest days Of the Reformation , wh i ch a w as lso had i ts martyrs , Lu ther wont to say to h is bosom 1 0 A N D AT E LUTH ER TH E ST U .
M elan c t h o n 6t h friend , , Come , Ph i lip , l et u s si ng . The 4
Psal m became the battle son g Of the Reforme rs , and classi c .
A t mighty for ress is our God ,
A bul w ark never failing .
as ee as as as
i A n d th o ug h the w orld w ith devils filled S hould threaten to undo us ,
\Ve w ill not fear for God hath w illed
' is H truth to triumph through us .
o u r o ur e J eh ovah , the God of fathers , i s r fu ge an d strength ,
w w e . a ve ry present help i n trouble ; therefo re , i l l not fear
P T t rotect us by hy migh , K ' Great God , our ing . Th e f e as t efUnv eilin g .
Flowers an d plants ab u ndant and rare , from th e Goverment
“ ' n and pri vate conservatori es ; Jes us i gas j ets , with a large
oi l pai nti ng of Luther beneath , made the Memorial Ch u rc h
o f fragrant and beautifu l du ri n g the j oyous Feast Unvei l i n g . A fitting prel u de was the gathering of the Lutheran Su n day
’ sch ools o fthe city on the afternoon of the Lord s day preced
. w i an d i n g The servi ces of son g , i nterspersed th prayer , , the
w . Word , ith addresses , made a spi ri ted convocati on i A t n h t . F . . . , g the Rev D r W Conrad gave to a large au di en ce
h i s masterly orati on upon L uther , the Reformer .
’ Tt i es da y eveni ng a platform meeti n g , i n the Memo rial , was
A . o n e o f . . . . fu l l enth usiasm . Gen James A Ekin , U S , of the
w as helpfu l frien ds of the Statue movement , an no unced to pre
w . . si de . Sti rri n g addresses ere made by the Rev D rs Jacob
i i b . . Ge s s n e r . . . Fry , D H g , D M Gi l ert , Joel Swartz and H on
Jacob F . M i l ler .
i h e le h . . S e Rev D r . M . g read a poem LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
0011 b w . r. heelei h 1 y S g .
Lift up the gladsome voice ' Let millions now rej oice R esponsive to our cheer , A s , met for high commemoration ,
We o m i n j , sight of every nation , With reverent praisefulness a Stone of H elp ' to rear 1
Four hundred years have run T S heir course beneath the sun ince , far beyond the sea ,
A w as man of giant soul given ,
To work a wonder - work for H eaven A nd hence with joyful hearts we mark this j ubilee .
H o w fitting that to - day The eager throngs should pay Such tribute loved and true That in this N ation ’s Capital E rect doth stand , and ever shall , This mould of manliness each age will hail ane w
T here let it ever stand , T A hat form which rt hath planned , That semblance wrought in bron z e ; T hough mute , and destitute of motion , Around it men shall bring devotion D H i s . evotion to their God , and honor to sons
’ W av S hen H e n of human hands ome special work demands , H is prescience hath prepared A M D P oses , aniel , or a aul ,
O r L UT H ER , for the mighty call ’ That breaks th eventful day w hen H is own arm is bared . 1 3 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
A night all dark and dread
H ad far and farther spread , T hrough age on age , deep wrong ; th e For truth , prevailed plagues of error , T C C he hurch of hrist was rent in terror , ' A H o w 0 L ' nd many , groaning , cried , long , ord , how long
Behold one—born of race That scorns to fear the face Of strongest , direst foeman That ne ’er would basely stoop or cower I n presence of an ea rthly power T R hough holding modern fort or wall of ancient oman .
N o t rocked on courtly knees ,
N o r in clad robes of ease ,
’ M id enervating thi n gs ;
- But forced to ways of self denial ,
A i e nd disc plined in rugg d trial ,
T L H is he ord servant forth to painful toiling brings .
’ H eav n w By grace of rene ed ,
W - ith martyr faith imbued ,
z a Filled with consuming e l ,
Of - u hero so ls set in the van , God brings this marvel of a man
’ T w rs he po for ill alli ed to brave for human weal .
T ’ hat statue s antitype ,
c l For his high al ing ripe , Through God the giant foiled ; SBefore the haughty and the vaunting triking for truth , with soul undaunting ,
Till startled pope and kings be nea th their crowns reco iled .
T he might that in him wrought , With grace from hea ven fraught
lan ds For all the abroad ,
T - he hero life within him nursed ,
W s hich forth in grand achievement bur t , A Ei ’ ' nd toned n Feste Burg with glory to our God . LUTH ER AN D TH E STATU E .
L Give praises to the ord ,
For gospel truth restored , And echoed far and wide To all the waiting nations rung ’ By H is anointed servant s tongue
That we by l iving faith in Christ are j ustified .
Where ’er the truth o ’er earth M t ost freely marches for h , A nd souls doth liberate , T t w t t here brea hes , i h heal hful demonstration There pulsates n o w th e Reformation
Thence myriad tongues in this your j oy participate .
T hough throngs , who press the ground ,
T - his artist pile around ,
fin d Fresh inspiration , Long hath his monument been known 0 To rest on firmer base than stone
’ v n - E in the deathless hearts of rising human kind .
’ H ad ea r s of man ne er heard
The w orld - resounding word T t L hat ells of uther born , O ur ey es could not have looked upon T W hat stately shaft to ashington ,
W a hich seeks the skies and greets the e rliest beams of morn .
’ A w nd had the orld ne er heard , T he words that in him stirred ,
A nd plead for liberty ,
T - S hose walls , dome crowned against the sky , hould not have gladdened human eye , T ’ ype of a people s power whom God hath spoken free .
From his day comes there still T t he libera ing thrill , W ith voice of heavenly call , A s Truth from tyranny delivers
ln n er and outer bon dage shivers , T hough earth and hell combine to hold mankind in thrall . 1 5 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
A u /u r e nd yet , for f time
Wait triumphs more sublime , W ’ hen men , the nations o er ,
- In Signs of joy proclaiming light , W t ill semaphore , from height to hei g h ,
The gospel victories on every mundane shore .
Long as with earnest heart That cherished w ork of Art
By countless eyes is viewed , ’ T a il/z u t e hey ll read what f is pict red h re , ’ r a r What wondrous potency of p y ,
' — Wh at pi op/zef lzfe a n dfi r e in look and attitude .
T here , firm on granite base , ’ H eav n - With imploring face , That symbol stand through t ime ; T o speak , adown the lapsing ages , What H istory traced upon her pages
lirn e To thrill with joyfulness the men of every c . S tand that colossal form , Facing the rushing storm ’ Unmoved as neath the light ; As Luther faced careering wrath ’ Which o er him fa in would plough its path ’ But w hich in weakness broke before Jehovah s might .
There let it ever be
A S t ign of hought set free , Of unbound tongue and will , Of shackles from the conscience riven , Of wider field to learning given , A ’ — nd of God s Book unsealed all men with j oy to fill .
T here let that image stand , The while the clenched hand
I s on the Bible pressed , ’ In token of the soul s appealing ’ ’ r From man s device to God s evealing ,
O f T — —L th e ruth the one the sure everlasting test . LUTH ER AN D TH E STATUE .
There let it stand for aye Long as the orb of day And nightly hosts behold ; T t t here s and , perpetual wi ness giving
In E - “ praise to God , the ver living T w For holy , highest ruth , hich doth all hope infold .
Long as that head shall there t Be lif ed high in air , H eedless of malice hurled ,
H is w w att t S ork , hose fame is there es ed hall more and more be manifested , ’ As God s unfettered Truth emancipates the world .
T hus , while the centuries ,
’ Ln restin t g as he seas , R oll onward , one by one , This chosen of the Lord shall Still
H is ea r l/1 mission through the fulfill ,
S z U . tanding , to ga ing eyes , like riel in the sun
n i in 9a o f U ve l g .
Heaven never smi led more serenely than upon the l t o f
M a . . . . D . , y , the day of the u nvei l i n g M r A J Wedemeyer of
New York , graceful ly presided at a morni n g meetin g ; the m f . . B u r e er hymns o Luther were s ung The Revs F . F . y and
H o u n r i h au s Albert g conducted the devoti onal exerci ses , an d Ph th e Rev . D rs . F . . Hen ni ghau sen , A . C . Wedek i n d and E .
M o ldeh n k e e o f w , made addr sses great po er i n the German l anguage .
It is esti mated that from to people w itnessed
the ce remoni es arou n d the Statue . Th e pu lpi t of \Vash i ngton w as largely represented u pon the platform . Th e Marti n Lu
New w th er Soci ety , Of York Ci ty , together i th large delega
ti ons from Ph i ladelph ia , Baltimore , H arrisb u rg , York , Lan
w caster , Gettysbu rg , H age rsto n , F rederi ck , Wi nchester an d
o f Ri ch m ond , besi des representatives from distant parts the
cou ntry , exten di ng even beyon d the M issou ri River , were
present . The General Assembly of the Presbyteri an Ch urch ,
w Y . i n sessi on at Saratoga , N . , an d h i ch had been i nvited
to attend the u nvei l i n g , wi red its congratulations and regrets M th rou gh the Rev . D r . Geo . P . Hayes , oderator . The names o f the many Lutheran pastors present , other than those wh o
t o fi l led places i n the programm e , wou l d add i nterest th e
n ar rativ e ~ b u t to , i t was not possi ble sec ure a complete l ist .
V ery many o f them evi nced th e l iveli est i nterest in the Statu e 1 8 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
m ovement from i ts i ncepti on to th e u nvei l i ng . Largel y
o f th rou gh thei r activity , seconde d by th e l iberal i ty the lai ty , w as i t made possibl e fo r th e Statu e Associ ati on to an nounce
in al l bi l l s pai d , and a smal l s u rpl u s i n the Treasu ry , safely
o f th e vested , for i nci dental s that may ari se i n the futu re care
w Statue and grou n ds . Th e press of al ays ful l o f enterpri se , rendered val uabl e servi ces to the Lu ther Statue
w Associ ati on , an d , i n c onnecti on i th the Unvei l i n g , publ i shed
w c uts of the Col ossal B ronze ith ful l reports of the proceedi n gs .
S o f M r . J u stice M i l ler , of the upreme Cou rt the Uni ted States ,
presi ded ; the Rev . D r . F . Conrad an d the Rev . Bishop A .
w . D . Payne e re the Chaplain s S u fifis to rg o f th e tat e .
h e th e t t u s s o c i tio n P r ep ar ed by o rder o f t L u r S a e A a .
F o r several years earnest fri en ds o f Luth er an d of h i s great
work had agi tated th e planti ng O fa statue Of th e German Re
o u r former i n cou ntry , b ut by reason of i nsuperable di ffi cu lti es ,
n o t ac c o m ch i efly with reference to l ocati on , had been able to plis h the grand w ork .
A S N ew To M r . Charles . ch ieren , of York City , bel on gs the honor o f havi ng fi rst su ggested th e i dea o f a statue of
Luther upon the fine si te i n front of the M emorial Ch u rch , to i be kno w n hereafter as Luther Place . The Wash n gton
“ E R B R V O f . correspon dent of the LUT H AN O S E E R , B , i n one h i s
’
S . G. l etters , spoke of th e suggestion of M r . ch i eren D r . J .
o f B RVE R M orri s , Balti more , another correspon dent Of the O S E ,
w al ays fired by the mention of Luther , secon ded , wi th h i s racy
s pen , that uggesti on .
Fal l i ng un der the eye of M r . G . A . D obler , of Balti more , h e at on ce entere d i nto correspondence w ith the Pastor o f th e
o f Memorial Ch u rch , sen di ng ph otog raphs th e Worms Lu ther and a C opy of correspon dence w h i ch he had al ready had with
e w se w Lau chhamm r , at h o reno ned fou n dri es the o rig i nal
bronze had been cast . M r . D obler suggested the names of
'
D . M r . A . J . . Wedemeyer and M r . J W . B . D obl er , of New w h York Ci ty , with om correspondence was at once opened . 20 R LUTH E AND TH E STATU E .
I K . o f n reply to a l etter to M r A ug ustus ou ntze , New York ,
u a prompt an d l iberal s bscripti on came , as d i d also a cheerful
R n . eal response from M r George y , of Wash i n g ton , D . C .
m w th O f H o n F o x Th ese gentle en , i the additi on . D an i el M . ,
O f h u h B ERV R Ph i ladelp i a , s ggested by the editor of t e O S E , fo rmed them sel ves i nto an association fo r the accompl ish ment o f th e obj ect w h ose consu mmation cal ls tog ether th is m ulti tu de o f peopl e to - day i n the National Capital from al l parts o f o u r common cou ntry .
1 1 8 8 w as n f February 4 , 3 , a ci rc ular i ss ued ask i g for un ds ,
K u o f an d des i gnati ng the bank i n g h ou ses of o ntze B rothe rs ,
N ew . . . . . Yo rk C ity , J A H Becke r , of Balti more , an d M D Har
o f h l w ter , M ansfiel d , Oh i o , al l of wh om were elpfu to th e ork , as deposi tories . The papers of the Lu theran Ch u rch general ly gave the su b
ec t . j an endo rsement , some more , some l ess hearty Luther
' Statue Notes appeared w eek ly i n th e col um ns o fth e O B S E Rv E R
f ' from i ts “ as h in g to n co rrespon dent . The rel i gi ou s press of the
cou ntry general ly endorsed an d commen ded th e proj ect , wh i lst
t h e secu lar press freely publ ished al l items fu rni shed i t .
S ome diversi o n from th e main pu rpose of the Associ ati on w as
o flo ca tio n \ occasi oned by the questi on , rai sed ch i efly i n Vash in to n g , the h ope bei ng expressed that perm i ssi on m i ght be had
to put o u r Luther upon one of the publ i c reservati ons . Th i s ,
w w as as w h o ever , soon fou n d to be utterly i mpracti cable el l as u nnecessary
S w re o prompt an d hearty , from city an d haml et , ere th e spouses to the appeal o f the ci rc ular that th e Associati on u nani mously fel t w arranted i n o rderi ng the statue by cabl e
o n 1 2 th t w o gram the of Apri l , less than m onths from th e date
h w as of the ci rcu l ar . The h ope t en that i t m i ght be ready
u n v eilin o r l o th o f for s bI the November , the fou r h u ndredth R 21 LUTH E AND TH E STATUE .
’ f o bs erv ann iversary of the Re ormer s bi rth , an event wh ose ance was general an d hearty th rou ghout the Ch ristian worl d . h It was soon l earned, owever , that the statue cou l d not be
secu red at so early a date . In th e meanwhi l e , the Mem l ori al Evan gel i cal Lutheran Ch u rch , at a con gregati ona meet
to u i ng , auth ori zed i ts tru stees transfer to the Stat e Associ a
o o f ti n , so soon as i ncorporated , so m uch of the trian gl e south the ch u rch as was needed fo r the l ocati on of th is magn i ficent bronze .
The members o f the Memorial Ch u rch evi nce d the most
o f genero us interest i n the Luth er Mon ument . The Feast
Unvei l i n g cu l mi nated i n a bo unteou s col lation i n the Chapel ,
w w as u provi ded by the l adies , h ich en l ivened by i mprompt
fo r addresses , visi ti n g fri en ds .
Two meeti ngs o fthe Statue Associ ation were h el d i n Phi la
' meetin re delphi a an d one i n Wash ington , at wh i ch last g p l i m in ary steps were taken look i n g toward the u nvei l i ng . Th e
compl eted programme , arran ge d by c orrespon den ce , is here
wi th i ncorporated , an d a copy has been deposited i n the
pedestal .
b o x The Associati on placed i n the pedestal , a coppe r , her metic all y sealed , contai ni n g
1 . O f A copy the Word of God .
’
2 . o fKestlin s o f A copy Li fe Luther .
’ 3 . A copy of Luther s Small er Catechism .
’
. 4 A copy of Stal ls Lutheran Year Book .
. 1 8 5 A copy of the Luth eran Al manac fo r 84 . 6 . A Un ited States Bl ue Book .
. u 7 Copi es of the papers publ ished by the Lutheran Ch rch ,
and of the C ity of Washi ngton .
8 . A h istory of the Association , an d a li st of contrib utors to
the Luther Statue F u nd . 22 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
I t i s worthy of menti on that the No rth German Ll oyd Steam
h n s i p Company tra sported , free , from H amb u rg to Bal ti more , th i s Statu e ; that the Bal tim ore 81 Oh i o Rai l road Company
to \ ren dered si m i lar servi ce from Balti more Vash i n gton , an d
h S r i man n 8c that t e M essrs . p g B rother , of th i s ci ty , g enero usl y
“ tendere d simi lar servi ce from th e depot to the L uther Pl ace . f l O n accou nt of u nforseen di fi cu l ti es , bu t for th e ti me y and
- f c o o f h . o g enerou s operati on t e H on Secretary War , Robert f . c o T . Li ncol n , Col . Th os L . Casey , U . S . En g i neers , i n harge
\ o f the State , Var and Navy bu i l di ng an d the Wash i ngton M on
u men t . . . . , and the H on Omar D Cong er , U S Senator from
h - u . M ich igan , t i s Stat e wou l d n ot be u nvei led to day Th e thanks of th e Lu ther Statue Associ ati on and i ts fri en ds are h ereby tendered .
A n in The Statue ssoc iati o , th e presence of th is i mmense
n o f c o course of peopl e , every national ity and of eve ry c reed , bu t
c o mmo n o h h enteri ng i nto a j y , ren der devou t t anks to Al mi g ty
w h o h God , has given H i s blessi n g to t i s thei r h umble en deavor to advance the cause of Truth an d Ri gh teousness .
A J u sti ce of the Supreme Cou rt of the United States dig n i
fies w the occasi on by presi di n g at th i s meeti ng , h i lst an
h onored Senator of th e United States , O . D . Conger , of th e
S o f h o u r tate M i c i gan , j oi ns the vene rabl e Presi dent of Asso c iatio n fi w w i n ttin g ords of eul ogy i n mem ory of Lu ther , h ose h name an d fame are m ore en du ri n g than t is col ossal bronze .
' th e As vei l shal l u ncover the Statue , Luther s battle hymn ,
“ n o w Em F rsle B ur the classi c g , by the Un ited States Mari ne
w o f Ban d , i l l tel l of the ab i ding faith an d cou rage the man w h om God h as hono red , the great Protestant , wh ose name
n becomes more lasti ng as th e ages rol l o .
By order o f the Luth er Statue Associ ati on
. R J G . B UT L E , i li a Co r r esl o m ng Secret ry .
2 4 T LUTH ER AND TH E STA UE . h i s endu ri ng M on u ment i n the cou rt o f th is Lu theran Memo rial Ch u rch o n the border o f a c i rcle al ready adorned w ith a splen di d statu e of one o fo u r most i ll ustri o u s sol d ie r heroes . h M r . Presi dent , su rro u nded by suc scenes , th ri l led by s u ch
memories , subd ued by th e mysteri ou s i nfl u ence of s uch a l i fe
- o f and character , the p ro u dest and m ost sel f reli ant u s al l m u st l eave u nans w ered the perpetual ly rec u rri ng i nqu i ry
VVh at o f has he done , thi s peasant boy Ei sleben , thi s sweet
si nger of Ei senach , th i s you ng A u gu sti ni an monk of Erfu rt , W’ th is secl u ded pris oner of artbu rg , th i s professor i n the Un i
o fVVitt enb u r o f versity g , th i s Reforme r Germany , th i s loved
' w an d venerated apostl e o f Ch ri sten dom I n dee d , hat great thi ngs m u st h e n o t have done t o have w o n and w orn th e h i gh
esteem , the arde n t affecti o n , th e m ore than i mperi al hono rs ,
- w and worl d wide reno wn that cro n ed hi m i n l i fe , and ensh ri ned hi s memory i n th e hearts Of su cceedi n g generati ons so lon g
as time en du res .
I n the b rief ti me al l otted to me I w i l l n o t even ou tl i ne h i s
n o r t l i fe and character and wo rks , i s there any necessi y , d i d
ti me and abi l i ty perm it .
t o th 1 8 8 an On the day of Novembe r , 3 , the fo u r h u nd redth
’ n iv ers ar y of Luth er s b i rthday , and i n th e near ti m e th ereof, from pul pit and ro stru m and press i n every Ch ri stian co m
o n bio r a m uni ty the gl obe , sermo ns , add resses , memorial s , g ph ies and h i stori es o fthe l i fe and ti mes o fth i s great man w ere pou red forth with suc h s u p e r fl u ity of ab un dance that t o rene w them i n al most any for m w ou l d su ggest plagiarism i n th e dis
w co u rse , and u n arranted i gnorance i n the au dience .
\Vh ile , the refo re , I shal l leave to others , better fitted by thei r
re du ty an d profession , the i nteresti ng l abor Of presenti ng the lig io u s and theol ogical q uesti ons i nvolved i n the disc ussi ons Of th ose sou l sti rri n g controve rsies and spi ritual con flicts w h ic h 25 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE . shook the world an d chang ed the desti n i es of nati ons an d em
u pi res , and gave su ch m igh ty i mpu lses to th e onward and p
O f rac e I ward progress o u r , may be perm itted to al l u de to
o fo u r u some episodes i n the l i fe hero , to some i nfluences abo t that ti me arousi ng the world from the sl u mber an d lethargy o f o f t th e dark ages , an d to s ome Of the consequ ences tha
Spi ri tual and i ntel lectual aw akeni ng o fwh ich Germany was the
o f battle grou nd and M arti n Luther the central fi gu re strength .
o f In i magi nati on we may revi sit the scenes his l i fe , and s u r rou n d ou rselves wi th the i magery o f the land an d the people
Yo u h h w here he dwelt . wi l l see t e dark T u ri ngi an fo rest of
l w h s Saxony , its g oomy woods of fir an d p i ne , i t mysteri ou d voi ces forever sou nd i ng throu gh i ts l eafy ai sles , the wi l
r h u ntsman dash ing along i ts mou ntai n crests , the spectral ri de soundi ng h is horn i n pu rsu i t of th e deer
By midnight moons ,
’ er O moistening dews ,
In vestments of the chase arrayed , The hunter still T he deer pursues , T he hunter and the deer a shade .
In the gorges o f the mo u ntai ns are dark mi nes and cavern s fil l ed wi th al l i magi nable ghosts and gobl i ns guardi ng the
treasu res of the earth an d the gems of the mi ne , al l real an d terrible to that peasant boy of Eisleben as we l l as to all the
. dwel lers i n that mysteri ou s regi on . What marvel that h i s m i nd w as fil led with i mages of demons to fight and with per sonal devi ls to encou nter ' What marvel that he w ou l d crush o n e devi l with his i nk stand , and wou l d go to the su preme
trial at Worms , thou gh h e bel ieved the devi l s were as th i ck as
’ ti les o n the houses ' I n God s name he wou l d go on . I n the vi l lages and gardens of the beautifu l val leys were 2‘ 6 L R UTHE AND TH E STATUE .
w fru its and flo ers , and s i ngi n g bi rds , an d laugh i n g ch i l dren ,
o f n o w an d ru ral sports , an d bands si ngi ng you th s , then , as ,
o f o f the ch i ldren m usi c and son g .
’ \Vh at marvel that Lu ther s heart was fu l l of m us i c an d h i s voice o f song ; that h e wrote hym ns and songs and set them t o h m u si c th rou gh al l h i s l i fe , hymns and son gs an d m us i c t at have flashed wi th electri c speed from th robbi ng h u man hearts t o o f o u r in firmities the ear O ne who i s foreve r tou ched w ith , and w h o hath borne the i nfini te so rrows of o u r race
w S I n al l that German land ere the p ure , chee rfu l axon
h omes , the l ovi ng Teuton i c fami l i es , the vi rtu ou s matron an d
\ h w . V at mai d marvel , then , that the pri est , hen casti n g aside
o f the doctri ne papal supremacy an d the Romi sh ritual , shou l d
’ l i kewi se rej ect monk i sh cel ibacy an d the n u n s secl u si on , an d
h O f i resto re to t e m i n istry the sacred relati ons the fam ly , and to the n u n the endeari n g enj oyments of home '
w Havi ng , hethe r provi dentially or by chance , had occa s io nal opport u n ities to study the Lati n bible i n the monastery at w w E rfu rt , and learne d the marvel ou s treasu res hi ch ere u n reveale d i n the German l an g uage and al most u nkno w n to
w o r w the Lati n scholar , hether layman pri est , hat marvel that hi s pri son i n the Castle of \Vartb u r g becam e the most i l l us
'i t r io u s sc hool o fthe prophets w hen ce issu ed from h is gl o w
o f w i n g pen that gl o ri ous versi on the gospel , not onl y the ord of l i fe but also the pe renn ial fo u ntai n o f pu re German l ite ra
w tu re h i c h has , mo re than anyth i ng else , preserved al ike the
faith and the lan guage of the Teutonic races .
These few references m ust s u ffi ce fo r me re personal i nc i
dents an d all usi ons .
There are , asi de from the spi ritual experiences an d rel i gi o us s o f w o f tru ggles an d tri u mphs th i s stal art champi on truth ,
o f w many th i ngs i n the h istory the times i n h i ch h e l i ved , an d 27 LUTHER AND TH E STATUE .
t h e s o f h conditi on th e nations of the earth , an d t e state of
u h uman society , an d th e mental an d spi ri t al awaken i n g wh i ch a h c o n bout those days spread over t e worl d , that deman d the s i derati on o f those who wou l d comprehen d the marvel ous c hanges an d prog ress o f the Open i ng years of the si xteenth
o f in c entu ry . Before that ti me the art pri nti ng h ad been vented . M ore deadly war materi al came i nto use . The Tu rk h ad driven al i ke the Spi ri tual an d temporal powers o fCh risten dom from Asi a and from parts o f Eu rope ; the Crescent had t ri umphed over the Cross i n the powerfu l bi sh opri c o fAl ex a o f n dri a , i n al l A rabia , i n al l the regi on the won derfu l ci ties
h o f f. beyon d J ordan , i n the H oly Lan d itsel T e m i narets
a o f Islam towered bove the fo u n dati ons the sacred temple , an d t h e Ch ristian crept i n abj ect disgu i se to w eep by n i ght near
’ h e I t . place of h is Redeemer s supu l ch re n Anti och , wh ere k they were first named , the Ch ri stian was u n nown . In al l th e lan d o fthe Seven Ch u rches the rel igi on of Mah omet had abs o
l ute sway . Th e Tu rk passed the H el l espont , an d the Empi re o f Constanti ne was bl otted out . Greece an d Macedon yi el ded h to the false Prophet , an d the M oslem cry of the m uezzi n ec oed f al on g the shores o the D anube even to the gates of V ienna .
The most beauti ful part o f Spai n h ad been l on g th e conquest o f M oori sh M ohammedi sm . I n deed the Ch ri sten dom of the e arly centu ri es had been driven from Asia an d Afri ca an d e astern Eu rope unti l its fronti er w as wel l n i gh beyon d th e lands of apostol i c vi sitati on . Wh i le more fiery zeal was k i n dl ed i n the breasts Of the del u ded fol lowers o f Mabom fi med , an i n nite lethargy ben u mbed the di scipl es of th e C ross .
The chu rch , after spasmodi c crusades to redeem the h oly s epu l ch re , sl umbered am i d its formal i ties an d ceremon ials , r eli nqu i shed vast real ms Of i ts former control to wage war u n po the faith an d conscience of its i n divi dual members . ‘ 28 LUTH ER AND TH E STATU E .
w w Th rou gh al l these dark ages , h i l e conti nents ere passi n g
ia from i ts control , and vast domai ns were wrested from i ts
fl uen c e o u r , the ch u rch at least retai ned the only reco rds of
w h oly rel i gion , the l iteratu re an d k no ledge Of former ages , an d wi th i ts Reformati on made possi bl e the marvel ous progress o f
o f modern ti mes . As a harbi nger th e great Refo rmati on , the
o f Ch ri stian powers drove back the T u rk from the wal ls V i enna ,
adown the Danube an d beyon d the Balkans . I n Spai n , i n th e
very year that Luther was born , Ferdi nan d an d Isabel la com
’ men ced the ei ght years w ar wh ich drove the M oors from
Spai n and reclaimed to Ch ri stendom some o f i ts fai rest prov in s O f c e . An d i n that sel f same year Col u mbus left th e Co u rt
w w o f J ohn of Po rtu gal , eary and di sco u raged ith ei gh t years
o f O f prom i se an d deni al ai d , for hi s great voyage di scovery ,
1 2 an d for the next ei gh t years , u nti l 49 , both i n cou rt an d cam p offe red to th e soverei gns of Casti le an d Arragon th e sov
’ erei n t g y of a new worl d . Before Luth er s manh oo d the Por t u g es e had encompassed Afri ca ; Col u mbus had di scovered
Am eri ca ; won derful sto ries o fw onderfu l lands w ere o n every
w w o f ton gue ; u nk no n oceans were expl ored , u nk no n races
w O f w men ere fou n d ; d reams ealth an d vi si ons Of empi re ,
fo r w greed gold an d zeal for conversi on , ere mi ngled i n strange
w w as con fusion i n th e m i n ds Of sai nt an d si nner . Al l the orl d aroused ; the hope Of converti ng th e strange h eathen races
qu i ckened spi ri tual acti vity . The same sh ip bore th e expl orer w w w s ith h i s s ord an d the priest i th h i s gospel , to conquer real m
e o h is an d red em s ul s . The cou rtier l eft the palace , the monk cel l ; the caval i er forsook h i s pl easu res and th e Pu ri tan h i s
home , to fou n d c ol oni es and ch u rches i n far off lan ds .
w e w h o w o r have not been told , may never kno , far the di rect the mysteri ou s i n fluences of such startl i ng eve nts a w aken al ik e the m oral an d i ntel lectual fo rces o f o u r bei ng ; h o w voi ce R T 29 LUTH E AND HE STATUE .
a nswereth to voi ce an d deep u nto deep , u nti l al ong the mysti c c h ord of sympathy the heart Of h u mani ty i s moved by a com m o n i mpu lse to h ol ier aspi rations and pu rer sacri fice . B u t we m ay wel l beli eve that th e great heart o f Lu ther throbbed wi th qu i ckened pu lsation t o the i nfl uences wh i ch were arousi n g the
o ld c o mmen c worl d . That th e Saxon spi rit wh ich was then i n g that career of control an d supremacy wh i ch h as al ready e f nci rcled the gl obe , and wi l l herea ter control i ts desti ni es , w as then strong i n hi m ; that h e was th e true representative o fthose Teuton ic forces w h i ch are bei n g devel oped i n al l the
p rogressi ve nati ons , and are the very fou ntai n an d sou rce of most o f the marvel ous i nventi ons an d gran d discoveri es of h w t i s most on derfu l age . H e wal ked i n th e val ley of h um i li a
o f ti on , and he strode al ong the h i gh places power ; h e com
w forted an d su stai ned the l o ly i n thei r sorrow , an d h e th u ndered
a nathemas upon the prou dest i n thei r si ns . Exh ortin g unceas in l w n g y to al l good orks , he ever b ore u po the fol ds of hi s
w w banner the motto an d atch ord , The j ust shal l l ive by Faith .
H e rebuke- d w i th equal vi gor the oppressi on of the nobi l i ty
n O f a dthe commu nism and revenges the peasantry . Spi ri tual
pri de was , i f possible , less o ffensive to hi s soul than slavi sh
h u m i l ity .
o f Liberty of conscience , personal responsibi li ty man , an ex is ten c e o f h probation on eart , the resu rrecti on of the body an d the i m mortal ity of the sou l . Wi th such a theme rou ndi ng the tragi c h istory of every spi rit that emerges unconscio us from the u n revealed begi n nin g of exi stence to tread thence forth the dark or the l umi nous pathways o fetern ity
’ We feel our immortality o ers w eep A ll time , all tears , all pain , all fears , P ealing , like the eternal thunders of the deep , T his truth i nto our ears . ' Ye live forever . 3 0 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE .
Among those great , those i mmortal names that were n ot
w born to di e , th e orl d of h uman i ty has enth roned M arti n
h w Lut er . Conspi cu ous i n th e capital Of a nati on h ose possi bilit y of exi stence h i nged upon h i s labors i n l i fe , and th e
w e adopti on Of th e pri nci pl es he taught ti l l h i s death , th is day f place th i s m emo ri al o ou r venerati on . M ay i t en du re for the centu ri es to c ome an embl em of h u man progress an d im
O f m ortal h ope . B ut sh ou l d th e ravages ti me corrode an d w d ear away the endu ri n g bronze an d c ru mbl e the sol i grani te , may th i s Capital o f ou r gl ori ous com mon w eal th sti l l remai n
the l ivi ng heart an d center of a Nati on of u ni ted freemen ,
more happy than ou r i magi nati on can pi ctu re , advanced i n al l
' th e elements o f goodness and greatness beyon d ou r fon dest dream s bles s in w h o , g and blessed by th e untol d m i l l i ons Shal l enter i nto o u r gl o ri o us i nheri tan ce an d perpetuate the subl i me i nstituti ons establ i shed by ou r fathers an d preserved by the
i nfini te R uler Of th e Un iverse .
’ i ililr o rr e . G. M s sg
Th e I'. . D . . f . o Rev J G M orri s , LL , Presi dent th e l u t S w S her tatue Associati on , fol l o ed enator Conger , an d sai d
' w w w A l l hai l my fel l o bel ieve rs present , as el l as the hole
o f o Protestant comm u nity ou r land , u p n the au spici o us event w o f h i ch has b ro ught so many u s together th is day . Afte r
- many months of labor , an xiety , sel f den ial an d some fru it
o f in difl e re n ce w e l ess Opposi ti on , and not a smal l degree , are happy i n behol di ng the consu mmati on of o u r ardent w ishes
o fo u r e and the successful result arnest exerti ons .
o f w w w as l ive to see the completi on a ork , hich neve r — befo re u nde rtaken i n thi s cou ntry the erecti on of a statue to
3 2 LUTH ER AN D TH E STATUE . i t bel o n gs to the w hol e Ch ristian Ch u rch ; al l uni te in cele b ratin g hi m as the glo ri ou s i nstru ment ch osen of God to per form th e mi ghty w ork ; h is name an d work are now more
w frequently menti oned , h i s ri ti ngs mo re frequ ently quoted ,
mo re books are publ ished about h i m , and h i s i nval uable ser
vi ces are mo re hi ghly rated , than eve r before .
I n nearly eve ry centu ry befo re , the re had been some good men w h o w rote and preached agai nst the e rro rs of the ch u rch b ut they attacked the bad morals practi ced rathe r than the u nsc ript u ral doctri nes then bel ieved ; and even against these
w as there n o bol d , deci ded , conti n ued protestati on , n o chal lenge of the theologi ans to di sc ussi on , n o extended expos u re o f thei r false teach i n gs .
Go d o u t u w h o b rou ght L the r , was h i msel f a monk and pri est ; he di scerned the erro rs of the ch u rch i n faith and prae ti ce ; h i s ri ghteous so ul w as fi red w ith a h oly ardor ; l i ke
o f r in c es another El ij ah , he th u ndered the truth i nto the ears p
an d k i n gs and prelates ; l i ke another J oh n Baptist , h e pro
clai med the comi n g o f the Son o f Man i n the resto rati on o f pu re doctri ne and h oly l ivi ng he poi nted to Ch rist and sai d
Beh ol d the lamb , i nstead of you r i mages , pi l gri mages , f rosaries , confessi ons an d asti ngs . H e disi nterred the gospel
b u ried i n the fou l grave of papal si n an d gl oom .
Th e mi ght iest revol uti on o f m odern times w as the c o n s e
qu e n c e ; th ere w as the i ntro du cti on o f n ew m odes o ft h o u g h t
and acti on ; the w o rld seeme d to a w ake as o ut o f a d ream ;
the truth tri u mphed an d the gospel became free .
w as o u w - fiv e The partic u lar occasi on , as y k no , the ni nety
fa proposi ti ons , a sto ry mi l iar to eve ry i ntel l i gent person .
Th is open defiance i n publ ishi ng these prop o siti ons w as only proclai med by Luther after al l attempts to move the heads of
’
w . l 0 e w the ch u rch e re fru itless p , cardi nals and bishops e re 3 3 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE . cal led o n to reform ack nowledged errors and corruptions ;
they promised , bu t they fai led . Then i t was that Lu ther rose ;
these propositi ons were carri ed i nto al l di rections , an d created
an extraordi nary sensati on , the attention of m u lti tu des roused
i o fth in k in w new deas new methods g , new ays of doi ng thi n gs
o f n ew were i ntro du ced ; there was a resu rrection mi n d ; no ,
a l d I o ri in . o l mean g , fai th was preache d It was the fai th of
l u w s a o st es b t . a the p , rei ntrodu ced It restored to l i fe , thou g h
w as . i t not dead , it only sl ept It was b rou ght out fresh from the rubbish w h i ch had been al lowed to gather u pon it for a t housan d years ; i t w as newly cl eansed from h u man additi ons
an d abu ses . O u r Protestant Ch ristiani ty is not a new rel i gi on ,
o ld b u t the , l i ke a gran d marble mon u ment , sh owi n g i ts ori g i nal pu rity after th e gath ered du st o f ages and the gau dy deco rati ons o fa vitiated taste have b een washed a w ay
This i s the ol d , fresh , l i fe i nspi ri ng , mi nd enl i ghteni ng , so u l
savi n g gospel tau ght by the apostles , sancti oned and accepted
o f o f w by the pi ou s al l ages , the li ght h i ch had been obsc u re
w as Lu t h e r lifted for centu ri es . I t hi dden u nder a bu shel , an d
o ff w as w it ; it conceale d behi nd a c u rtai n , bu t he dre the c u r
w . tai n asi de , and sho ed the li ght i n al l its b u rni n g splendor
S w as ci ence exti ngu i shed , literatu re pi ned i n monasti c cel ls , and the bibl e was mi l dewed u n der sch olasti c rubbi sh ; the altar was overl oaded w ith meretri ci ou s ornaments ; the sacra ments were desecrated by u nscriptu ral additi ons ; the priest
’ hood was the slavi sh horde o fthe tyran nical u su rper of God s
th rone , and the peopl e were i gnoran t , supersti tious and de
w as graded ; th e gospel obscu red by h u man i nventi ons , an d the worl d was s u nk i n the depths of error an d si n . The s ol i
w tary monk wh o shook the orl d arose , and l iberty and l i ght w ere restored to the s u fferi ng nati ons . The ch u rch was rescu ed from the slavery of h u man au 34 LUTH ER AND T H E STATUE .
th o r it fo r y i n rel i gi on , from con fi denc e i n man sal vati on , an d
o f from the bl i ghted errors a false wo rship .
' The bibl e i s the rel i gi on o f Protestants ; the bible al one i s
o u r . w gu i de It was thi s bible hi c h gave l iberty to Luther ,
w as w s w h o and i t Luther , ith thi bible i n hi s han d , gave l i b
- e rt t o w . y the o rld Yes , l iberty from a bondage ten fold more
o f gal l i ng than chai ns tempered i ron .
w By thi s touchstone e try the spi ri ts . Th is i s th e priceless
f w w e j e w el o gospel l ibe rty i n h ich rej oi ce . Look at the di fference bet w een us an d th e Ro ni an is t i n thi s respect
H e to w w i s bou nd bel ieve hat the ch u rch presc ribes , ithout
exam i nati on . W e exami ne an d then beli eve . H e takes everythi ng on c redi t that i s tau ght w ithou t any reflecti on .
’Vc l req ui re proof from the sc riptu re .
H e w bel i eves hat the c h u rc h teaches .
we w bel ieve hat the b ible teaches .
H e w never call s i nto qu esti on hat h e i s tau ght .
We w o u say , even to ou r m i ni ste r , you m ust prove hat y
h w f teach from t e ord o God .
H e exerci ses n o j u dgment i n s u ch matters .
lVe exe rcise p rivate j udgment .
o u r Th is is Ch ristian l i berty .
\Ve do w n ot tru st for salvati on i n h uman me di tati ons ; e , as
' o f w membe rs Ch ri st s body , stand i n i mmediate connecti on ith
w e H i m ; , as branches , are immediately j oi ned with Ch rist ,
t e i w the r u v ne. There are n o c reated me diators bet een H im
. Go d and u s One mediator between and man , th e man
' \V o f Ch rist J esus . e rej ect the i ntercessi o n th e V i rgi n Mary
w e an d the sai nts , th ou gh may revere them . do not ask
w for thei r hel p becau se e do n ot need it . R 3 5 LUTH E AND TH E STATUE .
o u r o n e o n e i . Here i s great advantag e Lord , g l or ou s head
' N o other name given u n der heaven whereby we are saved .
h o w h o f Oh , u nl i ke t e cu mbrous works man i s the pl an o f
heaven , so artless , easy an d u nencu mbered . There are n o
meretric i ou s arts to begu i le u s , no c l usteri n g o rnaments to
’ c log us . H eaven s plan i s as free from ostentati on as it is
from weakness . It stands l i ke a gl ori ous rai nbow , maj esti c i n
o f its own s impl icity , above the portal ou r Protestant Ch urch ,
b o f legible y the l i ght th rown upon i t by the star Bethle hem ,
stands the sou l qu i cken ing i nscripti on , Bel i eve and l ive .
The Reformati on was not a h u man work ; thou gh God em
pl oyed h u man agency ; i t was a divi ne work . Al l the prel i m in ar ies showed a di rect di vi ne agency ; the revi val o f learni n g i n Eu rope ; the stu dy o f anci ent languages ; t h e discovery of
Ameri ca and o fpri nti ng ; the growi ng i nqu i ry amon g men ; a s en se of thei r wrongs and opp ressi ons ; the spread o f li ght an d
—m the death o fmartyrs al l these were preparatives di rected by
w w as Provi dence . The orl d i n a ferment , j ust as at the ti me
o f of the comi n g Ch rist , people were looki ng for some great
change ; they di d not k now what i t wou l d be . B ut the ti mes w ere exciti ng ; the ch urch was corrupt i n doctri ne and morals ;
o f truth was obscu red ; the necessity a reform was conceded .
Go d w At length Luther rose . endowed h im ith si ngu lar gi fts ' u nshaken forti tu de ; dau ntless cou rage ; i ndefati gabl e r h i ndust y ; bu rni ng zeal ; devoted piety ; great learni ng . Suc
I w as s h ielded the man . H e rai sed hi m up and protected hi m ; h i m ami d many dangers ; rescued hi m al most m i rac ul ousl y o ut o f the hands o fthe enemy ; stren g t hened h i m i n al l bol d enterpri ses ; enabl ed hi m to translate the bible an d w rite many
w other good books . Th us the ork was carried on u nti l h u n h dreds of t ousands were converted , and from that day to th is
the gloriou s gospel has had fu l l co u rse . 3 6 R LUTH E AN D TH E STATUE .
He stood i n the vangu ard of the great battle , a gen u i ne
if w w as h ev e r t as . e ro , mo r al man hero i c H i s character b ui lt
w as upon a broad foundati on of tru e manhood , an d he a
c hampi on of h u man ity . H is massi ve i ntel l i gence an d saga c ity ; hi s i ntel l ectual c ou rage ; hi s si ncerity ; hi s si mpl icity o f l i fe ; h is deep tenderness ; h i s fiery an d aggressi ve ene rgy ; h is
o f keen i nsi ght i nto shams , and h is su re grasp real iti es ; h i s f w ervent piety ; these ere the outli nes of a col ossal character , to w hom admi ri n g Eu rope looked as a leader and del ivere r .
The ti me w as ri pe for s uch a revol uti on ; had the re been no Luthe r the reformati on m i ght have come i n some form or
w as other , b ut it wou ld not h ave been what it , an d th e chan ces
w are that it ou ld not have been so goo d .
’ It w as Luther s h uman i ty that made Protestanti sm the re li io n t h e ac n g of ho usehol d , as Roman i sm h e the rel i gi on Lb-e o f S o ft h e the tate an d cathed ral .
H o w w e w h o shal l hono r the memo ry of th is man , next to
S t . w Paul , has been the most po erfu l personal ity that C h ri s tian ity has prod u ced ' I t i s not by erecti ng mon u ments to
n o r h im , hold in g conventi ons ; b ut , better than these , by the
w w study of h i s li fe and o rk . It i s n o t eno u gh to consi de r a fe
o f w th e many stri k in g epochs of h i s l i fe ; these , onderfu l as
w w they e re , e re n ot the real battles of the Refo rmation . It is
o f w e a good study , thi s era the Refo rmati on , and i f coul d suc
c eed i n lead i n g o u r ch u rches to pu rsue i t at thi s an nive rsary ,
w w F o r w as w i t ou l d be el l . i t a ti me hen men , repudiatin g
s et o f the papal authority , them selves to the stu dy the bible as
e the it had never b en stu die d befo re . They so ught i n bibl e that i n fal l ible gu ide w h i ch ch u rch auth ority no l on ger o ffe red
w s to the sati sfaction of thei r consc iences . The bible a thei r
t . re c har , thei r beacon , thei r s u re stronghold It i s good to
w c al l s uc h days and to fol lo suc h examples . T 3 7 LUTHER AND THE S ATUE .
Th e Reformati on emancipated the enslave d ch u rch fro m satan i c th ral dom ; the colossal fortress of popery tremble d from s ummit to fo un dati on from th e ru de shock it s u stai ned ;
the great Luther , with h is Bohem i an goose qu i l l , pierce d th ro ugh the mi ghty fabric an d exposed its i nternal corrup
o f ti ons to an aston ished wo rld . By it the bapti smal font
’ o f God s house was p u ri fied al l i dolatry , and the si mple thou gh s i n ific i g at v e New Testament baptism w as reintro duced . On
w as that day , the apostoli c practi ce of private confessi on res
o f c ued from al l oppressi on the conscience , from enforced bo di ly m o r tificatio n m , from slavi sh s ub i ssi on to ecclesi astical tyran ny ,
o f from the i mpositi on u nnatural penalties , an d grou n dless
o f th reats pu rgatory and damnation . O n that day the altar s was pu ri fied from the abom i nati ons of the mas , and the gos pel sacrament of the body an d bl ood of ou r Lord was rei n stated . On that day the p ulpi t was b rou gh t back its . to fo r legi ti mate pu rpose , and ceased to be the platform th e sal e o f i ndu l gences and the publi cation of fables an d falseh oods . On that day th e mi n i stry was el evated to i ts ori gi nal di gni ty
f u an d offi ce of preachi ng th e si mple gospel o o r Lord , an d
lai d aside its pres u mptive arrogance , i ts greedy avari ce , an d i ts u n w arranted clai ms i n h eari ng au ric u lar confessi on an d
sh rivi n g professed peni tents . On that day h u man govern
it s ment recei ved regenerati on , i n bei ng emancipated from the
w tyranny of Rome , h i ch clai med au thori ty ove r an d above al l h uman rei gn i ng powers and s ubj ects al ike . On that day al l poor s i nners w ere tau ght that they sh ou l d not seek for com
fort by i nvok i ng the saints , b ut by trusti n g on ly i n th e meri ts
fe r of Ch ri st . The dyi n g had reason to rej oi ce i n that day , they w ere no l onger tortu red by the apprehensi ons o f pu rga
tory , but i f dyi ng i n the faith , they wou ld at once be admitted
w i nto heaven . In a ord , the u ni versal bel ievi n g chu rch i n one 3 8 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE . u nited voi ce can exclai m ' Th i s i s the day the Lord h as made w e w i l l rej oi ce an d be glad i n it ; an d th i s i s the feel in g i n w w hi ch e al l partake .
O u r Luther statue to be u nvei led to - day has been favorably noticed by h u nd reds of secu lar and rel ig i o us papers ; the pro
e j c t has been sancti oned , and has secu red the approbation and
f u w at sympathy o f thousands i n and ou t o o r ch u rch . It i l l
tract sti l l fu rther attention , and for ages to come visi tors to the Capital w i l l gaze w ith admi rati on upon the featu res of that
w g lo ri ou s Reformati on he ro , hi le they cal l to rememb rance the
m ighty w ork wh i c h Provi dence selected h i m t o perform . We expect that many Lutheran nati onal ities w i l l be the re
to parti ci pate i n th e j oyo us j ub i lee . J u st as the vei l fal ls there w w i l l be one grand s el l i ng , overwhel mi n g b u rst of happy ' s on g , Ei n feste B u rg i st u nser Gott
Some may ask u s to - day \Vh at w ent ye o u t to see ' and w e w ' No t w i l l answer a reed shaken by the i nd , b u t a m ighty
o ak . , as H erder says The sto rm rages at the summi t , but
'w thou , O , Luthe r ith thy h u ndred b ranch i ng arms , standest
o fw eak fast , and sti l l art green ; not a man i n soft rai ment an d
o f ifth e mi n d , but a man b rass , sol i d , fi rm , u nshaken , even
' w w orl d ere ful l of devi l s . have come to see an undau nted ifi w u n te r r ed . i tness of the truth , the h ero As a man of rock , he stood u nalarmed before pri nces and potentates as an u n
w w compromi si ng itness he gave the plai n , h omely ans e r , I
w \V cannot do other ise . e have come o ut to see Luther i n
n o t w i mperi shable b ronze , sittin g beh i nd h is desk cove red ith
n o t w w books , but stan di ng upon h i s feet ; ith do ncast l ooks ,
w b ro w c h alle n in b ut ith elevated head , hi s severe g g storm and
hai l , and smi l i ng even at the terri fic th u nde r as it rol ls by h i m ,
w and at the ei rd , bu rni ng l ightni ng as i t plays ro u nd h is head , as H r e e e . w thou gh he wou l d say , I stand come out to see
40 LUTH ER AND TH E STATUE . friends are eve ry w here axi ak in g to active l i fe ; i ts ardent adv o cates are rene w i n g thei r energies ; thei r n u mbers are in c reas i n g ; thei r zeal i s gro w i ng ; its peacefu l conqu ests are rapidly
w extend i ng ; its eapons are m u ltiplyi ng , fo r more than a mi l l i on of bibl es are pri nted and ci rcul ated every year ; its presses
' are publ i sh i ng the m ost s ubstantial rel igi ou s l iteratu re ; i ts pu lpi ts are everywhere proclai mi ng salvati on by faith i n the
So n of Go d; its Su nday schools are teachi n g the gospel to
five m i l l i ons of chi l dren ; its m issi onaries are beari ng the l i ght o f l ife to the heathen i n every qu arter of the gl obe ; its col l eges and theol ogical semi naries are equ ippi ng men for every Wh department of h u man enterpri se and for the pu lpit . erever
o f i ntrod uced , it bri ngs al l the benefits ci vi l izati on ; it pro
motes commerce , sti m ul ates tho u ght , establ i shes school s , rears
. col leges , fou nds h ospitals , encou rages art and scien ce , e rects
w pri nti ng presses , i ss ues ne spapers , di gs can al s , tu nnel s mou n s tai n , extends rai l roads , sets up free govern ment , settles col o
lan ds b u ilds n ies , raises cities recl ai ms u nc ulti vated , ch u rches , k 5 w eeps the Lord day , suppresses l a lessness , and preaches w ith u nti ri ng energy the blessi n gs o f l iberty and c ivi l i zati on
w t o the uttermost parts of the orl d .
I s P r o tes tan tis m declin in g
’ B ut w h y th is w orl d - extended i nterest i n M arti n Luther s
b irth day j u s t at th is ti me ' Because the w orl d has l earned that P rotestantism al one
o f fosters h u man l i berty , and sec u res the ri ghts conscience
and pri vate j udgment . — H o w eve r men may di ffer as to the form of gove rnment im
o r — w w perial , monarch i al republ ican they k no el l en ou gh that
ro te s tan is m w P al one i l l perpetu ate th e blessi n gs of civi l i zati on , mai ntai n the authori ty of establ ished government and promote
s w the happi ness of the people . Protestant i l l not su bmit to R LUTH E AND TH E STATUE .
o n e s ec u la the domi nation of man , spi ritual or é, whose si ngle word i s thei r law , an d who prescribes to them a way to h eave n . — upon pai n of damnation a w ay not fou n d i n th e b ibl e an d
n o t upon wh ich we are al lowed to j u dge for o u rselves .
It was tho u ght proper then to recal l to Protestants th e
man memory of the mi ghty whose words were th u nderbolts , an d th rou gh wh ose agency un der God the enslaved nati on s
h re were di sent ralle d . Luthe r is mo re to Protestants than a lig io u s Refo rmer . H e ach i eve d the conqu est over the slave ry of h u man thou ght ; he freed the h uman c o nscience from riveted shack l es ; he i s the resto rer of ed ucat i on ; he i s th e fou nder of o u r publ ic school s ; he i s th e au th or o f nati on al cu l tu re ; he gave the fi rst i mp ul se to eve ry qual ity that con
’ tributes to the earthly w elfare of manki nd . Such a man s bi rth day is wel l worth celebrati ng . The only other reason I shal l n ow gi ve for th is celeb rati on at thi s ti m e i s to fi re the Protestant h eart agai nst the ag g res
H er e si ons of her enem ies . enem i es are nu merous , formidab l and bol d .
w c o ad u to r s Rati onal i sm , materiali sm , ith thei r several j , and
Roman i sm are h er wo rst enemi es . f I speak n o w o f systems and n o t o men . I accede to men the ri ght o f thi nki n g as they please ; but I clai mthe ri ght of ful ly expressi ng my opi ni on abou t thei r thou ghts . Th i s i s a
w o e h t Protestant privi l ege , and be to the man or c u rc h tha fi dares to depri ve us o t . .
o When I speak of ou r enemi es , I mean everythi n g that p
w poses th e progress an d nature of P rotestantism , hether i t be
materialism w w i n the form of , hi ch o ul d deth rone ou r Go d ,
o f ratio nalism w o f i delit o r , h ich dep reciates revel ati on , or nfi y ,
’ e o u r whi ch rej cts bible , o u r Lord s Day , an d wou l d ob li terate
f u r al l the hal l owed memories o o rel i gi ou s homes an d Ch ri stian . 42 LUTH ER AND TH E S TATUE .
h h trai n i n g , and wou l d di ssuade pio us m ot ers from teac i ng thei r
No w I c h i l dren to say , O u r Father wh o art i n heaven , or lay me do w n to sleep ; o r o f that pol iti co - rel i gi ou s system w h i ch wou l d abol i sh o u r publ i c sch ool s ; p revent the bible from bei n g read i n them ; w h i ch wi l l n o t recogn i ze o u r Republ i can Gov e r n men t becau se n o t sancti oned by thei r o w n fo rei gn poten tate ; w h ich neve r participates i n the celeb rati on o f any
Thanksgi vi ng D ay , o r any oth er National hol iday , because h l t e day has been set apart by a Repub i can Government , w hose au tho rity i t does not recogn i ze ; w hi ch deni es salva ti on to al l w h o do n o t bl i ndly s ub mit to i ts own spi ri tual d om i nati on ; wh i ch condemns Lu ther and al l w h o w ith h i m rej ect i ts dogmas to perditi on ; wh i ch ai ms at u ni ve rsal s o v e re i nt g y over the mi nds and consci ences of men , alth ou gh
o w n thei r l eade r i n Rome has l ost hi s own temporal power ,
w E ven in P o st an d hi ch , as the New York g has properly sai d ,
“ has fai led to prevent th e i mmense sch ism kno w n as Pro t es tantis m t o h e r , an d get even a ti the of male members to pay any attenti on t o he r o rdi nances ; and th is i s the system w t o w h i ch wou l d fo rce us al l ack n o le dg e her ru le , and dooms
t o w u s al l hel l because e do not .
It w as thought proper that the Protestant w orl d sh ou ld hol d a j ubi lee festi val t o remi nd u s o f w hat the man of the si xteenth
w t o f centu ry brou ght u s , for as a popu lar ri er the present day ’ I says , 'Harper s M onthly , Nov . , p . n the tru est
sense Luther i s the fathe r of mode rn ci vi l i zati on . H e eman
ro c ipatedthe h u man mi nd from ecclesiastical slavery . H e p cl ai med that freedom o f thou ght w ithou t w h i ch it i s easy to
o f see that , despite the great m odern i nventi ons , the spi ri t the
dark ages m ust have been i ndefinitely prolonged , and the co u rse of modern c ivi l i zati on m ust have been essentiall y di f fe r n I w as w e t . t the spi ritual freedom h ich Luther asserted that R 43 LUTH E AND TH E STATUE .
p roduced pol itical freedom and the freedom of the press . I n deed amon g h uman benefactors there are few greater names t han Marti n Lu ther
0 that the soul of Luther W ere on the earth again , The mighty soul whose mightier faith ’ Burst ancient error s chain , And fl ashed the rays of God ’s own word T ’ hrough superstition s night , T ill the church of God that sleeping lay , A ’ woke in Christ s own light .
Th e Statu e ,
h h w wh i c ad been vei led ith the Ameri can flag , i s now u nvei l ed ,
’ “ ’ ' o f Ein F es te B ur ami d bu rsts applause , wh i lst Luther s g , by
the U . S . Mari ne Ban d , gives a fitti ng finale .
U nveil the hero , let him stand \V ith us , as in the Father land , A way mark in the march of Time ; Unveil him whose own hand unveiled The modern world and H ell assailed W ith faith and courage all sublime .
Columbia hails Germania ’s son As father of her Washington N o r were the son without the sire The freedom born of Luther ’s thought Was here to forms of j ustice wrought ’ I n war s intensest furnace fire .
With Bible ’neath thy clenched hand Upon thy granite pill ar stand W ’ ithin our nation s capital , And whilst Potomac ’s silvery wave Shall wash M ount Vernon ’s honored grave T hy name and fame shall never fall .
' ' o s e h w a t m r . r z s P e D j p S o . 4 4 LUTH ER AN D TH E STATU E .
A rtisti cal ly th i s col ossal bronze o fth e great Reformer i s u n
w ln I s u rpassed , h i l st i nspi rati on i t i s u nequal ed . t stands a th i ng o f beauty and an abi di ng protest ag ai nst al l forms o f
o f oppressi on , pl eadi n g , with th e earnestness fou r centuries , for
o f the emanci pati on of consci ence an d th e u n iversal man , from the despotisms w h i ch sti l l retard the com i n g ki n gdom of th e
o f Pri n ce Peace .