4
rrhe Xutbecan IDisttor
GOD’S WORD, OUR RULE ; CHRIST, OUR PATTERH ; A PURE FAITH, OUR WATCHWORD.
Vol."XXXVI—NO. 3
NEWBERRY, S. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 16,1902.
LETTER FROM GERMANY.
Dear Visitor:—Shortly before
sailing from Ntw York a letter
was received from a friend who
wrote, “We shall anxiously await
news from the Fatherland.” In
response to snch an expressed de
sire, it is an actual temptation to
write often and at length through
yonr columns to friends in the
Southern Church, especially when
in the midst of these new surround
ings with their endless production
of new impressions. But I should
do only injustice to all concerned
were I satisfied to report mere.im-
pressions. The sympathetic ap
preciation of a people and a just
estimate of their religious, theo
logical or ecclesiastical status dare
not to be conclusively learned in a
moment. Therefore, I may be ex
cused, it is hoped, for simply giv
ing you from my note book facts
and ideas that have been collected
incidentally.
The universities have issued their
catalogues of students for the win
ter semester of 1901-1902. Those
who attend lectnres are classified
as follows ■
8tn-
dents.
Visi
tors.
Wo
men.
Berlin . .
6857
6235
611
Munich . -
4203
256
29
Leipsic . .
3747
472
73
Bonn . . .
2071
193
205
Breslau ( g
1753
170
76
Halle . . •
1731
208
89
Tubingen]
2371
37
'~2
Goetingen .
1338
83
32
Freiourg . .
1321
99
52
Heidelberg .
1271
168
27
Wurzburg .
1194
60
41
Strasburg
1133
123
—
Marburg . .
1085
54
. —
Erlangen
10C4
17
4
Giessen . .
947
51
18
Konigsberg .
911
70
38
Kiel . . .
818
58
19
Monster . .
789
27
—
Griefswald
723
39
—
Jena . . -
698
47
—
Restock - .
552
27
—-
The extent
of the
direct influ-
ence of the German universities is
indicated by the corresponding
totals of those-in attendance for
current semester: 35,518 students,
8,495 visitors and 1,316 women.
Christoph Ernst Luthardt, first
professor of theology, senior of
the university and of the theologi
cal faculty, thongh he retains his
high possion in Leipzig University,
is no longer able to deliver lec
tures because of very feeble health.
His has been a fruitful service in
behalf of the church of our fathers
and he has now attained to a ripe
old age. It may be remembered
that this well known Lutheran
scholar was born the 22od of March,
1823, at Maroldsweisach in Uuter-
frank-m. After serving his ap
prenticeship in the year 1856, be
accepted a call to become K. T. A.
Liebner’s successor in the chair of
systematic theology in Leipzig
University, where his principal
life work has been accomplished
Dr. Luthardt is the author of
numerous works well known in the
theological world. His“Fundamen-
tal Truths of Christianity ”,“Saving
Truths of Christianlty”and “Moral
Truths of Christianity,” have been
translatedfinto English and are ex
cellent reading for laymen as well
as pastors. The name of Lcthardt
is naturally associated in our minds
with that of the lamented Delitzscb,
his great colleague. There were
giants in those days. The theologi
cal faculty of Lupz'u' University is
now composed of comparatively
yonng men.
Judging from the index of ser
mons in German churches and of
the religious press, the situation of
the German Lutheran church is not
greatly different from that of our
church at home. On the other
hand, in certain strata of society,
there is similar ignorance of Bibli
cal facts and truths, moral laxity,
and indeed also half faith on the
- part of some teachers of religion,
as in America; on the other hand,
there is active organization to put
down vice, the inner mission work
so well known everywhere, and
voices raised from pulpit and pro ;
fessional chair in behalf of posi
tive Christianity, both of faith and
life. As elsewhere in the world,
so here, unbelief and sin raise their
heads, bnif God and His truth have
many valiant witnesses in the Fath
erland. One special reason for
1 o'-ofulness of an increasingly
briK»t future for the church in
Germai-.v •<* the evident fact that
good meu are awake to the dangers
and needs of the age. This much
is apparent to the casual observer.
There has been ample opportani-
ty during the past two weeks to
attend the churches of Leipzig. In
addition to the Htmday services,
the churches were open on Christ
mas eve and three days following,
for one or more services, also on
New Year’s eve and New Year’s
day. During this season the
churches we have attended have
been filled to overflowing It is
true we have gone to hear such
popular preachers as Superinten
dent D. Pank, of St. Thomas’ Lu
theran church, and Dr. Rueling,
pastor of St. Jobannes’ Lutheran
church, in front of which is the
Reformation monument. One of
the most impressive services at
tended was held in St. Thomas’
church on Christmas eve. It con
sisted of alternate Scriptural read
ings from the prophets and the
singing of Christmas carols by
Molette and congregation. Several
of the old hymns were interpreted
to us with new sweetness and
beauty. The experience of the
genuine German celebration of
Christmas has left favorable im
pres<*ions The observance of the
season was reverent. In Leipzig
the shops were almost universally
closed on Christmas day and the
day following. There was an eu
tire absence of annoying firecrack
ers. It seemed to be the season
generally devoted to family, social
and church enjoyments.
Next week we leave here to go
to Berlin, stopping at Halle and
Wittenberg. A happy New Year
for you and all your readers.
Very sincerely,
J. A. Morehead.
Leipzig, Germany, Jan. 1, 1902 •
When we see a single Christian
aflame with love and other graces
of Christian character, what a ben
ediction 1 Buc when we see a
whole church thus alone in Christ
—bow glorious!
Whole No. 1702
Sditovial.
Elsewhere in this
A Remarkable issue will be found a
Woman, tribute to Mrs. Catha
rine Counts, who was
well and favorably known by many
of our readers. In her death a
veritable Dorcas has passed from
the activities of the Church below
to the rest ami rewards of heaven.
Our departed friend was indeed a
remarkable woman. Endowed with
intellectual powers far above the
average, possessed of a pure and
noble heart, of fine artistic talents
and great industry, she has left an
undying impress upon her genera
tion, and the memory of her sweet,
Christian life will linger yet many
days to bless and ennoble other
lives. Thongh the weight oi 93
years was upon her there was no
diminution of her mental faculties,
but almost to the last she -worked
with pen-knife and needle, and her
art work was in advance of much
of that which emanates from the
art schools of this progressive age.
Had she been trained in this de
partment of industry as a specialty
she would have proven herself the
equal if not the superior of Rosa
Bonheur herself. _Her decorative
work has been admired by many,
and no Easter will pass for years
to come without reviving memories
of her kindness and skill, of deeds
nobly done. Nor was she less re
markable for her Christian virtues,
her sweet faith iu the Holy Jesus
and her devotion to the Church.
As the needle to the pole so her
walk was ever God ward, heaven
ward, and none could associate
with her without feeling the force
of her beautiful Christian life. To
know her was to love her, and to
stand in her presence was to catch
the bright rays of a life hid with
Christ in God.
Naturally many mourn her de
parture, and talk of the “good
works and almsdeeds" which were
adornments of her noble life. 8he
rests "in peace, and her works fol
low her. “Servant of God, well
done! Rest from thy loved em
ploy.”