Page:Thirty-five years of Luther research.djvu/58

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Thirty-Five Years of Luther Research

schweig (later in Berlin, therefore generally called the Berlin-, formerly the Braunschweig-edition), a work that at the present time is in its second stereotype edition. Its introduction takes special cognizance of the situation, as created by Janssen. Here we read: "Today it is being attempted not to cause external strife among the German people, but internal. With a dazzling show of scientific research, the ground is being undermined, from which every German hitherto drew his nourishment. The attempt is being made to draw down into the mire the men and their intellectual works for which other nations envy us. But, you German people, will not allow yourself to be robbed of them, as long as you understand them; you will understand them as long as you read them; you will read them as long as you retain the freedom that Luther pried loose for you." This edition completely deserves the widespread recognition it has received. It offers the Latin writings in a good German translation, gives short historical introductions, contains explanatory notes, and represents, especially since two volumes have been added containing the two writings, "De Votis Monasticis" and "De Servo Arbitrio," a selection through which one may actully learn to know Luther as he lived. Above all things, no German Lutheran parsonage in America, if it holds no larger edition, should do without the services of this selection.

It is by no means to be considered as a competitory undertaking, when that careful investigator of Luther, Otto Clemen, who since 1896 through articles concerning the different phases of the life and work of Luther, steadily was making a reputation for himself, published a new edition of selected works of Luther by Marcus and Weber at Bonn since 1912. By reason of