Stoeckhardt's announcement of St. Louis Edition, Luther's Works (Walch 2)

      The St. Louis Edition of Luther's Works, sometimes referred to as "Walch 2", was officially announced by its first editor Georg Stoeckhardt in the 1879 Der Lutheraner, vol. 35, p. 171-172.  This edition is the best German language version of Luther.  Stoeckhardt had recently escaped from Germany and its punishments by being called to an American, Missourian, congregation, and he relates not only the purpose of the new edition, but also a background of the formation of the Lutheran Free Church in Germany. Let's listen to the dear Stoeckhardt:

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(171-3) 

A new edition of Luther's Works after J. G. Walch.

In the October issue of Lehre und Wehre the decision of this year's pastoral conference of the synod’s Western District has already been communicated. This was to the effect, provided the agreement of the ministers of the other districts, that in the name of the ministry of our synod a new edition of the old classical Luther edition by J. G. Walch be put into operation. The reason for this lay in the twofold circumstance that the old Walch edition is becoming increasingly rare, and in several decades will have almost disappeared from the book market, and that the preservation of this proven and famous work, especially for the sake of the prefaces, historical introductions, and German translations, is in the interest of our synod. No new Luther edition is intended; the old Walch edition is to be reissued as unchanged as possible, and in a quarto format similar to the old edition. However, a “revised and supplementary edition” seemed necessary.  The revision is to extend mainly to the comparison of the text of Walch with other Luther editions, especially to the comparison of the translations contained in Walch with the original Latin text. Only incomprehensible expressions of the translators and incorrect translations will be corrected. The additions would concern the prefaces and introductions, which are to be completed from the later and newest historical research. Should God permit the completion of this edition, the writings missing in Walch, especially Luther's letters, would be added in a final volume or supplement. Orthography and punctuation will be adapted to modern usage, as in our Bibles. With the above program, the wishes and suggestions received from various quarters have been taken into account and fulfilled. Pastor Kähler has been entrusted with the editing of the new edition, as unfortunately has the writer of these lines 1).  (172-1) The latter have only dared to take on this work under the twofold condition that Doctor Walther will assist them with his advice and that their professional work will not suffer any damage. Accordingly, it will hardly be possible to complete more than one volume per year. This distribution of “on average one volume per year” is probably also in accordance with the wishes of many buyers 2) who would only have to spare 4-5 dollars annually for this. First of all is the new edition of the first volume, the exposition of the first book of Moses. [Genesis]

Since this work of Luther is a book for all Christians of all classes, we would like to make a request to our Lutheran fellow Christians, namely the request to strongly support the undertaking just described. Luther's works are not mere books for theologians. On various occasions, the sacred duty has been laid upon the hearts and consciences of our fellow Lutherans to be firmly grounded in Lutheran doctrine, so that they may successfully resist all storms that may still befall our Lutheran Church. In addition to the Bible and the Confessions, however, Luther's works are intended to strengthen and establish Lutheran Christians in their faith.  All readers of Der Lutheraner know well about our sister church, the Lutheran Free Church in Saxony, Nassau, Hesse. The Saxon branch of the same has emerged from two Lutheran associations. And how did those Lutherans, who then proceeded to separation, become firm and certain in their convictions? First and foremost through the joint reading and discussion of Luther's writings. From Luther, the simple-minded craftsmen and workers refuted their theological opponents who wanted to hold them back in the corrupt State church. The emergence of the Missouri Synod confirms this experience. A large number of our fellow believers in the German Free Church, namely poor miners who live in a room and a chamber with a large family and have little household equipment, own Luther's complete works. Luther's works generally strengthen the Christians in the righteous Christian faith and Christian change. The writer of these lines remembers an old parishioner in Germany, a simple worker, who for years had caused the parish trouble with repeated relapses into drinking, gambling, dancing and the like. Then Luther's exposition of the Gospel of John came into his hands. It captivated him, and these words struck home. Since then he has been a diligent reader of Luther and has remained steadfast in righteous Christianity. Most readers are probably familiar with examples that prove that challenged people have been torn out of many years of doubt and torment by Luther. Luther is and remains, next to the prophets and apostles, the most distinguished and greatest teacher of the church. This needs no proof. Therefore, Lutheran Christians, Christians in general, should not tire of sitting at the feet of this teacher and in their leisure hours let him instruct, delight, comfort and refresh them. We would like to take this opportunity to make a special suggestion. Many congregations in Germany, in town and country, large and small, have church libraries, and in these Luther's works occupy the first place. These libraries, it is true, date from old, better times. But we have now returned to the good customs and traditions of the fathers. If a congregation acquires Luther's works, it is doing a good service to its members, who are then free to use the common property.

Before hand, with the publication of the interpretation of the first book of Moses [Genesis], which from the beginning belonged to the favorite writings of the Lutheran Church, the attempt shall be made whether the intended enterprise, which is connected with significant costs, finds sufficient support. Of course, each individual volume can be purchased on its own, and should be subscribed to for each individual volume, first of all to the first volume. Since the printing of this volume is to begin at the beginning of the new year, it is in the interest of the enterprise to obtain the subscription as soon as possible. May God lead the old Luther in the new garment to many new, eager to learn students!

G. Stöckhardt.

___________ 

1) The conference appointed Licentiate Pastor Stöckhardt as chief editor and Pastor Kähler as his assistant in this work.    The Editors.

2) By the way, it would be desirable that the friends of Luther's writings discuss whether it should not be possible to issue at least 2 volumes every year.     The Editors.

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      We see by Stoeckhardt's humorous remark that he only reluctantly accepted his appointment as editor, and it was only revealed in footnote #1 by the Lutheraner editor, probably Walther, that Stoeckhardt was picked as chief editor.  Walther expected great things from Stoeckhardt, and was not disappointed. —  As some advance notice, it is hoped that the entire OCR'd text of Luther's Letters in volumes 21-1 and 21-2 will be made available in the not too distant future. This will greatly facilitate using my rather popular listing of Luther's Letters.