Walther on America's "Religious Freedom" for 1876: Der Lutheraner 1875

      I have blogged recently on this topic but since then discovered another notable blurb in Der Lutheraner by Walther promoting their "American Calendar for German Lutherans". Walther, the American Luther, comments on America's greatest freedom, at least as it was at its Centennial celebration, 100 years after this nation's birth – 1876.  From vol. 31 (Oct. 1, 1875), pp. 151-152: 

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American Calendar

 for

German Lutherans 

on the political jubilee year 1876.  

It gives us great pleasure to be able to inform our dear readers that our calendar for the coming year under the above title is not only already ready for dispatch, but has also succeeded in the most marvelous way.  

It was certainly a most happy thought of the tireless editor of our calendar, Director [J. C. W.] Lindemann's, to take into consideration that this next year will be the jubilee year of the United States of North America, since, as is well known, on July 4, 1876, one hundred years will have passed since the original thirteen states of the Union declared their freedom and independence. Since our calendar is not a purely political one, but is first of all intended for German Lutherans living here, the editor could certainly not choose a more suitable subject for his main topic than the one he has chosen. Above all, he reminds us of the unspeakably great benefit that everyone, and therefore also we Lutherans, enjoy in that “religious freedom” that is assured and guaranteed to all inhabitants of this country by its constitution. In the calendar for the coming year, however, Director Lindemann has by no means merely praised religious freedom, but in it he also takes us into history, and shows by means of the terrible oppressions and persecutions for the sake of religion, which occurred in [page 152]  former times both in Europe and in America, and in America how great a reason we Lutherans have, among other things, to praise and glorify God from the bottom of our hearts, to rejoice and exult that we can serve God here in a country of complete religious freedom, undisturbed and unhindered according our faith. With the utmost diligence, the most important facts from various times have been collected, the memory of which is particularly suitable to remind us what a precious good is religious freedom, under whose broad and strong shield we live here in peace. In addition, the new calendar also gives a characterization of those ecclesiastical bodies that bear the Lutheran name here, and everything that it has always given so far, the volume 1876 offers in, where possible, even greater correctness and completeness than all previous volumes. 

All who acquire and use this beautiful calendar will surely join us in blessing the dear brother Lindemann in their hearts for this new glorious gift of his faithful care for God's Kingdom and for his restless diligence in serving it.      W. [Walther] 

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      All the Fathers of this nation put together could not be more eloquent in expressing just how great America's "Freedom of Religion" was for itself and for the world, than in this blurb by the "American Luther".  Because of this (former?) American freedom, even communist China wants to be known as allowing religious freedom.  — It is hoped that there will be a followup blog post presenting Lindemann's history.  [2021-10-31: See the later series presenting the full English translation.]