StL3d: take the time for Luther; low cost

      This continues from Part 3c (Table of Contents in Part 1) in a series on the St. Louis Edition (StL) of Luther's complete writings in English. — Walther speaks about what matters to us so that we should take time for it.  His goal is that we want to take time for Luther.

(From Der Lutheraner, vol. 41 p. 105-107 (No. 14, July 15, 1885)[EN] (all underlining and bolding follows Walther's emphasis): 

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[Review by C. F. W. Walther; continued from Part 3c]

Dr. Martin Luther's

Complete Writings,

Tenth volume.

Containing Luther's Catechetical Writings.

 

Perhaps, however, there are also some “Lutheran” readers who say that they are by no means afraid of the small monetary sacrifice, but that they, unfortunately! have no time to read Luther's extensive writings. But this is simply not true and is based on a bad self-deception. You have time, but you do not want to take the time. For how many other things, which are not absolutely necessary for you and which you are not at all obliged to do, do you have time? Why, therefore, do you not want to have time to read the writings of the man after whom you call yourselves, because God once chose him to bring to light the pure saving truth and to bequeath it to us in his writings? No, dear ones, your excuse of lack of time is only due to the fact that you are not yet serious about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As soon as you will be serious about it, you will find time enough to strengthen your faith and love as Lutherans by the spiritual writings of our Reformer. Oh, dear “Lutheran” readers, do not believe that you are being urged to buy our new edition of Luther's writings because our synod wants to make a financial profit with this edition. That would be terrible! No, the goal of our synod in this large and costly undertaking is simply to bring Luther's golden teachings and the spirit of his faith back to our Lutheran Christian people. 

Would anyone therefore, if in response to our urging, were to say to us: “Here is the money that your Luther writing costs, but with your Luther writing stay away from me, I have no use for it,” we would cry out to such a person, as Peter once did to Simon the sorcerer: “Thy money perish with thee!” (Acts 8:20) We do not seek what is yours, but you. If you do not want our heavenly gift, keep your money. — 

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Only for the spiritual benefit of the Lutheran Christians and the congregations – that is why the Old Missouri Synod took on this large and costly endeavor. I have almost 30 more blog posts lined up that inform and encourage people to read Luther in the St. Louis Edition. — In the conclusion to this sub-section in Part 3e, Walther speaks of the benefit for a parish library, etc.