While we are translating Luther for all Anglo-Saxons, we do not
overlook the fact that Luther's disciples, Germans and Scandinavians,
are themselves being translated, or are in a state of transition. The
translation of a people and of their literature or spirit clearly
presents a double problem, both sides of which demand at once the most
careful work. The translation of both the people and their literature
should run parallel and in the same, and not in an opposite,
direction. Germans and Scandinavians have always, and do still, make
the fatal blunder of translating from English into their own
languages, instead of from their languages into English. They thus
cross one another's path never to meet again. Their children and
grandchildren, however, find it easier to translate into English,
their mother tongue; but, alas, they have little interest in doing it.
They make the mistake in thinking their old thoughts and classics are
not needed in the new language. Their motto seems to be, "new
literature for the new language", when to the English public, if not
to themselves, the old writings would be the newest. It is marvelous
how wide-awake preachers are mislead.

Best Literature is Translations.

People who are prejudiced against translations, forget that the Bible
and our best literature are translations of the classics of the
world's leading languages. Translations should be welcomed by a people
who themselves are in a state of translation, especially if the
translations are from their mother tongue into the language they are
learning. What endless friction and confusion would be avoided, if
people and their life and literature were translated at the same time.
As we have said, a transition of a people without a translation of
their literature is no transition, but a revolution. To this various
church bodies witness. During the transition of language the best
literature for the children to read is the translations of the
classics of the language of the parents. There may be better
literature, but not for these particular children, if the unity of the
family life is to be perpetuated. Hence it becomes a vital concern
that both children and parents understand that the best literature for
them is such translations. But where are the German or Scandinavian
teachers and preachers who are enthusing over putting this thought
deep into the family life of their congregations.

A Lesson from Luther and Wesley in America.