home and abroad is the
popular religious theme today in the German fatherland and in the
whole Protestant world. The word "world" is becoming so common its
full meaning is not appreciated. When world-evangelization is
discussed, it is too often from the standpoint of the nation
discussing it. Each nation is so active in its own work that it fails
to appreciate what others are doing. For example how little the world
missionary conferences in English lands have to say of the German and
Scandinavian missions and the Reformed Churches of the Lutheran work.
Hence the fruits of Luther's evangelical writings are underestimated
by the English people. It is opportune to translate not only Luther
but also the best fruits of those writings in various languages during
the past 400 years, especially since the memorable date of 1917 is
soon to be celebrated by universal Protestantism. Luther in all
languages and Lutherans in all lands go together. We ought to consider
most carefully the great Reformer in his relation to the modern world
and modern world-evangelization. The known world in his day was not so
large. He had, however, a clear view of it all in his writings, which
is due to his faithful study of the Scriptures. The Bible gave him a
knowledge of the world, including all lands and all times. His
commentary of eleven volumes on Genesis illustrates this. The first
volume on Genesis treats of the first part of the ancient world; the
second volume, the one before us, treats of the second part and end of
the old world. This Luther would have us apply to the last times of
the modern world.

Luther Educational and Devotional.

Here, as everywhere in his catechisms, sermons and commentaries,
Luther is unique among religious authors in that he is both
educational and devotional, appealing equally to head and heart. He is
"religiously helpful and intellectually profitable," covering every
phase of religious, moral and social conditions, and touching every
interest of humanity. "His words went to the mark like bullets and
left marks like bullets." Being beyond criticism they have a unique
place to fill in the literature and libraries of the world.

Although the cry, "Read Luther!" has been raised here in the new world
the multitudes of the English people are not rushing for his writings,
as the Germans did when they first appeared in the old world, under
conditions similar to what they are in America at present. If asked
what made