ises as are either of most permanent
value, or supply the best means for obtaining a true view of his
many-sided literary activity and the sources of his abiding
influence. The aim is not to popularize the writer, but to make
the English, as far as possible, a faithful reproduction of the
German or Latin. The work has been done by a small group of
scholarly Lutheran pastors, residing near each other, and jointly
preparing the copy for the printer. The first draft of each
translation was thoroughly discussed and revised in a joint
conference of the translators before final approval.
Representative scholars, who have given more or less special
study to Luther, have been called in to prepare some of the
introductions. While the part contributed by each individual is
credited at the proper place, it must yet be added that my former
colleague, the late Rev. Prof. Adolph Spaeth, D. D., LL. D.
(died June 25, 1910), was actively engaged as the Chairman of the
Committee that organized the work, determined the plan, and, with
the undersigned, made the first selection of the material to be
included.

The other members of the Committee are the Rev. T. E. Schmauk,
D. D., LL. D., the Rev. L. D. Reed, D. D., the Rev. W. A. Lambert,
J. J. Schindel, A. Steimle, A. T. W. Steinhaeuser, and C. M.
Jacobs, D. D.; upon the five last named the burden of preparing
the translations and notes has rested.

Their work has been laborious and difficult. Luther's complaints
concerning the seriousness of his task in attempting to teach the
patriarch Job to speak idiomatic German might doubtless have
found an echo in the experience of this corps of scholars in
forcing Luther into idiomatic English. We are confident, however,
that, as in Luther's case, so also here, the general verdict of
readers will be that they have been eminently successful. It
should also be known that it has been purely a labor of love,
performed in the midst of the exacting duties of large
pastorates, and to serve the Church, to whose ministry they have
consecrated their lives.

The approaching jubilee of the Reformation in 1917 will call
renewed attention to the author of these treatises. These
volumes have been prepared with especial reference to the
discussions which, we have every reason to believe, will then
occur.

Henry Eyster Jacobs.
Luther Theological Seminary,
Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.

TRANSLATORS' NOTE

The languages from which the following