# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_Januar 1933 ff. masthead not in scan _S379
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

379

earlier. God has blessed us so richly with excellent German books — doctrinal writings, devotional writings, books for entertainment, mission books, etc. — that it is not difficult to set up a solid library. In addition, English literature is now also increasing from year to year, so that we can already now put many good books into the hands of our Christians. In a congregational library we would like to see also all our periodicals, as well as Luther's writings for the people, good books of sermons, prayer books, and the like. How one could rejoice if our people would begin again to read Christian literature diligently! Our fathers read much and gladly. Many a Sunday afternoon was spent on it, and the blessing was evident everywhere. Recently a schoolman of our country wrote: "In the end one learns only what one learns for oneself." By this he meant that, strictly speaking, only that sticks properly in memory and mind which one acquires oneself through diligent reading and study. This man of the world is not entirely right. Catechism instruction as well as the preaching of the Word of God one may certainly not call unimportant. We learn there by being taught. But it is certainly to be foreseen that, if our Christians do not diligently and eagerly read God's Word and other Christian books, the great spiritual ignorance about which so much complaint is made in sectarian circles will take possession of our churches also. If we do not remain pupils of the Catechism, as Luther remained, who again and again occupied himself anew with the chief parts of Christian doctrine, this will soon show itself also in our Christian life, especially in the decline of zeal for God's kingdom. Let us therefore consider the thought of setting up a congregational library as well. We promise ourselves great blessing from it for our Christian people.
J. T. M.

Foreign Countries.

Casa Publicadora Concordia. This is the Portuguese name for the "Concordia Publishing House," which our brethren in Brazil founded in the year 1923 and which is now celebrating its tenth anniversary. In a handsome little book that has been sent to us from Porto Alegre, the history of this Brazilian Concordia publishing house, richly furnished with pictures, is presented in an interesting manner. The publishing house began quite small, for there was not much money available for publication purposes. Often it seemed as though the work would have to be discontinued again. But the business, which serves the Church so gloriously, grew ever larger, and today the existence of the publishing house is secure. Excellently situated, in a neighborhood in which about two thousand children attend schools, it can serve its blessed purpose better and better. The following have been published by the house so far: the Schwan explanation of Luther's Small Catechism in German and Portuguese, Bible Stories for the lower grades, likewise in both languages, a German and a Portuguese primer, a first and a second reader, a first and a second exercise book for instruction in the German language, a hymnal and a songbook, liturgies for Christmas Eve, etc. Seven periodicals as well as the almanac are printed and distributed annually by the house in about one hundred thousand copies. The present board of directors consists of Professors Rehfeldt and Schelp, President Heine, P. Elicker, Teacher Strelow, and Mr. G. Görl, the manager of the business.

Christian publishing houses are among the gifts which God gives to his Church out of grace and which are therefore also to be used properly. The world prints all sorts of godless books and periodicals, but in our church publishing houses only that is printed which serves to the honor of God. So we ought also to support them vigorously and esteem them very highly, precisely because they are so rich in blessing for the whole life of the Church. With our brethren in Brazil and Argentina we rejoice over the blessed success of the work and wish the Casa Publicadora Concordia in Porto Alegre God's further rich blessing for service in his kingdom.
J. T. M.

The Treaty between Germany and the Vatican. The treaty recently concluded between Germany and the Pope contains thirty-four articles and is of the greatest interest to the world of today, especially to Germany. According to the treaty, usually called a concordat, the German states may place no obstacles in the way of the Catholic religion; yet priests are forbidden to belong to political parties or to develop any activity on behalf of the parties. The Catholic educational institutions remain in existence, and religious instruction in the elementary schools, vocational schools, and higher educational institutions may be given according to the principles of the Catholic Church. Church property is protected by law, yet the bishops, before they take up their office, must swear an oath of loyalty before the Reich governor. The priests who administer a parish in Germany or are active in teaching must be German citizens, possess German diplomas, and have completed a course of study of at least three years at a German university or at another German church school. In return, however, the German Reich guarantees freedom of confession and the free, public exercise of the Catholic religion. The apostolic nuncio in Berlin and the Reich ambassador in Rome are to be retained.

As appears from these provisions, Rome has not conceded too much; the German Reich merely protects itself against political encroachments. Hitler should now also have granted the Protestants the same rights, and indeed in such a way as the various confessional groups wished it, the Reformed for themselves and the Lutherans for themselves. Then it might perhaps have come to pass that faithful Lutherans in Germany could finally have come together and formed a Free Church that takes the confession seriously.
J. T. M.

On Mount Nebo. As we know from Biblical history, Moses, the man of God, looked out from the top of Mount Nebo, the highest peak of the Pisgah range, upon the Promised Land, and then died and was buried by the hand of God. So the mountain has been holy time out of mind, first to the Jews and later to the Christians. Now its summit has been purchased by the Biblical Institute of the Franciscan monastery in Jerusalem. The height lies about 3,000 feet above sea level. To provide for traffic and also to make possible the delivery of equipment, provisions, and building material, the Franciscans have built a road for vehicles to the summit from the village of Medeba, which lies six miles away. Above all, the summit of the mountain is to serve for excavations. In July of this year the first excavations already took place under the direction of the antiquarian and Bible scholar Silvester Salter. Soon the remains of a Christian church were found, which dates from the fourth century. Here mosaic floors, Greek inscriptions, and other records were uncovered. Crosses were also found everywhere, some of stone, others of precious metals. The Franciscans, who are continuing their excavations as far as their means permit, expect still far more important finds than those already made. In connection with this, a daily newspaper recently asked the question: "And will the grave of Moses probably be found too?" But when one considers that God himself buried his faithful servant Moses and that no one in Old Testament times learned of his grave, one will not find the answer to this question hard. Deut. 34.
J. T. M.