and the latter serves merely as a point of departure for the former.
I think it unfortunate that Delitzsch should not have stuck to his
original programme, which he developed in former years, namely, on
the basis of the discoveries of our society, to ascertain through
scientifically approved translations of the Scriptures how far these
offer an illustration of the chronicle of the people of Israel;
that is, enlightenment as to historical events, customs, and uses,
traditions, politics, legislation, etc.; in other words, how far the
undeniably highly developed Babylonian culture came into contact with
the Israelites, could work upon them, yes, even impress its stamp upon
them, and thereby accomplish, from a purely human point of view, a
sort of rehabilitation for the Babylonians, who were, according to the
Old Testament at least, a very crude, shameful, and one-sided people.
That was his original intention, at least as I understood it, and a
province very fruitful and interesting to us all, the investigation,
explanation, and exposition of which must have interested us laymen to
the highest degree and would have demanded our deepest gratitude. But
he should have stuck to this. Unfortunately, however, in his zeal he
has overshot the mark. As was to be expected, the excavations brought
to light communications which bear in a religious way upon the Old
Testament. He should have collated this material and pointed out and
explained coincidences, when such occurred, but he should have left it
to the listener to draw for himself all purely religious conclusions.
In this way his discourse would have commanded the interest and
good-will of the lay public. That, unfortunately, he has not done.
Pretending that he could explain it all on historical and purely human
grounds, he has attacked the question of revelation in a very polemical
manner and more or less denied it. That was a serious mistake, because
he touched many of his hearers in what was deepest and most sacred to
them. And whether he was right or wrong--that for the moment is all
one, since we are concerned not with a purely scientific gathering
of theologians but with laymen of all kinds and conditions--he has
overturned and rudely shaken many favorite conceptions and images
with which these people connect sacred and cherished ideas and has
ruthlessly shaken the foundation of their belief, if he has not swept
it away altogether, a thing which only a mighty genius dare be bold
enough to undertake and which the study of Assyriology alone does
not justify. Goethe also once treated this subject and pointed out
especially that one must be careful before a great, general public to
break down only "_Terminologiepagoden_" [the pagodas of terminology].
The excellent professor, in his zeal, has overlooked the principle that
it is very necessary to distinguish between what is and what is not
fitting to the place, the public, etc. As a theological specialist he
can, through the avenue of special publications, express for his circle
of colleagues his theses, hypotheses, and theories as well as his
convictions, which it would not do to express in a popular lecture or
book.
I would like now to come back once more to my own personal standpoint
in regard to the doctrine or view of revelation, as I have often
explained it to you, my dear Hollmann, and to other gentlemen. I
distinguish between two different kinds of revelation: one a continuous
and in a manner historical revelation; the other a purely religious
one, preparing for the later appearance of the Messiah.
In the first place, let me say, there is not the slightest doubt in my
mind but that God reveals Himself, always and permanently, through the
human race which He created. He has "blown the breath of His nostrils"
into man; that is, He has given him a piece of Himself--a soul. With
fatherly love and interest He follows the development of mankind; in
order to lead and advance it further, He "reveals" Himself in this or
that great sage or priest or king, be he heathen, Jew, or Christian.
Hammurabi was one, so were Moses, Abraham, Homer, Charlemagne,
Luther, Shakespeare, Goethe, Kant, Emperor William the Great. These
He has sought out and made worthy, through His grace, to accomplish
according to His will splendid and imperishable deeds for their people
in the spiritual as well as in the physical world. How often has my
grandfather expressly said that he was only an instrument in the hand
of the Lord. The works of great spirits are given to the people by God
in order that they may imitate them and feel their way further through
the intricacies of the unexplored regions of this life. Certainly God
has "revealed" Himself in different ways at different times, according
to the condition and culture of the people, and still does so to-day.
For, as we are overcome by the greatness and power of the magnificent
nature of creation and are astounded to see in it the revealed
greatness of God, so, just as surely, do we thankfully recognize in
every really great and splendid thing which a man or a god does the
splendor of the revelation of God. He works directly upon and among us!
The second kind of revelation, the more religious, is that which
relates to the coming of our Lord. From the time of Abraham on it
is introduced slowly but prophetically--the coming of the All-wise,
the All-knowing; for mankind would otherwise have been lost. And now
begins the most wonderful phenomenon of all, the revelation of God.
The seed of Abraham and the people who developed from it regard as the
most sacred thing in the world a rigorous belief in a single God. They
must cherish it--. Separated during the Egyptian exile, the scattered
portions, welded together a second time by Moses, strove ever to hold
fast to their belief in a single God. It was the direct working of God
upon these people which allowed them to rise again. And so it continues
further down the centuries until the Messiah, who was announced and
foretold by the prophets and psalmists, finally appears. The greatest
revelation of God in the world! For He appeared in the person of His
Son; Christ is God; God in human form. He redeemed us, He inspires
us, He draws us on to follow Him, we feel His fire burning within us,
His pity strengthens us, His dissatisfaction destroys us, but His
intercession saves us. Sure of victory, building only upon His Word, we
go through work, scorn, sorrow, misery, and death, for we have in Him
the revealed Word of God and He never deceives.
That is the way I look at these questions. The Word of God has,
through Luther, become everything, especially for us Evangelicals;
and as a good theologian Delitzsch should not have forgotten that our
great Luther taught us to sing and to believe: "Ye shall let the Word
stand!" For me it goes without saying that the Old Testament contains
a great number of extracts which are of purely human origin and not
"the revealed Word of God." There are purely historical descriptions
of events of all kinds which took place in the life of the people of
Israel in the realm of political, religious, moral, and spiritual
matters. So, for instance, the giving of the law on Mount Sinai may be
looked upon as inspired by God in only a symbolical sense; for Moses
was compelled to have recourse to some means of giving new force to
old and well-known portions of the law (which were probably derived
from the Codex of Hammurabi). Otherwise he might not have been able
to unite and weld together a people whose organization had become lax
and incapable of resistance. Here the historian can perhaps construe
from the sense and the run of the words some relation to the laws of
Hammurabi, the friend of Abraham, which would perhaps be perfectly
logical; that would, however, in no way detract from the fact that God
inspired Moses to do it and in so far revealed Himself to the people of
Israel.
As I see it, therefore, our good professor ought hereafter to avoid
handling and bringing forward religion, as such, in his addresses to
our society. On the other hand, he may continue unmolested to bring
forward whatever connections there may be between the religion,
customs, etc., of the Babylonians, etc., and the Old Testament. From
which I derive the following conclusions:
(a) I believe in one God, and one only.
(b) In order to teach this we need a form, especially for our children.
(c) This form has been up to the present time the Old Testament in its
present state. Through investigation, inscriptions, and excavations,
this form will certainly change materially; that does not matter, and
even the fact that much will be lost from the nimbus of the chosen
people does not matter. The kernel and the content remain ever the
same: God and His work!
Religion was never the result of science but the outpouring of the
heart and being of man in his intercourse with God.
With heartiest thanks and many greetings,
Your true friend,
(Signed) WILLIAM, I. R.
P. S. You may make the fullest use of these lines; whoever wants to may
read them.
FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS ARMY
DÖBERITZ, MAY 29, 1903
After conducting the manoeuvres of the guard the Emperor dedicated
the obelisk to Frederick the Great. The character and achievements
of Frederick have been summarized in chapter I.
One hundred and fifty years ago, on these same fields, his Majesty,
Frederick II, who even in his lifetime was called "the Great," gathered
together a considerable part of his army in order to train and steel
it for the mighty struggles which he foresaw in spirit through his
prophetic vision. So important was this preparation for him that he did
not hesitate to trust his columns to the direction of his experienced
field-marshals. Here the great soldier King, working restlessly,
not overlooking details in his interest for the greater concerns of
history, trained his regiments for the difficult tasks of the Seven
Years' War, which was soon to set in, and created that inner bond
between himself and his soldiers which inspired them to the greatest
deeds of daring, while he infused his spirit into his generals and
so laid the foundation for the unmatched results which found their
crowning achievement in the victorious overthrow of a world in arms
united against him. Let these achievements be unforgotten; unforgotten
the names of the heroes of that great time.
Frederick's enemies derisively called his little army the "_Potsdamer
Wachtparade_" [the "Potsdam Guard's Parade"]! Well, he showed them what
he could do at the head of it! And in later times likewise the "Potsdam
Guard's Parade" fittingly showed the way to every one who tried to
cultivate too close an acquaintance with it. This obelisk of northern
granite is erected in memory of that time. A memorial to "Fredericus
Rex, the King and Hero," to be emulated by us all in working with
unabated strength to the end that we may be ready to strike in any
emergency. When in a moment the curtain shall fall, when the flags
and standards dip in greeting, swords are lowered, and presented
bayonets glisten--all this is done in honor not only of this block of
stone but of him, the great King, his generals and field-marshals;
of his great successor, William the Great, and his paladins, who now,
assembled around the Great Ally above, look down upon us; and in honor
of Prussia's glorious martial history and tradition. Attention, present
arms!
THE FUTURE OF GERMANY
HAMBURG, JUNE 20, 1903
The equestrian statue of Emperor William I was dedicated in
Hamburg, June 20, 1903. The Emperor's interest in glorifying and
occasionally even in sanctifying his ancestors is frequently
noticeable. He has tried to assure to his grandfather the title
of William the Great, and the Emperor's friend Ballin, of the
Hamburg-American Line, has given this title as well as that of
Imperator to the well-known transatlantic steamers. It is perhaps
significant that Bismarck is not mentioned. The pedestal of this
monument was left blank. As has been noted, rumor has it that the
citizens of Hamburg were unwilling to bestow this title and feared
to offend with the simpler "William I."
It has often been my task to express my thanks to great cities and
their enthusiastic citizens; never have I found it so difficult to find
the correct, pertinent, and adequate expression for what I feel and
what I have seen and experienced.
If, first of all, I may speak as grandson of the great Emperor, whose
bronze likeness the city of Hamburg has just unveiled, I would like
to give utterance to the gratitude which so stirs my heart, that the
citizens of Hamburg have been able in such a brilliant, handsome, and
noble manner to show their feeling for Germany and their gratitude to
the old hero. As his grandson, this has pleased me greatly and has
stirred me deeply.
For the rest, I cannot forbear to emphasize the truly overwhelming
reception which was accorded me here by great and small, young and old,
high and low. The many thousand faces which lighted toward me to-day
gave evidence that the greeting came from the heart and from feelings
which were deeply moved, and I beg the senate and the citizens to
accept my heartiest, sincerest, and warmest thanks and to communicate
them to the city.
Indeed, for the younger generation which stood with us about the bronze
portrait to-day the great Emperor is already a historical personage,
and the events which weave themselves about his person and the time in
which he worked are already described in history.
I believe that I am not presuming if I prophesy that some time in
future centuries the awe-inspiring figure of my grandfather will stand
forth before the German people, surrounded by at least as many legends
and as powerful and as conspicuous for all time as once the figure of
the Emperor Barbarossa was. Truly, the younger generation is accustomed
to look upon what we call the empire, together with what it has brought
us, without thinking what it has cost to arrive at this point.
And I believe we recognize the hand of Providence when we look upon
that awe-inspiring figure which stands yonder in its peaceful attitude
before the Rathaus, with its earnestness and its silent tranquillity
of old age. It was precisely, this man whom Providence sought out to
accomplish this hardest of all tasks--the uniting of the German races.
For no one could resist the charm of the personality, the simple
modesty, the winning lovableness of the lofty ruler; and so it was
permitted to him, surrounded by his powerful paladins who were devoted
to him and who worked with him, to smooth the way and reconcile the
differences; while he kept ever before his eyes the goal, the union of
the Fatherland. During a long time of peace, in quiet work his thoughts
ripened and the plans of the already gray-haired man were ready when
the mighty task came to him of once more reviving the empire. I hope
that the youth of Hamburg, when they pass this monument, will never
forget the time of preparation through which this noble ruler lived.
With justice you speak of the time of Emperor William as great and
powerful--powerful in its impulses, mighty in its flaming enthusiasm.
Gentlemen, I think that our time is also great. The tasks which were
assigned to the great Emperor have been accomplished; yet when things
for a while seem dark and the tasks which are assigned us seem too
hard we must not forget what that noble ruler endured. Let us not
forget that he lived through and remembered Jena and Tilsit, and that,
nevertheless, he never despaired of the future of the Fatherland. From
Tilsit we travelled to Versailles!
And even so is it destined to be in the future; there remain tasks for
our time also. The great Emperor with his great aides has laid the
basis, the corner-stone of the building; it is for us to build upon
it! Therefore it is my opinion and firm conviction that a great future
awaits us also, if we are but determined to make it so. Tasks are
assigned to us, and, whether they are light or heavy, we must face them
as well as we are able and enlist all our strength. Then we shall be
able to accomplish them and I am convinced that now as then the German
Empire and the German people will never lack the right sort of men.
For this reason I turn to-day to that place where formerly from the
depths of my heart I issued an earnest appeal to the German people;
and I repeat again to-day: "May it remain true to its ideals and to
itself!" Then, as the block of granite yonder bears the great Emperor,
so will the German people, true to their traditions, bear upon their
hearts and discharge with their strength the new tasks and undertakings
which come to them. May they enter with decision upon the work which
Heaven assigns them without asking whether it be easy or difficult,
without worrying as to how they shall accomplish it, provided only they
are going forward!
Raise your eyes! Lift up your heads! Look to the heights, bend your
knee before the Great Ally, who has never forsaken the Germans,
and who, if he has at times allowed them to be sorely tried and
discouraged, has again raised them from the dust. Put your hand on
your heart, direct your gaze into the distance, and from time to time
give a backward glance for memory to the old Emperor and his time,
and I am convinced that, as Hamburg is progressing in the world, so
will our Fatherland progress along the road of enlightenment, the road
of improvement, the road of practical Christianity: a blessing for
mankind, a bulwark of peace, the wonder of all countries!
I give this as my firm hope and conviction, and to this wish I empty my
glass: Long life to the city of Hamburg!--Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
THE REASONS FOR JAPAN'S VICTORY
MARCH 9, 1905
It will have been noted that the Emperor usually addresses his
recruits in very simple language. On the occasion of administering
the oath to the naval recruits at Wilhelmshaven, he was concerned
about explaining to them the reasons for the Japanese victory, for
he had repeatedly told them that only a good Christian can be a
good soldier.
The speech was reported through a letter of one of the recruits.
The Emperor spoke, among other things, of the heroic deeds of the
Japanese and explained that they had sprung from the Japanese love
of country and children, which had begotten a splendid manliness in
the army and navy. He said that we must not conclude, however, from
the Japanese victories--the victories of a heathen over a Christian
people--that Buddha was superior to our Lord Christ. If Russia was
beaten, it was due for the most part, according to his opinion, to the
fact that Christianity in Russia was in a pretty bad way; and then,
too, there were many Christian virtues among the Japanese. A good
Christian is synonymous with a good soldier!
But Christianity is poorly off among the Germans also, and he--the
Emperor--doubted whether we Germans in case of a war would have any
special right to pray God for victory, to wrest it from Him in prayer
as Jacob did in his struggle with the angel. The Japanese were the
scourge of God just as once Attila and Napoleon were.
And so we must take care lest God should have to chastise us with such
a scourge, etc. The Emperor spoke very earnestly but very impressively
and simply, so that he could be understood by every one.
THE SALT OF THE EARTH
BREMEN, MARCH 22, 1905
The following address was delivered at the Rathaus in Bremen on the
occasion of the dedication of the monument to Emperor Frederick
III. The Emperor here presents his views on the mission of Germany
in much the same spirit in which it is expounded in a number of
his addresses of this time. He has become increasingly conscious
of her "manifest destiny" in the decade which had passed after the
celebrations of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Franco-Prussian
War. Germany had entered upon a period of great prosperity and had
begun to possess the sense of latent power. The Emperor gives us
here the purely historical reasons which have led him to refrain
from pretensions to world-dominion. It is significant that his
next address will be delivered at Morocco. The question naturally
arises, what hopes or aspirations were in the minds of the audience
before whom the Emperor made this _gran rifiuto_. It was in a time
of insistent agitation by the Navy League and the Colonial party.
MY HONORED BURGOMASTER:
Will you allow me first, with a heart deeply moved, to perform the duty
of a son and thank you sincerely for having transmitted to me the wish
of your countrymen that I should participate in this festive day and be
present at the unveiling of the unique and splendid statue which the
free Hanseatic city of Bremen has erected to my father?
I can assure you that it stirred me deeply to-day as my eye wandered
over the masses of people to think that the former Prussian Crown
Prince, subsequently the first Crown Prince of the German Empire, and,
finally, second Hohenzollern Emperor, should be fêted in a free German
city just as though this were his home. It is a proof that his figure,
as well as that of his great and illustrious father, has become a
common possession of the entire German people.
I sincerely thank the city of Bremen that it has honored my father
and his memory in such a magnificent manner. You have created a work
of art, the like of which is not often seen in German lands. And I am
convinced that in later generations his powerful personality, which
will have become surrounded by the glamour of legend, will through this
statue be brought nearer to the hearts of the people. And I am sure
that the generations of Bremen which are to follow, from father to son,
will never forget the second Emperor, whose noble Siegfried figure led
the German army to victory and whom we have to thank for our unity.
And so, now, beautiful statues of both my father and my grandfather
stand in this loyal German city and furnish mile-stones for the history
of our Fatherland as well as for the city of Bremen.
Truly, the historical retrospect which you have been good enough to
present us shows magnificently the leadership of God and the grace
which Providence has bestowed upon our people and our country. The
portion of time which is represented by both of these two noble leaders
who stand here in bronze has, like a foundation-stone, been firmly laid
in history. It remains for later times and their generations to build
upon the foundation which these great rulers have set down.
You have had the goodness to express the thoughts which stirred you
upon a former occasion in this same place. They correspond entirely
to what I myself thought at that time. When, as a lad, I stood before
the model of the Brommy[40] ship, I bitterly felt the disgrace which
our fleet and our flag had been forced to suffer. And perhaps, since
on my mother's side a bit of sea blood flowed into my veins, this was
the thing which was to give me my cue for the manner in which I would
envisage the tasks which henceforth were to confront the empire.
[40] Bromme (called also Brommy) was a German seaman who served in
the Greek navy and who was later placed in charge of the Naval
Commission by the German National Assembly in 1848. He organized
the first modern German fleet and as admiral drove off the three
Danish ships blockading the Weser. This navy was considered merely
a passing necessity, and in 1853 Bromme was retired, after the
little fleet had been sold at auction.
I swore to the colors when I came to the throne, after the mighty time
of my grandfather, that, so far as in me lay, the bayonet and cannon
would have to rest, but that bayonet and cannon, however, would have
to be kept sharp and effective in order that jealousy and envy from
without should not disturb us in the development of our garden and
our beautiful house. I have made a vow, as a result of what I have
learned from history, never to strive for an empty world-dominion. For
what has become of the so-called world-empires? Alexander the Great,
Napoleon I--all the great warriors--have swum in blood and have left
subjugated peoples behind them who at the first opportunity have risen
up again and brought the empire to ruin.