Our heritage of civil and religious liberty is an outgrowth of the
Reformation, begun in the fifteenth century. By common consent the
Protestant churches confess indebtedness to Martin Luther, the principal
agent raised up by God for the deliverance of his people. We gladly join
our brethren of a free press and the heralds of a free gospel, in making
some mention of this fourth centennial day. Want of space must greatly
abridge the tribute we would bring, and forbids any attempt to weave such
fitting chaplets as other hands will certainly bring to the altar.
Four hundred years ago to-day, November 10, 1483, Martin Luther was born
in Eisleben, Saxony. The great German reformer, whose words shook the
world, and whose power, after centuries, is felt by millions indebted
to him, was of humble origin, his parents being peasants of the poorer
class, but religious, honest, self-respecting people. He refers tenderly
to them, and says: “In supporting their family they had a hard and
bitter fight of it.” His own privations and hardships in early life
were met with something of the heroism and persistence of endeavor that
marked his later years. In school, though a sprightly lad, full of fun
and frolic, and often corrected for his faults by a severe master, he
was yet a diligent student, eager for communion with all truth. His
ambition and thirst for knowledge led him gracefully to accept what was
unfavorable in his circumstances, yet not passively or without methods of
improving them. The spirited youth, with some others under like pecuniary
embarrassments, rather than leave school, for a time sought bread in the
neighboring villages, and found way to the hearts of their benefactors by
singing at their doors. The songs of the boys seem to have been offered
and accepted as a remuneration for the material aid they needed, and
thus the depressing sense of mendicancy was not so seriously felt. He
earned his master’s degree when yet young, having by his proficiency in
both classical studies and philosophy attracted the attention of some
scholarly men. He left school with honors, but not happy. Soon after
began the great struggle of his eventful life. On a careful introspection
he found in his quickened soul cravings that human knowledge could not
satisfy. Educated a Catholic, and observant of all their rites and
ceremonies, but finding little comfort in them, in his unrest and almost
despondence, he entered a monastery, thinking by fastings, penance and
prayers to find relief for a wounded conscience. The way to him was dark;
the conflict terrible; the unhappy monk knew of sin, but not the Savior.
The day of his deliverance was at hand, though for a time he saw but the
dawn. With the Bible found in his cell as his almost only guide, he at
length clearly apprehended the way of salvation by faith alone—believing
he was justified. The change was great, and the whole tenor of his
after life confessed it. The strong, earnest, cultured man, rejoicing
now in the gospel liberty, himself baptized with the spirit and fully
consecrated to work for others, was a fit instrument for inaugurating any
needed reformation. Led by the spirit and ever true to his convictions,
he was soon, though wishing to avoid the issue, in open conflict with
the Papal authorities. How bravely, and with what results the battle was
fought, is well known. It was an open, manly fight. Any disguise with
him was simply impossible. He never masked his own position, nor sought
to flank that of the enemy. The warfare, on his part, was honorable, but
the shafts he forged were pointed, and hurled with tremendous force. His
multitudinous disquisitions, essays and replies came in quick succession,
as the exigencies of the controversy called for them. He wrote, any
reader will say, rapidly, from the fullness of his mind and heart; and
very few authors have left on their works so strong an impress of their
own personality. He is perhaps best known in his “Table Talk.” There is a
freshness in these off-hand sayings that is charming, and quite disarms
criticism. His greatest gift to the German people was his faithful
translation of the Bible into their vernacular, and his commentaries that
are still held in high esteem. The reformer’s influence, great while he
lived, has increased immensely during the four centuries. As a biblical
critic and expositor his ability is now recognized by the general church.
He held to the spiritual and supernatural in religion, but recognized the
human as well as divine factor in the books of the Bible, and in that,
too, the church is in sympathy with him.