Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-05-01
Paris March %.
From the .Sapann Mseum.

From the !SGvnnn .uSeunt.
Messrs. EDIToRs-YOu will oblig
constant reader, byinserting the fol-
lowing brief narrative Of the ever me-
morable event,
THE REFORMATION.
Tum vero omne mihi visum considere in
ignes
Hum, ct ex imo verti Neptunia Troja
Ac veluti, summis antiquam in montl5us
! ornum
Quinn ferro adcisam crebrisque bipenni-
bus instant
Ervsre asricole certatim, lila asque mi.
! natur;
ct tremefactu conan concusso yertice
nutat;
vulneribus donec paublatin evicta ST.
premium
Congemait, traiique jugs ovulsa minam.
When the darkness of superstition
had covered Christendom, the'world
isupinely acquiesced in the enormous
,absurdities imposed upon it-until the
year 1917, when this empire of dark
ness was gradually compelled to re-
treat before the open dawn Of the glo-
rious morn of the reformation.
The person who made the first at
tack OH the extravagant superstitions
which then prevailed. was MARTIN
LUTHER. He was born at Eitleben.
in Saxony. A. d. 1853. Possessed of
splendid abilities, he had by the adj
vice of his friends, devoted himself to
the profession of the law. The great
ruler of all events, however, had
claimed him for the sanctuary, and
by aprovidential interpretation point
ed out Luther's path of duty. Walk
ling one day with a friend in the fields,
his companion was killed by the dis
charge of thunderstorm. This e
vent affected him so deeply, that he
withdrew irto a convent, where meet
ling with a latin Bible, his curiosity
was excited, and he henceforth Gevot-
ed himself to the study Of il:
As the amazing prodigality, ldxu-
ry, and magniGcence of Leo began a
bout this time to exhaust the reve-
nuas of the Roman See; the never
failing resource of indnlgences was a.
|dopted as most effectual method Ollie
wing tribute which should liquidateI
these expenses. To carry this OBJ
iect into effect, men of popular Ia
Tents, unblushing efrontery, and per-
feet devotedncss to the papal power,
were selected to preach, and dispense
these rich indulgenCes. Among these
persons John Tetzel exerted himself
with wonderful ardor and success.
He blazoned the virtues of the saints
i'm colors of the most transcendent slo-
ry; Wanted the rich treasures of me-
rit in the repository OF the church,
He said that he could supply all wants,
remove all Deficiencies and cancel all
crimes.
Luther heard with Indignation
these pretensions his natural tenn
per was warm and irascible, his
courage inyinciblc, his ei"quence
powerful, his mind fraught with learn
ing. and above all, he was deeply read
lin IT,. oracles Of God. No danger in.
Inundated him, no difficulties aw-
ed him. In perseverance he was un-
shaken, in labours he was indefatiga.
bic. Thus gifted, he went forth bold
Iy to fight the battles Of his CO..
In 95 propositions. he challenged let
eel to defend his conduct, and with
the intrepidity of veteran, boldly
ccnsured what he deemed hercsy, 4
maintained that salvation was attain
able exclusively through the merits of
Christ.
Ecclesiastical Censures were fulmi-
mated against Luther from all quar-
tcrs, but be continued to make great
advances without being inundated ;I
nor was he left without able coadju-
tors. who were raised up to his assis-
lance such as Zuinglius, Melancton,
Carlostadius, Erasmus, and others,
who will be had in everlasting remem-
brance; but for the detail Of whose
worthy deeds, a brief narrative will
afford no room.
Luther had now prepared ti'ansla
ton Of the Bible, which was speedily
and universally circulated on the Eu-
ropean continent, and throughout
England. The shadows were hyingi
fast, and the sun of righteousness be-