The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-12-15
For The Northern Tribune.
Luther at the Diet of Worms,

Wirtemburg. He has not ceased to proclaim
the truth. Unterriied by ecclesiastical cen.
sures by communication, by the threats and
DEGREES of the Pope, he has taken no back
ward step. What Power has preserved him
Who withstood that tyranny which never be-
fore knew repulses That mysterious wisdom,
which marks the designs of Providence has
been signally manifested. At the very mo-
ment the vengeance of Rome was about to fall
with crushing weight upon the head of Luz
ther, and there was no earthly arm strong
enough to avert the blow, God interposed his.
Macmillan, the Emperor of the German
States, died, and in the agitation of the ques-
ton, "Who shall be his successors" Luther
and the Reformation was lost sight of for a
season. 1t was no lost time for Luther. He
was growing in knowledge, and rising in
courage. 1t was unconscious preparation for
battle. He was breaking one by one the
chains with which error had bound him. He
was gathering weapons not forged by human
hands into the armory of his soul. He was
girding himself in the silence of his closet
His early doubts gave place to clear convic-
tions. He grew to fitness for his greatest
earthly trial, which now approached.
A calm had succeeded to the agitations,
with which the question of the succession
convulsed all Europe. The rival competitors
for the Imperial Honor all renowned their
pretensions in favor of Charles, grandson of
Macmillan, who was accordingly elected En-
peror of the German States. An assemblage
of the German Powers and Electors is imme.
diately convoked at Worms, and before this
august body Luther is summoned. Great po-
litical questions are to be agitated, but the
great issue was "what shall be done with Luz
Their and the reformation :"
He arrived at Worms, and was the next
morning summoned to appear before the Diet
That morning was gloomy one for Luther
The thought of his dangers pressed upon him,
and iIr moment of faltering faith, he threw
himself upon the ground, and his struggling
spirit with broken utterance thus breathed its
deep agonies to God. "Oh God, Almighty
God, how dreadful is the world behold how
its mouth opens TO swallow me up, and oh
how small is my faith in Thee. Oh-the
weakness of the fesh and the power of Sa-
tan! If am to depend on the strength Of
this world all is over-the knell is struck
sentence is gone forth. Oh God-help me-
Do this beseech Thee. The work is not
mine but thine, I haze no business here. I
have nothing to contend for with these great
men of the earth. I would gladly pass my
days in happiness and peace. But the cause
is thine, and it is righteous and everlasting
My God dost thou not hear. Where art
Thou. Come pray Thee, am ready. Be-
hold me prepare ed to lay down my life fol thy
truth-for the cause is holy-it is thine own.
1 will not let thee go-no-nor for all eterni-
ty, and though this body be cast forth. trod-
den under foot, cut in pieces, consumed to
ashes-my soul IS thine. Yes-I have thine
own word for it. My soul belongs to Thee
and will abide with thee forever. Oh God,
send help, Amen" This prayer was preserv-
ed by one of his friends, and is now regarded
as the noblest document in the archives of
Germany. The hour passed, the cloud was
lifted from his soul. His strength came back,
and he felt again the Almighty Arm encirclng
him.
At the appointed time the herald of the
Emperor was sent to conduct Luther before
that august assembly which held his life and
death in their hands. In the spacious hall
where the Diet held its sittings were gathered
more than five thousand to witness the scene.
The Emperor was there, six Electors of the