Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-07-06
nREN1EMBER TuE NANnAI.s.o

At one time during the Reformation 4 NEE
ing OF the leading parties in that movement was
held at Nluemb3rg, with the view to promote
the harmony OF all lis friends Atthis NEE Inc il
was agreed that Albert. Buccr and Luther should
b. the preachers. When the services had clio
sd, Luther requested Buccr to be his guest. to
which Bucer readily &C cded. In the course of
the evening Luther .ook occasion to rive his
views OF the sermon delivered by his lea rnod
irend, and spoke very highly is praise, hut
added, "Bacer, cum preQch better Than g0H.
The remark sounded oddly enough to Bucer who
nevertheless took it all in good part, replying that
every person would of course agree that Luther
should bear the palm. Luthcr Immediately
changed the tone of his voice, and very seriously
addressed his friend. " Do not mistake me nv
brother" said he, 'as though Spoke merely in
praise OF myself am fully aware ofmv weak
ness, and aln conscious of my inability to deliver
a sermon 50 learned and iudicious as the one
hoyo heard from your lips this afternoon. But
my method is. when enter the pulpit to look at
the people who sit in the aisle, because they are
principally NaudaIs. BY this term he meant
the common people and alluded to the cirCum-
stance that those parts were formerly cverrun by
horlas of ignorant Nandals. / keep my eye ="
said he, on the the NardalS. and endcayor TO
preach what they can comprehend. But YOU
Z
lated for learned hearers. My Vandals could
not understand you. compare them to crying
babe. who is sooner satisfied with the breast of
lis ut,tlllt than with the richest conf ,ctionaries
s. my people are more nourishcd with the sim
pie word Of the gospel than by the deepest erll-
dltion though accompanied with all tAe cmbcl-
IiShmcnr, ul uratorv"
ItNplll b. well. we think, did all ministers
Of IL" gospel and all religious teachers, keep
lIuth example in this respect constantly be.
tor them. Tao mass OF men---the world at
large. need the ">impl' word of the gospel
Juls adlr - - itself directly TO their religious ma
tur'4--to the h art and conscience. 1t pretcnds
not to philosophi~c. 1t seeks not to show the
ground, of oar religious belief; but it addresses
tDat lief 1t appeals to the spontaneous con-
vlDlion~ Of the soul, and, applied by the Spirit it
slis'i'~ H. deepest wants Were a severe and
cNt"nI"d process of reasoning necessary to an
apprehension of lis truths. but few could receive
them. Most would BE- incapable of such a pro-
cess. But as it is, no one need be destitute Of
the gospel from want of capacity to perceive its
truths. These are simple; adapted to the lowest
capacities.
Bat it wore we'll to remember that the word of
Col addresses all men rs |dHddlS. 1t finds them
a.i alike in the same condition, needing the same
spiritual regimen. 1t is not designed for the poor
and iTu1raut AMI OutcaSt alone, while the more
favored classes the learned and cultivated of this
world. are acknowledged above the need of its
helps, or capable of attaining the same ends in
another way. 1t makes no such distinctions.
The man of the mghtiast genius or the most cul-
iyatod intellect must become a child, or never
h'sprtually renovated. He possesses no van
tarn ground in respect to his spiritual dcstitu-
tom or necessities. lie is the son of want, and
must b. fed from the same store house and with
the oamn food "a the lowest of his fellow crca-
lures There is a straight gate OF knowledge
through which he must pass IN entering the king
dom. and many of the results Of his rcasonings
must BE- abandoned at that entrance, while he
conl'~~,, himself Il mere disciple all the way
IN his rrourCsS.