The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-04-14
fur tie Bnqs anh Girls.


In the town OF NfanshtId IN Prussia, long
ago. yes. 50 long as three hundred and sixty
eight wears since. there was a woo,lcutter
living. lie rot lis living nv cutting fagots.
or bundles Of small WOOL in the forest The
name of this honest woolcutter was John
Luther
THIS man hal little bov named Martini
IL often !ook him into the forest with him to
gather ssirks. and thus ass; IN earning lIv-
irg. Little Luther was ..:,,.t al! healthy for
his age. so that dare say he yo...:cd hard and
willingly. Ills father Wa ,ery strict with
him, and used the rod ;ory severely whcncv-
er h. thought it necessary.
After time I.uthcr's lathe: saved Il littla
money lie then quilted the E,.e,s AMI went
TO work in the mines. His n,:ustrr was re-
varied by prosperity, and in little ~!i!' he
was able TO build two small furnaces il which
10 work thu iron ore dug from the hines
IL. was we'll thought of by rs fellow towns
mon. who elected him to seat in the council
OF M,nstiell. This made him n,cn OF scmr
Importance, and persons Of respectability
and scholarship were often guests at his ia.
lie.
Little Luther. while listening to the re-
marks Of his fathers guests, wished to become
scholar himself So in due time, having
gained little knowledge at a school in Mans
field. he was sent away. first to lag lc6urg,
and then to Eiscnach, wLetc lie stu,:;ed III
the schools Of the FraIriscan monks
1'ut Luther who v:s ONLY ahout fourteen
wears old. was Obliged 10 depcnd on himself
for living Ills h;;i = sent him very little
money. and he used to 60 about the streets
Of kiml-hcartei people. The boy student
had sweet voice, hut The people did rot give
him much encouragement None ccr.,,! to
~are tor him or bis songs. and with !. e,kinc
heart he began to think Of giving up his stu
dies and becOmino worker in the mines.
However. he determined to try his fortune
vet once again Rounl he went singing
sweet melolies but none bale hinc come in
TO cat. H. sang at three places without en-
enlargement Jn.t a. he was about to give
W.. door opened. anil a motherly- looking
Wv appeared AMI invited him to eat at her
.',,c.
The name Of that woman was Ursula Gotta
u" felt an interest in the student bov. and
nrlr him come again. At last she and her
husband gave him home under their modest
roof, and Luther pursued his studies and
grew mp a learned man.
When Luther became a man. he entered
q monastery and became monk. Yet the
PRAYERS Of the church and the Lessons of the
priests did not give peace to his conscience
Int one day he found Bible in the library
of his convent. IL read it eagerly and care
fully. 1t taught him that God forcavc the
Gins Of men when they trusted in Jesus alone
rs their S,vior. lie did trust in Christ and
became truly happy man.
Luther soon brean to teach the truth he
had learned from the convent Bible. lie
wrote books about it, translated the Script
ur"s and taught the people to trust in Christ
and not in the priests for salvation.
This made the priests, the bishops. and g.
ven the Pope very angry. They condemn
Ct. kHtl'er: AMI the Pope finally cast him cut
ofthe church. calling him hereto. and other
lad names. But a'lth;s did Luther no harm
Ills heart was at peace, and the people loved
him, as lid 4 large number of the German
princes.
At length Charles the Fifth. Emperor of
Germany. summoned Luther to meet him be-
fore great assembly of priests and mobiles at
Worms. to answer for what was falsely called
his hcresies. Luther knew that he had MANY
enemies who desired 70 take his life. 1t was
also great trial for poor monk like him To-
stand alone in presence of so much pomp and
sIlen.lor as was to assemble at The diet But
ne had a good cause and strong heart: so
with more than horo's courage he went to
WOrms:'hrre h. boldly dc'e1de Il 20 'tr:n,s
Of the Bible with such coqnenre and power,
that his enemies were all conf0unded and pu.
to shame
Luther lived on manv wears after this. zeal
onslv tearhing the trut h az he understood it.
lie thus became the father Of great Reform
af;o"- liz finally died peacefully. and left a
name behind him which will be in the mouth
II mankind for ever.
Thus you SCI the poor woodcutter's boy be-
Gam" first hard working student. and then
mighty man of God. Had he been idle.
careless. and wild, he would have lived and
died unknown. Learn then to give Yourself.
!oun. reader. to the duties of the present
hour. Seek knowledge with all your heart.
Seek religion. too. BE pious and learned if
yo" ran but hy all means be rious. Then. !
If YOU live to he man or woman. Won will
make good mark on the world before YOU
die. and share in the rewards Of goodness
hereafter. Such an end is worth living for.
I. I.