Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-23
Luther and VoItaire.

Europe has failed to mark these two
men as leaders in Der greatest revo
lutloas. No men of their respective
ages acted more important part, OF
left a more abiding influence upon
society. Both were men of distinguish
ed natural talents; were thoroughly
disciplined in the two most severe
Universities Of Europe; possessed
great energy of character and a per
severance that always gains its object
They lived in ages of great moral
darkness. The ignorance and super.
stltion OF Rome and Roman bigotry
held them In bondage. The gloomy
pail of desp0tiSln hung over them, and
her iron heel had crushed hem to the
earth. Both commenced their career
young and ii the midst of great moral
excitement. They saw the pitiable
condition into which depravity had
! plunged, and corrapt Christianity
had left their countrymcn, and devoted
their energies and lives 10 secure then
relief and elevation. t hey were
equally bold and energetic, and equal.
y confident of success. Both indeed
accomplished their object. Each freed
his own country from the bondage of
Rome, trampled down the ''man Of sin,
and came forth from the conflict exuIt
ing In the victory he lad achieved.
But the results of these great moral
victories are widely different, and let
aim who would know that difference
read the history ofthc great protestant
reformation in Germany, and tn {
bloody records of the revolution in
France that occurred some two centu.
rie3 afterwards. The one is the his.
tory Of the emancipation Of nations
from debasing ignorance and blind
superstition; is the dawning OF a
glorious day upon a long and dismal
nlgEt of ages, day whose sun will
never set, but will continue to shine
with increasing brightness when time
shall be no more.
The other was a fearful conflict
Thrones crumbled alters were demoL
ished, and the nation was in convnl
slonS. The retOrmcrs had opened the
crater ola mighty volcano, and its
fires and lava rolled over the land in
one continuous sheet of desOlation. and
death ensued. The wasting waves of
the French Revolution are still rolling
and will continue to roll until the tide
OF human woe shall be stayed by Gods
own hand,
But what is the cause Of these
widely different results? The answer
Is obvious.
LUTHER was the apostle of Chris
tlanlty; NOLTAIRE, OF atheism. Love
to God and man was the motive pow
er which led the former on to Veto
ry; an athciStical fanati.iSm. Il dccl
and abiding hatred towards Chris
tlanlty, led the latter to engage in the
conflict. Luther was clothed in tn,
armor Of the Almighty, and witldcu
the sword Of the Spirit. No.tairc de
.amed the Bible aad trod it under hi,
tcct. While he aimed to cmaucinat,
tie people from the power supcrstitio.
and the priesthood, he aimed also tt
destroy all belief in the Bible and tn,
GOD OF the Bible, and 10 sweep ava,
every vcstiGe OF Christianity from III,
nation. And this he almost literal,
accomplished.
Luther overturned exciting iustitu.
tlons, but he gave the people other,
more desirable and benevolent. He
destroyed a corrupt Christianity. but
he gave them another more pure and
eIcvating. He tore from under them
the old foundation, but he placed thei.
feet upon the Rock Of Ages"
NOltaire also tore down. but he
built not up. He removed a false
Christianity, but gave the people moth
ing Iii return. As he bIotted out the
sun OF Righteousness from the moral
heavens, taught the nation to bow
down at shrine Of Human Reason. ana
proclaimed the fearful lie, that "deatl
IS an eternal sleep" Hence. he was
Oerelt Of his strength, and became a
curse Instead OF blessing to his fel
low men.