New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-25

emancipation 81 the European mind from the SoAo
| of the papa hierarchy.
The relations of Erasmus with the German ne
formers are the subject of o discussion "nion ~
sents in foroihe light the delicate disciii'iii"SO
and judicial fairness of the author lhey cne''o"
| the earnest wish that he should het 'AAo 20,
.oa;nst them Inther and Melanchthon respected
him as the patriarch of letters ana the zoe VI
stirion Erasmns IN his turn could not but approve
"a th aoI ,o,,eneut of Luther His love OF liteTa-
tune at least would incline him strongly 10 .na'
e;de Rnt his constitutional prudence was MANIFEST
from, the first. When accused OF sympathy Win
| u,ber he lodged the question by processing tnat
b baa not read his books. Still he could moi wholly
conceal his predictions He aroused the suspicious
of his Catholic friends TO an extent that ne iouhu u
dificnlt TO allay. But Luther and Erasmus hau no
trons a character in common. Erasmus had no
deptb of religious conviction Histemperament was
destitute of fervor, and even OF earnest
ness He was typical lattudnarlah ny
the native cast Of his mnd. Ills ohy
absorbng passion was for literature. Inc neat
which Luther manifested was repugnant TO MS tas'e
Ha hated commotion He said of himself that
he was not of the stuff that martyrs are made
Of. He was willing 10 sacrifice part
Of tbe truth for the sake of peace. He
could have been an Arian or Pelagan, If that had
been in accordance with the creed of the Church. but
vet apart from the feeling that he must be anchored
somewhere, he attached little importance TO us
authority time-seryer on principle, he found MS
positiop as the most prominent man OF the age,
greatly embarrassing. He must stay in the Church,
vet without offending either party. Luther saw
through him. He irritated the elegant scholar by
inviting him to be a spectator i'll the drama IN when
he was not fitted to be an actor AT length, they
took sides against each other and their estrangement
soon became complete In drawing the parallel be-
tween Luther and Erasmus Professor Fisher pro-
nounces in favor of the German i'll his views respect
ing the reform of the Church. This could not come
from literature. Erasmus could assail the outside
sucb as the absurdities of the monks but the
heart of the question he would only touch so tar as
il could be done without danger to himself. Luther
had himself been monk with profound religious
conservation. He had personally tested the system
and found it corrupt and false. Still 1t retained
vitality with which the weapons of Erasmus could
not cone Without the sterner battle which Luther
waged the literary refomers would soon have been
driven 10 the wall, and forced to succunb TO the
teIIors of the InquiSiton.
In his estimate of the character and influence OF
Calvin Professor Fisher exercises rare moderation
of Judgment presenting portrature OF the Genevan
refoImer which though abounding with vitality
and color shows no of theological proposes
sons Contrary 10 the popular idea, he represents
Calvin as a man of quiet temperament aud peaceful
disposition. He was naturally reserved and even
difident. His highest ambition was TO pursue his
studies in Setirement. lie had an instructive repug
ronoo 20 nnIIicit, and conflict. He patrician
by taste acting almost sxs44ss..yeIy upon the higher
orders of society His sympathles were E.sn peieon'
of birth and education, aud he came IN eontact G1.
the people only through the agency of Others. In
IT,, gfrtlsi Dr ~ Ia
Luther. He was not fitted, like the coarse aud
snewy Saxon Teforer for familiar intercourse with
the common masses. He had not spark OF his fiery
elo0ueuce but was a far more exact and finished
scholar. The Latin style of Calvin Is a model
of classical purity. lie singularly teiSe
and compact writer Logical in his method,
orderly in his arrangement he evnced ms
clearness of thought by his neatness of expression
Though without the fervOr of popular discourse ms
words are alive with the glow OF intense conviction
In his great work, the stream of discussion rolls on
ward with an mpetuOus current, Vet always keeps
within its legitimate channel. Its whole tone is
widely removed from the scholastic theology, with
which il has often been enormously classed. His
education as a Frenchmau and lawyer is manifest
in the products of his intellect, as well III his
practical activity. Calvin was no speculative phi
losopber The keynot of his system, il is true, was
profound sense of the divine majesty. But his en-
forcement of doctrine always had regard TO practical
religious interests. As a commentator on the Bible
his ability is great. His exegetica tact has seldom
been rivaled. He has the true spirit of scholar
He never wastes time in irrelevant talk upon a
passage but explains its meaning with brevitv ana
point de never attempts to evade difficulty but
grapples with it with manly candor.
In spite of his radical principles as practical re-
former, Calvin was disposed to avoid extremes He
John Knox He was not even hostile 10 bishops
a human arrangement. He would not have cared to
abolish the four Christian festivals which the &C.
neyan Church early discarded. Among his personal
traits there was tncture of the blum geniaty of
Luther but rather an acerbty which Inspired many
of his acquaintance with profound aversion lie was
the austere censor of his associates and provoked
resentment while reminding them of their faults.
TO those much older than himself to men like Gran
mer and Melanchthon, he wrote in bitter and cnt
ting STYLE. His fidelity and courage IN rebuke could
not fail to command respect but the tatness OF ms
manner and his tenacty of opinion provoked hostil
| ity Even the gentle hearted Melanchthon was
! so offended at the tone of of his
| admonitOry letters that he tore it in pieces
! in a fit of passion. Calvin often
carried away by gusts of l-temper that he lost all
self-control. He acknow lodges this fault with
emplary frankness saying that he had tried in vain
TO tame the wild beast of his anger" On bis death
bed he asked pardon Of tho Geneyan Senate for his
outbursts of passion. His piety was unduly tinged
with the Old Testament spirit. The texts of his ser
| mons are mostly from the ancient Scriptures.
| Homage to law part of his being. His prin-
cipa aim was to subject human life to divine author
ity. He had profound sense of the inconceivable
power of God. His supreme purpose was TO obey his
will. His soul was undivided in the accomplishment
/ FL. - anI.
momentary resistance. But the tender ihal sentl-
lost i'm the feeling the divine