National Republican., 1883-09-24
THE TIMES OF LUTHER.

THE SUCCESS OF THE REFORMATION IN
COMPARATIVE VIEW.
Martin Luther and the great composer of
Germany, John Sebastian Bach, were born in
the same village two hundred years apart
t1453-1655). When Bach composed his
threnody, "Ich hattie viel Bekummernics,"
itis not an overstrctch of fancy to hear in his
melody the echo of woes which started the
reformer into his marvellous mission and
achievements. The undertone of sadness
which the centuries brought him, and which
he sang out to the generations following is as
the distant murmur of the seas telling of the
storm that has died along the shore.
To get into q Just estimate of the success of
that great revolution of the sixteenth century
we need to do more than TO look at the peace
full and blessed results which now appear we
need to stand in the face of the storm, to note
the skill of the mariner as he navigates the
seas, and TO measure his seamanship by the
waves and billows he has overcome. Tho
golden harvest looks well as 1t stands before
us in its rich maturity, but we must take ac-
count, also, Of the hard soil out of which it
grew, and of the toll which made its splendid
fruitage possible. A comparative estimate of
the great reformation is necessary condition
in tho formation of any comprehensive and
adequate Judgment as to its real character and
greatness. No criticism of Luther and his
work is just unless the character of the times
is taken into account
We need to consider the difficulties through
which he had to stuggle in order to come forth
into the victories of truth. A Corlss engine,
ut the exposition of our century in 1876 was
normal, as the type of the mechanical skill of
the century and of the country; but Corliss
engine of 400 years ago can't be imagined.
1t was possible only in 1876. When, therefore,
we admire the wonderful results, the mag
nitude of that revolution, which the best
history, we are more than surprised to find it
brought out and set going with such wonder
full force and thoroughness in the era to which
its genesis belongs. 1t is more wonderful than
the anachrOnism of Corliss engine dated
back 400 years ago.
"Protestantism failure" was tho subject of
a sensational address by an ecclesiastic of the
city. of New York a few years ago. The
agency of refOrmers as well rs their achieve
ments were greatly minitied, and the whole of
Professionalism disDaragingly set forth. Tho
speaker gained temporary notoriety, like
the scuttle fish that darkens the water course
in which it swims; but the belittling dia-
tribe has been almost forgotten with the par
tialistic and superficial author himself. DIR.
Hall. of the same city, has well answered all
loquacious and carping critics of this sort in
few solid and well chosen words How
can that be a failure which did not exist
before 1900 A. D., and in 1888 controls
HVC,ouo,uUO VI pGOplo, WHlle ltS TlNHlS,
including the Roman and Greek churches,
control only about 2S0,000000?" Protestant
ism a failureW How can it be when it is
dominating the largest portions of Christen-
dom, and the best portions, too, because it
has made them the best. II is Protestant
power which measures and controls the
mightiest realms under the sun, and which is
pushing its evangelizing agencies forward
as never before to earths remotest and
darkest bounds. Map the globe and trace
the sections and power of the Protestant
world. Sweep its geographical and po-
litical horizon, then hold your breath
and close your mouth as you mark the
gigantic sweep and trend of tho forces which
Professionalism has sent out over the destinies
of the world. Great Britain, Germany, in con-
solidated empire; Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Holland, Switzerland, with their dependen-
cies in seas and continents, including India,
Australia, Greenland, Spitzbergen the islands
OF the southern seas; young Italy, awakening
into reformation life; France, republic, and
the Gospel of Christ being carried by Protest
ant agencies from its capital through to its
circumference; and now, add to all these
the grand Protestant republic of the west,
with its growing population and ever ex-
panding power; and compare all these with
the dull dynasties which are still nominally
under the control of popery; and ask on
which side is the balance of power The
Anglo Saxon peoples are in the ascendency
cf these later civilizations, and must 80 con-
tinue; Anglo Saxon thought and energy can
never be brought into the subjecton and
subordination of any Latin dynasty, whether
of church or state. Tho old power of tho
vatican is lost even in long oppressed
Italy, and has been shorn of much of its
arbitrary exercise in every nation where it
still claims supremacy, whether in Austria,
Portu. al, Spain, or in the feeble nationalities
of South America. The English speaking
IN hn front nd aln A,ns,l ,ln
Saxon highways of progress and power, not
in Latin and Greek pathways not by the
Roman nor the Greek church, is this world
ours of marching into glorious destiny!
The reformation is not n failure. 1t has
spread itself over immense tracts of tho world,
and has greater vigOr and young life to-day
than it has ever had in the past; its wondrous
fruitage of life, liberty, and happiness, in
which hundreds of millions of the human race
rejoice, is its own best vindcation. Things
that have life must grow, and so thoir be-
ginnings are small. Sometimes it is rough
and hard soil from which they start SO it
usually happens i'll reforms; the conditions of
their success are lying within the situation
which makes them then necessary. Hence
the stern necessities which demand the re-
form and make it possible, also measure the
agenies which attend its birth.
1t is sometimes said the age was ripe for
revolt when Luther came; but it was ripe
only in the sense that it was bad the pres
sure of centuries of corruption and arbitrary
authority rested on the civilizations; but il
was nightmare. which indeed was agoniz-
ingly felt, but could not be shaken Off
Dr. Domer continued, analyzng the con-
ditions of the reformation and the prospect OF
the onward advance of Luther's ideas. He
concluded with LET us, like Luther, re-
member that it is the duty of us all to bear
witness to the truth; that we ought to be as
honest as earnest, manly, and brotherly
with sincerity, largeness of heart, and fervor
fearing God and none beside.'
OPPOSED TO SUNDAY CONCERTS.