New-York tribune., 1883-11-05
MAR7Iy LUTHERS LIFE AND WORK.
ALECTURE BY THE REV. ROBERT CoLLYER.
TIE EARLY DAYS OF THE REFoRArER-HIS PARENTS
AND LIS ASSOCIATIONS

TIE EARLY DAYS OF THE REFoRAIER-HIS PARENTS
AND HIS ASSOCIATIONS.
The Rev. Robert COllyer lectured last evening
at the Church of the Messiah at Parkave and Thirty.
fourh-s, the early life of Martin Luther "In few
days" he said, "many thousands OF persons in SaxOny
will be celebrating the four hundredth anniversary Of
OF the greatest that lived. And not only there,
but throughout the world kindred feeling Of JOY will DO
felt There Is nothing profitable than the study OF
the youth Of great 1t is like watching the trckng
mountain rll speeding its way. enlarng goes
until swels into the magnificent river Sometimes the
nll gives indication OF its future development but
frequently does 1t may be said without dsparage
men that there little anything in the childhood
OF Martin Luther indicative of the mighty work to which
he was called He could never have dreamed that four
centuries after his death should be able to say and
say with all hearts, that but for him. should
have religion we have It now Luther the fore
OF the mighty host of prophets and teachers that
during those ages have fought for God yet standing Ike
Saul among his countrymen head and shoulders above
them all We therefore ought TO feel grateful to Luther
for eedOm-mental freedom the gTandes Of all freedom
In the dull little town of Eseben, in the wild forest
mountains OF Thurnga, the RefOmer the light, on
November 10, 1453. He says My father peasant.
his fatherbefore him. He had hardy stuff in him.
Hans Luther his father appears 20 have been fine old
man, something like stern Purtans In whom tho
Of righteousness strong but unmxed with any
softer mood 1t Is certain that while Martin
stihed all the enthusiasm of-his nature His mother
good commonplace woman. whose ideas rcvoved around
small mental pivot, have been something ~
Tartar for she whipped young Martin till the blood
Came when he only six years Old for stealing hazel
nut. Martin found that he good az wood
cutting and that his thirst for knowledge could not bo
satisfied in the dull little mountain village, he set
ont work his way the University. singing for his
supper many time in vain. II while hc sing
ing his arOs night In the dark streets that hOSpt
able door was opened and the kindly voice of Dame
Ursula Gotta babe him welcome. God had kept his
promise him. Thy bread shall DE given thee thy water
shall be sure From that day he never wanted bread.
He entered the University of Erfurth in 1901 and be-
gan study law hut while walking through the woods
fayOrite friend struck dead by lightning his side,
and he felt II fearful thing fall into the hand, Ot
the living God He Joined the Augu>iinan Frialo 0n
July H. 1908. Old Hans Luther much di~Vloa eel
the step. and whcn Martin pleaded his call from God
he replied God also said Thou shalt honor thy father
and mother All through his life he took refuge not in
the Church not in dOgmas not In doctrines, in
prayer; but in God 10 while in the Augu~tUiln
monastery ia that lOwy cell which many thousands
have visited since, that he underwent that stern di>cn
line which necessary TO train him spiritual atI
ctr for his work. The morning Of Truth was to como
only after the long bitter night OF weeping. lie
learn by slow processes the full meaning of the Div lo
word which henccfOrth to be motor OF hi,
duct and the source OF hi, unDOunded energies. iIe
just shall live 10y faith
The beginning Of his mighty when lis
mind had grusped the simple Gospel, dsnerrcd 10
speak. from the grave Of ages when il became power
Transforming his own life. and destined also 10 IryUiu-
tOnILe Europe and the world