New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-08
To.pAYs CELEBRATION At ERFURTH


The fourth centenary of Luthrr's birth Is to
be celebrated during the approaching autumn
in tie Protestant schools and churches OF the
German Fatherland. In accordance with the
Emperor's wishes the festivities are to possess
an official character. For this there Is statis-
tical warrant In the fact that 62 per cent OF
the entire population of the Empire are Pro-
testants. The festival Is designed to be q
national event of the first magnitude, and pre-
parations are making in all the Luther towns
for celebration worthy Of the Father OF the
Reformation. The introductory fete will take
place in the university city of Erfurtb to-day.
Erfurtb was the scene OF the Reformers
mental struggles and spiritual awakening. He
first entered it Mt the age Of eighteen, strong
linJbed and stout-hearted, with a resolute bear
ing and melcdous voice. The son OF poor
miner, he had acquired scanty store of learn
ing at Mansfield, Magdebnrg and Eisenach,
having frequently sung In the streets for bread
and having learned to play on lutte and flute
during the happy hours spent with the Gotta
family. His father. encouraged to make a
great effort to complete the education Of a lad
of remarkable promise, sent him to the Univer-
sity to study law. Melanctbon subsequently
complained that at that time nothing was
taught at Erfurth but a logic beset with diff
culties." It was, however the most popular
university OF the day, and from his entrance
upon his classes there Luther was conspicuous
alike for his learning aud his social qualities
1t was in the university library that he first
opened Latin version of the Bible and was
permitted to study the whole text in place Of
the fragmcutary epistles and gospels read in
al, b.
prayerful student, he read and reread what was
then a rare volume, and as he approached the
close of his academic career he entreated his
father to allow him TO renOunce the profession
OF the law. The honest miner obstinately re-
fused his consent, and it was in returning to
Eriurth from his fathers homo that Luther,
overtaken by terrific thunderstorm and Op-
pressed with the thought that his last hour was
near, made his VOW to foIsake the world.
Re-entering the university town, he invited his
intimate associates to bis rooms and there
played and sang for them, Diminishing them
with the startling tidings that he was about
to retire to the silence of the cloister. That
very night he'sought refuge IN the monastery
of st. Augustine, the scene vi the most agonz-
ing conflicts which he was to be called upon to
endure in the course OF his eventful life.
Closely associated as these scenes are with
the single career that formed the first stage of
u Reformation changing the face of Cllristen-
dom, there is special incident which is to be
commemorated in the approaching festival at
ErfuItl. When Luther was summoned to the
Diet of Worms in 1921, mis- twelve days. jour-
ney from Wt.emburg lay through Wemar and
Erfurth. Having parted with deep emotion
from Melancthon and his friends, be set ont
for tho university town where his youth had
been passed. At Lcipsic, Naumburg and
Weinfar there were no demonstrations OF pub
lie sympathy, out as he drew near to Erfurth
he deserted In the distance troop of forty