The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-14
BISHOP OF ROCHESTER,.
4 Message From Luther to America.


PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. 1.-The Lord
Bishop of Rochester contributes the follow
ing to the press as a message from Luther to
America:
great mans memory rises like pillar over
the sea, flashing a revolving light. The light is
always there. but not always visible on every
side. So do the different nations in turn and at
the dead heroes speak. Men rule their fell
lows. not only by the vivdness OF their
personality but by It's many-sidedness ST.
Luther. In this they agree, that they
were intensely human. In Luther's history
there several epocls familiar to every school
bOy-milestones DotonIy in his personal develop
ment but in the progress OF the world. His con-
version into the vital and spiritual apprehension
mailing of the theses to the Church door: bis pub
lie trial az Worms: his friendly imprisonment i'm
the Castle OF Wartburg his marriage: his domestic
llfe-all know these. Who quite knows their signi
hcsncee To understand a man and his life We
take into account what Psychologists say are the
two main factors In conduct heredlty and environ
ment. Luther's parents were plain people OF the
laboring class but God fearing and appreciative of
education. All around him the Catholic
Church, fast sinking into an epicuresn Da9anism,
and Germany in the grasp OF Italy The English
historian Froude, who enthusiastically admires
not hesitate 10 say that he changed the face of
Europe. What Europe TO change? See what he
possessed and also combined. Fearless and au-
daeious to a degree, he had his awful moments OF
reaction and dependency, which help us 20 come
nearer TO him, and learn of him through that
nearness. Rugged and abrupt. he was infnitly
tender, and there was well OF beautiful love in
his heart.
Ii will always be q matter OF controversy wheth-
er or no he helped the Reformation and materially
augmented his personal influence by his marriage.
IL is certain that he thereby vindcated the free
dom OF marriage of the clergy and bequeathed an
excellent ideal of conjugal and parental love. lie
almost reconstructed the German language by his
greatest achievement-the translation of the Bible
into his native tongue classical scholar, he was
a constant student OF Scripture, and all theolo-
gians NAV learn from him that the Bible is the
true stoTshOuse of Divinity. His hymns are the
inheritance OF the Church; bis ta0letalk Is 1.-The
heart alluence of dscursive talk which has
lesson of its own to a people who are becoming
almost proyerbiaI for their taciturDity, and
whom some think too apt TO hide
from strangers, eager to enjoy their humor, and
to borrow from their experience the kDdliness that
has too easily perhaps sometimes in self-respect.
come 10 shroud itself under a very Englishmans
reserve. As preacher he did not aim at rhetori-
cal or emotional display. lie had an eye to the
multitude of young people, children, servants all
round him. Less shrewd than Erasmus. less
gentle than Melancthou, perhaps less logical than
Calvin. certainly less diveSted OF sacramentarian
error-he towers above them all as George Wash
ingtod towers over the heroes OF the Revolution.
10 him; as has been well said, Rene owes her
resnrreetion-to him, ii may hs said, with equal
truth, millions of souls their salvation. England
loves his memory, for what has he done for her
National and religious life? The free millions of
the United States may well Iise up aud do him
honor by cherishing his example. pondering his
history, and maintaining his creed.