The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-01
Martin Luther.


The celebr alton Of the four hundredth
anniversary of the birth of Martin
Luther, which took place on the 10th Of
November, 1888, awakens a new interest
in his history and the work he accom-
pllshed.
He was born on the 10th of November,
1883. of humble parentage, at Eisleben,
Saxony. There was little remarkable
about him as boy. Others were as
studious and capable, and when he at
tended the University of Erfurt it is
doubtful if he was any more proficient
in his studies than is many young col
legian of to-day. But he was consci
entious student. who wanted an original
knowledge of all things, and there was a
| mighty energy and determination about
| him which could not be put down when
olce aroused. While in the Augustine
convent at Erfurt he conceived an idea
| but for which he might have passed his
| life in the seclusion of the cloieter. He
went through spiritual crisis, revolving
| in his mind the teachings of the church.
and poring over the old books in the Ii
| brary, and it was then that conviction
took root in his soul that sins could only
be forgiven through the grace of God.
1t was little thought by the people of
| Wittenberg that the young man in sacer-
dotal robes, who advanced such strange
| ideas in lecturing at the university. was
| to make the town famous in history. and
change thu thought of the world. 1t was
IN Wlttenberg that he nailed the ninety
fiye theses against the sale of indulgences
| upon the gate of the church, and offered
m nfoIn
| against all impugners. At Wittenberg
he published those fam ons addresses and
treatises about the year 1920, which
sowed the seeds of reformation abroad
IN the land It was there, too, that he
burnt the theses of Tetzel and the pope's
bull at the gate of the city. All Ger
many was convulsed with excitement,
and Luther was ummoned before the
diet at Worms. With heroic courage he
resolved to obey the summons. In spite
OF The threats of enemies and the anx-
lety OF friends, he attended the diet and
defined his position to the'assembled SOW
ereigns. He closed his speech with
those famous words: ''Here I take nv
stand. can do no otherwise, so help me
God. Amen" Despite the awful me.
mace of the pope and the priests, Luther
continued to scatter the seeds of reform,
and his eloquence courage and power,
displayed on many famous occasions,
determined the fortunes CT the Refor-
nation. About the last important act of
his life was the maintenance of his pecu-
liar views In regard to the sacrament of
the Lords supper at the famous confer
ence OF Marburg, and in February, 1916,
sixteen years after, he died.
FEa Ia IS
brat;on in advance of the official COM
memoration on the 18th of September.
1t was great day for this old town.
where Luther first made public his con-
vietlons and defended them About So
ooo people were present, among whom
were the Grown Prince Frederick
William. Prince Albrecht and Herr Won
Gossler, minister OF ecclesiastical affairs.
In America his birthday will be cele
brated everywhere, and in some cities
the celebration will continue for two or
three days. A statue of the great re-
former will be erected in Washington
near the Luther Memorial church. It is
about double life size, representing
Luther standing in clerical robes, and
resembling the magnificent figure on the
famous monument at Worms. A national
ooAIuietee are LOW perI6cLlng arrange
ments for the event,
On the 18th of April, 1926. Martin
Luther married Catharine de Bora. nun
IN the Cistercian convent of Nimptchen.
which she had entered at an early age.
She was born on the Goth of January.
1899. After she had become acquainted
with the doctrines of Luther she was no
longer content with monastic life. and
determined to withdraw from it. Her
relatives refused to permit such an
action. and with eight other nuns she ap-
piled to Luther for assistance. He
secured their liberty in 1923, and coming
to Wittenberg, Catharine became an in
mate In the house of q burgomaster.
Through his friend, Nicholas Won Ans
dorf, Luther offered her the hand of a |
pastor in Orlamuende She declined this |
offer, but declared herself willing to |
marry Won Amsdorf or Luther himself. |
Soon after this the great reformer took
her for his wife. despite the protest of |
both friends and enemies. His will left |
her all his possessions so long as she re.
NAMED widow, which, as it seems. was
not very liberal dover, for after
Luther's death the elector of Saxony and
Christian III. of Denmark contributed |
from time to time to her support. Her
death occurred at Torqua on the Goth of |
December, 1862.