The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-12

! too far in the final scenes of that sad. Bit
ter peasants war. Anarchy let loose, and
Luther, vino had urged reform upon the princes
urged now WIN equal Vehemehce the Yindiea-
ton OF authority.
Misunderstanding signally Luther's position,
some rank Of MN as setting a new standard to
ms age ana the ages; as one hurting defiance at
al spiritual authority, glviu" nj ecedent Inns
for The incoming OF all SORTS Of liberal and free
thinking opinions No. Professionalism and
Luther are not responsible tor the ranging at
large of all wild notions IutEcr and nrntest
antiSm went back 1900 years-n0U in the sense
or retrograde, but as one sailing the ocean goes
haek TO that year, whatever it be, when The
mariners compass. representing the everlasting
Ntrtles OF me t"rths magnetic currents, came
10 hight. TINS is the way, the only way to 20 for
Wara on any ocean whore you venture out of
eisHI oil shore. There is rCcOg-
nizable source OF TRUTH and Christ has
tod MS what it is in his wonderful prayer for his
ulSclpirs, "Sanctlfy them through thy truth; thy
WORD il truth" This confession is the charm Of
Luther : speech nnd the keynote of the reform
alton: Except | he convinced with clear and
updouhted evidence of Holy Scrip; ure, and as
my conscience ia bound bv G0u's word I win
H not, rec mt Here stand can do no other.
Concerning Lntner's marriage: God made the
home The family is the unit of society. Mar
rage had long been counted less holy than
cennacV' FROM tins unnatural state of things
II hehooved lthe reformation TO release
society. feel therefore, like thanking
God mat this practical outcome OF tho
reformation was Illustrated by Luther him
self, IN his own characteristic way, br
his own large nature. His home life was iuu Of
tenderness and beauty. 1t has been said Chris
tianiry is not a doctrine but a life. Il is
b0ih. And the reformation ana Lutarr in
cnlcated and illustrated both. Says Kostiu:
"Hls marriage was in spirit or noble deiianc CO
against his enemies, in order, before his. death
give another testimony o. his esteem for the
marriage relation as well as in hone that the
angels would Llugh and the devils weep at the
contempt lie woud thereby show for the
papal rule of cehhacy.''
This man vehement, this roughspeaking
Luther. was yet one OF the greatest finest SchOl-
airs OF ms age. His translation OF the Scriptures
sci tue German language for the first time into
crystalline tirmuess and Viearuess Yet in his
works Luther In NOT so much the theolOgian, in
tne strict sense, as either Calvin or MelnchthOn.
lie was the fiery preacher, speaking right out OF
me experiences OF his heart, not stopping to re-
nne ana TO formulate, In doctrine he was an Au-
gnStlnlAn. His chief difference with other re-
formers was concerning the presence of Christ
tr1ne upon when | need NOT dwcll-iuslifica-
tnn by faith alone. This WAS with
MN me battle cry of The reformation. And SO
Lnfher and professionalism came back the
Zral OF Paul ana to the simple sullirippcy of
Christ SAY not they lifted banner bidding de-
nance to all spiritual authority over tho hnman
mind rms IS nor the spirit of the Protestant re-
formers OF any name. Ii is recognition of the
supreme autnorty-the flglt of God to COM
mand-the duty of man to OBEY; recognition OF
Cots method how TO be Gust and The iustlfer
OF him that bcleyeth;" recognition OF Gods
word, THE only infalllble rule of faith and prac-
tice.
Some day that great binding which has had
us destiny unlntentlOualv linked with the
Protestant reformation. 81. Peters. close to the
vatican, may, IN the rev0lutions OF Goes PROV
ldetcc, KNOW the occasion, when the Lord shah
suddenly come 10 his temple 10 claim it, hAnlRh-
ing from lie cathedral ana paiacc ai8kC "thab
man OF SIN who sItteth in the IcuNle of Cod"
and make IT in fact, as ia name, sacred place
an abiding monument, not of the follies that
preeipitated, but of the divine and eternal veri-
lies thaG constituted The reformation.