New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-07

ing by means Of ridicule the abuses In the Church.
Erasmus took genuine interest in the Improvement
of it's general condition, and in the elevation ana re-
fnement Of moral and religious life, as well as Oh
theological science; and the high esteem he enoyeu
made him an influential man among even inc
superior clergy and the princes OF the Church. Du'
from the first he recognized, and possibly pet'ei
than Luther himself, the difficulties and dangers
attacking the Church system on the points seiecteu
by Luther. And when Luther boldly anticipated
the disturbances which the Word must cause III INC
world, and dwelt Christs saying that he h"o
come TO bring sword, Erasmus shrank back III ter
Tor at the thought of tumult aud destruction Oon
formally with the whole bent of his natural aus
positon and character he adhered anxiously to the
peaceful course of his work and the pursuit OF MS
intellectual pleasures. Questions involving deep
principles such as those of the divine right OF le
Papacy the absolute character of Christian autnoI
ty or the freedom of Christian judgment as founded
on the Bible, he regarded from alocf; notWith-
standing that silence cOncealment toward eI'ler
party when once these principles were publicly put
| in question, was bound to be construed as dehhl
| of the truth In Luther's eyes he was
merely refined Epcurean, who had inward doubts
about religion and Christianity, and treated both
| with disdain."
Our author puts in its true light Luthers attitnde
toward the sacramental controversy, which perhaps
has not been characterized too strongly as the rock
| on which the Reformation was wrecked writers
| like Canon Motley and Mr.. Beard hold Luther re-
| sponsible for the unfortunate breach between
Zwingli and himself, by his insStence upon pare
| literalism but this" Professor hosthn oO-
serves "was no mere passionate quarrel about
words alone or propositions of dognatic and meta
physical interest but devoid Of any religious I'M
nortance Even in the attempts to establish points
of detail. reference was constantly made on po'ii
| sides TO deep questions and views of Christian re-
lipion. In Luther's view the practical significance
of the real presence lay in this that in tins special
| manner the Christian who felt his need OF SaiNa-
ton. was assured and became partaker OF forgive
| ness and communion with his Saviour. lie was
careful to declare that it not the iieShy Pres
epce as such of our Saviour, which gave the sacla-
ment its value and Importance. lie Wlshed 10 sec III
the man Jesus. the Divine Nature which stopped to
share humanity. conceived and realized with deeper
| and more active fervor."
The book is issued in handsome style and is pro-
f,lsely illustrated with portraits aud with lac-
SMILES of important documents and OF Luthcrs let
tiers and tite-pages. The translation is not partcu-
| larly well done. 1t is sometimes verbose ana
| clumsy nut it should be said in justice I" the
| ANONYMOUS translator that the task OF rendering
| Professor K0stlins involved and cumbrous German
STYLE was no easy one The great and ineXcusabe
defect of the book is the lack of an index.
Nevertheless the work is destined to be widely
read and ITS appearance is especially opporune at
this time. when the attention of the whole Protes-
tant world is being fastened upon the character and
| work of the Great Refouner. al For such a biog-
raphy." saws Mr. Froudc. Europe has waited I'LL
the eve of the four hundrcdth anniversary Of ms
| birth