National Republican., 1884-02-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MARTIN LUTHER; A STUDY OF REFoRMA-
TON. BY EDWIN ID. MEAD. Boston George
II. Ellis, 14l Franklin street. Price Sl.25.

MARTIN LUTHER; A STUDY OF REFoRMA-
TON. BY EDWIN ID. MEAD. Boston George
II. Ellis, i'll franklin street. Price sl.25.
Evidently the cause Of writing this book
was the extensive celebration in this coun-
try Of the four hundredth anniversary Of the
birth of the great reformer and the sharp
criticism brought forth by the Roman Catho-
lie church Of the life and methods employed
by Luther in his rebellion against the pa
pacy. That the author views Luther from
the highest Protestant standpoint is evi-
dencod from his allusion TO the picture Of
Kaulbach in the museum at Berlin Of the
Era of the Reformation, in which are
grouped Wiclif, Arnold of Brescia, Peter
Waldo, Savonarola, John Huss, Calvin,
Hwingli, and Melancthon. "But," says Mr..
Meade, towering above these, the center Of
the whole great company the point to which
all tend and from which all radiate, stands
the mighty figure of Martin Luther, lifting
high above his head the open Bible"
'Tho painter did his work with q true in
stinct. In the story Of the Roforma-
TOR Martin Luther must eyer be the central
figure. . 1t may be said that Me-
lancthon was the moro learned, that Carl
stadt was more Jealous, that zHingi was
purer, that Calvin was more severely logical |;
but Luther will still stay as the Achilles Of
the host which made war upon Rome.
All the rest to gain significance
must bo grouped around him. He is as CEN
trail and essential NJ the figure Of the Christ
in the picture of tho Last Supper"
The salient features Of Luther's life are
then sket9hed, those being given with minute.
ness which rofer to his theological contro-
versies and the gradual emancipation of his
mind from the thrsldom of the teachings of
the church Of Rome into the sunlight of belief
in the Bible as the one pure and true guide
to holiness and knowledge of God and the
plan of salvation through His Son. Con-
siderable attention is given to tho sermons
preached by some of the Catholic clergy at
the time of the centennial celebration re-
ferred to, and their misquotstions of Luther 9
writings are pointed out, showing the disin-
geniousness of their attacks upon the great
reformer. The book is one which shows
careful research and deep and earnest thought
on the part of the writer, and may be read
tains, beside the pleasing and forciblo style
Ol ltb COmpOsltlon.
LITERARY NOTES.
'The Story OF a Genius" the first half of which
Is given in The Modern Age for March, is a power.
full piece Of fiction. The identity of some Of the
characters in 1t has already given rise to much
conjecture on the continent. aud perhaps som,
American readers who are yersed in the history
Of music for the last half century may be able tc
solve the mystery. That powerful secret confed
Grafton known as the Fehmgericht is written o
by Louis Barbe, and Lady Hardy is the author o
Under the Palmetto Flag" description oftrave
in South Carolina. "Nissa" is q thrilling bit o
oriental experience, and Frau Antje" is q Dutct
story, characteristic Of the country where thC
scene is laid. "seven-Year sleepers' deals deatl
blow TO a popular myth, and THE Kronprinz'
| Home" treats its subject in an interesting way
The prizes for the first fthe Examination Pa
| pers' are awarded in this issue, the best set o
| answers being sent by q Maryland lady. Boston
Chicago, Denver, and Buffalo are the other priz,
| winners.
The March Eclectic contains as its principal arti
cles: Religion: A Prospect and Retrospect,
| by Herbert Spencer; The Soudan and its Flu
ture." by Sir Samuel Baker. and "a Visit TO Phi
listia," by Sir Lepel Griffin. "old Lady Mary
from Blackwood's. by Mrs. Oliphant, is an origlna
and unique ghost story. A vivid picture of me
diaval Italian life is given in "a Florentin
Tradesman's Diary" which will be completed IL
the next number. Other papers are: "Earthquak
Weather" Tragedy in Japan" personal Reco
lections Of Gambetta, Scraps from the Chron
cles of Venice" and Old and New Cynics" Th
poems are from Swinburne, Tennyson, and Brown
ing. Published by E. r. Pelton, 25 Bond stree
| New York.
The Aanh1ttan. for March, contains an inter
esting history of Dartmouth college, by X.
Valentine, fully illustrated the conclusion
| Harriet Prescott Spoford's story, "Transforma
tion;" "our Forests and Tree Lore" by Laura {
| Halloway; what Came of a Kit of Mackerel,"
story by J. H. Waworth; Rafting on the ALE
ghany,' by William w. Howard, illustrated
"What VIII Become of EgyptT by VIM. W. Lor
ing; "The Myth of Fingals Cave" by Coz
Whitehouse, illustrated; thinking Cymbals," tn
continuation of Edgar Farocett's story an
"Creation or Evoluton?" by Geo. Ticknor Curtis
"The Health Resorts of Colorado Springs an
M0niton," by S. Edwin Tolly; also, prize articl
descriptive of scenery, resources, &C., by Mr.
| Simeon ]. Dunbar, is pamphlet containing
large amount Of val liable information in regard
these two places, which are becoming NOR
| popular every year. presented in compact form
which will be of great value to all persons seekin
change of climate or propo sing to visit or settl
| in Colorado.
A sorrowful parody on "This is the House tina
Jack Built" called " The House that Rum Built
has just been issued by the National Temperance
society, and the picture of the house, with broker
windows, the pig going in at the door, and tn
man himself aning, half drunk, against the sid
of the house, is u temperance lecture in itsel
without the poem. Received from Hopkins Bros
| Rev. DR.. Charles S. Roblnson's "Open Letter
in tho February Century on ARTISTIC Help II
Divine Worship" will be followed by others from
the same writer on the general subject of churcl
music. "organs and orchestras in Church" vii
appear in the March number. and "Worshipiu,
| by Proxy" later.
Alabama Claims.
In the court of commissioners of Alabama claim
yesterday, judgments were announced as fol
lows, with interest at por cent from the date