New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-01

ence by other nations, were Significant 10 Ter
many Political disorder at home mace 'he
Germans look elsewhere for order. They looked
to Rome first, and as in Luthers case they were
frequently disappointed. But they retained al
almost magical reverence for the ancient Guy
and for the Papal Curia. 1t is wonderful al inns
day TO contemplate the slow steps by which
Luther withdrew from his allegiance. Cohces-
sions that seem trifllng would have heid MIN
back. II he may be judged by his own woros III
the early part OF the controversy But 10 oe
silenced without an answer was intolerapie. mus
he was led to formulate doctrines OF indiviuuai
rights and private Judgment when were vi ia'
wider application than he intended The au'hor
of this volume dwells on his Intolerance to"ai"
the rebellious peasants as indicating how far he
was from seeing the application of his own views
In fact Lutheranism ran away from Luther
On the other hand Leo's canon lawyers could
easily divine the outcome OF doctrines whicn logic
ally were as much opposed to monarchy as 10 the
Papacy. In view of the national aspirations OF
Europe and the actual condition OF kingy ru'e'
they might wisely have met the great Reformer'
not as ecclesiastics armed with censures, but as
academic disputants But the state OF Fapai
finances would not permit the loss OF money from
the sale Of Indulgences. The building OF d.
Peters was heavy task and 1t must be COM
Melted. 1t is noteworthy that the structure which
is the highest expression Of humanism shou'o
have been also the occasion Of the Reformation
It was to collect funds for the work on 81 re-
ter's that Tetzel put to work win lhuu'-
eences by the Archbishop OF Mayence linus
accidentally are brought into contrast the great
artist who planned the edifce and the great 'ieo-
Logan who would have overturned II 10 'he '"''
stone rather than see 1t built in what ne oeei'eu,
unrighteousness Both Raphael and Luther were
men of the new time. But lhe Pde"
torge Of the artist offended no ecclesiastical au-
thority. pointed to no SPECIFIC ABUSE enJol"eu "o
immediate duty: while the very figure Of Luther
even silent. was an admonition and Hiehace'
The result was for the moment to retard' not 10
advance the hopes Of humanity. Says the author
significantly:
So at a time when liberty OF thought ana
onInion was universally practised. the Churcn
suddenly furnished up weapons Whch n a 49,
long disused and proceeded 10 crush 'he i' h.
who refused to unsay his CONVICTIONS d. nei
Kidding The Nberality the open-mindedness.
the cultivated tolerance of Leo KS court did Sot
go beyond the surface and disappear1u Inc ,,I III,
slant self-interest was concerned Men might
saw and think what they pleased so Ioils ds
their thoughts did not affect the Papal revenues
AS Luther's mediations led to practical sussss
tions he was peremptorily ordered to hoid MS
tongue Many had been treated In Ike manner
before, and had obeyed through hopeiessness'
Luther showed unexpected courage and SKILL
and met with an unexpected answer 10 ms APP
peal to the popular conscience to judge between
the Papacy and his tight to speak When once
the revolt was decNred many questions were
raised about which opinions may differ But
the central fact remains that the authority which
babe Raffaelle speak. bade Luther be silent.
The Church, which could find room for poets.
philosophers and artists as joint opponents OF
the meaning OF life refused to permit a theo-
Logan to discuss the basis Of a practice which
had degenerated to abuse. Doubtless Leo
X and his advisers saw nothing contradictory
in this The Pope wished to live peaceably. and
do his duty. rather better than his immediate
predecessors; the thcoogians of the Papal
Court were willing that the theology of the past
should be superseded, but not that 1t should be
directly contradicted. In all the list Of men OF
learning who graced the Papal Court, there
no one found to understand the issue raised by
Luther or suggest basis of reconciliation.
Thus Leo. who cared nothing for theology. was
destroyed by It, The Pope, who was chaste
temperate, lberal-mnded and good-natured, be-
gar before his death to feel that the crimes
Of his predecessors burdened his shoulders In
the effort to conceal the weakness Of the Papacy
he made 1t bankrupt. The parslmony ndeci-
sion and incapacity Of his successor warned all
the world of weakness where strength had been
thought inherent Then came Clement VII.
to see Luther successful t. be banded back
Francis l. unable to decide until too late which
of the two warning potentates 10 favor, and
hopeless even of retaining his See Things
went from bad TO worse with the Papacy rapidly
in those days. Few Popes" says. the author.
sententiously, left more embarrassing heri-
tage to their successors than did Leo x