Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-02
REFORMATION HEROES.
The Theme Of Two DiSCOurSes By the
Rev. Samuel SChWarm
At the English Lutheran Church
Yesterday Morning and Evening.
Reformation Day Observed Yes
terday in AL the Lutheran
Churches in the City.

Yesterday was Reformation Day in the
Lutheran churches. 1t was the annual
celebration of the mailing Of the Thesis
by the great German reformer Martin
Luther. on the door of the church at Wit
temberg, nearly four centuries ago. The
day was appropriately observed in this
city yesterday Sabbath morning and
evening Rev Samuel Schwarm, pastor of
the English Lutheran church, delivered
interesting sermons TO large congrega-
tons.
In the morning Rev. Schwarm's sermon
was devoted to the impressive history OF
the life of Philip Meanchton, the Illus
trlous co-laborer Of Luther in the Ger
man Reformation.
After narrating the incidents Of the early
boyhood of this eminent reformer, Rev.
Schwarm stated that in 15l1 Melanchton
graduated at the University of Heidel-
burg and received a bachelors degree at
the age of fourteen. Being refused the
following year the degree of NJ. A, on
account Of his youth. he gave himself up
to the study of philosophy law. astronomy
and medicine.
Two years later he secured the mas
ter's degree and about the same time be-
came the happy owner Of a Bible. He
loved the volume more than anything else.
lie took it with him on his journeys and
carried it In his bosom. He read 1t daily
and became Disguised to hear priests in
the pulpit discourse on Aristotle. When
ever. therefore, he went to church. he
took his Bible and read it there while
others were going through the ceremonies
His conversion was gradual
At the age of seventeen he displayed
great talent as a lecturer and author
and made great impression upon the
learned men Of the time by the remarkable
extent of his knowledge and clOouence.
In 1913 Frederick the wise wrote Renchlin
TO recommend to him some one to become
professor of Greek in the University of
Wittenberg.
Melanchton was recommended. for Wit
tenberg had already acquired a great rep
utation because of the steps Luther had
taken on October 81. 1917. in mailing the
ninety-fve Thesis 10 tie church door.
Some of the great achievements of
NIelanchton AT Wttenberg were mention
ed by Rev Schwarm to show that the
by ignorant mon. but 10y the first scholars
of that age. Luther himself was a great
scholar.
At Wittenberg began the mutual friend
ship between Luther and Melanchton that
lasted through life and was so beneficial
for the Reformation. Melanchton stood
forth as the champion of Luther. His re-
markable progress as n teacher and theo-
Logan was dwelt upon to some extent, and
his career followed to the time of the
death of Luther I'm 1916, when he became
the principal councillor Of the Protestants
i'm regard to religious affairs.
The characters Of Luther and Melanch-
ton We're contrasted. Luther was of a
heroic mold. while Melanchton was more
patient and timid. He was the scholar
while Luther was the pioneer. Melanch-
ton outlived Luther fourteen years. 1t
was after Luther's death that his life be-
came full of sorrow,
The burden of the leadership Of the
church fell upon him. and many Of the
strict adherents of Lutfor distrusted him
because Of his timidity and love Of peace.
He I'm the Leipsic Interim. agreed for
the sake OF peace and TO avoid a war be-
tween the German States and the En-
peror. to grant the Catholic bishops their
power and rule For these concessions
and others. he was accused by Reformers
of perddy which brought enlightenment to
his declining years.