The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-31

Nv.
During the absence Of Luther at the Diet Of
Worms. and during his subsequent conceal
mont In the wsrtburg. the burden Of directing
the movements of the Reformation fell upon the
shoulders of Mclanchthon. The mantle Of
Luther was too heavy for him, and many who
had been adherents began now TO fall away.
Nevertheless. he sent ont q mastery defence Of
Luther against the SorboAne. and performed
many other literary iabors on behalf Of
the new doctrines. With regard to the revo-
lutionsry changes which presently took place
in wittenborg. his opinion WAS repeated
ly requested. and his decisions were usually
marked by prudence and sagacity. He gave
II ~ his judgment that the Saxon pastors
who had married were not to be condemned.
because the decree %forbidding tho marriage Of
the clergy was OF iate origin. and had no war
rant In Scripture. He also sanctioned the course
abolish the reading OF private. masses and to
adm mister the communion In both kinds. In
ssd BEEN 81 si hitherto .sI ,b ls', so. :i%p'' M ssS StssS; as
eeneles which arose during Luthsr's absence.
shortccmlna. observed at this period may
be said to have more or less characterized
age Of IS. He was more nas.d Tor re teeIi N Am. md
contemplation than for practical decision and
action. Many matter: eame bsfo.s him upon
49," w "
yestisstion. but which should have been decided
cal spirit and the knowledge Of human nature
which Luther. possessed. In . word. although
H.; Ms s'fS.s,ao,,% l had an i%P nu, r., place lace. % 2, al ~
reformer. Tne Reformation would have proved q
failure had It's. direction depended principally
steadfast character when was requisite In one
who should begin and carry out in the face OF
tion. The hostility which wa. aroused among
many Lutherans toward Melanchthon during
the last years Of hi. life continued after hts
death. His services to the cause OF the R~for-
his Immediate followers. while his eventual
Ing snorts. and ii. diSsrrrnce from s,piot
orthodoxy were remembered against him.
feeling against him wa. s,ni so strong that, in a
public discussion at wlttenberr, the Lutheran
theoloaisn. lombard Hutter. became so en-
authority that he tore. down and trampled
under foot, q picture Of Melanchtnon which
Ss.r. s Ss .n n. Deaf death t tSsr. ns ~srs S swo s s.~ Mso
ventured TO lift their voices IN hts favor. Then
a reaction set in. and public opinion. IKE .
other. It is certain that Melanchthon's
weaknesses ought not to blind us to his
study owes something TO his mind and pen. The
cause Of education feels his impress to this day.
S Ne1e IN oi rs. .n for 1 Almost si' ,S D%of b,n %p,eh r ns ~r0ie
was he who firmly esta plished tho study OF tine
classics ~ the foundation of n truly liberal Gull
ture. He made learning the handmade Of ro-
lig!on. He dedicated his own brilliant talents
to the service of the truth as he saw IL He
wrote the Augsburg Confession aud The Apol-
oey." which. for lucid aud powerful presentation
OF tho writer's belief. have. perhap-. no
equal among modern polem'cai documents.
lie prepared commentaries and explanations
OF nearly all the books OF the Bible and
delivered lectures upon the teachings OF the
Scriptures at . time whea the seed which
he .owed could not fail to bear Il bouniifui hnr-
vest. While. In short. 10 lacked the qualities
requisite to make an Independent reformer. he
Possessed In an eminent degree the very gifts
which were needed to make him an invaluable
assistant To Luther. BY the very diversity OF
their capabilities and tsmperaments, Shey COM
plemonted one anothcr's work.