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

The close approach OF the four huntred,A
anniversary Of the birth OF the great ,heo!o-
gian OF the Lutheran Reformation has called
forth q popular Lue Of Philip Mtlauch;A5r, BY
the Rev. JOSEPH STUNT. Filger Publishing
House, While Il Is certain that. in the reform
movement OF the sixteenth century. the aSps
Of Melanchthon stands In the foreground be-
side the figures Of Luther and Calvin, com.
paratively little 10 generally known regarding
the incidents Of his career. Aside from tie
conspicuous part which he took In the re-
Ng'ous struggle. he exercised an influence
~ An educator which won for him TIE
title OF Preceptor OF Germany" but wh.ea
was not confined to his native .spi.
Hsllam. In his " History OF Literature"
has described him ~. far above all Others,
above Erasmus even. the founder OF st1srA
learning throughout Europe. 1t is singular.
when these things are considered. that there
should be a dearth OF popular biorraphi.,o
Melanchthon In the English language Dr..
krotels translation of Ledderhose's book Il cut
or print, ana 1t was high time that a succiGci
account OF the principal events in Melanehthon'i
life should be presented. MelAnchthon lad ss
hours OF weakness, and there were acts o: his
especially In his relations with Luther. wh!:h
were regretted by his friends. These are not
passed over by the author OF tho sketch before
us. although. with regard TO them. he At-ptssn
apoloGet!e tone. 1t Is mainly the earlier >nd
less familiar part Of Melanchthon's lie to W bieh
In tho present notice we confne ourselves,
tn town OF Bretten. which Is now IN the
grand duchy OF Baden. but which then belonged
to tho Palatinate of the Rhine, WAS the t.ra
place OF Philip helanchthon, He was born -
Feb. ID. 1907. His parents were GcorEe and
Barbara SchwarLerd; his family name Wa
therefore. Schwarzerd. which means "N,Sgs
earth" II was afterwnrd changed. ia con-
formity with the custom which prevailed
among the learned mon OF the day. MO 10
Greek equivalent, Melanchthon. He pafeGu
were well to do; his father was armorer 10 The
Elector, Philip, of tho Palatinate. and Uaurthi
hrst-born son in honor OF that ruler. N"en'
joyed a wide reputation for skin. aui vasn'
trusted with the manufacture OF armur ro, o1J
for many princes. but also for the lw,"roi
Indeed, his imperial Majc-y 'n'so
pleased with tho finish OF ono suit OF wa.. tah
he oestowed upon its maker II coat ~ arm' "m'
oiematic OF his profession. George SCl"a-'erd
was known rs n Just and pious man Lee was
free from gross sins and vices, and y..,r''rd
the gentle and amiablo disposition wh'.tu %
most occasions, characterized his 4. ~fs.r'i'
son. He shared, however, the supcr-lr.N'o'
his age. and when his son Philin was torn 10
consulted an astrologer TO learn his ca.d'
destiny, Philips mother WAS = ~daughlcr 'oh'
Reuter-. tho Burgomaster OF Bretteu. So"
pions' Industrious, and frugal, but, H'ih 3sAa
careful housewife, she was kind TO the o ana
the poor. aud never turned amy oneawn' D. sV
from her door. Her favorItc saying wa ms
giving does not impoverlsh."
Up to the age of seven phillp schwa" IRE
ceiVed instruction in the town school % i~s'''en'
Aftor"ard his education was i@ntra''' ioa
private tutor. John UnGer. who was cm.ioye'
on the advice OF tho learned John licnehIIh'
Philips great uncle. Unger was a good teSchsf
MeiAnchthon afterwArd said Of him; lie made