Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-05-13
The Reformer-Part /.
from The Jetersontan, by j. L. LODGE,
d. D., Editor.
"What news ?"

~ nat news r
"None, my lord, but that the world is grown
honest"
Then is doomsday near."-Hamet.
1t is with words as with the physical in
man they are strong and full of force, in
youth; but grow weak and destitute of
power with age. The word "reformer,"
once pregnant with meaning, indicating a
personality and principle compelling pro.
foundest admiration and highest honor, is
now become, as banded from tongue to
tongue, or used as the plaything or the tool
of vile and venal press, term to curl the
lip of honest men with scorn. Even if the
discussion of UNCONVENTIONAL tenets and
party politics" were not strictly, and prop
erly, forbidden by the constitution OF the
club, the editor has no liking for nor dis
position to controversy, and no patience
with nor respect for those preachers and
editors who, exceeding the right and duty
TO state truth as opposing error, as they un-
derstand the difference, proceed to berate
denounce the private opinions of dissidents,
thus descending from the digniaed discus
sion OF a general question to the mean level
OF vulgar personality. In accordance with
this taste, while in this series of articles the
strongest terms offering will be used to ex-
press disgust and loathing for the false and
shameless thing proiessed, they shall be gen.
eral terms, not rightly admitting of personal
construction. If the alleged reformer recog-
nizes his features in the picture drawn, that
is his affair, not mine. The great names
that shall be brought forward are to be re-
garded as exemplars of great principle,
brave and heroic moralists who, while sub.
ject to mistakes, as other men, yet in some
things deserve recognition as guides to in
dependent investigation and models of sub
lime moral courage. He is poor, weak,
limited creature who cannot rise to adora'
ton of excellence by whomsoever exhibited.
We should be glad to pluck a jewel from
the forehead OF toad, or stoop to pick
diamond from dunghill. All lovers Of
truth, all sincere seekers after light, all de-
votes to virtue, all prompters to chaste, puri-
fed, and ennobed manhood, are brothers,
and no power, earthly or satanic, can sepa'
rate or keep them strangers.
We think OF Savonarola as a true reiormer
More than four hundred years after his
martyTdOm, his exact position on dOCtrlnal
points is 10 dispute; but the consensus Of
the best criticism is that, with no design OF
separating from the religious body Of which
he was member, he exerted all his vast
ability and powerful influence to purge its
mem bership from all that was corrupt and
hindered the growth and spread OF righteous
ness. Proof OF his great merit, and his un
swerving pursuit of right, lies in the fact
that even in this present preparation is max
ing To sanctify his immortal name. There
is phosphorescent fame which attributes
greatness TO glamour, worth to fortune,
sanctlty to power; but a lew decades silence
the acclaim of the servile, partners In profit !;
history attains to justice; and the centuries
sweep away the meretrcous and the lying,
and set men and peoples in their true light.
We are dealing alone with the character OF
SaVonarola, not his creed. A man who saw
duty, met 1t, fulfilled it, died for its sake.
Martyrdom is not always proof of correct
beliefs; but il is always proof of deep con-
viction, sublime courage, divine heroism.
We shall see, as we get on, how this fifteenth
century mountain contrasts with nineteenth
century mice
Wyclitfe's was an eXceptive mind. lie
was able TO distinguish between rejection OF
a scheme of doctrines, a formulated creed, in
toto, and exception To particulars. The blgot
finds this intellectual act beyond his capacl-
ty. 1t is impossible for him to silt the er-
roneous from the true, and rejoice in any
measure of truth Yet each particle Of truth
is dynamic; its whole essence irresistible IN
its progress to triumph over mind, and its
final glorious rule over matter, Neither
the blind dolt nor the raging fanatic can at
last resist the power
Whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand
Curbs
or moro strong link asunder than can ever
Appear in his impeachment
1t is necessary TO apogize for Wyclifle'
apology for his princes highhanded viola
ton of sanctuary. IL was u blot. But he
gave to the world the first complete English
Bible. His biography shows great diligence
in research, and sincere endeavOr to impress
others with the value of what he earnestly
believed to be right. More important than
his work, in themselves considered, is their
effect upon posterity through their impress
sion upon his followers. The grand pur-
pose of life, the strenuous attempt to reach
exalted ideals, absorption in holy thought,
oblviousness TO untoward incidents so the
goal is won and the victor crowned-these
are the essentials that qualify to rule forever
in hearts and conscences of men
Who shall array in white and place an
aureola upon the brow Of that noble army
which deserves the name reformerl John
the Baptist, Savonarola the Catholic, Knox
the Presbyterian, Hugh Miller the scientist
and theoogian, Wesley the Methodist, and
Charles Reade, the friend OF prisoners, a
glorious register With here and there, at
long intervals, a king philosophical enough
to understand that every attempt TO create
and sustain virtue by force or legal enact
ment is vain and iarcical; seeking the end
by inspired direction, the enightening pre-
cept and tn persuasive example. These
men were Gods five pillars 10 lead ensayed
humanity out of the thaldom OF Ignorance,
and self, and cruelty, and passion and sin.
They stood alone in the conflict with all the
forces which continually plan and labor for
the destruction of the divine image IN man.
They were holly confident, but not proud.
They were humble enough " be great great
enough to be humble. Dogenes searched
great city with u lantern that he might find
man; but Diogenes was said TO trample
upon Plato's pride with greater pride. The
relormers whose names shall never perish
lifted sous and bodies from the dust, and !,
themselves ascending,
Led climbing thought higher and higher,
until
It seemed 10 stand in heaven AMI speak with
gods.