The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-15

'dh't b''duSt pI the lUcl tndt the dtF
was also the birthday anniversary OF
tho hostess. Quotations were chosen
with special reference TO this anniver-
sary and addressed To- Mrs. Jenckes.
She was also presented. appropriately,
with bunch OF yellow and white
pinks, these colors being those OF the
club.
Mrs. Arthur +. Rice. the president Of
the club, i'm Introducing the program
for the afternoon, presented for discus
sion the timely question. Does the
Woman's club Rank Among the Edu-
cational and Reformatory Institutions
of the Country? How May the Indi-
vldual Club Become Useful Factor in
the Community
I'm continuance OF the study OF Ger
man history Mrs. Anson r. Rice pre-
sented the first paper or the afternoon,
the same being "A well written story OF
the Life and Character OF the Great
est Protestant Reformer OF the Six
teenth Century. viz: Martin Luther"
Mrs. Rice gave "A very full and clear
description of the early years and cdu-
cation OF the great reformer, dwelling
particularly upon the severe discipline
of his home life which no doubt en-.
gendered in him "a sternness as well
as - tenderness -af a+A43ee=ri44szf7 ied
him afterward deeply TO bewail every
sin against God and at the same time
constantly to mourn over presumed
personal sins against himself"
Ia summing up the character OF Lu-
ther the paper continues as follows:
Luthers character was a combiDa-
tion OF great qualities. endowed with
broad, human sympathies. massive en-
ergy, manly and anectionate simplicity
and rich II sometimes coarse humoT,
he possessed the art of kindling other
KNif h.. ftYh .af
tioi.s, and awakening them TO a higher
consciousness OF religion and duty. H0
was leader OF men, therefore, and a
reformer in the highest sense. Upcn
the whole. IL may be said that history
presents few greater characters, few
that excite at once more love and aa-
miration and i'm which we see tendners
ness, humor ana a certain picturesque
grace and poetic sensibility more hap
PLY combined with "A lofty and mag
nanimous IL sometimes rugged sub,
Unity"
The second paper OF the afternoon
was by Mrs Il. A. Jenckes and con-
sidered briefly the Works OF Martin
Luther" In beginning the paper calls
attention 40 the fact that German lit
erature is said TO date its birth from
the moment Luther gave his transla-
tion of the Bible 10 Germany. That stu
pendous work Of his fixed for the Ger
mans the form OF their literary langu-
age" Continuing, Mrs. Jenckes gave "A
summing OF Luther's works and said
that 20 quote from all classes of Lu-
theirs writings would he impossible and
that but a glimpse here and there from
some OF his best works could be given.
First-The paper dwells upon Luth-
er's Treatise on Christian Liberty" as
revealing his idea Of the essentials OF a
tract on the Babylonish captivity. his
valuable commentaries. his exposition
OF the Book of Deuteronomy" and of
the 90th Psalm were also described. His
sermons were mentioned as being very
numerous and a few quotations were
given To convey some slight idea of his
manner of preaching. Continuing. at
tention was called to the majesty OF
Luther's hymns and one OF the strong
est and most familiar of these was
quoted. viz:
"A safe stronghold our God is still,
trusty shield and weapon:
He'll help us clear from all the la
That hath us now oertaken,
The ancient Prince of He'll.
Hath risen with purpose fell:
Strong mail of craft and power,
He weareth In this hour"
Continuing, the paper observes that
1T has been said that we learn more
of the real character OF a person from
his letters than from his conversation,
or in fact than from any otheY means.
At this point the essayist gave her
hearers glimpse. here and there. into
the letters OF Luther that a revelation
Of the real living personality of the
man might be gained. The paper calls
particular attention. also TO the fact
that many critics condemn the coarse
ness and grossness Of Luther toward
all who ventured TO differ with HIM
self" yet TO show how humble a mind
he had his own words we're quoted. viz:
Il have learned from the Holy Scrip
ture that il is a thing terrible and fun
OF danger to raise ones voice in the
church OF God to speak In the midst
of those whom we shall have for judges
when i'm the last day of judgment we
shall find ourselves in the presence of
God and of his angels; I'm every crea-
ture there looking. listening. bending
the ear To dwell on the divine word
Certes when I think on it. 1 feel that
could heartily wish 10 bury all in ST.
Ian % lll- lass -SnlnGG-AAeI- hal
have written"
In closing her excellent paper Airs.
Jenckes read an extract from that
beautiful prayer of Luthers at the
"Diet Of Worms"
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