New-York tribune., 1921-03-27

the transition from feudalism to CAPT
talism. In the early part of the Mid
die Ages money was of comparatively
slight Importance. Payments were
habitually made in cattle and other
tangible objects. Industrial production
was carried on by means of guilds,
which enjoyed a monopoly of their re-
spective trades. The members of these
guilds were theoretically equal as soon
as they had passed through certain
fixed stages of apprenticeship. Great
public works, such as the famous
medieval cathedrals, were built by COL
lectivc labor, rather than by the en-
terprise of individual capitalists.
Breakdown of Medieval Economy
This crude and simple medieval
economy soon began to break down
before the demands of expanding trade
and commerce. The need for capital,
IN the modern sense of the term, came
to be felt. The discovery Of America
and the increasing trade with Asia
increased the wealth of Europe and
stimulated the growth of class of
merchant capitalists. The consolidation
of France, Spain and England as ma
tlonal states and the substitution of
paid standing army for the forme
fcudal levics increased the expenses
of government and caused the rulers
to resort to the cxpcdient of govern
mcnt loans.
Inere were several points of contact
between the new ideas in religion and
the new economic system which gradu.
ally sprarg up throughout Europe.
Capitalism demanded individual initia-
tive; Professionalism emphasized the
rights of the individual conscience as
against the corporate authority of the
Church. The medieval Church was es-
sentlally othcrworldly in its outlook;
il emphasized the sanctity of poverty
and fasting. The Rcformers were in
clined to preach the doctrine that in
dustry and thrift are essentially re.
ligious qualities.
Eagcrness to Seize Church Lands
Two other economic causes which
contributed to the success of Protes-
tantism may be mentioned. The mobiles
and princes throughout Europe were
eager to seize upon the rich Church
lands, and Germany was growing
restive under the contributions de-
manded by Rome.
Of course, as Dr.. Smith points out
1T would be narrow and one sided to
place purely economic Interpretation
upon the Reformation; many other
spiritual, intellectual and scientific
factors must also be taken into account
There was general desire for a
simpler form Of worship; the Rcnais-
sance hand helped to unscttle the i'm
pllcit dogmatic faith of the Middle
Ages. The discovery Of printing was
also mighty aid to the Reformers.
Wycliffe and Huss, the Albigenses and
the Lollards failed to shake the power
OF the Church because they were un-
able to find any effective medium, ex-
tlon of their doctrines AS result of
the new invention of printing the
tracts Of Luther and Calvin were as
sured an immediate and wide circula
ton.
DR.. Smith traces the progress of the
Reformation in the various European
states. He shows that it achieved prac-
tlcally all its conquests within the first
nifty years of it's existence. After that
time the Dutch Republic was its only
acquisition. The so-called Counter
Reformation won back several coun-
tries for Catholicism
Admires Luther
Discussing the personalities of the
Reformers, DR., Smith expresses admira-
ton for Luther's courage and sincerity.
He feels that these qualities more than