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from door to door, and he often suffered from hunger. The gloomy,
superstitious ideas of religion then prevailing filled him with fear. He
would lie down at night with a sorrowful heart, looking forward with
trembling to the dark future, and in constant terror at the thought of
God as a stern, unrelenting judge, a cruel tyrant, rather than a kind
heavenly Father. Yet under so many and so great discouragements,
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Luther pressed resolutely forward toward the high standard of moral
and intellectual excellence which he had determined to attain.
He thirsted for knowledge, and the earnest and practical character
of his mind led him to desire the solid and useful rather than the
showy and superficial. When, at the age of eighteen, he entered
the University of Erfurth, his situation was more favorable and his
prospects brighter than in his earlier years. His parents having by
thrift and industry acquired a competence, they were able to render
him all needed assistance. And the influence of judicious friends
had somewhat lessened the gloomy effects of his former training.
He now diligently applied himself to the study of the best authors,
enriching his understanding with their most weighty thoughts, and
making the wisdom of the wise his own. A retentive memory, a vivid
imagination, strong reasoning powers, and energetic application to
study, soon won for him the foremost rank among his associates.
The fear of the Lord dwelt in the heart of Luther, enabling him
to maintain his steadfastness of purpose, and leading him to deep
humility before God. He had an abiding sense of his dependence
upon divine aid, and he did not fail to begin each day with prayer,
while his heart was continually breathing a petition for guidance and
support. “To pray well,” he often said, “is the better half of study.”
While one day examining the books in the library of the univer-
sity, Luther discovered a Latin Bible. He had before heard fragments
of the Gospels and Epistles at public worship, and he thought that
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they were the whole of God’s word. Now, for the first time, he
looked upon the whole Bible. With mingled awe and wonder he
Luther’s Separation from Rome
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turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he
read for himself the words of life, pausing now and then to exclaim,
“Oh, if God would give me such a book for my own!” Angels of
Heaven were by his side, and rays of light from the throne of God
revealed the treasures of truth to his understanding. He had ever
feared to offend God, but now the deep conviction of his condition
as a si
An earnest desire to be free from sin and to find peace with God,
led him at last to enter a cloister, and devote himself to a monastic
life. Here he was required to perform the lowest drudgery, and
to beg from house to house. He was at an age when respect and
appreciation are most eagerly craved, and these menial offices were
deeply mortifying to his natural feelings; but he patiently endured
this humiliation, believing that it was necessary because of his sins.
Every moment that could be spared from his daily duties, he
employed in study, robbing himself of sleep, and grudging even
the moments spent at his humble meals. Above everything else he
delighted in the study of God’s word. He had found a Bible chained
to the convent wall, and to this he often repaired. As his convictions
of sin deepened, he sought by his own works to obtain pardon and
peace. He led a most rigorous life, endeavoring to crucify the flesh
by fastings, watchings, and scourgings. He shrank from no sacrifice
to become holy and gain Heaven. As the result of this painful
discipline, he lost strength, and suffered from fainting spasms, from
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the effects of which he never fully recovered. But with all his efforts,
his burdened soul found no relief. He was at last driven to the verge
of despair.
When it appeared to Luther that all was lost, God raised up a
friend and helper for him. The pious Staupitz opened the word
of God to Luther’s mind, and bade him look away from himself,
cease the contemplation of infinite punishment for the violation of
God’s law, and look to Jesus, his sin-pardoning Saviour. “Instead
of torturing yourself on account of your sins, cast yourself into the
arms of your Redeemer. Trust in him,—in the righteousness of his
life,—in the atonement of his death. Listen to the Son of God. He
became man to give you the assurance of divine favor. Love him
who has first loved you.” Thus spoke this messenger of mercy. His
words made a deep impression upon Luther’s mind. After many
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The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
a struggle with long-cherished errors, he was enabled to grasp the
truth, and peace came to his troubled soul.
Luther was ordained a priest, and was called from the cloister
to a professorship in the University of Wittemberg. Here he applied
himself to the study of the Scriptures in the original tongues. He
began to lecture upon the Bible; and the book of Psalms, the Gospels,
and the Epistles were opened to the understanding of crowds of
delighted listeners. Staupitz, his friend and superior, urged him to
ascend the pulpit, and preach the word of God. Luther hesitated,
feeling himself unworthy to speak to the people in Christ’s stead. It
was only after a long struggle that he yielded to the solicitations of
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his friends. Already he was mighty in the Scriptures, and the grace
of God rested upon him. His eloquence captivated his hearers, the
clearness and power with which he presented the truth convinced
their understanding, and his deep fervor touched their hearts.
Luther was still a true son of the papal church, and had no thought
that he would ever be anything else. In the providence of God he
decided to visit Rome. He pursued his journey on foot, lodging at
the monasteries on the way. At a convent in Italy he was filled with
wonder as he saw the splendor of the apartments, the richness of the
dresses, the luxury of the table, the extravagance everywhere. With
painful misgivings he contrasted this scene with the self-denial and
hardship of his own life. His mind was becoming perplexed.
At last he beheld in the distance the seven-hilled city. With deep
emotion he prostrated himself upon the earth, exclaiming, “Holy
Rome, I salute thee!” He entered the city, visited the churches, lis-
tened to the marvelous tales repeated by priests and monks, and
performed all the ceremonies required. Everywhere he looked upon
scenes that filled him with astonishment and horror. He saw that
iniquity existed among all classes of the clergy. He heard indecent