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raised his voice against the errors and sins of the Papal church, and
earnestly longed to break the chain of darkness which was confining
thousands, and causing them to trust in works for salvation. He longed
to be enabled to open to their minds the true riches of the grace of
God, and the excellence of salvation obtained through Jesus Christ. He
raised his voice zealously, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, cried
against the existing sins of the leaders of the church; and as he met
the storm of opposition from the priests, his courage did not fail; for
he firmly relied upon the strong arm of God, and confidently trusted
in him for victory. And as he pushed the battle closer and closer, the
rage of the priests was kindled against him. They did not wish to be
reformed. They chose to be left
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in ease, in wanton pleasure, in wickedness. They wished the church
kept in darkness.
I saw that Luther was ardent and zealous, fearless and bold in
reproving sin, and advocating the truth. He cared not for wicked men
and devils. He knew that he had One with him mightier than they all.
Luther possessed fire, zeal, courage and boldness, and at times might
go too far; but God raised up Melancthon, who was just the opposite
in character, to aid Luther, and carry on the work of reformation.
Melancthon was timid, fearful, cautious, and possessed great patience.
He was greatly beloved of God. His knowledge was great in the
Scriptures, and his judgment and wisdom was excellent. His love for
the cause of God was equal to Luther’s. These hearts, the Lord knit
together; they were friends which were never to be separated. Luther
was a great help to Melancthon when he was in danger of being fearful
and slow, and Melancthon was also a great help to Luther to keep
him from moving too fast. Melancthon’s far-seeing cautiousness often
averted trouble which would have come upon the cause, if the work
had been left alone to Luther; and the work would often have failed
in being pushed forward, if it had been left to Melancthon alone. I
was shown the wisdom of God in choosing these two men, of different
characters to carry on the work of reformation.
I was then carried back to the days of the apostles, and saw that
God chose as companions an ardent and zealous Peter, and a mild,
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patient, meek John. Sometimes Peter was impetuous. And the beloved
disciple often checked Peter, when his zeal and ardor led him too far;
but it did not reform him. But after Peter had denied his Lord, and