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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
but the Reformer himself, though conscious that in some respects
they had erred, found in their discipline more to approve than to
condemn.
At school, where he was sent at an early age, Luther was treated
with harshness and even violence. So great was the poverty of his
parents, that for a time he was obliged to obtain his food by singing
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
they were the whole of God’s word. Now, for the first time, he
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looked upon the whole Bible. With mingled awe and wonder he