Progress of Reform in Germany
161
read them aloud to little groups gathered at the fireside. With every
effort some souls would be convicted of the truth and, receiving the
word with gladness, would in their turn tell the good news to others.
[195]
The words of Inspiration were verified: “The entrance of Thy
words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Psalm
119:130
. The study of the Scriptures was working a mighty change in
the minds and hearts of the people. The papal rule had placed upon its
subjects an iron yoke which held them in ignorance and degradation. A
superstitious observance of forms had been scrupulously maintained;
but in all their service the heart and intellect had had little part. The
preaching of Luther, setting forth the plain truths of God’s word, and
then the word itself, placed in the hands of the common people, had
aroused their dormant powers, not only purifying and ennobling the
spiritual nature, but imparting new strength and vigor to the intellect.
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands,
defending the doctrines of the Reformation. The papists who had left
the study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks now called upon
them to come forward and refute the new teachings. But, ignorant
alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God, priests and friars
were totally defeated by those whom they had denounced as unlearned
and heretical. “Unhappily,” said a Catholic writer, “Luther had per-
suaded his followers to put no faith in any other oracle than the Holy
Scriptures.”—D’Aubigne, b. 9, ch. 11. Crowds would gather to hear
the truth advocated by men of little education, and even discussed by
them with learned and eloquent theologians. The shameful ignorance
of these great men was made apparent as their arguments were met by
the simple teachings of God’s word. Laborers, soldiers, women, and
even children, were better acquainted with the Bible teachings than
were the priests and learned doctors.
The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders
of popish superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars
than among the common people. “Opposed to the old champions
of the hierarchy, who had neglected the study of languages and the
[196]
cultivation of literature, ... were generous-minded youth, devoted to
study, investigating Scripture, and familiarizing themselves with the
masterpieces of antiquity. Possessing an active mind, an elevated soul,
and intrepid heart, these young men soon acquired such knowledge that
for a long period none could compete with them.... Accordingly, when