In the Netherlands and Scandinavia
199
on his cruel work; but in vain. Under the noble William of Orange, the
Revolution at last brought to Holland freedom to worship God.
In the mountains of Piedmont, on the plains of France and the
shores of Holland, the progress of the gospel was marked with the
blood of its disciples. But in the countries of the North it found a
peaceful entrance. Students at Wittenberg, returning to their homes,
carried the reformed faith to Scandinavia. The publication of Luther’s
[241]
writings also spread the light. The simple, hardy people of the North
turned from the corruption, the pomp, and the superstitions of Rome,
to welcome the purity, the simplicity, and the life-giving truths of the
Bible.
Tausen, “the reformer of Denmark,” was a peasant’s son. The boy
early gave evidence of vigorous intellect; he thirsted for an education;
but this was denied him by the circumstances of his parents, and he
entered a cloister. Here the purity of his life, together with his diligence
and fidelity, won the favor of his superior. Examination showed him
to possess talent that promised at some future day good service to the
church. It was determined to give him an education at some one of
the universities of Germany or the Netherlands. The young student
was granted permission to choose a school for himself, with the one
proviso, that he must not go to Wittenberg. The scholar of the church
was not to be endangered by the poison of heresy. So said the friars.
Tausen went to Cologne, which was then as now one of the
strongholds of Romanism. Here he soon became disgusted with
the mysticisms of the schoolmen. About the same time he obtained
Luther’s writings. He read them with wonder and delight, and greatly
desired to enjoy the personal instruction of the reformer. But to do so
he must risk giving offense to his monastic superior, and forfeiting his
support. His decision was soon made, and erelong he was enrolled as
a student at Wittenberg.
On returning to Denmark he again repaired to his cloister. No
one as yet suspected him of Lutheranism; he did not reveal his secret,
but endeavored, without exciting the prejudices of his companions,
to lead them to a purer faith and a holier life. He opened the Bible,
and explained its true meaning, and at last preached Christ to them as
the sinner’s righteousness and his only hope of salvation. Great was
the wrath of the prior, who had built high hopes upon him as a valiant
defender of Rome. He was at once removed from his own monastery
[242]