WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 November 1871, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

LECTURE ON MARTIN LUTHER.

Last evening the Rev. W. J. Williams delivered a lecture “ on Mai'tin Luther, the Hero of the Reformation.”. The Rev. Buller having briefly introduced the lecturer to his audience, observingthathe was well known, and would no doubt be listened to with attention on this most important subject. The Rev. Lecturer proceeded to give an interesting address on the life and times of the great Reformer, although, of course, he travelled over rather well- beaten ground, and viewed his subject from an extremely Protestant point of view. The career of Luther, from his early years, when hexvas a poor minstrel boy, up to the time when his name was known throughout the world were minutely traced. Born in Germany of poor but Christian parents, he received a fair education in times when the use of the rod was more frequent than it is now, and it is on record that Luther’s schoolmaster flogged him fifteen times in one single day, and his parents also frequently chastised him. At the age of 15 he left the paternal roof ; at 18 he commenced the study of the law, and shewed great ability. Here he remained two years, when he first saw a copy of the holy scriptures, and commenced to study it. When 22 years of age he was created a doctor of philosophy and master of arts in the loading universities of Germany. (A.D. 1505). An intimate friend of his being struck dead by lightning, at his side, he was so impressed himself by the solemness of the occurrence, that he made a vow to devote himself henceforward to a religious life, and much against the wishes of his parents, quitted the law, and entered a monastery. Here lie served in several menial offices, such as sexton, bellringer, and in similar humble capacities. He continued, however, diligently to study the Bible, and became the great expounder of the doctrine of justification by faith. Being sent to Rome to settle some disputes, he waS' astonished at the pomp, show, and parade, displayed, and was so disgusted with the dissolute lives of the clergy that he said’ If there was a Hell, Rome was built over it.” He thereupon became determined to effect a reformation, which was eventually brought about by God’s blessing, despite of the immense difficulties. The Popish practice of the sale of indulgences struck him as an outrage on the common sense, and he vigorously denounced it. At this time, however, he adhered to the opinion that the practice had not the sanction of the Pope, and he was as yet within the pale of the Church. Subsequently he was excommunicated, and his writings publicly destroyed. Summoned to the Diet of Worms, his books were placed before him, and two questions were put to him, —Ist. Are you the writer of those books ? 2nd. Willyou retract? To the first question he replied unhesitatingly “Yes”; to the second he requested a day’s delay; and then firmly refused to retract, saying, “ I cannot place my Faith in the hands of the Pope or his Councils unless I am sure that I am borne out by the Word of God. Under the protection of the Elector Frederick, Luther, in retirement in a castle in the mountains, translated the Bible into the vulgar tongue. Hitherto the Roman Catholics had carefully prevented this. Amongst the many errors of Popery, one especially declaimed against by Luther, was the enforced celibacy of the clergy, a practice which under the plea of purity had destroyed the souls of many men and women. Luther gave a practical proof of his disapproval of the practice by marrying himself, but not until after he had left the pale of the Roman Catholic Church for five years, and therefore the slur that was cast upon him, that lie had become a heretic in order to marry was not well founded. The rev. lecturer concluded his lecture by earnestly exhorting his hearers to study the life of Luther, and to make firm stand against the errors of Popery. At the termination of the discourse the Rev. J. Buller called upon Mr. J. Rowe to move a vote of thanks to the lecturer, observing that all must have listened to him with great pleasure, and that he thought it probable that the battle of Protestantism would yet have to be fought in New Zealand, and they should all be prepared for it. He also advised all young people to read such works as the Life of Luther, and books relating to the reformation, instead of studying such books as did them little good, if, indeed, they did not do them a great deal of harm. The vote of thanks having been duly put, passed, and responded to by the lecturer, the proceedings terminated by the singing of the Doxology, and the benediction pronounced by the Rev. J. Buller. The proceeds derived from this lecture are to be devoted to the funds of the Wesleyan Sunday-school.