gcls_WFP_861

Martin Luther.

We are indebted to Rev. J.E. Stockman for the piece of rock which
was taken from the building in which Martin Luther made his great defence
in Worms.

Martin Luther was born in 1483, Perhaps no man has been as bitterly
denounced and as highly praised as Martin Luther. His father was a miner
and very poor. Luther early showed keen mentality and finally entered the
priesthood.

He became a teacher of philosophy in the [inkmark??] university of Wittenberg in
1508. About this time the Roman Church granted indulgences to all who would
cont [i] ribute to the rebuilding of St. Peter's Church, in Rome. The sale of
indulgences was abused and Luther protested against the practice by put-
ting his objections in writing and posting them on the door of the church.

This split with the Church gradually widened until Luther founded the
Protestant Lutheran Church.

Luther was a man of great courage, deep faith, intense feeling which
almost amounted to hatred of his enemies, keen ability as a writer and
preacher. His hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," is to-day one of the
greatest hymns of the church. While in Waterburg castle he translated the
Bible into German and his translation is still used.

When he was excommunicated by the Pope, Luther was brought to trial
before Charles V, the emperor, at Worms. He refused to recant. He said,
"it is neither safe nor expedient to act against conscience. Here I take
my stand; I can do no otherwise, so help me God! Amen."

When warned that he might be killed if he went to Worms, Luther said
he would go, "If there were as many devils in Wors as there are tiles
upon the roof of its houses."

Below is a picture of the building in which Luther made his defense.
It was destroyed by the French in 1689. A church now stands on the spot.
A picture of the church is to be seen on the next page.

[image bottom left of a large building, image contains handwritten and typed text- [Handwritten in dark ink along top margins; "Destroyed by French in 1689 where Luther was jailed"
Below the art print of the building is the following type:
"Worms, Der Bischofshof (zerstort 1689)
HEIR 1ST EINE DER DENKURDIGSTEN STATTEN DES ABENDLANDES
HEIR WAR
DER KONIGSBURG DER TEMPLEBEZIRK DER ROMER
DIE KONIGSBURG DER NIBELUNGEN
DIE KAISERPLALZ KARLS DES GROSSEN
DER HOF DES FURSTBISCHOFS VON WORMS
ZERSTORT DURCH DIE FANZZOSEN IN DIE JAHREN 1689 UND 1794
MEHR ALS HUNDERT REICHS-UND FURSTENTAGE FANDEN HIER STATT
HIER STAND VOR KAISER UND REICH
MARTIN LUTHER "
end of image]

[ to the right is an image of several statues, one standing on a column above several others who are knealing]
[handwritten along top margin, " Luetes monument im worms"]

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