INTELLIGENCER. The Bible our rule of faith!-The right of private judgment our privilege. VOL. V.] OCTOBER, 1830. [No. 8. TO READERS. We have no doubt, the following will be received favourably, by all our readers, who seek, as they ought to do, a full and complete knowledge of whatever is connected with that greatest of events the Reformation of the Church. Our correspondent, who transmitted to us, this narrative of an incident belonging to the times of the Reformation, is aware, that it is rather diffuse, and for the sake of some, who have no keen appetites for reading lengthy pieces, we were desirous of presenting it, in an abbreviated form, but we found it a task too arduous, and hence we leave it, as it came into our hands. If it does not suit some, we suppose they may follow the example of a certain Wiseacre, who, rather than accept of a hat, that was fitted to protect his head against the rays of a scorching sun, purchased one, manufactured for a child, and, with his head uncovered and so exposed, carried the hat in his hand, wherever he went. It is impossible to edit a periodical, which can suit the taste of all persons. Most of our correspondents differ from each other in their views of the matter, form and style, which should characterize a periodical. We have therefore come to the conclusion, to be influenced entirely by our own judgment, which we are constrained to say, will be the safest course, as it, is naturally influenced by a more general view of the different feelings of our people, who honor us with frequent communications, than that of individuals, who perhaps never exchanged ideas upon the subject with any other person. Yet we shall gratefully receive, and seriously ponder every Vol. V. No. 8. 16 thing that may be communicated to us with a view of improving the Intelligencer. Our only reward for our editorial services, is, the hope of being useful, and this has been well founded by innumerable evidences, or we should have withdrawn ere this. Our correspondents are increasing, and if the same could be said of the number of subscribers, it would afford us much delight, whilst wę are discharging the highly important, tedious and complex duties, incumbent upon an Editor.-Editor. THE FESTIVAL OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIP TURES. Being the Narrative of an Incident_belonging_to_the times of the Reformation. By the Rev. F. A. COX, LLD, Librarian to the University of London. One of the most important events in history is, by universal consent, the REFORMATION. Whether we advert to the nature of the subject itself, which excited the fierce discussions of that period; to the magnitude of the interests involved in their result; to the influence of the great questions which were then agitated, both upon contemporaneous and succeeding movements in the religious and political communities; or, lastly, to the extraordinary developements of mental energy and moral character which were then elicited, scarcely any era can so much deserve the consideration of the Philosopher and the Christian. Accordingly, it wants nothing, even of the interest, and we might almost say, of the excitement at first awakened, although three centuries have elapsed since the com mencement of that mighty struggle,-the commencement it may reasonably be termed, because, the two ecclesiastical systems, which were then brought into conflict, are still in hostile operation; and, from the very nature of their principles respectively, can admit of no_compromise. The general progress of knowledge, the increase of civilization, and the degree of ascendancy in the scale of nations acquired, and at present maintained, by the people who are the most zealous and effective supporters of Protestantism-which, although then only struggling into existence, now sways the councils of princes, and the sentiments of millions, undoubtedly tend to modify the character of the warfare, and the language of those who urge it forward. It is, nevertheless, momentous, and vital, as well as continual-necessarily implicating the highest interests of the human race. As Christianity itself, in conformity with the predictions of its divine Author, has triumphantly resisted the opposing forces of the world, and secured a spiritual rule amidst the downfall of successive em pires, we anticipate, and upon the same authority, that pure, in contradistinction from corrupted Christianity, must obtain a final and everlasting dominion. To either of the two, therefore, which have a kind of contrariety in principle, admitting, as it has been just intimated, of no compromise, may be applied, and with a cheerful confidence as to the issue, the celebrated test of Gamaliel. "If this counsel, or this work, be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply, ye be found even to fight against God." All the world is now acquainted with the general outline of the story. Albert, Elector of Mentz, having received the commission from Leo X. to dispense indulgences in Germany, sent Tetzel, a Dominican friar, into Saxony as his agent. This man possessed an insinuating eloquence, which was combined with effrontery and zeal in the cause. The success of his efforts in the immediate vicinity of Wittemberg, roused the indignation of Luther, who was at the time, professsor of theology in the University. About the end of September, 1517, this indignation burst forth, in his publicly maintaining ninety-five propositions against indulgences, which were afterwards affixed to the doors of the principal church. Tetzel published two theses in reply, and burnt his opponent's writings. The students, contrary to their professor's wish, recriminated on Tetzel in a similar manner. The controversy was for some time, of a private nature, till the Pope summoned Luther to appear before him at Rome, within sixty days, to answer for his heresies. The Elector Frederic, however, screened him from the papal violence, by representing that his case belonged entirely to the jurisdiction of a German tribunal, and must be decided by the ecclesiastical laws upon which, it was referred to Cajetan, the cardinal legate at the diet of Augsburg; and afterwards to Miltitz a Saxon knight, at the Romish court. Subsequently, a public disputation was held at Leipsic, whither Luther and Malancthon, then accompanied their friend Carlostadt, the divinity professor, who was engaged to discuss the points of difference with Eckius. Luther himself, at length, took the place of Corlostadt in the dispute: the chief result of which was, on the one side, to envenom the popish party; and on the other, to rouse Melancthon into a more avowed attachment to the reformed cause. In June, 1520, the Pope, at the instigation of Eckius and the Dominicans, issued a bull of excommunication against Luther; who on the 10th of December following, publicly committed it to the flames, together with the decretals of the pontiffs, in token of his resolved and final separation from the Romish communion. Leo applied to Charles V. immediately after his coronation as emperor, to punish the great offender; but the influence of Fredric, surnamed THE WISE, whose sagacious policy was throughout, of eminent service to the newly promulgated doctrine, was sufficient to procure a diet at Worms, professedly for the purpose of fair inquiry. At this crisis, the friends of Luther became excessively charmed, while his own intrepidity increased with the danger, and, as his friend expresses it, "he would have willingly purchased the advancement and glory of the gospel at the price of his blood!" His person was indeed unmolested, at which we may be justly surprised; but an edict was issued in the name of the emperor declaring him a member cut off from the church, a schismatic and heretic, and interdicting all persons from receiving or protecting him, under penalty of high treason. Frederic, however, contrived to have him seized, as if by ruffians, on his return, and conveyed to the castle of Wartenberg, near Eisenach. The consequences of this event were, in various ways, favourable to the Reformation; in despite alike of Henry the eighth's virulent hostility and his defence of the seven sacraments, and the condemnation of Luther's writings by the divines of the Sorbonne in France. The "Loci Communes Theologici" of Melancthon, first issued in 1521, contained a plain exposition of the leading sentiments of the Reformers, and proved of great importance in diffusing religious truth. The noblest achievements, however, of this, and ཉ few subsequent years, was the translation of the scriptures into the German language. This noble work was begun by Luther, during his temporary banishment; and afterwards carried on to its com pletion, by the united efforts of himself, Melancthon, Casper Cruciger, Justus Jonas, and others. Notwithstanding the intemperate zeal of Charlestadt, the blind 'enthusiasm of the Anabaptists of Muncer, the rise of the sacramental controversy which had a tendency to divide chief friends, the death of Frederick the Wise, and other apparently untoward events, the reformed cause was placed, by this achievement, upon a founda tion sure and impregnable. The "seed of the kingdom" was now effectually sown; and though storms might agitate the atmosphere and deluges descend, they could not affect, except beneficially, the secret and powerful vegetation of the imperishable WORD. It took "deep root downwards," and produced "much fruit upwards” working its way, and diffusing its resistless influence in every di rection. After the completion of this important labour, it was the custom of Bugenhagen (called also, Pomeranus, from his country,) to celebrate the event, in a manner consonant with his benevolent disposi tion. It was his custom to invite a select company of friends to his house, at each returning anniversary. This meeting acquired the name of THE FESTIVAL OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. The reader may not be disinclined for once to make one of this illustrious, though small, assembly: he is reques. ted, therefore, to plume his imagination to the backward flight over three centuries of time, and enter the dwelling of the venerable, pastor of Wittemberg. It is now the year of the christian era 1585. Upon the countenance of Bugenhagen might be seen depicted that gentleness and kindness, which even his bitterest enemies admitted to be a characteristic feature of the mind. The force of conviction had united him with the friends of the Reformation, after he had long persisted in disseminating opposite doctrines; but, having once embraced the truth, he laboured with indefatigable assiduity to diffuse it, in Hamburg, Lubeck, Denmark, and other places. His zeal, however, was undebased by asperity and virulence. He won his way by sound argument, supported by an extensive erudition; and having afforded valuable assistance in preparing the Ger man version, this aniversary was, to him a day of peculiar and holy excitement. Although he had now lived fifty years in the world, and had engaged, with all his intellectual vigour, in the painful struggle which had marshalled so many mighty spirits on either side, the placidity of his temper, the benevolence of his feelings, and the piety of his heart, were such as to give him an air of comparative juvenility, and he seemed like a verdant plant beside the ri vers of waters. Opposite to this excellent man, occupying what in modern times, we should call the vice-presidency of the convivial board, sat one who was his junior by several years, but perhaps his equal in solid and various learning. This was Justus Jonas, principal of the college, an office he had now discharged for fourteen years, with distinguished honor to himself, and advantage to the reformed cause. Educated a lawyer, he had become, under the combined influence of circumstances and religious feeling, a preacher. Perhaps his general appearance bespoke thoughtfulness, rather than ardour, but with the penetrating eye of his original calling. It was evident that his opinions had great weight with his friends, and his conversation was' often tinctured with classical allusion. On the one side of Jonas was Aurogallus, whose patient labour and industry were of eminent service in advancing the new translation; a sober, well instructed man, and teacher of languages at Wittemberg. Near him, Rorarious the indefatigable corrector of the press, was seated. The youngest of this venerable party, Casper Cruciger, was not, however, the least in point of literary attainments. In Chaldee especially, he was acknowledged to be pre-eminent; and he well merited an honourable place at this feast of friendship, with George Major, of similar age. In this illustrious group of Christian heroes, there were two, towards whom the eye of every spectator, had spectators been admitted, must have instinctively turned; for independently of the part they had taken in the religious movements of the age, there was an attraction about their appearance respectively, though each was strikingly different from the other, that rivetted attention at once. The one who occupied the sent on the left hand of the president, was tall and muscular in his figure. His eye was generally bent downwards, with an expression of modesty, not to say of diffidence; yet, whenever it was raised, there was a fire in it which bespoke alike acuteness and imagination. His smile occasionally bordered upon a sarcastic expression, altogether remote, however, from malignity; but in general it was all benevolence. His manners indicated that he was always willing to learn; but his countenance and language proved that he was born to teach. He possessed, undoubtedly, the most cultivated mind in the circle; and in rank, both as a learned man and reformer, was pre-eminent. Conversible, but |