Hallam’s flippant and disparaging remarks on Luther, contained in his Introduction to the Literature of Europe, are simply outrageous, “stupid and senseless paragraphs,” evidencing a presumption on the part of their author which deserves intensest rebuke.  “Hallam knows nothing about Luther; he himself confesses his inability to read him in his native German; and this alone renders him incapable of judging intelligently respecting his merits as a writer; and, knowing nothing, it would have been honorable in him to say nothing, at least to say nothing disparagingly.  And, by the way, it seems to us that writing a history of European literature without a knowledge of German is much like writing a history of metals without knowing anything of iron and steel....  Luther’s language became, through his writings, and has ever since remained, the language of literature and general intercourse among educated men, and is that which is now understood universally to be meant when the German is spoken of.  His translation of the Bible is still as much the standard of purity for that language as Homer is for the Greek.”—­Dr. Calvin E. Stowe.

[19] “Nothing can be more edifying than the scene presented by the last days of Luther, of which we have the most authentic and detailed accounts.  When dying he collected his last strength and offered up the following prayer:  ’Heavenly Father, eternal, merciful God, thou hast revealed to me thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Him I have taught, him I have confessed, him I love as my Saviour and Redeemer, whom the wicked persecute, dishonor, and reprove.  Take my poor soul up to thee!’

“Then two of his friends put to him the solemn question:  ’Reverend Father, do you die in Christ and in the doctrine you have constantly preached?’ He answered by an audible and joyful ‘Yes;’ and, repeating the verse, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,’ he expired peacefully, without a struggle.”—­Encyc.  Britannica.

PERSONALE OF LUTHER.

The personal appearance of this extraordinary man is but poorly given in the painted portraits of him.  Written descriptions inform us that he was of medium size, handsomely proportioned, and somewhat darkly complected.  His arched brows, high cheek-bones, and powerful jaws and chin gave to his face an outline of ruggedness; but his features were regular, and softened all over with benevolence and every refined feeling.  He had remarkable eyes, large, full, deep, dark, and brilliant, with a sort of amber circle around the pupil, which made them seem to emit fire when under excitement.  His hair was dark and waving, but became entirely white in his later years.  His mouth was elegantly formed, expressive of determination, tenderness, affection, and humor.  His countenance was elevated, open, brave, and unflinching.  His neck was short and strong and his breast broad and full.