The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 89

The European Union in Prophecy
door to door, and he often suffered from hunger. The gloomy, superstitious ideas of
religion then prevailing filled him with fear. He would lie down at night with a
sorrowful heart, looking forward with trembling to the dark future and in constant
terror at the thought of God as a stern, unrelenting judge, a cruel tyrant, rather than
a kind heavenly Father. Yet under so many and so great discouragements Luther
pressed resolutely forward toward the high standard of moral and intellectual
excellence which attracted his soul. He thirsted for knowledge, and the earnest and
pr actical character of his mind led him to desire the solid and useful rather than the
showy and superficial.
When, at the age of eighteen, he entered the University of Erfurt, his situation
was more favorable and his prospects were brighter than in his earlier years. His
parents having by thrift and industry acquired a competence, they were able to render
him all needed assistance. And the influence of judicious friends had somewhat
lessened the gloomy effects of his former training. He applied himself to the study of
the best authors, diligently treasuring their most weighty thoughts and making the
wisdom of the wise his own. Even under the harsh discipline of his former instructors
he had early given promise of distinction, and with favorable influences his mind
rapidly developed. A retentive memory, a lively imagination, strong reasoning powers,
and untiring application soon placed him in the foremost rank among his associates.
Intellectual discipline ripened his understanding and aroused an activity of mind and
a keenness of perception that were preparing him for the conflicts of his life.
The fear of the Lord dwelt in the heart of Luther, enabling him to maintain his
steadfastness of purpose and leading him to deep humility before God. He had an
abiding sense of his dependence upon divine aid, and he did not fail to begin each day
with prayer, while his heart was continually breathing a petition for guidance and
support. "To pray well," he often said, "is the better half of study."-- D'Aubigne, b. 2,
ch. 2. While one day examining the books in the library of the university, Luther
discovered a Latin Bible. Such a book he had never before seen. He was ignorant even
of its existence. He had heard portions of the Gospels and Epistles, which were read
to the people at public worship, and he supposed that these were the entire Bible.
Now, for the first time, he looked upon the whole of God's word. With mingled awe
and wonder he turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he
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