The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 142

unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and
engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child
where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which
men are not unceasingly occupied with the word of God must become
corrupt.”—Ibid., b. 6, ch. 3.
This appeal was rapidly circulated throughout Germany and exerted
a powerful influence upon the people. The whole nation was stirred, and
multitudes were roused to rally around the standard of reform. Luther’s
opponents, burning with a desire for revenge, urged the pope to take
decisive measures against him. It was decreed that his doctrines should
be immediately condemned. Sixty days were granted the Reformer and
his adherents, after which, if they did not recant, they were all to be
excommunicated.
That was a terrible crisis for the Reformation. For centuries Rome’s
sentence of excommunication had struck terror to powerful monarchs; it
had filled mighty empires with woe and desolation. Those upon whom
its condemnation fell were universally regarded with dread and horror;
they were cut off from intercourse with their fellows and treated as
outlaws, to be hunted to extermination. Luther was not blind to the
tempest about to burst upon him; but he stood firm, trusting in Christ
to be his support and shield. With a martyr’s faith and courage he wrote:
“What is about to happen I know not, nor do I care to know.... Let the
blow light where it may, I am without fear. Not so much as a leaf falls,
without the will of our Father. How much rather will He care for us!
It is a light thing to die for the Word, since the Word which was made
flesh hath Himself died. If we die with Him, we shall live with Hi