The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 242

marked with the blood of its disciples. But in the countries of the North
it found a peaceful entrance. Students at Wittenberg, returning to their
homes, carried the reformed faith to Scandinavia. The publication of
Luther’s writings also spread the light. The simple, hardy people of the
North turned from the corruption, the pomp, and the superstitions of
Rome, to welcome the purity, the simplicity, and the life-giving truths of
the Bible.
Tausen, “the Reformer of Denmark,” was a peasant’s son. The boy
early gave evidence of vigorous intellect; he thirsted for an education;
but this was denied him by the circumstances of his parents, and he
entered a cloister. Here the purity of his life, together with his diligence
and fidelity, won the favor of his superior. Examination showed him
to possess talent that promised at some future day good service to the
church. It was determined to give him an education at some one of
the universities of Germany or the Netherlands. The young student was
granted permission to choose a school for himself, with one proviso, that
he must not go to Wittenberg. The scholar of the church was not to be
endangered by the poison of heresy. So said the friars.
Tausen went to Cologne, which was then, as now, one of the
strongholds of Romanism. Here he soon became disgusted with the
mysticisms of the schoolmen. About the same time he obtained Luther’s
writings. He read them with wonder and delight, and greatly desired to
enjoy the personal instruction of the Reformer. But to do so he must
risk giving offense to his monastic superior and forfeiting his support.
His decision was soon made, and erelong he was enrolled as a student at
Wittenberg.
On returning to Denmark, he again repaired to his cloister. No
one as yet suspected him of Lutheranism; he did not reveal his secret,
but endeavored, without exciting the prejudices of his companions, to
lead them to a purer faith and a holier life. He opened the Bible, and
explained its true meaning, and at last preached Christ to them as the
sinner’s righteousness and his only hope of salvation. Great was the

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