ng of crowds of delighted listeners. Staupitz,
his friend and superior, urged him to ascend the pulpit, and preach the
word of God. Luther hesitated, feeling himself unworthy to speak to the
people in Christ's stead. It was only after a long struggle that he
yielded to the solicitations of his friends. Already he was mighty in the
Scriptures, and the grace of God rested upon him. His eloquence captivated
his hearers, the clearness and power with which he presented the truth
convinced their understanding, and his fervor touched their hearts.

Luther was still a true son of the papal church, and had no thought that
he would ever be anything else. In the providence of God he was led to
visit Rome. He pursued his journey on foot, lodging at the monasteries on
the way. At a convent in Italy he was filled with wonder at the wealth,
magnificence, and luxury that he witnessed. Endowed with a princely
revenue, the monks dwelt in splendid apartments, attired themselves in the
richest and most costly robes, and feasted at a sumptuous table. With
painful misgivings Luther contrasted this scene with the self-denial and
hardship of his own life. His mind was becoming perplexed.

At last he beheld in the distance the seven-hilled city. With deep emotion
he prostrated himself upon the earth, exclaiming, "Holy Rome, I salute
thee!"(163) He entered the city, visited the churches, listened to the
marvelous tales repeated by priests and monks, and performed all the
ceremonies required. Everywhere he looked upon scenes that filled him with
astonishment and horror. He saw that iniquity existed among all classes of
the clergy. He heard indecent jokes from prelates, and was filled with
horror at their awful profanity, even during mass. As he mingled with the
monks and citizens, he met dissipation, debauchery. Turn where he would,
in the place of sanctity he found profanation. "No one can imagine," he
wrote, "what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome; they must be
seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, 'If
there is a hell, Rome is built over it: it is an abyss whence issues every
kind of sin.' "(164)

By a recent decretal, an indulgence had been promised by the pope to all
who should ascend upon their knees "Pilate's staircase," said to have been
descended by our Saviour on leaving the Roman judgment hall, and to have
been miraculously conveyed from Jerusalem to Rome. Luther was one day
devoutly climbin