was making itself felt in the church.

He saw also that as a professor in the university Luther was eminently
successful. Only a year had passed since the Reformer posted his theses on
the castle church, yet there was already a great falling off in the number
of pilgrims that visited the church at the festival of All Saints. Rome
had been deprived of worshipers and offerings, but their place was filled
by another class, who now came to Wittenberg, not pilgrims to adore her
relics, but students to fill her halls of learning. The writings of Luther
had kindled everywhere a new interest in the Holy Scriptures, and not only
from all parts of Germany, but from other lands, students flocked to the
university. Young men, coming in sight of Wittenberg for the first time,
"raised their hands to heaven, and praised God for having caused the light
of truth to shine forth from this city, as from Zion in times of old, and
whence it spread even to the most distant countries."(185)

Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of Romanism. But
as he compared the Holy Oracles with the papal decrees and constitutions,
he was filled with wonder. "I am reading," he wrote, "the decrees of the
pontiffs, and ... I do not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or
his apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in
them."(186) Yet at this time Luther was still a supporter of the Roman
Church, and had no thought that he would ever separate from her communion.

The Reformer's writings and his doctrine were extending to every nation in
Christendom. The work spread to Switzerland and Holland. Copies of his
writings found their way to France and Spain. In England his teachings
were received as the word of life. To Belgium and Italy also the truth had
extended. Thousands were awakening from their deathlike stupor to the joy
and hope of a life of faith.

Rome became more and more exasperated by the attacks of Luther, and it was
declared by some of his fanatical opponents, even by doctors in Catholic
universities, that he who should kill the rebellious monk would be without
sin. One day a stranger, with a pistol hidden under his cloak, approached
the Reformer, and inquired why he went thus alone. "I am in God's hands,"
answered Luther. "He is my strength and my shield. What can man do unto
me?"(187) Upon hearing these words, the stranger turned pale, and fled
away, as from the presence of the angels of heaven.

Rom