the request of the Elector, to seek out two professors, was made to Reuchlin, he could not propose a more able and suitable man to Frederick the Wise than his own relative Melanchthon. He had received the youthful master's permission to do this. The Elector was highly pleased, especially as Tübingen had already supplied him with several able men. Testimony concerning Melanchthon, such as that given by Reuchlin, could not but produce the most favorable impression. He says: "Among the Germans I know of no one who excels him, except Erasmus of Rotterdam, and he is an Hollander."

As Duke Ulrich felt the loss he was about to sustain, he endeavored to retain him. An old narrative gives us the following account: "In the meantime, Duke Ulrich, of Würtemberg, who wished to keep Philip in his own land, sent Conrad von Sickingen, who was then his servant, to master Philip's mother, to inform her, that if her son wished to enter the priesthood, he could apply to his Grace. Then he would also provide him with a good benefice, on account of his sainted father's faithful services. However, Philip had no inclination to become a priest, but intended to comply with the invitation of the Elector of Saxony, and to serve his Grace the Elector and the University, which also eventually came to pass."

Reuchlin dismissed his young friend in a parental manner with these beautiful words: "'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.' Gen. xii. 1, 2. This the Spirit tells me, and this hope do I entertain of thee, my Philip, my work and my comfort! Go, then, with a cheerful and happy courage!" Thus blessed and consecrated by his old friend, whom he was not to behold again in this world, he bid adieu to him and all his friends. He also paid a parting visit to the beloved ones in Bretten. His teacher, Simler, who was professor of the Greek language in Tübingen, remarked on the day of Melanchthon's departure: "The entire city ought to mourn the departure of this Melanchthon, and all those now residing in Tübingen have not even advanced far enough in their studies fully to appreciate how much they had lost by the removal of this great man." In August, Melanchthon is on his way. He made some valuable acquaintances. In Augsburg he was admitted to an audience with the Elector, and became acquainted with his chaplain and secretary, Spalatin, "and they remained together until the close of the Diet." The celebrated statesman, Pirkheimer, in Nuremberg, a patron of Melanchthon, also received a visit from the young professor. On the 20th of August he reached Leipzig. Here the University honored him with an entertainment. He here declined a call to Ingolstadt, as well as one from Leipzig. He remained true to his promise. On the 25th of August, 1518, he arrived in his new field of labor, Wittenberg, to the joy of all, and his reception was a festive one.

CHAPTER III.

HIS DEBUT IN WITTENBERG, AND THE LEIPZIG DISPUTATION.

Four days after his arrival, the 22 years old professor delivered the Introductory to his Lectures. The lecture-room was entirely filled. His exterior did not promise much. A small, insignificant form, with a timid gait, entered the desk, but the lofty brow, and his large blue eyes, indicated the mighty mind which tabernacled in this unseemly and frail vessel. But when he commenced his Latin address, which treated of the improvement of studies, unfolding the deepest thoughts in the most chaste language, and resting so entirely upon the word of God, all were filled with joy.

Luther, who was also present, was full of enthusiasm; for he felt at once how much the University and the good cause of the Reformation had gained in the possession of a man so learned, and with so deep an insight into truth. He therefore, full of joy, wrote to his beloved friend Spalatin as early as August 31: "Philip delivered a very learned and chaste address on the fourth day after his arrival, and that too with such applause and admiration on every side, that you need not trouble yourself further in commending him to us. We must look away from his exterior appearance; we rejoice in his gifts, at the same time that we are amazed at them; and we heartily thank our gracious prince, as well as your own assistance. It is now especially important that you recommend him most earnestly to our prince. I by no means desire a different teacher of Greek, as long as he remains with us. There is but one thing I fear, namely, that his delicate constitution will not be able to endure the manner of life in this region. I also learn that he has been called with too small a salary, so that the Leipzigers already boast and hope that they shall soon be able to draw him away from us; for they already courted him before he came to us. I, and many others with me, suspect that Dr. Pfeffinger has, according to his usual custom, been endeavoring to save the Elector's purse too much in this matter. Therefore, my dear Spalatin, to speak freely, that is, with my best friend: I pray you, look to it, that you do not despise his person and age. This man is deserving of all honor; for I do not wish us and the University to do so uncourteous a thing, and give envious persons occasion to speak evil of us." Two days after this, he again commends him to Spalatin most earnestly: "I would most heartily commend to you Philip, the great Grecian, the thorough scholar, and most amiable man. His lecture-room is crowded with hearers. It is owing to him, principally, that all theologians, the first, middle, and lowest class, are studying Greek." And thus Luther also expressed himself towards other friends. But the more they learned to know each other, so much the more also did their mutual esteem and affection increase. When Melanchthon, at a certain time, wrote to his paternal friend Reuchlin, and requested Luther to add a letter also, he complied with great cheerfulness; for Reuchlin was not only one of the first champions against Papal darkness, but it was also owing to him that Melanchthon adorned Wittenberg. In his letter he called Melanchthon a wonderful man, "in whom everything is almost supernatural; and yet he is the friend and confidant of my heart." But Reuchlin could not comprehend the rapid progress of the Reformation any more than Erasmus, and latterly had become cooler towards Melanchthon, no doubt because he had taken a too zealous and active part in the work of the reformation of the church.

As Luther's whole heart was soon devoted to Melanchthon, so also did the young professor admire the chosen instrument of God. He soon discovered that a turning point had been reached in the history of the Christian church, and that Luther, partly because of his humility, and also his powerful apostolical faith, was the man chosen by the Head of the Church to bring about this blessed revolution. But an opportunity should soon be afforded the ingenious youth to step upon the battle-field of the Reformation himself, and to fight the good fight at Luther's side. The cause of the Gospel, proclaimed trumpet-tongued in Wittenberg, had awakened a mighty sympathy. They soon became convinced in Rome that this was not an ordinary dispute among Monks, whether the cowls should be peaked or round, and matters like these. Although the frivolous Medicean, Pope Leo X., regarded the matter very lightly in the beginning, its progress soon taught him to take a different view. Writings, conceived in the true