and taught theology, not merely for the enrichment of the mind, but also and chiefly for the promotion
of virtue and piety.^221
He at first devoted himself to philological pursuits, and did more than any of his
contemporaries to revive the study of Greek for the promotion of biblical learning and the cause
of the Reformation. He called the ancient languages the swaddling-clothes of the Christ-child:
Luther compared them to the sheath of the sword of the Spirit. Melanchthon was master of the
ancient languages; Luther, master of the German. The former, by his co-operation, secured accuracy
to the German Bible; the latter, idiomatic force and poetic beauty.
In the year 1519 Melanchthon graduated as Bachelor of Divinity; the degree of Doctor he
modestly declined. From that time on, he was a member of the theological faculty, and delivered
also theological lectures, especially on exegesis. He taught two or three hours every day a variety
of topics, including ethics, logic, Greek and Hebrew grammar; he explained Homer, Plato, Plutarch,
Titus, Matthew, Romans, the Psalms. In the latter period of his life he devoted himself exclusively
to sacred learning. He was never ordained, and never ascended the pulpit; but for the benefit of
foreign students who were ignorant of German, he delivered every Sunday in his lecture-room a
Latin sermon on the Gospels. He became at once, and continued to be, the most popular teacher at
Wittenberg. He drew up the statutes of the University, which are regarded as a model. By his advice
and example the higher education in Germany was regulated.
His fame attracted students from all parts of Christendom, including princes, counts, and
barons. His lecture-room was crowded to overflowing, and he heard occasionally as many as eleven
languages at his frugal but hospitable table. He received calls to Tübingen, Nürnberg, and Heidelberg,
and was also invited to Denmark, France, and England; but he preferred remaining in Wittenberg
till his death.
At the urgent request of Luther, who wished to hold him fast, and to promote his health and
comfort, he married (having no vow of celibacy to prevent him) as early as August, 1520, Catharina
Krapp, the worthy daughter of the burgomaster of Wittenberg, who faithfully shared with him the
joys and trials of domestic life. He had from her four children, and was often seen rocking the cradle
with one hand, while holding a book in the other. He used to repeat the Apostles’ Creed in his
family three times a day. He esteemed his wife higher than himself. She died in 1557 while he was
on a journey to the colloquy at Worms: when he heard the sad news at Heidelberg, he looked up
to heaven, and exclaimed, "Farewell! I shall soon follow thee."
Next to the "Lutherhaus" with the "Luthermuseum," the most interesting dwelling in the
quaint old town of Wittenberg on the banks of the Elbe is the house of Melanchthon in the
Collegienstrasse. It is a three-story building, and belongs to the Prussian government, King Friedrich
Wilhelm IV. having bought it from its former owner. Melanchthon’s study is on the first story;
there he died. Behind the house is a little garden which was connected with Luther’s garden. Here,
under the shade of the tree, the two Reformers may often have exchanged views on the stirring
events of the times, and encouraged each other in the great conflict. The house bears in German
the inscription on the outer wall: —
"Here lived, taught, and died
(^221) He wrote to his friend Camerarius, Jan. 22, 1525 (" Corp. Ref." I. 722): "Ego mihi ita conscius sum, non aliam ob causam unquam
τεθεολογηκέναι, nisi ut vitam emendarem."