on the Reformation. He would, however, write a very different work now, and present the
Reformation as a blessing rather than a calamity to Germany, in the light of the events which have
passed since 1870. In one of his Akademische Vorträge, the first volume of which has just reached
me (Nördlingen, 1888, p. 76), he makes the significant confession, that for many years the events
In Germany from 1517 to 1552 were to him an unsolved riddle, and an object of sorrow and grief,
seeing then only the result of division of the church and the nation into hostile camps; but that a
closer study of the mediaeval history of Rome and Germany, and the events of the last years, have
given him a better understanding and more hopeful view of the renewed and reunited German
nation as a noble instrument in the hands of Providence. This is as far as he can go from his
standpoint.§ 125. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.
I conclude this volume with Luther’s immortal hymn, which is the best expression of his
character, and reveals the secret of his strength as well as the moving power of the Reformation.^1000
A tower of strength^1001 our God is still,
A good defense^1002 and weapon;
He helps us free from all the ill
That us hath overtaken.
Our old, mortal foe^1003
Now aims his fell blow,
Great might and deep guile
His horrid coat-of-mail;^1004
On earth is no one like him.^1005
Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott,
Ein’ gute Wehr und Waffen.
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Noth,
Die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt’ böse Feind,
Mit Ernst er’s jetzt meint;
Gross’ Macht und viel List,
Sein grausam Rüstung ist,
Auf Erd’ ist nicht sein’s Gleichen.(^1000) The translation was made by my esteemed friend, Professor Thomas Conrad Porter, D. D., of Easton, Penn., several years ago, but
finished in February, 1888, and is almost equal to that of Thomas Carlyle in its reproduction of the rugged force of the original, and
surpasses it in rhythmic accuracy. Comp. 468, 502, sq.
(^1001) Carlyle: "A safe stronghold."
(^1002) "A trusty shield."—C.
(^1003) "The ancient prince of hell."—C.
(^1004) Strong mail of craft and power He weareth in this hour."—C.
"In grim armor dight,
Much guile and great might."—Longfellow.
(^1005) "On earth is not his fellow."—C.