MARTIN LUTHER 127 his need of infinite mercy, and in seeking the pardon of his sins he would not place himself on a level with Paul or Peter, but rather choose a point of self- humiliation by the side of the penitent thief. His work on the revolution of the celestial bodies was passing through the press at the time of his fatal illness in 1543, when he had completed his seven- tieth year and was brought to him just before he breathed his last ; and thus, as has been beautifully expressed, he was " made to touch the first printed copy of his book when the sense of touch was gone, seeing it only as a dim object through the deepening dusk." He is buried under aflat stone in one of the side aisles of his own cathedral at Frauenburg. * On his monument is painted a half-length portrait, pale, thin, aged, but with an expression of countenance intelligent and pleasant. His hair and eyes are black ; he is habited as a priest ; his hands are joined in prayer ; before him is a crucifix, at his feet a skull, and behind him are a globe and a pair of compasses. His devotion, his deadness to the world, and his love of science are thus aptly symbolized. MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546) ARTIN LUTHER, the greatest of the Protestant Reformers of the six- teenth century, was born at Eisleben on November 10, 1483. His father was a miner in humble circumstances ; his mother, as Melancthon records, was a woman of exemplary virtue, and par- ticularly esteemed in her walk of life. Shortly after Martin's birth his parents re- moved to Mansfeld, where their circum- stances ere long improved by industry and perseverance. Their son was sent to school ; and both at home and in school his training was severe. His father sometimes whipped him, he says, "fora mere trifle till the blood came," and he was subjected to the scholastic rod fif- teen times in one day ! Luther's school- ing was completed at Magdeburg and Eisenach, and at the latter place he at- tracted by his singing the notice of a good lady of the name of Cotta, who wel- comed the lad into her family and provided him with a comfortable home dur-
