Following the course which we have prescribed to ourselves, we come next to the Swamp Chapel, a name so unpromising, that a stranger to the scenery around it will be surprised to hear that few situa tions can be more romantically beautiful for a place of worship, than the one of which we are now to speak. That large tract of land lying between West River and Herring Bay is called the Swamp, and in times not very remote was entirely covered by a noble and extensive forest of trees, furnishing timber the most valuable of any on the shores of the Chesapeake, and in many respects little inferior to live oak. It will readily be supposed that a forest thus valuable would not be suffered to flourish long within fifty miles of the ship-yards of Bal timore, and the winds and the waves have dispersed the greater part to all the corners of the earth. That part of it, however, which still remains, surrounds the chapel, and though from the ground's being level for miles, there is no running stream, and in summer it becomes hard and parched; and in the winter, when not frozen, is muddy and disagreeable, yet during the spring and autumn 'tis every way beautiful. The wood being in this place open, and free from brush and underwood, where neither shrubs nor weeds are to be seen, the green turf extends in every direction, over which the stately white oaks fling their gigantic arms, in some places so closely intermingled as totally to intercept the sunbeams; in others receding from each other; and forming those long sweeping vistas in the intricacy of which the eye delights to lose itself, while imagination pursues them, as the paths to yet wilder scenes of sylvan solitude. It is not, however, to be denied, that the Swamp, picturesque and inviting to the eye as it at times really appears, excepting in spots, is no desirable place of residence. The chapel is new and commodious, and in all respects evidences the fostering care of those who watch over its concerns. May they who are travelling through that "valley of Baca," ever find it a well on "the way which leadeth to the holy city," trusting in God to strengthen, and prosper, and conduct them to the house of his habi tation, the place where his glory dwelleth. We have now arrived at Mount Zion. This church stands at the base of a wooded hill, and in a tract of country where the axe has been ceaselessly plied since the days of Cecilius Lord Baltimore (for the ground on which it is built was once a part of his lordship's particular property.) It is both a pleasing, though uncommon circumstance, that it is nearly encircled by a grove of lofty caks. The structure and outward appearance of the house itself do not well correspond with the natural beauty of its situation. But when we consider the difficulties that were to be surmounted, the deep-rooted prejudices that were encountered, ere it could be placed there at all, we can have no other feeling but that of gratitude, at finding it where it is, and such as it is. Of those by whose exertions this house was built, two only, it is believed, remain. As they were the most efficient in building it, so they have been most active in supporting it-through summer's heat and winter's cold, for more than twenty years, they have occupied their seats in it. May they, when their pilgrimage shall close, with the enlightened society with which they are connected, hear the glad. some invitation, saying, "Friends, come up higher!" But many an eye will be dim, and many a heart will be cold, ere the names of Robert Case and Benjamin Atwell will be forgotten amid the shades of Mount Zion. We have yet to speak of Hope Chapel, of which, however, there is little to say. The location, it is presumed, is good, as regards the convenience of the surrounding inhabitants, standing, as it does, on what may be called the throat of South River Neck. There is nothing claiming particular attention in the house itself, though it may be remarked that its name will probably ere long descend to a substantial and inviting edifice, which, by the blessing of God upon the enterprise and liberality of brethren and friends, we trust shall be reared. But of a prophet's chamber standing hard by, it would be ingratitude to omit the mention. He who had kept it swept and furnished for the messengers of the gospel, during many a long year, has lately gathered up his feet and departed in great peace. Doubtless he has witnessed the truth of the promise, "Whoso shall give a cup of cold water to one of these in my name, shall in nowise lose his reward." But the chamber is as well prepared-the welcome is as warm and cordial as ever-for his leading staff has descended to no unworthy hands. The family he has left behind are all pressing toward the mark of the same high calling, and "When soon or late, they reach that coast Our charge, as suggested by the foregoing remarks, is so compact that we have been able to form it into three leaders' meetings, and to transact our official business with a degree of regularity highly desira. able, and which contributes much to the health and prosperity of the whole. In our ministerial labours we have been favoured with a good degree of success. We cannot state, however, the precise number converted to God—but about two hundred and forty, professing, for the most part, the knowledge of sins forgiven, have united with the church, one hundred and ninety of whom are of the injured race of Africa. Some have removed, a number have died in prospect of a glorious immortality, a very few have been expelled, and here and there one on probation has been discontinued. But after deducting on every account, we have a considerable nett increase. To God be all the glory! There are in some instances, even here, lingering taints of that wicked, soul-chilling penuriousness which, practically, bids the preachers toil and suffer, and obtain from other resources their daily bread, or take comfort in prospect of their full reward beyond the grave; yet, generally, the spirit and liberality of the people speak out with David, "Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." And we have ground for strong confidence that if the measures of our excellent Discipline are faithfully followed up, the time is not far distant when they shall experience a powerful and extensive revival of the work of God. The Lord send it speedily for Christ's sake! Amen. Yours in the best of bonds, West River Circuit, Balt. Con., Feb. 28th, 1837. JOHN A. GERE. From the Biblical Repertory. ART. VI.--MARTIN LUTHER AT THE DIET OF WORMS. As soon as it was determined that Luther should appear at Worms, his enemies endeavored to bring it about that he should go thither without the imperial safe conduct, but with that of the elector alone. In this way, they thought that Luther would either be deterred, or that he might more easily be seized. But the elector did not countenance this proposal of the emperor, and upon this was issued on the 26th of March, 1521, the imperial citation to appear at Worms within twenty-one days, with a safe conduct, together with the bull and the discourse of Aleander. The former had this remarkable superscription: " To the reverend, pious, and beloved Doctor Martin Luther, of the Augustinian order;" and neither of the instruments contained any mention of a recantation to be demanded. He was furnished with letters of protection from the princes through whose territories he was to pass, as well as from the elector of Saxony and his brother John, and Duke George. As his personal escort Caspar Sturm was appointed herald, under the title of Germany. On the same account the elector expressly wrote on the 12th of March to the bailiff and council of Wittenberg, commanding them to provide that no hinderance in word or deed should occur, and that, if necessary, he should have a guard, and a respectful outfit. Luther then set out, in God's name, with his herald, for Worms, accompanied by Justus Jonas, afterward prebendary at Wittenberg, Nicholas von Amsdorf, Peter von Schwaven, a Danish nobleman, and Jerome Schurf, a civilian of Wittenberg. At the same time it was that the pope, in excess of contentious zeal, repeated the excommunication of Luther in another form. On Maundy Thursday, the 28th of March, in the notorious bull In coena Domini, he included Luther among the other heretics who are annually condemned anew in the same way at Rome. "In the name (so it runs) of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and by authority of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and also our own, we do hereby denounce and curse all manner of heretics, (among whom are included the Arnoldists, Wiclifites, Huss ites, and Fratricelli,) and also Martin Luther, lately condemned by us, for like heresy, together with all his adherents and such as show him favor that he may escape punishment, whoever they be, and all other heretics, as they may be named, and all their fautors, adherents, and retainers. We excommunicate and curse all pirates, all who in their territories institute new taxes or exact such as are forbidden; all who furnish horses, arms, iron or wooden work or other forbidden articles to Saracens, Turks, and other enemies of the Christian name, enabling them to contend with Christians," &c. This new anathema, however, did Luther no injury, especially ast every one knew how it must be regarded by him. At a later period, he published it himself, with keen and vehement notes, pungent sarcasm and sparkling wit, under this title: "The Bull Abendfressen* of our most holy father the pope." At that period it was not un * In allusion to the title of the bull, in coena Domini. common to attack human passion and hypocrisy in religion, with these weapons of sarcasm and coarse wit; indeed it was but a little before the appearance of this bull that the famous painter, Lucas Kranach, published at Wittenberg a series of wood-cuts, entitled "The Passional of Christ and of Antichrist," with titles by Philip Melancthon. In general, all that Germany could then boast of poetry and art was arrayed on the side of the Reformation, and voluntarily came into its service. The two greatest masters of the imitative arts, Albert Durer and Lucas Kranach, were friends and followers of Luther, and celebrated by their productions the name of this reformer and of the chief defenders of the pure faith. In 1523, Hans Sachs, the Nuremberg minstrel, composed in honor of Luther the pleasing song which even now is every where familiar, under the title of the Wittenberg Nightingale. The vehicle in which Luther travelled to Worms was given to him by the council of Wittenberg, and drew from him a letter of courteous thanks. At Weimar, he received from Duke John a sum for his travelling expenses. At Erfurt his reception was particularly honorable. Crotus, at that time rector of the university, accompanied by Eobanus Hessen, Euricius Cordus, John Draco and others, forty being mounted and a large number on foot, received him two German miles from Erfurt, and escorted into the city the carriage or wagon in which Luther and his friends were journeying. Here and in all the streets through which the procession passed the throng became still greater. At the request of many he preached in the Augustinian convent. This entry and visit to Erfurt has been celebrated in four beautiful Latin poems by his friend Eobanus. At Eisenach he was sick. He was bled, and the mayor of the town gave him an excellent potion, after which he enjoyed a night's rest, and on the next day was able to continue his journey. Whenever he entered a town, multitudes of people met him, in order to see the brave man who had dared to withstand the pope. Some there were who gave him but poor encouragement, saying that as there were so many cardinals and bishops at Worms, he would certainly be at once burned to powder, as was Huss at Constance. But he replied, that if they should make a fire, between Wittenberg and Worms, that should reach up to heaven, he would nevertheless appear there, in the Lord's name, and in, the jaws of behemoth, between his very tusks, confess Christ, and recognise his dominion. From Frankfort he wrote to Spalatin, that he had heard of the promulgation of the imperial edict: "We are coming, dear Spalatin, although Satan has laid a variety of ailments as stumbling-blocks in the way; for all the journey from Eisenach hither I have been indisposed, and am so even now, in a manner altogether unwonted. I hear likewise that a mandate of the Emperor Charles has been published to alarm me. But Christ still lives, and in his name will we enter Worms, in spite of all the gates of hell, and the powers of the air. I have made up my mind to brave and despise the devil. Prepare us a lodging forthwith."* An attempt was made, by the practices of the archbishop of Mentz, as Luther afterward proved, to dissuade him from taking * Ep. 309, De Wette. Ap. 14, 1521.-TR. 7 the direct road to Worms, in order that he might go to the castle of Ebernburgh, and confer there with the wily Glassio. Possibly this took place in good faith, as that castle belonged to Francis of Sickingen, who in like manner sought a conference by means of Bucer. Luther, however, looked upon the worst side of the affair, being apprehensive of snares, and thought that they meant to detain him until the three remaining days of his safe-conduct should have elapsed. He therefore answered firmly, that he would go forward to the place whither he was called, and that he might be found at Worms. In Oppenheim he was counselled by Spalatin not to proceed directly to Worms, and thus place himself in so great jeopardy. But he replied to him, that he would go to Worms even if there were as many devils there as tiles upon the houses. In recounting this, a few days before his death, he added: "Thus reckless of consequences, can God make a man; I know not whether I should now be so light-hearted." On the 16th of April he arrived at Worms. Before the wagon. rode the imperial herald with the eagle arms, accompanied by his servant. Behind these came Justus Jonas with his academical Famulus. They were met by a number of the nobility, and ať ten o'clock, when he entered the city, he was accompanied by more than two thousand men to his lodging, which was near the Swan, where Louis the elector palatine had his abode. In the same house with him were the Saxon counsellors, Frederick von Thunau and Philip von Feilitsch, both knights, and also Ulrich von Pappenheim the imperial marshal. This we learn from Veit Warbeck, a canon of Altenburg, who, on account of his familiarity with the French language, was retained at the court of the Elector Fredrick; he gave an account of Luther's entry into Worms to Duke John the brother of the elector. On the very next morning he was cited by Pappenheim, the hereditary marshal of the empire, to appear before the imperial council the same afternoon, and this gentleman himself called for him at four o'clock, and joined the herald in conducting him. So great was the throng in the streets, that many ascended the housetops to get a sight of him; and to avoid the press, they went through several houses and gardens. As Luther was about to enter the assembly-hall, the famous general George Frundsberg, clapped him upon the shoulder and said: "Monkling, Monkling, thou art now on thy way to take a stand, the like of which I and many other captains have never taken in the fiercest conflicts. Now if thou art in the right, and sure of thy cause, go forward in God's name, and be of good cheer, God. will not forsake thee." Ulrich von Hutten had likewise encouraged him by two noble letters, inscribed "to Martin Luther, invincible theologian and evangelist, and my pious friend." The former of these opens thus: "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; grant thee according to thine own heart and fulfil all thy counsel; hear thee from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. For what else, at this time, should I wish for you, most worthy Luther, my honored father? Be of good cheer; be strong. You see what a game lies before you, and how much is |