Page 5 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

school in Switzerland. Here, however, a

danger arose which threatened to blight the

promise of his life. Determined efforts were

put forth by the friars to allure him into a

monastery. The Dominican and Franciscan

monks were in rivalry for popular favor. This

they endeavored to secure by the showy

adornments of their churches, the pomp of

their ceremonials, and the attractions of

famous relics and miracle-working images.

The Dominicans of Bern saw that if they

could win this talented young scholar, they

would secure both gain and honor. His

extreme youth, his natural ability as a

speaker and writer, and his genius for music

and poetry, would be more effective than all

their pomp and display, in attracting the

people to their services and increasing the

revenues of their order. By deceit and flattery