Indulgences and the Reformation
PROF. P. V. N. MYERS, in his new ‘General History’ for advanced schools, according to the Advance of the 24th ult., has endeavored to meet the wishes of Romanists. Concerning indulgences and Tetzel it says:— “The language that he, or, at least, his subordinates, used, in exhorting the people to comply with the conditions of gaining indulgences, one of which was a donation of money, was unseemly and exaggerated. The result was that erroneous views as to the effect of indulgences began to spread among the simple and credulous, some being so far misled as to think that if they only contributed this money they would be exempt from all penalty for sins.” Whereupon the Advance remarks:— “The laying of the blame of this shameless sale, not on the falsehood and cupidity of the priests, but upon the guilelessness of the ‘simple and credulous,’ is rather too transparent a sop to the Romanists. The statement also entirely omits the fact, that these indulgences not only were issued to remit penalties for past sins, but to allow the commission of future offenses.” This shows the tendency of the times and the influence of Roman Catholicism. It will be but a little while before the Reformation will be deplored by the descendants of the genuine Protestants as a mistake. The Reformers even now are apologized for instead of being defended.