AN EPIPHANY IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER:

LUTHER ON PILATE'S STAIRCASE.

For some time after the light of truth began to dawn on the mind of Luther, he submitted to all the vain practices which the Romish Church enjoins, in order to purchase the remission of sins. One day, during his visit to Rome, wishing to obtain an indulgence promised by the pope to any one who should ascend, on his knees, what is called Pilate's Staircase, the poor Saxon monk was slowly climbing those steps, which they told him had been miraculously transported from Jerusalem to Rome. But while he was going through with the meritorious work, he thought he heard a voice, like thunder, speaking from the depth of his heart, " The just shall live by faith!" He stared up in terror on the steps up which he had been crawling. He was hor- rified at himself; and, struck with shame for the degradation to which superstition had debased him. He fled from the scene of his folly. This was the decisive epoch in the inward life of Luther.

NOTE: It is to be prayerfully desired that no reader of this devotion will be lured away from the grace of God by the traditions of men by climbing the stair steps the futility of salvation by works.

(J. Ogles)