In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

conversation everywhere – in all circles, and in all
sorts of places. They were discussed by the learned
in the universities, and by the monks in their cells.
In the market-place, in the shop, and in the tavern,
men paused and talked together of the bold act and
the new doctrine of the monk of Wittemberg. A
copy was procured and read by Leo X. in the
Vatican.
The very darkness of the age helped to extend
the circulation and the knowledge of the "Theses."
The man who kindles a bonfire on a mountain-top
by day will have much to do to attract the eyes of
even a single parish. He who kindles his signal
amid the darkness of night will arouse a whole
kingdom. This last was what Luther had done. He
had lighted a great fire in the midst of the darkness
of Christendom, and far and wide over distant
realms was diffused the splendor of that light; and
men, opening their eyes on the sudden illumination
that was brightening the sky, hailed the new dawn.
No one was more surprised at the effects
produced than Luther himself. That a sharp
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