The Eighth Picture. . . . It was one of the fundamental thoughts of the church . . . That the Holy Ghost alone could interpret the . . . doctrines contained in scripture . . . and that the Holy Ghost spoke through the sole medium of the Church . . . [Luther] asserted that the Holy Ghost might speak through the medium of any man with pure intentions. . . . This is the first time . . . That reason was acknowledged to be a source of truth. . . . However, at the time of Luther's reformation, the authority of human reason was subordinate to that of Holy Scripture . . . [and as] . . . introduced by the reformation of LUTHER, could not fail to come in conflict with the authority of Scripture. . . . A strong party gradually arose denying scriptural authority altogether. . . . In the Protestant Church this party developed itself under the name of the "Rationalists." . . . It was different in the Catholic Church. . . . But that same spirit which had produced the reformation with its consequences, had been developed in the Catholic Church as well, and . . . its hostility against the authority of the Church . . . ultimately exploded. . . . During the highest pitch of the excitement, a naked woman, representing . . . Reason, was borne . . . Through the streets of Paris, Strassburg, and other cities, and placed upon the altar of worship. . . . [Pp. 14-15; see entry 06110015 for other work noted in this commentary.]
Explanation of Theo. Kaufmann's Great Pictures, illustrating the development of Religious Liberty. Mr. Kaufmann invites the attention of lovers of Art to the above Pictures, which form a series of eight principal, and nine minor Paintings. --They can be seen at his Studio from 9 to 12 o'clock every morning. Free of charge. New York: G.B. Teubner, Printer, 17 Ann Street, near Broadway. 1853.
