Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/20

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the head of the Church was, in the eyes of all the foremost men of the day, one of the highest of Christian duties.

The wonderful development of spiritual and intellectual life that characterised this period was only possible in view of the fact that all minds were still influenced by the Church doctrine of 'salvation by good works.' This teaching resulted, on the one hand, in innumerable charitable bequests, in the founding of hospitals, asylums, and orphanages, as well as in the building of churches and cathedrals adorned with all that was most beautiful in art ; while it also prompted the establishment of higher and lower educational institutions, and the liberal endowment of them.