Page:The Journal of English and Germanic Philology Volume 18.djvu/327

 Martin Bucer on Education 323 words he employed. 11 Yet he was entirely without pretence, and demeaned himself humbly, wishing not to win praise, but to help his pupils, for his sole desire was that they might profit. 12 Even in controversy he seemed to wish not to win the victory, but to instruct his opponent in the truth. 13 His zeal in behalf of his pupils led him to take every opportunity for teaching. When he first arrived at Cambridge and was unable because of ill health to speak in public, he taught informally at his house, and raised great expectations, which were fully satisfied by his first public lecture. 14 His devotion caused him not to shrink from administering censure and rebuke, and by his fidelity in these he was helpful to many. His learning alone would have made him respected, and have enabled him to teach, as he did, with authority, yet his greatest strength was the complete confidence of all in the purity of his character, and in his utter devotion to the truth. His exhortations to study were supported by his own unflagging activity. His incessant labors are often remarked upon by his English admirers; his zeal seems even to have gone to excess, for in sickness his time was not empty, but he was ever writing something, or reading, or meditating, or instructing others. 15 Indeed, his own example was his chief instrument in inspiring all around him to holy lives, and diligence in the pursuit of learning. His entire character was such as could properly be imitated, for he fur- nished an example of the purest morals, of innocence, authority, diligence, frugality, modesty, continence, and indeed of all virtue. 16 It is easy to understand, then, when we are told that he obtained a great and good influence over his pupils, for his character seems to have been that of the ideal teacher as set forth by Sturm. 17 It is of value if, in addition to knowing the devotion to learn- ing and to teaching, and the other qualities of a great teacher, such as every teacher should strive to possess for himself, we can 11 Scripta Anglicana, p. 12 70., p. 885. 13 Ib., p. 887. 14 7&., p. 869. 15 Ib., p. 868. 16 76., p. 879. 17 76., p. 886. 869.