At the same time, they err greatly who imagine that this man’s courage was ferocity--mere coarse, disobedient obstinacy and savagery--as many do. Far from that. There may be an absence of fear, which arises from the absence of thought or affection, from the presence of hatred and stupid fury. We do not value the courage of the tiger highly. With Luther it was far otherwise; no accusation could be more unjust than this mere ferocious violence brought against him. A most gentle heart withal, full of pity and love, as, indeed, the truly valiant heart ever is. The tiger before a _stronger_ foe flies. The tiger is not what we call valiant, only fierce and cruel. I know few things more touching than those soft breathings of affection--soft as a child’s or a mother’s--in this great, wild heart of Luther. So honest, unadulterated with any cant; homely, rude in their utterance; pure as water welling from the rock. What, in fact, was all this downpressed mood of despair and reprobation which we saw in his youth but the outcome of pre-eminent, thoughtful gentleness, affections too keen and pure? It is the curse such men as the poor poet Cowper fall into. Luther, to a slight observer, might have seemed a timid, weak man; modesty, affectionate, shrinking tenderness the chief distinction of him. It is a noble valor which is roused in a heart like this, once stirred up into defiance, all kindled into a heavenly blaze. In Luther’s “Table-Talk,” a posthumous book of anecdotes and sayings collected by his friends--the most interesting now of all the books proceeding from him--we have many beautiful, unconscious displays of the man and what sort of nature he had. His behavior at the death-bed of his little daughter--so still, so great and loving--is among the most affecting things. He is resigned that his little Magdalene should die, yet longs inexpressibly that she might live--follows, in awe-struck thought, the flight of her little soul through those unknown realms. Awestruck--most heartfelt, we can see; and sincere--for, after all dogmatic creeds and articles, he feels what nothing it is that we know or can know. His little Magdalene shall be with God, as God wills; for Luther, too, that is all.