Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/145

UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER CENTRES OF LEARNING 133 saw in the classics a means of strengthening the faith in intelligent minds, took much interest in the subject, and induced the bishop and canons of the cathedral to invite the eminent scholar, Jerome Gebweiler, to take charge of the cathedral school at Strasburg, It was also through his influence that the historian, Beatus Ehenanus, came from Schlettstadt to reside at Stras- burg, and it was this same Ehenanus who, in 1510, preached the funeral sermon of the venerable cathedral preacher, and in touching words bore evidence to his virtues and talents, as well as to the respect in which he was held by the people. Whoever reads the works of Geiler in an unpreju- diced spirit must be struck by the incorruptible love of truth, the fearless independence, the impartial justice and true loyalty of this grand character. The power of his eloquence, the simplicity and easy vivacity of his style, are almost unsurpassed. In his books we have some of the most reliable means of information as to the mind and manners of the people. An upholder of their rights, and a champion of the down-trodden wherever they were to be found, he fought vigorously against the oppression of the poor by the rich, the unjust distribution of taxes, and the pernicious love of the chase that prevailed amongst the nobility. He laboured assiduouslv to establish better guardian- ship of the poor, and set himself strongly against the barbarous punishments in vogue at that time, especially the use of the rack. What he could spare from his income as cathedral preacher he devoted to the poor, each day giving alms to the foundlings and orphans. When he appeared in the streets he was immediately