AND TUTOR TO FKEDERICK THE NOBLE. 



225 



publisliecl in 1880 at Basle in a German translation, under the 

 title, Die gottliche Wilrdc Cliristi. 



Through this translation and otherwise, he employed what- 

 ever inHuence he might possess over the German clergy in 

 impressing upon them that " State money" was a poor corner- 

 stone on which to build up a living Church, as religion could 

 not very well thrive upon indifferent officialism. On the same 

 subject he approached the Prince Imperial, who naturally 

 agreed, reminding him, however, of his own doctrine : that it is 

 useless to change institutions till the minds of men have 

 undergone a change corresponding to tlie effort to be made. 



Godet's admonitions to the Lutheran clergy were not quite 

 in keeping with his usual patience. He was getting over- 

 worked and had to refuse to prepare? an Old Testament 

 commentary demanded then for publication in Scotland. Yet 

 his physical vigour was still such that he could ascend snowy 

 summits in the Alps, walking sixteen hours at a stretch. 



In 1884 he was made Honorary D.D. by the University of 

 Edinburgh. 



His trip to Copenhagen and Norway, in the same year, was a 

 kind of triumphant progress. Not only was he to address the 

 Evangelical Alliance, but Danes and Norwegians, whether 

 clergymen or laymen, greeted in him their master and spiritual 

 adviser wherever he travelled. His books had preceded him 

 along those coasts as far as the North Cape. 



In 1885, his Imperial friend still writes to him perfectly happy 

 letters, speaking of his domestic life and affections, of the 

 delight he has in his eldest son's military propensities and in 

 the naval abilities of his son Henry. But, in 1887, a shadow 

 begins to fall upon the exemplary home life of this family. Its 

 head, who was to the Princess Eoyal the very breath of life, 

 was becoming afflicted with the first symptoms of the dreadful 

 throat disease which so abruptly ended his days, almost as soon 

 as from the steps of the throne he ascended the throne itself. 

 The sufferer wrote to theupbringer of his childhood, committing 

 himself into the hands of God, while he should go through the 

 severe trial of his faith. 



The pastor, who had used his wife's hand in replying to this 

 letter, being himself now shaken in health, realised he must 

 withdraw from his responsibilities as a professor of divinity, 

 having lost the power to discharge them satisfactorily. He 

 thought he would henceforth devote himself to desk work alone. 

 He did actually, six years later, publish the first volume of his 

 Introduction to the New Testament. All he needed was rest. 



Q 



