RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Muratorian Murphy
the Affairs of the Christians before the Time of Constantine the Great (2 vols., New York, 1851-52); The New Testament: a literal Translation from the Syriac Peshito Version (1852). He also edited, with preface and notes, Milman's History of Christianity (1841), and wrote The Nature of the Atonement (Andover, 1823) ; and Sketches of Modern Philosophy, especially among the Germans (Hartford, 1842).
MURNER, THOMAS: German Catholic priest and poet; b. at Oberehnheim (15 m. s.w. of Strasburg) probably Dec. 24, 1475; d. there Aug. 23, 1537. He entered the Franciscan order at Strasburg 1490; was ordained priest in 1494; studied theology at Paris, law at Freiburg, and philosophy, philology, and mathematics at Cracow, 1495-1500, taking his doctorate some time before 1509. About 1500 or 1501 Murner is said to have lived at Solothurn in order to become familiar with the Swiss monasteries. In 1502 he returned to Strasburg. He attempted at Cracow and other places to teach logic and even jurisprudence by means of charts, Chartiludium Logicce (Cracow, 1507) and Chartiludium Institute Summarie (1518). In 1508 he was at Strasburg, where he was attacked by Ulrich Zasius on account of his humanistic leanings. Murner, on the other hand, maintained that the study of ancient literature was not incompatible with a pious and chaste life and that contact with the world necessitated classical education even for clergymen. In his Ludus Studentum Freiburgensium (Frankfort, 1511) he taught even prosody in a figurative manner. His greatest renown was won by his satires, in which he was thoroughly at home. In 1512 appeared his Narrenbeschworung and Schelmenzunft, the former at Strasburg, !:he latter at Frankfort. The Narrenbeschworung was influenced by the Narrenschiff of Sebastian Brant, but its originality has not suffered from that fact. The Schelmenzunft is the Narrenbeschworung abbreviated. In both poems Murner attacked the deficiencies and frailties of all classes, the gluttony and rebellious turn of the peasants, the arrogance, egoism, and niggardliness of citizens, the vanity of women, the rapacity, debauchery, and brutality of the nobility, the insubordination and egoism of the imperial princes, but especially the ignorance, levity, unchastity, avarice, and unscrupulousness of the clergy. But in criticism of the Church, Murner never went beyond abuses in the Church; its constitution and doctrines he did not assail. He attacked not personalities but principles, or rather, the lack of them. In 1514 appeared his poem, Ein andechtig geistliche Badenfahrt and in 1515 Die Millie von Schwyndelssheym und Gredt Mullerin Jahrzeit. Die geuchmat zu Straf alien wybschen mannen (Basel, 1519) is directed against foolish lovers and ladies' men and forms a rich source for the history of manners, customs, and fashions. In 1519 appeared his translation of the Institutionen which in 1521 was renewed under the title, Der keyserlichen Statrechten ein Ingang und wares Fundament. The popularizing of legal science was a need of the time. But, though Murner discerned the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, he was decidedly hostile to the Reforma-
tion. Against Luther Murner wrote no less than thirty-two pamphlets of which only five or six have been printed: Ein christliche und briederliche Ermanung zu dem hochgelerten Doctor Martino Luter (1520); Von Doctor Martinus Luter s leren und predigen, das sie arg wenig seint (1520); Von dem babstenthum wyder Doctor Martinum Luther
(1520); A in new lied von dem under gang des Christlichen Glaubens in Bruder Veiten thon (1521); Ob der Kunig uss engelland ein lilgner sey oder der Luther (1522). But in spite of his zeal, he gained little acknowledgment even among Roman Catholics, and his attacks had not the least effect upon his opponents. His satires lacked religious enthusiasm and sincerity. His best satire is Von dem grossen lutherischen Narren wie j'n Doctor Murner beschworen hat (1522). But the poem was immediately suppressed by the council of Strasburg, and Murner was forbidden to print anything else. In 1523 Murner visited in England with Henry VIII., whose treatise on the seven sacraments against Luther he had translated in the preceding year. After his return the Reformation had victoriously entered Strasburg, and Murner removed to Oberehnheim, but driven away by the Peasants' War, he fled to Switzerland. Having settled at Lucerne, he became the head of the Roman party, and one of the most energetic opponents of Zwingli. But in 1529, after Lucerne was defeated in the first war of Kappel, Murner had to flee once more. He escaped to Wallis and then took refuge with Elector Frederic II. in the Palatinate. In 1530 he returned to Oberehnheim where he spent the rest of his life. (F. LiSTf.)
Bibliography : G. E. Waldau, Nachrichten von Thomas Murners Leben und SchHften, Nuremberg, 1775; J. Scheible, Das Kloster, vol. iv., Stuttgart, 1846; J. Hub, Die komische und humoristische Literatur . des 16. Jahrhunderts, Nuremberg, 1856; W. Kawerau, Thomas Murner und die Kirche des Mittelalters, Halle, 1890; idem, Thomas Murner und die deutsche Reformation, ib. 1891; K. Ott, in Alamannia, xxiii. 144-188, 231-288.
MURPHY, FRANCIS: Apostle of total abstinence and evangelist; b. at Wexford (64 m. s.w. of Dublin), Ireland, Apr. 24, 1836; d. at Los Angeles, Cal., June 30, 1907. He emigrated to the United States while a young man; served as a private during the Civil War; began work in Portland, Me., as an advocate of total abstinence in 1870, and led the campaign in that state for several years; his success there led to the extension of the movement over the entire country, until it was estimated that over 10,000,000 had signed the pledge, which involved not only abstinence from intoxicating drinks but earnest effort to induce others to the same. The great results of his work in the United States led, in 1881, to his being called to England and the continent, where his successes were continued for four years. On his return he made his home for some years in Pittsburg, Pa., but continued his work on the platform. In 1900 he went to Hawaii to present his cause, then to Australia, returning in 1901 and making his home in Los Angeles, Cal., but continuing his work till failing eyesight compelled his retirement in 1906.
MURPHY, JAMES GR ACE Y : Irish Presbyterian , exegete; b. at Ballyaltikilikan in the parish of
Murphy Musculus