Thekla's Story.
WITTEMBERG, 23d _January_, 1548.
Dr. Luther has left Wittemberg to-day for Eisleben, his birth-place, to
settle a dispute between the Counts of Mansfeld concerning certain
rights of church patronage.
He left in good spirits, intending to return in a few days. His three
sons, John, Martin, and Paul, went with him. Mistress Luther is anxious
and depressed about his departure, but we trust without especial cause,
although he has often of late been weak and suffering.
The dullness and silence which to me always seem to settle down on
Wittemberg in his absence are increased now doubtless by this wintry
weather, and the rains and storms which have been swelling the rivers to
floods. He is, indeed, the true father and king of our little world; and
when he is with us all Germany and the world seem nearer us through his
wide-seeing mind and his heart that thrills to every touch of want or
sorrow throughout the world.
_February_.
Mistress Luther has told me to-day that Dr. Luther said before he left
he could "lie down on his death-bed with joy if he could first see his
dear Lords of Mansfeld reconciled." She says also that he has just
concluded the Commentary on Genesis, on which he has been working these
ten years, with these words--
"_I am weak and can do no more. Pray God he may grant me a peaceful and
happy death._"
She thinks his mind has been dwelling of late more than usual, even with
him, on death, and fears he feels some inward premonition or
presentiment of a speedy departure.
So long he has spoken of death as a thing to be desired! Yet it always
makes our hearts ache to hear him do so. Of the Advent, as the end of
all evil and the beginning of the Kingdom, we can well bear to hear him
speak, but not of that which if the end of all evil to him, would seem
like the beginning of all sorrows to us.
Now, however, Mistress Luther is somewhat comforted by his letters,
which are more cheerful than those she received during his absence last
year, when he counselled her to sell all their Wittemberg property, and
take refuge in her estate at Zoellsdorf, that he might know her safe out
of Wittemberg--that "haunt of selfishness and luxury"--before he died.