ONCE MORE IN ZULSDORF.
Three years had passed. To the loss of their child, another sorrow
was added. Soon after Lena's death, the wife of Justus Jonas died.
She was a good and noble woman, Katharine's dearest friend; and it
was to her, Luther hoped, his wife might after his death, look for
comfort and support. Once more, Luther's house was turned into a
house of mourning. But in time the wounds healed,--and sharp grief
gave place to loving, tender memories.
The simple, peaceful life at Zulsdorf had done much to restore the
stricken hearts. Small and modest as was their home, yet to the
great man it was a paradise, and to Katharine's contented spirit, a
kingdom. Her taste for improvements involved her in many a struggle
with the Elector's dishonest officials, who sought to draw their own
profit from every delivery of building material. Yet these
annoyances were as nothing, compared with the delights of country
life.
Again, we find her busy in her domain, assisting Gretchen in
wreathing the entrance with evergreens, and in strewing fresh sand
upon the paths.
It was a glorious morning in July. Sweet summer scents rose from the
fields, the clear air rang with the song of birds and the chirping of
insects, and all created things seemed full of the joy of life.
"They must soon be coming," said Katharine, her eyes scanning the
distant road. But hours passed; and it was already afternoon, when
Katharine, from the garden, heard the sound of approaching wheels.
She hastened to the court,--a wagon rolled in at the gate, and Luther
and his son John alighted.
"Praised be God, we are here," exclaimed Luther, after the first
greeting was over. "I feel like a mariner, who has reached a safe
harbor, after the dangers and tempests of the sea. I thank the dear
heavenly Father, that He has prepared this refuge for me. His mercy
is with me evermore."
He seemed tired, and his face was pale and worn. After he had
refreshed himself with a cup of milk and a piece of bread, he sat
down beside his wife, and turning to John and Margaret, said:
"Go away for a little while, children; I need rest."
He lay down upon a couch, and taking his wife's hand, looked long and
earnestly into her face. "My dear wife," he said at last, "I have
much to tell you, that will no doubt astonish you. I cannot continue
in Wittenberg, and I have bidden farewell to the city, where I
labored for seven and thirty years."
"Doctor," cried Katharine, in amazement.
Luther continued: "It was a difficult decision to make; but it must
needs be. My heart has grown cold, and I cannot abide in a city,
where disorder and lawlessness reign supreme; where none heed my
voice, and even the theologians no longer stand firm. Among the
young people the profligacy of former times has broken out again, and
even honest maidens go about the streets, arrayed in an unseemly
manner. The priests aid the disorderly doings, by favoring secret
betrothals. It is my wish therefore, that you sell our house, and
all that we possess in Wittenberg. It would be best for us to
continue here at Zulsdorf, while I am with you; and my salary, which
the Elector will not withdraw, will assist in keeping the household.
After my death the various elements in Wittenberg will not suffer you
to dwell there. It were better, therefore, that the change were made
during my life-time. On my journey hither, I learned many things,
that made me weary of the town, and I will not return to it, unless
it be God's Will. The day after to-morrow I wish to go to Merseburg,
where our dear prince George of Anhalt is at present administering
the bishopric. He has been found faithful beyond measure, not only
attending diligently to the outward duties of his office, but
preaching to his people from the pulpit. I will rather eat the bread
of poverty hereafter, than torture my few remaining days with the
sight of the misrule at Wittenberg, and lose the fruits of my
toilsome life. They know nothing as yet of my determination, which
was formed on the way. I will write to Bugenhagen and to master
Philip,--they may make it known to the University."
While he spoke, Katharine moved closer to her husband. Her eyes
brightened, as he proceeded. When he paused, she pressed his hand,
and said: "Dearest Doctor, you are giving me a great pleasure. I
have long wished that we might remain here, where it is so full of
God's peace. Yet I fear, that they will not suffer you to rest, but
will urge you back again into the struggle."
"Be at ease, dear wife," said Luther, "it shall be as God wills. I
will write at once."
She brought him pen, ink and paper, and an hour later, he entrusted
to the coachman, who had brought him, two letters, to be delivered on
his return to Wittenberg.
Three happy, restful days followed. The quiet restored Luther's
spirits. He noted with interest the well-planned improvements made
by his wife; tasted and enjoyed the various fruits, grown on his own
trees, and addressed many a merry, jesting speech to his "lord" Kate.
The affection and trustfulness of his laborers gave him much
pleasure. He conversed with them in their own language, and they
were greatly rejoiced at the kindliness of the great man, of whom
they knew that he was the friend of kings and nobles.
After a few days he felt so refreshed, that he was able to set out
upon the journey to Merseburg, in the carriage sent him by prince
George. On the ad of August, he accompanied the princely
ecclesiastic to Halle, where the latter was to receive the rite of
ordination at his hands. He preached in the Cathedral to vast crowds
of people, and then proceeded to Leipsic, where men were longing to
hear the words of truth from his lips.
When he returned to Zulsdorf, he found his wife in tears. Again, her
forebodings had been verified. "Ah, dearest Doctor," she cried, "our
joy is at an end. Here is a letter from the Elector,--it came
yesterday."
Luther read the Elector's words of dismay and sorrow at his
determination. The sovereign gave his solemn promise, if Luther
consented to remain at Wittenberg, to use his influence in removing
the causes of his complaints, whose justice he admitted. He most
urgently entreated him to desist from his purpose, which would have
further disastrous consequences; Melanchthon having declared that he
would not remain in Wittenberg, without his friend Martin.
Luther had scarcely finished, when a stir was heard without. As he
opened the door, Melanchthon and the burgomaster of Wittenberg,
Ambrose Reuter entered. They added their pleadings to those of the
Elector, and were, if possible, even more pressing.
Luther could not resist. "As God pleases," he said resignedly, with
a glance toward his wife, who stood by the window, scarcely able to
restrain her tears.
It was like a triumphal procession, when on the 16th of August,
Luther, with his wife and eldest son, seated in the carriage sent him
by the Senate of Wittenberg, entered the Elstergate. The better
elements welcomed the beloved teacher with jubilant delight; many of
the erring ones repented, and those that remained incorrigible, were
summarily dealt with by the University and the municipal authorities.
With inward satisfaction, Luther saw this return to better things, a
result to which he gladly sacrificed the coveted rest; as, all his
life long, it had been the rule of his thinking and acting, to forget
himself, for the welfare of others.