diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 19:51:50 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 19:51:50 -0800 |
| commit | f9014a22327d3e9575845dda450d8d89f66f487f (patch) | |
| tree | 655dda64c2b77b297c54ce562cd58b023289938c /old/56084-h/56084-h.htm | |
| parent | 3c6e96230db06655bdd4d618c2f291df470a41e5 (diff) | |
Diffstat (limited to 'old/56084-h/56084-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/56084-h/56084-h.htm | 3836 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 3836 deletions
diff --git a/old/56084-h/56084-h.htm b/old/56084-h/56084-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index d19d653..0000000 --- a/old/56084-h/56084-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3836 +0,0 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> -<title>Catharine de Bora, by John G. Morris: a Project Gutenberg eBook</title> -<meta name="author" content="John G. Morris" /> -<meta name="pss.pubdate" content="1856" /> -<link rel="schema.DC" href="http://dublincore.org/documents/1998/09/dces/" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Catharine de Bora" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Format" content="text/html" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1856" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="John G. Morris (****-****)" /> -<style type="text/css"> -large { font-size:125%; } -sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style: normal; } -/* == GLOBAL MARKUP == */ -body, table.twocol tr td { margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } /* BODY */ -.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; } -.box p { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -.box dl { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -h1, h2, h3, h5, h6, .titlepg p { text-align:center; clear:both; } /* HEADINGS */ -h2 { margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:1.5em; } -h2 .small { font-style:normal; } -p.h2sum { font-size:90%; text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; text-align:justify; } -h1 { margin-top:3em; } -div.box h1 { margin-top:1em; } -h3 { font-variant:small-caps; margin-top:2.5em; } -h4, h5 { font-size:100%; text-align:center; clear:right; } -h6 { font-size:100%; } -h6.var { font-size:80%; font-style:normal; } -.titlepg { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border-style:double; clear:both; } -span.chaptertitle { font-style:normal; display:block; text-align:center; font-size:150%; } -.tblttl { text-align:center; } -.tblsttl { text-align:center; font-variant:small-caps; } -.f { font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; } -.fontnorm { font-style:normal; } -pre sub.ms { width:4em; letter-spacing:1em; } -table.fmla { text-align:center; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } - -p, blockquote, div.p, div.bq { text-align:justify; } /* PARAGRAPHS */ -div.p, div.bq { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -blockquote, .bq { margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em; } -.verse { font-size:100%; } -p.indent {text-indent:2em; text-align:left; } -p.tb, p.tbcenter, verse.tb, blockquote.tb { margin-top:2em; } - - -span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb /* PAGE BREAKS */ -{ text-align:right; float:right; margin-right:0em; clear:right; } -div.pb { display:inline; } -.pb, dt.pb, dl.toc dt.pb, dl.tocl dt.pb, .index dt.pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; text-indent:0; - font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; - color:gray; border:1px solid gray;padding:1px 3px; } -div.index .pb { display:block; } -.bq div.pb, .bq span.pb { font-size:90%; margin-right:2em; } - -.fontnorm {font-style:normal; } -div.img, body a img {text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; } - -sup, a.fn { font-size:75%; vertical-align:100%; line-height:50%; font-weight:normal; } -h3 a.fn { font-size:65%; } -sub { font-size:75%; } -.center, .tbcenter { text-align:center; clear:both; } /* TEXTUAL MARKUP */ -span.center { display:block; } -table.center { clear:both; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } - -p { clear:left; } -.small, .lsmall { font-size:85%; } -.smaller { font-size:75%; } -.smallest { font-size:65%; } -.larger { font-size:150%; } -.large { font-size:125%; } -.xlarge { font-size:200%; line-height:60%; } -.xxlarge { font-size:200%; line-height:60%; } -.gs { letter-spacing:1em; } -.gs3 { letter-spacing:2em; } -.gslarge { letter-spacing:.3em; font-size:110%; } -.sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style: normal; } -.xo { position:relative; left:-.3em; } -.over, over { text-decoration: overline; display:inline; } -hr { width:20%; } -.jl, span.jl { text-align:left; float:left; display:inline-block; } -.jr { text-align:right; min-width:2em; } -.jr1 { text-align:right; margin-right:2em; } -span.jr1 { display:block; } -.ind1 { text-align:left; margin-left:2em; } -.u { text-decoration:underline; } -.hst { margin-left:2em; } -.rubric { color:red; } -.ss { font-family:sans-serif; } -ul li { text-align:justify; } - -dd.t { text-align:left; margin-left: 5.5em; } -dl.toc { clear:both; margin-top:1em; } /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ -.toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em;} -.toc dt { text-align:right; clear:left; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dd { text-align:justify; clear:both; margin-left:4em; margin-right:2em; text-indent:-2em; margin-bottom:.5em; } -.toc dd.ddt { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; } -.toc dd.ddt2 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:5em; } -.toc dd.ddt3 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:6em; } -.toc dd.ddt4 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:7em; } -.toc dd.ddt5 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:8em; } -.toc dd.note { text-align:justify; clear:both; margin-left:5em; text-indent:-1em; margin-right:3em; } -.toc dt .xxxtest {width:17em; display:block; position:relative; left:4em; } -.toc dt i { font-variant:normal; } -.toc dt a, -.toc dd a, -.toc dt span.left, -.toc dt span.lsmall, -.toc dd span.left { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } -.toc dt a span.cn { width:2.5em; text-align:right; margin-right:.5em; float:left; } -.toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } -.toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } -.toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } -.toc dd.center { text-align:center; } -dd.tocsummary {text-align:justify; margin-right:2em; margin-left:2em; } -dd.center sc {display:block; text-align:center; } -/* BOX CELL */ -td.top { border-top:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.bot { border-bottom:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.rb { border:1px solid; border-left:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.lb { border:1px solid; border-right:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } - -/* INDEX (.INDEX) */ -dl.index { clear:both; } -.index dd { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt.center {text-align:center; } - /* FOOTNOTE BLOCKS */ -div.notes p { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } - -dl.undent dt { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd.r { margin-left:0; text-indent:0; text-align:right; } -dl.undent dd.c { margin-left:0; text-indent:0; text-align:center; } -dl.lrdent dt { text-align:right; } -dl.lrdent dt span { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; display:inline-block; } - - /* POETRY LINE NUMBER */ -.lnum { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left:.5em; display:inline; } - -.hymn { text-align:left; } /* HYMN AND VERSE: HTML */ -.verse { text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.versetb { text-align:left; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.originc { text-align:center; } -.subttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; } -.srcttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; font-weight:bold; } -p.t0, p.l { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lb { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.tw, div.tw, .tw { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t, div.t, .t { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t2, div.t2, .t2 { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t3, div.t3, .t3 { margin-left:7em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t4, div.t4, .t4 { margin-left:8em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t5, div.t5, .t5 { margin-left:9em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t6, div.t6, .t6 { margin-left:10em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t7, div.t7, .t7 { margin-left:11em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t8, div.t8, .t8 { margin-left:12em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t9, div.t9, .t9 { margin-left:13em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t10, div.t10,.t10 { margin-left:14em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t11, div.t11,.t11 { margin-left:15em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t12, div.t12,.t12 { margin-left:16em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t13, div.t13,.t13 { margin-left:17em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t14, div.t14,.t14 { margin-left:18em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t15, div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lr, div.lr, span.lr { display:block; margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:right; } -dt.lr { width:100%; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:1em; text-align:right; } -dl dt.lr a { text-align:left; clear:left; float:left; } - -.fnblock { margin-top:2em; } -.fndef { text-align:justify; margin-top:1.5em; margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } -.fndef p.fncont, .fndef dl { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } -dl.catalog dd { font-style:italic; } -dl.catalog dt { margin-top:1em; } -.author { text-align:right; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; display:block; } - -.center .ab, .abl { -font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; -border-style:solid; border-color:gray; border-width:1px; -margin-right:0px; margin-top:5px; display:inline-block; text-align:center; } -.ab { min-width:1em; } - -dl.biblio dt { margin-top:.6em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt div { display:block; float:left; margin-left:-6em; width:6em; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt.center { margin-left:0em; text-align:center; } -dl.biblio dd { margin-top:.3em; margin-left:3em; text-align:justify; font-size:90%; } -.clear { clear:both; } -p.book { margin-left:0; text-indent:0; } -p.review { margin-left:0; text-indent:0; font-size:80%; } -p.pcap { text-align:center; margin-top:0; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Catharine de Bora, by John G. Morris - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Catharine de Bora - Social and Domestic Scenes in the Home of Luther - -Author: John G. Morris - -Release Date: November 30, 2017 [EBook #56084] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CATHARINE DE BORA *** - - - - -Produced by Turgut Dincer, Stephen Hutcheson, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div id="cover" class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Catharine de Bora" width="500" height="783" /> -</div> -<div class="img" id="fig1"> -<img src="images/i1.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="498" /> -<p class="pcap"><span class="ss">CATHARINE <span class="small">DE</span> BORA,<br /><span class="small"><i>WIFE OF LUTHER</i>.</span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>CATHARINE DE BORA;</h1> -<p class="center"><span class="smaller">OR,</span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="large"><b>Social and Domestic -<br /><span class="small">SCENES IN THE</span> -<br />HOME OF LUTHER.</b></span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="smaller">BY</span> -<br />JOHN G. MORRIS, -<br /><span class="smaller">TRANSLATOR OF “THE BLIND GIRL OF WITTENBERG,” AND PASTOR OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE.</span></p> -<p class="center small">PHILADELPHIA: -<br />LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. -<br />1856.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_iv">iv</div> -<p class="center small">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by -<br />LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, -<br />in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for -<br />the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. -<br /><span class="small">STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN <span class="hst">PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON.</span></span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_v">v</div> -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr small">Page</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER I.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c1">Clerical Celibacy—Luther—Bernhardi’s Marriage—Treatment of Catharine De Bora—the Convent—Wealthy Nuns—Convent Life—the Escape—Treatment of the Nuns—Florentine de Oberweimer—Leonard Koppe—Luther’s Defence</a> 9</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER II.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c2">Luther’s Reflections—Example of the Apostles—Celibacy—Gregory VII.—Luther’s Change of Mind—Luther’s Marriage—Character of Catharine</a> 27</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER III.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c3">Wedding-Dinner—Melanchthon—Slanders</a> 43</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER IV.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c4">Luther’s Domestic Life—Character of Catharine—Perils of Luther—Sickness—Death of his Parents—Private Life—Catharine</a> 52</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER V.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c5">Income—Expenses—Hospitality—Charity—Diet—Afflictions—Despondency—Journeys—Death</a> 70</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER VI.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c6">Catharine, a Widow—Her Support—Sufferings—Journeys—Death</a> 84</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER VII.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c7">Luther’s Children—Domestic Character—Catharine</a> 94</dt> -<dt class="center">CHAPTER VIII.</dt> -<dt><a href="#c8">Character of Catharine</a> 120</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_viii">viii</div> -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> -<p>There are many interesting and characteristic -incidents in the domestic life of Luther -which are not found in biographies of the great -Reformer. The character of his wife has not -been portrayed in full, and who does not wish -to become better acquainted with a woman who -mingled many a drop of balsam in those numerous -cups of sorrow which her celebrated -husband was compelled to drink?</p> -<p>This little book is the result of extensive -research, and exhibits facts attested by the -most reliable authorities, many of which will be -new to those of my readers who have not investigated -this particular subject.</p> -<p><span class="lr">J. G. M.</span></p> -<p><span class="small"><span class="sc">Baltimore</span>, June, 1856.</span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<h1 title="">LUTHER AT HOME.</h1> -<h2 id="c1">CHAPTER I.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Clerical Celibacy—Luther-Bernhardi’s Marriage—Treatment -of Catharine de Bora—the Convent—Wealthy -Nuns—Convent Life—the Escape—Treatment of the -Nuns—Florentine de Oberweimer—Leonard Koppe—Luther’s -Defence.</p> -<p>The celibacy of the clergy was one of the -strongest pillars on which the proud edifice of -Romish power rested. It was a stupendous -partition-wall which separated the clergy from -all other interests, and thus consolidated the -wide-spread authority of the Pope. It cut off -the secular clergy, as well as the monks, from -all domestic ties. They forgot father, mother, -and friends. Political obligations to their -sovereign and country were disregarded, but -the cord which bound them to the interests of -Rome was only the more tightly drawn.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>Superior purity was the presumed ground of -the system, but a total surrender of all rights, -and complete submission to the will of the Pope, -were its legitimate results. He was regarded -as the only parent of the clergy—the only -sovereign to whom they owed allegiance—the -only protector in whom they were to confide, -and, as dutiful sons, obedient subjects, and -grateful beneficiaries, they were obliged to exert -themselves to the utmost to maintain his -authority and extend his dominion. Clerical -celibacy was regarded not only as a duty, but -as the highest attainment in moral perfection. -The system was introduced with caution and -maintained with sleepless vigilance and zeal. -There were some who saw its errors and disadvantages, -and desired its abolition, but their -remonstrances were unheeded and their clamors -silenced.</p> -<p>That, however, which was considered impossible -by the whole Christian world, was accomplished -by a single man, who himself had been -a monk, and whose first duty as such was a -vow of celibacy! That man was <span class="sc">Martin -Luther</span>, Augustinian Monk, Doctor of Theology -at the University of Wittenberg, who, by his -<span class="pb" id="Page_11">11</span> -heroic conduct in relation to this subject, has -only added to the other inappreciable services -he has rendered the Church. It was he who -was bold enough to abandon the monastic order, -and, in spite of the principles of the Church as -they prevailed in that age, <i>to enter the married -state</i>. This adventurous step led to the deliverance -of a large portion of the clergy from the -chain of Papal power. From having been the -slavish satellites of a foreign master in Italy, -they became patriotic subjects and useful men -at home.</p> -<p>Several years before, two friends of Luther, -who were his noble assistants in the work of -the Reformation, Melanchthon and Carlstadt, -had written treatises against clerical celibacy. -Their books on this subject were equally as -unexpected, and created as much excitement -among the clergy, as Luther’s Theses against -Indulgences had done six years before.</p> -<p>Luther was not the first priest of those days -who practically rejected celibacy. As early as -1521, one of his friends and fellow-laborers, -Bernhardi, superintendent of the churches at -Kemberg, had the boldness to marry. He was -the first ecclesiastic in Saxony who took this -<span class="pb" id="Page_12">12</span> -step, and his wedding-day was long regarded as -the <i>Pastors’ Emancipation Day</i>; but Caspar -Aquila, a priest residing near Augsburg, was -married as early as 1516, Jacob Knabe in -1518, and Nicolas Brunner in 1519.</p> -<p>Luther was free from all participation in -Bernhardi’s marriage, for at that time he was a -prisoner in Wartburg Castle, and the first -intelligence came so unexpectedly, that whilst -he admired the courage of his friend, he was -very apprehensive it would occasion him and -his cause many severe trials. Not long after, -Bernhardi’s metropolitan, the Cardinal Archbishop -Albert, of Mainz and Magdeburg, -demanded of the Elector of Saxony, Frederick -the Wise, to send Bernhardi to Halle, to answer -for his presumptuous act. Frederick did not -yield to the demand of the Archbishop, and -the latter professed to be satisfied with an -anonymous defence of Bernhardi.</p> -<p>Luther himself sent a petition to Albert in -behalf of the clergy who had already married -and of those who intended to marry. Subsequently, -however, Bernhardi suffered severely. -When, in 1547, more than twenty years after -his nuptials, the Emperor Charles V. captured -<span class="pb" id="Page_13">13</span> -Wittenberg, his savage Spaniards seized Bernhardi, -and bound him fast to a table. His wife -rescued him from their murderous hands; but, -soon after, others laid hold of him, and after -cruelly beating him, tied him to a horse and -dragged him to the camp at Torgau. A German -officer, after much trouble, had him -liberated, and he finally, after unexampled -suffering, reached his family at Kemberg. A -considerable number of priests followed the -example of Bernhardi. They were not deterred -by the ban of the bishops, nor by the fear of -deposition and imprisonment. But all this -would not have created such immense excitement -if Luther himself, to whom all eyes were -directed, had not resolved, by his own example, -to strike a deadly blow at priestly celibacy.</p> -<p>Catharine de Bora, a nun of the celebrated -Bernhardin or Cistercian convent at Nimtschen, -in Saxony, was the person whom Luther chose -as his wife. She was born on the 29th of -January, 1499. There is no authentic record -of the place of her birth, and the history of -her childhood is wrapped in obscurity. It is -only as the nun Catharine that we first became -acquainted with her. Her Romish calumniators -<span class="pb" id="Page_14">14</span> -(and no innocent woman was ever more bitterly -and cruelly defamed,) declare that her parents -compelled her to become a nun against her will, -because they were poor and could not support -her, and particularly because her conduct was -so objectionable that her seclusion was necessary. -As regards the first, it is true; she was -not wealthy when she became the wife of -Luther; but, if she had been compelled to enter -the nunnery, it is likely that Luther would -have mentioned it as an additional justification -of her flight. Her objectionable morality is -based by her enemies on the fact of her escape, -and hence the accusation has no ground whatever. -There is not a particle of proof to -establish the calumnious charge.</p> -<p>This Convent was designated by the name of -<i>The Throne of God</i>. It was founded in 1250 -by Henry the Illustrious. No trace of it -remains at the present day. In 1810-12 its -ruins were removed to make room for the erection -of an edifice connected with a school for -boys established at that place.</p> -<p>Most of the inmates of this Convent were of -noble birth, for at that day, as well as at -present, it was the policy and interest of the -<span class="pb" id="Page_15">15</span> -Romish clergy to induce as many ladies of high -rank as possible to take the veil, thereby rendering -the profession respectable, and securing -large sums as entrance fees if they were wealthy, -and all their patrimony after their decease.</p> -<p>It may seem strange that Catharine de Bora, -who, according to her own confession, was -devout, industrious in the discharge of conventual -duties, and diligent in prayer, should -have determined with eight other “sisters” to -escape from their prison. But when it is considered -that the convent was situated within the -territory of the Elector Frederick the Wise, -who was Luther’s friend and patron—that -Luther himself visited a neighboring monastery -at Grimma as Inspector—that in 1519, after -the dispute with Eck at Leipzig, he spent a few -days in the town of Nimtschen—that the -principles of the Reformation had already made -some progress in that vicinity, and that several -monasteries not far distant had been abandoned—the -circumstance is easily explained. It is -scarcely credible that amid the excitement of -the times, no word of Luther’s doctrine should -have entered the convent halls, and that the -stirring events occurring around them should -<span class="pb" id="Page_16">16</span> -have been entirely concealed from the unobtrusive -occupants. Could not some of those -courageous friends of Luther, who afterwards, -at his suggestion, effected the escape of the -nuns, have previously introduced some of -Luther’s tracts into the convent? He had at -that time already written several small books -against the monastic life, and it is likely that -some of these had been clandestinely introduced, -the perusal of which convinced these “sisters” -that their profession was not sanctioned by the -Scriptures, and that it was dangerous to their -morals. They became so thoroughly assured -of the enormous error they had committed in -thus secluding themselves from the world, and -were so heartily weary of the unnatural restraint -imposed upon them, that they earnestly besought -their relatives to liberate them for their souls’ -sake! But these appeals were unheard, and -now probably the unhappy petitioners turned -immediately to Luther. He not only favored -their resolution to escape, but selected his -courageous friend, Bernhard Koppe, a citizen -of Torgau, to execute the project. Two other -citizens of the same place accompanied him on -the adventure.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>George Spalatin, Court Chaplain and Secretary -of the Elector, reports that they fled from -the convent on the night before Easter, April -4, 1523. There were nine of them in all.</p> -<p>The accounts of the manner in which their -rescue was effected, differ. Some historians -report that prudence required them to preserve -the strictest secrecy as long as they were -traversing the territory of Duke George, who -was violently opposed to the Reformation, and -hence they were conveyed away in a covered -wagon, and a few affirm, on the authority of -reliable documents, that they were concealed in -casks. The historians, however, agree that -Koppe performed his part in the enterprise with -consummate courage and skill. It is very -likely that the nuns were aware of Koppe’s -design, and held themselves in readiness at the -appointed time. Tradition tells us that they -escaped through the window of Catharine’s -cell. To this day, they show at Nimtschen a -slipper which they say Catharine lost in the -hurry of the flight.</p> -<p>They arrived at Wittenberg on the 7th of -April, under circumstances calculated to excite -the sympathy of every feeling heart. As they -<span class="pb" id="Page_18">18</span> -deserted the convent against the will of their -relatives, and most of them probably being -orphans, they did not know where to find shelter -or support. But Luther, who had advised their -flight, and aided in effecting it, kindly received -them, and spared no pains to render their condition -comfortable. In a few but expressive -words to Spalatin, he announced their arrival -and depicted their destitution. He thus writes -on the 10th of April: “These eloped nuns have -come to me; they are in destitute circumstances, -but as very respectable citizens of Torgau have -brought them, there can be no suspicion entertained -as to their moral character. I sincerely -pity their forlorn state, and particularly that -of the great number still confined in convents, -who are going to ruin in that condition of constrained -and unnatural celibacy. <span class="gs">* * *</span> How -tyrannical and cruel,” continues Luther, “many -parents and relatives of these oppressed women -in Germany are! But ye popes and bishops! who -can censure you with sufficient severity? who -can sufficiently abominate your wickedness and -blindness for upholding these accursed institutions? -But this is not the place to speak at -large on this subject. You ask, dear Spalatin, -<span class="pb" id="Page_19">19</span> -what I intend to do with these nuns? I shall -report these facts to their relatives, so that they -may provide for them. If they should refuse, -I shall look to some other persons, for several -have promised aid. Their names are Margaretta -Staupitz, Elizabeth de Carnitz, Eva Grossin, -Eva Schönfield and her Sister Margaret, -Lunette de Golis, Margaret de Zeschau and -her sister Catharine, and Catharine de Bora. -They are, indeed, objects worthy of compassion, -and Christ will be served by conferring favors -on them.”</p> -<p>As he could not afford to support them himself, -he begged his friend to solicit donations at -court, that these fugitives might be supported -for several weeks. By that time he hoped to -send them to their friends or patrons. As -Spalatin did not reply immediately, Luther -wrote again, and begged not to be forgotten. -He added, “Yea, I even exhort the Prince to -send a contribution. I will keep it a profound -secret, and tell no one that he gave anything -to these apostate nuns who have been rescued -from their prison.”</p> -<p>There is no doubt that the Elector, who -esteemed Luther highly, sent him the desired -<span class="pb" id="Page_20">20</span> -relief. The pacific Prince only wished the fact -of his contribution to be kept secret, that he -might not give the Romish clergy, and particularly -Duke George of Saxony, occasion for new -complaint.</p> -<p>Luther’s intercessions in behalf of the nuns -with their relatives seem to have been fruitless, -but the people of Wittenberg were liberal -beyond his expectations in their donations for -their support. They were kindly received into -various families, and hospitably entertained. -In this way Philip Reichenbach, a magistrate -of the city, became the protector or foster-father -of Catharine de Bora, who, by her virtuous and -dignified behavior, rendered herself worthy of -his paternal benevolence. This is, of itself, a -sufficient refutation of the slanders of Romish -writers, who charge her with leading a dissolute -life until her marriage with Luther; for no city -official, such as Reichenbach, would have -hazarded his own character by harboring a -licentious woman. Neither would Dr. Glacius -and other eminent divines have sought her -hand in marriage, as they perseveringly did, -nor would she have enjoyed the friendship and -confidence of Amsdorff and other professors of -<span class="pb" id="Page_21">21</span> -the University if she had not sustained a character -above suspicion. The epitaph on her -tomb-stone at Torgau commemorates her -virtues in most exalted terms of eulogy, from -the time of her escape to her death.</p> -<p>The flight of the nuns was itself an unusual -event, but it became immensely important, for -extraordinary consequences resulted from it. -Pains were taken to conceal the bold step they -had assumed, especially from all other convents. -But these exertions were useless; nuns at other -places heard what their more adventurous -sisters at Nimtschen had dared to do, and they -also undertook to fly from their narrow, unwholesome -cells to breathe the pure air of -heaven. The abbess and four other nuns of -the Benedictine convent at Zeitz; six at Sormitz; -eight at Pentwitz, and sixteen at -Wiedenstadt, escaped in a short time. Luther’s -enemies now assailed him with ferocious malignity. -They regarded him as the author of -all this enormous mischief, and tried to show -that his work was productive of nothing but -unmitigated evil, because it occasioned such -abominable results as the flight of poor nuns -from their convent prisons. Luther replied to -<span class="pb" id="Page_22">22</span> -them very briefly; he represented the dark -side of the picture of conventual life, and narrated -some striking facts in illustration. He -published the life of a nun, <i>Florentine de Oberweimer</i>, -who had escaped from a convent at -Eisleben. “I was but six years old,” she says, -“when I was sent to the convent by my parents. -When I was eleven, without knowing or being -asked whether I could or would observe the -rules, I was compelled to take the vow. When -I was fourteen, and I began to find out that -this mode of life was against my nature, and -hence complained to the abbess, she told me -that I must be contented and should continue -to be a nun no matter what I thought or felt. -I then wrote to the learned Dr. Luther and -begged his advice: but my letter was intercepted -by my superiors, who immediately put -me in prison, where I remained four weeks and -suffered much. The abbess then put me under -the bans. (Florentine then minutely describes -the severe treatment she received before the -ban was dissolved.) After that, I wrote to my -relative, Caspar de Watzdorf, who loved the -gospel truth, and complained of my treatment. -This also became known to the abbess, and I -<span class="pb" id="Page_23">23</span> -cannot tell to strangers how shamefully I was -abused by her and others. <i>I was so violently -beaten by her and four other persons that they -became completely exhausted.</i> She put me in -prison again and fastened my feet with iron -chains,” &c., &c.</p> -<p>In the dedication of this little book to the -Duke of Mansfeld, in whose dominions the -convent was located, Luther wrote on the 2nd -of March, 1524, “What are you about, ye -princes and lords, that ye drive the people to -God whether they will or not? It is not your -office nor in your power. To outward obedience -you may compel them, but God will regard no -vow that is not cheerfully and voluntarily kept. -Hence, my dear, gracious sirs, I have published -this little narrative that all the world may know -<i>what conventual life is, and the devil’s folly -thus be made known</i>. There are princes and -lords who are very indignant about this affair, -and it is no wonder. If they knew what I know, -they would perhaps honor me more for it, and -contribute much more towards spreading it -abroad than I am doing.”</p> -<p>But Luther was not the only one who was -charged with being accessory to the flight of -<span class="pb" id="Page_24">24</span> -these nuns. Leonard Koppe, as the chief -instrument in effecting their escape, was, perhaps, -exposed to greater dangers and persecutions -than Luther, who was powerfully protected -by his prince. For although Koppe had formerly -been a councillor and a government auditor, -yet he had reason to fear the worst treatment -from the clergy if his participation in the act -should become generally known. Hence he -sought to conceal it: but Luther, who was a -stranger to the fear of man, and who, in all -things, went to work openly and boldly, was of -a different opinion. Fully convinced that -Koppe had performed a meritorious act, of -which he should not be ashamed, but rather -boast, he mentioned his name in a letter to -Spalatin a few days after the escape of the -nuns; but he also deemed it prudent to write -to Koppe and inspire him with courage. “Be -assured,” he writes, “that God has so ordained -it, and that it is not your work or counsel; -never mind the clamor of those who denounce -it as a most wicked undertaking, and who do -not believe it was so ordered of God. Shame! -shame! they will say; the fool, Leonard Koppe, -has suffered himself to be led by that cursed -<span class="pb" id="Page_25">25</span> -heretical monk, and has aided nine nuns to fly -from the convent at once and to violate their -vows. To this you will reply: ‘<i>This is -indeed a strange way of keeping the thing -secret.</i> You are betraying me, and the whole -convent of Nimtschen will be up against me, or -they will now hear that I have been the robber.’ -But my reasons for not keeping it secret are -good: 1. That it may be known that I did -not advise it to be concealed; for what we do, -we do in and for God, and do not shun the -light of day. Would to heaven I could in this -or some other way rescue all troubled consciences -and empty all convents! I would not -be afraid to confess my own agency in the -business, nor that of all my assistants. Confidence -in Jesus, whose gospel is destroying the -kingdom of Antichrist, would sustain me, <i>even -if it should cost me my life</i>. 2. I do it for the -sake of the poor nuns, and of their relatives, -so that no one may be able to say they were -involuntarily abducted by wicked fellows, and -thus be robbed of their reputation. 3. To -warn the nobility and pious gentry who have -children in convents to take them away themselves, -so that no worse thing befal them. You -<span class="pb" id="Page_26">26</span> -know that I <i>advised</i> and <i>sanctioned</i> the enterprise; -that you <i>executed</i> it, and that the nuns -<i>consented</i> and <i>earnestly desired</i> it, and I will -here briefly give the reasons for it before God -and the world. First, <i>The nuns themselves had -before most humbly solicited the help of their -relatives and friends in effecting their release; -they gave them satisfactory reasons why such a -life could no longer be endured, for it interfered -with their souls’ salvation, and they promised -to be faithful and dutiful children when they -should be released.</i> All this was positively -denied to them, and they were forsaken by all -their relations. Hence they had the right, -yea, were compelled to relieve their burdened -consciences, and save their souls by seeking -help from other quarters, and those who were -in a position to afford counsel and aid, were -bound by Christian love to bestow them. -<i>Secondly</i>, It is not right that young girls should -be locked up in convents where there is no daily -use made of the word of God, and where the -gospel is seldom or never heard, and where, of -course, these girls are exposed to the severest -temptations. <i>Thirdly</i>, It is plain that a person -may be compelled to do before the world what -<span class="pb" id="Page_27">27</span> -is not cheerfully done; but before God and in -his service no one has a right to use compulsion. -<i>Fourthly</i>, Women were created for other purposes -than to spend a lazy and useless life in a -convent.”</p> -<h2 id="c2">CHAPTER II.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Luther’s Reflections—Example of the Apostles—Celibacy—Gregory -VII.—Luther’s Change of Mind—Luther’s -Marriage—Character of Catharine.</p> -<p>All these preliminary steps were not unpremeditated -by Luther. Encouraged by the -example of other clergymen who had married, -he now began seriously to reflect on the <i>propriety -of clerical matrimony</i>.</p> -<p>In these reflections he found no difficulty as -regards the secular clergy, that is, those who -officiated as pastors of churches, because he -considered their office as divinely instituted, -and he knew from history that their celibacy -was forced by the popes under the most cruel -oppression. For although Paul advised the -<span class="pb" id="Page_28">28</span> -Christians of Corinth to remain unmarried -during the season of persecution,<a class="fn" id="fr_1" href="#fn_1">[1]</a> yet the first -teachers of Christianity, and even Peter and -most of the other apostles, were married men.<a class="fn" id="fr_2" href="#fn_2">[2]</a> -Besides, celibacy is no where regarded as a -meritorious condition in the New Testament. -Christ himself distinctly commends matrimonial -affection and harmony, and Paul teaches that -it is better to lead a married, than an unchaste -life.<a class="fn" id="fr_3" href="#fn_3">[3]</a> 1 Cor. 7; 2, 9, 28.</p> -<p>Notwithstanding all this, even during the -first three centuries, a peculiar merit began to -be attached to celibacy. Many bishops, who -were, it is true, poorly enough supported, -abstained from matrimony, or, if they were -<span class="pb" id="Page_29">29</span> -married, separated from their wives. A second -marriage was particularly disapproved. But -as yet there was no law on the subject, and the -celibacy of the bishops was far from being -general. Many of them were married men. -It was only in the fourth century that it became -a general custom for the bishops to lead single -lives, and several councils held during this -period, in this respect severely oppressed the -secular clergy. At the council of Nice, held in -the year 325, the first serious attempt was made -to introduce celibacy, but the attempt failed -through the influence of Bishop Paphnutius, of -Upper Thebes. From this time, most of the -bishops tried their utmost to prevent their -secular clergy from marrying. Some Popes, -since the end of the fourth century, such as -Siricius, Innocent I., Gregory II., Nicolas I., -and Leo IX. also made attempts to restrain the -priests. The predictions of Paul in 1 Tim. 4; -1, 3, were soon fulfilled. Scarcely had Gregory -VII. arrived at the papal dignity than he -exerted all his influence to render the secular -clergy independent of the state, and this he -thought could be best accomplished through -celibacy. The orders which he communicated -<span class="pb" id="Page_30">30</span> -to the council held at Rome in 1074 in relation -to this subject were very severe; the married -clergy were to be separated from their wives -or be deposed, and from that time forth no man -was to be ordained to the clerical office who -would not bind himself to remain unmarried all -his life. The opposition to this severe regulation -was strong. In Germany they even committed -violence on the papal ambassador, and -openly reproached the Pope as a heretic, who -disregarded the plain instructions of the Scriptures -and introduced regulations which militated -against human nature and Divine Providence, -and which would lead to the most scandalous -improprieties. When Archbishop Siegfried of -Mainz held a council at Erfurt, and communicated -the commands of the Pope to the secular -clergy, the excitement was so great that he was -in danger of his life. The Archbishop of -Passau did not fare better. At the council of -Worms, in 1076, Germans and French violently -opposed the Pope, and proclaimed him as a -usurper of the papal sovereignty. At a meeting -in Pavia, the Italian bishops even <i>put this -Pope under the ban</i>.</p> -<p>Notwithstanding all this opposition, Gregory -<span class="pb" id="Page_31">31</span> -could not be turned from his purpose. He -executed his orders with all possible severity, -and even demanded of the princes to forbid -those priests who would not obey him from -administering the sacraments or reading mass. -Thus his unnatural law triumphed in 1080, -though not universally, for Urban II. felt himself -compelled in 1089 and 1095 to re-enact it, -and it was reserved for Innocent III. in 1215 -more firmly to establish celibacy as a disciplinary -law, although, long before this, marriage -had been declared to be a <i>sacrament</i>. In his -address in 1520 to his Imperial Majesty and -German nobility, Luther strenuously advocated -the marriage of the <i>secular</i> clergy.</p> -<p>He entertained different views, however, with -regard to the <i>monastic</i> order, and he made -their celibacy a subject of investigation at -Wartburg castle. Although, thought he, their -office is not of divine appointment, yet they had -chosen it, and had consecrated themselves to -God; in most instances they had voluntarily -assumed the vow, and hence were bound to -keep it. Melanchthon, who had married a -short time before, and Carlstadt, who followed -his example a short time after, to Luther’s -<span class="pb" id="Page_32">32</span> -great joy, had both advocated the marriage of -the monastic clergy in their writings, although -not altogether with his approbation.<a class="fn" id="fr_4" href="#fn_4">[4]</a> “Our -Wittenbergers even wish the monks to have -wives!” thus he wrote to Spalatin, August 6th, -1521, “<i>but they shall force no wife on me!</i> -I wish Carlstadt’s book had more light and -distinctness, for it contains much talent and -learning.”<a class="fn" id="fr_5" href="#fn_5">[5]</a></p> -<p>But Luther’s penetrating mind soon discovered -the truth. He communicated his new-formed -opinion to his father, and openly came -out in favor of the marriage of the monks. -Although he now sturdily maintained this side -<span class="pb" id="Page_33">33</span> -of the question, yet he did not at this time feel -himself inclined to matrimony. This was in -the autumn of 1522.</p> -<p>Two years after this (1524), when he heard -of a report in circulation that he was to be -married, he thus wrote to Spalatin: “From -the opinion which I have hitherto had, and now -have, it is probable I shall never marry; not -that I do not feel myself to be flesh and blood, -for I am neither wood nor stone, but I feel no -inclination in that way.” Still, he highly -honored the married relation as an institution -of God. Long after this he wrote thus to his -friend Stiefel: “I did not marry as though I -expected to live long, but to establish my doctrine -by my example, and to leave behind me a -consolation for weak consciences.” “I married -also for the purpose of opposing the doctrine -of Satan, and putting to shame the scandalous -immorality practised in the papacy, and if I -had no wife I would now marry even in my old -age, just to honor the divine institution and -to pour contempt on the ungodly lives of so -many popish priests.”</p> -<p>Luther’s mind gradually underwent a change. -He now secretly resolved to marry Catharine, -<span class="pb" id="Page_34">34</span> -who had already, as we shall see below, expressed -a tender feeling towards him. An -intimation of his purpose we have in a letter to -his relative, Dr. John Ruhl, of May 4, 1525: -“If I can manage to spite the devil, I will -marry Catharine before I die if I hear that my -enemies continue their reproaches.” From this -it is evident that he would not have married, at -least at this time, if the clamor of his enemies, -the fear and weakness of his friends, and -various other circumstances, had not determined -him to take the step. The generous and public -declaration of John the Constant<a class="fn" id="fr_6" href="#fn_6">[6]</a> in favor of -the Reformation, as well as his own opposition -to the celibacy of the clergy, and the desire of -gratifying the long-expressed wish of his father, -hastened the consummation of his design. -“Thus,” says he, “I could no longer deny this -last act of obedience to my dear father, who -earnestly entreated me to marry.” Besides -this, he wished to set an example to others -around him, for many whom he advised to -marry had reproached him for writing against -<span class="pb" id="Page_35">35</span> -monastic celibacy and yet not practising his -own doctrine.</p> -<p>In the meantime, he wrote frequently to his -friends on this subject, and what gratified him -much in the prospect of his marriage was the -chagrin it would occasion the Romish party, -and subsequent experience proved that he was -not disappointed in his hopes.</p> -<p>Anxious as he was to consummate the event, -yet his choice of Catharine was not precipitate. -It was only after he was assured of the superlative -excellence of her character that he offered -her his hand. She conducted herself in her -lowly circumstances with such a reserved and -womanly dignity that he thought her to be -somewhat prudish and proud, and it was only -after a more intimate acquaintance that he -perceived her numerous good qualities. “If I -had felt a disposition to marry thirteen years -ago,” says he, “I would have preferred Eva -Schönfield, who is now the wife of Dr. Basilius. -I did not love my Catharine at that time, for I -suspected her of being proud. But it has -pleased God otherwise, and, blessed be His -name, all things have turned out well, for I -have a pious, faithful wife, as Solomon says, -<span class="pb" id="Page_36">36</span> -Prov. 31; 11, my heart doth safely trust in -her, and she contributes so much to my content -and manages my affairs so prudently, <i>that I have -no need of spoil</i>, that is, I have no temptation -to envy the wealth of others or to prey upon -my neighbors.”</p> -<p>Nor was she, on her part, in a hurry about -giving her consent, but she deliberated long. -Though she was poor, yet she followed the -inclination of her heart.</p> -<p>Before he thought of marrying her himself -he recommended her to Jerome S. Baumgartner, -a Nurnberg Patrician, and a student of theology, -who had a very tender regard for Catharine, -and to whom she was not altogether indifferent. -Luther wrote to him (Oct. 12, 1524,): “If you -have made up your mind to marry Catharine, -you had better be in a hurry before another -takes her who is near at hand. She has not -ceased to love you, and I should be much -gratified to see you marry her.” But his recommendation -was of no avail, probably because -Baumgartner, after his return home, was captivated -by some other lady. The other suitor to -whom Luther alludes was Dr. Caspar Glacius, -vicar of the Archdeaconate of the Castle Church -<span class="pb" id="Page_37">37</span> -at Wittenberg. Luther favored his pretensions -to her hand, and this led her to complain to -Amsdorff, Luther’s friend. She requested him -to induce Luther to cease his importunity in -behalf of Glacius, for whom she had no inclination -whatever. She, however, honestly -acknowledged to Amsdorff she would not refuse -an offer either from himself or Luther. She -was not mistaken in her estimate of Glacius, -for he was an ill-tempered man, who never was -at peace with his congregation, and was dismissed -from his office in 1537.</p> -<p>The marriage of a nun was, until that time, -unheard of, and hence we need not wonder -that Luther’s enemies took every opportunity -to calumniate him as well as his intended wife. -As Erasmus says, “It was at that time an -almost universal sentiment that the Antichrist -would be the son of a monk and a nun;” and -he remarks in relation to this old saying, “If -this were true, the world has had thousands of -Antichrists!” His enemies knew too well how -to make the most of this popular belief, but -they went still further, and charged him with -all the misfortunes that befel the country; the -demolition of the convents in the Peasants’ -<span class="pb" id="Page_38">38</span> -War, and other similar calamities, for they said -that he inflamed the hatred of the peasants -against monastic life and the possessions of the -clergy, “And all this he did,” they affirmed, -“that he might marry.”</p> -<p>But many of his friends also disapproved of -such an alliance. “Our wise men are fiercely -excited on the subject,” wrote Luther, after -his marriage, to Stiefel. “They must confess -it is the work of God, but my professional -character, as well as that of the lady, blinds -them and makes them think and speak unkindly. -But the Lord lives, who is greater in us than -he who is in the world, and there are more on -my side than on theirs.”</p> -<p>It was perfectly in character with Luther -not to delay the execution of a purpose he had -once formed. He was particularly opposed to -long-standing matrimonial engagements, and -hence says, “I advise a speedy marriage after -a positive engagement; it is dangerous to postpone -the consummation, for Satan is ready to -oppose many obstacles, by means of slanderers, -and sometimes the friends of both parties interfere. -Hence do not postpone the affair. If I -had not married secretly, and with the knowledge -<span class="pb" id="Page_39">39</span> -of but few friends, my marriage would -have been prevented, for my best friends exclaimed, -‘Do not take this one, but another.’” -Hence we are not surprised to learn that his -final engagement to Catharine and his marriage -occurred on the same day.</p> -<p>His friends did not maintain that he should -not marry at all, but they did not esteem it -wise that one who had been a monk should -marry a lady who had been a nun. They -feared that the step would retard the Reformation -among the common people, who did not -look with indifference on the violation of the -vow of chastity.<a class="fn" id="fr_7" href="#fn_7">[7]</a> But Luther thought otherwise, -and believed that by marrying a nun he -would inflict a terrible blow on the whole -system of monasticism.</p> -<p>The most minute attention was at that time -paid to Luther’s doctrine and conduct, and the -most unimportant circumstances in his eventful -life were reported with the greatest care. We -should hence suppose that the precise date of -<span class="pb" id="Page_40">40</span> -his marriage would also be noted, and yet the -reports are very different. Melanchthon’s -statement is the most reliable, for he lived at -that time in Wittenberg; he had daily intercourse -with Luther, and hence may be supposed -to be intimately acquainted with his domestic -circumstances. In a letter to Camerarius (July -21, 1525,) he gives the true date of Luther’s -marriage: “As it may happen,” he writes, -“that no one will give you a correct account -of Luther’s marriage, I have thought it proper -to inform you of the facts. On the 13th of -June, 1525, he, quite unexpectedly, married -Catharine De Bora.” There is no good reason -to doubt Melanchthon’s report of the date, which -is established by many other witnesses, and -hence it is unnecessary to refute those who give -other dates.</p> -<p>Agreeably to these accounts, compared with -others, it appears that Luther on the Tuesday -after Trinity, June 13, 1525, in order to avoid -all excitement, took with him John Bugenhagen -(Pomeranius) pastor of the City Church, Dr. -John Apel, Professor of Canonical Law, and -Louis Cranach, Court Painter, Councillor, and -Chamberlain, without the knowledge of his other -<span class="pb" id="Page_41">41</span> -friends, and proceeded to the house of the town-clerk, -Reichenbach, with whom Catharine lived, -and there, in the presence of these three friends, -he asked her consent in marriage. Unexpected -as this declaration was, yet she yielded to the -solicitation of her former deliverer and benefactor. -Soon after, the Provost, Dr. Justus -Jonas, and the wife of Cranach, entered, and -Luther was there married in the presence of -these four witnesses, Bugenhagen performing -the ceremony. Luther was forty-two years of -age, and Catharine twenty-seven. He did not -even ask the consent of the Elector; but, as we -shall subsequently see, he sent him an humble -request for some game to supply his wedding -dinner-table.</p> -<p>Before the wedding, Luther offered the following -prayer: “Heavenly Father, inasmuch -as thou hast honored me with the office of the -ministry, and wilt also that I should be honored -as a husband and the head of a family, grant -me grace to govern my household in a godly -and Christian manner. Grant me wisdom and -strength to direct and train all the members of -my family in the right way. Give them willing -hearts and pious dispositions to be obedient, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_42">42</span> -to follow in all things the instructions of thy -word. Amen.”</p> -<p>The golden wedding-rings of Luther and his -wife were probably not exchanged on this -evening, but afterwards. The celebrated artist, -Albert Dürer, of Nurnberg, made them at the -order and expense of the Patrician and Councillor -von Pirckenheim. They are minutely -described by some writers, and exact representations -of them are given in various curious -works. One of these rings has exchanged -hands many times by gift, sale, and inheritance. -Numerous imitations of them have been made, -and sold to collectors of such articles.</p> -<p>When, on the following day, the marriage of -Luther became generally known, the town -council of Wittenberg sent him various articles, -such as are usually considered essential to -wedding festivals of every age and country.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<h2 id="c3">CHAPTER III.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Wedding-Dinner—Melanchthon—Slanders.</p> -<p>Thus had Luther, actuated by the purest -motives, suddenly and silently, entered into this -matrimonial alliance. Now it was no longer -secret, and in compliance with a custom common -in that day he determined to invite a -number of his friends, in and out of Wittenberg, -including his parents, to a wedding-dinner. -This was to occur on the 27th of June, two -weeks after his marriage. On that day also, -he purposed to conduct his wife publicly to his -own residence at the Augustinian monastery. -To his absent friends he sent written invitations, -seven of which are still extant. But he was -particularly desirous of having his parents, who -resided at Mansfeld, present on the occasion. -He was anxious to show them that he had -finally gratified their most ardent wishes in -abandoning the monastic life and entering on -matrimony. But he also wished to make them -personally acquainted with Catharine, and to -<span class="pb" id="Page_44">44</span> -receive from them their parental blessing. -They, with three or four others of his friends, -accepted the invitation. At this, as well at -the other more private festival on the day after -his marriage, the town council of Wittenberg -expressed their highest respect for Luther by -sending him some essential contributions to his -dinner.</p> -<p>It may appear remarkable, at first sight, that -Melanchthon, Luther’s most intimate friend -and inseparable companion, should not have -been present at this nor at the previous solemnity, -nor even consulted by Luther on the -subject of his marriage. But he well knew the -timidity and excessive sensitiveness of Melanchthon. -He knew that his friend was so painfully -concerned for his reputation and peace of mind, -that though he could not disapprove of the act, -yet he would reprove him for the manner and -time, fearing the evil consequences that might -result to the work of the Reformation. Hence -Luther did not consult Melanchthon, and even -avoided his company at this time. The whole -circumstance occasioned much painful anxiety -to Melanchthon, not because he did not sanction -the act in itself, but because it would give -<span class="pb" id="Page_45">45</span> -the numerous enemies of Luther fresh occasion -for more bitter persecution and more virulent -calumny.</p> -<p>Although Luther had acted with great deliberation -in this affair, making it a subject of -most fervent prayer, and hastening its consummation -in order only to avoid excitement, yet -occasionally he sometimes seemed deeply depressed -on that very account, because in the -opinion of many, the whole transaction was -calculated to injure his reputation. But through -the fraternal consolations of Melanchthon, he -was soon restored to his usual vivacity. He -felt himself happy in the possession of Catharine; -for his marriage, instead of interfering -with his numerous professional engagements, -only inspired him with renewed courage and -strength in the prosecution of his work. In -many of his letters written at this period, he -expresses the most affectionate interest in his -wife and the most perfect satisfaction with his -connubial state.</p> -<p>It would, however, have been surprising if -the enemies of Luther had passed in silence his -marriage with a former nun. The most outrageous -slanders and abominable falsehoods -<span class="pb" id="Page_46">46</span> -might have been anticipated. Their hatred of -the man who had shaken the pillars of their -spiritual despotism, was also to be vented -against the woman whom he had chosen for his -wife. “See,” cried out these despicable slanderers, -“see the real design of his apostasy -from the Catholic Church! It was only that -he might marry.” And yet Luther was not married -until eight years after he had taken the -first step towards the Reformation. They -loaded Catharine with the most opprobrious and -disgraceful epithets, and endeavored to cover -her husband with shame and contempt. But -they did not reflect that if Luther had been -inclined to an irregular course of life, he might -more easily, with much less excitement and -much less censure too, have indulged his evil -propensities as an unmarried monk than as a -married clergyman. Even King Henry VIII. -and Duke George of Saxony sent him letters -most bitterly censuring his course. The language -of the royal slanderer of England is -especially vulgar, and his accusations are infamous. -But his more recent enemies have -not been less virulent. Luther, in dealing such -a terrible blow on their forefathers, has fearfully -<span class="pb" id="Page_47">47</span> -wounded them also, and that wound will -never heal. They most dishonestly perverted -his language, and endeavored to dishonor the -name of Catharine by the most wretchedly contrived -and disgraceful fables. The principal -object of Luther’s enemies was to sever the -matrimonial bond which united him and his -wife. They exerted all their diabolical cunning -to gain Catharine over by their machinations, -and induce her to separate herself from Luther -in order to return to the convent. Two young -men, members of the University of Leipzig, -were employed to write <i>Eulogies on Monastic -Life</i>, and send them to Luther in the hope that -they would fall into Catharine’s hands, and -induce her, as a penitent sinner, to resume the -veil. But neither he nor his wife honored these -writings with much attention at that time. -They were sent back to their authors in not -quite as good a condition as when received, for -the servants, without Luther’s knowledge, had -taken special pains to deface them. They -accompanied the papers with the Latin word -<i>asini</i> (asses), so ingeniously arranged in a -square, that beginning in the centre the same -word could be read in forty different directions. -<span class="pb" id="Page_48">48</span> -Some time after, Luther answered these -writings and constructed several amusing fables -on them. The treatment of these eulogies by -Luther and his wife, and especially by the servants, -created such an excitement in Leipzig -that Jerome Walther, a councillor, found it -necessary to communicate a full report of the -whole transaction to the Court Chancellor of -Duke George. The infamous attempt, however, -to separate Luther and his wife signally failed.</p> -<p>The great restorer of the true gospel doctrine -might have lived in open profligacy as a monk, -and it would not probably have been noticed; -but to marry was an unpardonable sin. The -acknowledged teachers of the priests have laid -down such doctrine as the following: Cardinal -de Campeggi has taught that “It is a greater -sin for a priest to marry than to lead an infamous -life.” The Jesuit Coster taught that -“Although a priest who indulges the most -unnatural appetite commits a great evil, yet he -sins still more if he marries;” and Cornelius à -Lapide remarks, “For those who have taken -the vow of chastity, it is better that they live -unchastely than marry.” The men who taught -such morals were the opponents of Luther’s -<span class="pb" id="Page_49">49</span> -marriage. The most influential of his enemies -at this time was Erasmus, who, in the beginning -did not disallow Luther’s merits, but he was -fond of ridicule and sarcasm. He slandered -Catharine most infamously, but eight months -afterwards he had the magnanimity to retract -his false accusations.</p> -<p>As we have already learned, Luther had -determined to give a particular wedding-festival -especially for the sake of his own parents, but -we have no account of his having invited the -parents of his wife. Every unprejudiced reader -will conclude that either her parents were dissatisfied -with her flight and marriage, or, what -is more probable, they were no longer living. -For from the well-known letter of Luther to -Koppe, we cannot even with certainty conclude -that her parents were living at the time of her -escape from the convent. He states that those -nine nuns had most earnestly implored their -parents and <i>relatives</i> to deliver them from the -prison, from which we presume that some of -them were orphans, and for this reason applied -to their relations. But Luther’s enemies still -maintained that the parents of his wife were -living, but were of no account, and hence not -<span class="pb" id="Page_50">50</span> -mentioned at all. It is likely that <i>poverty</i> first -moved them to place their daughter in a convent -early in life. Luther and some of his cotemporaries -bear testimony to the fact that she possessed -no property. At one place he thus -expresses himself relative to the condition of -her property, “As thou gavest her to me, so I -return her to thee again, O thou faithful God, -who richly aboundest in all things; support, -sustain, and teach her as thou hast supported, -sustained, and taught me, thou Father of the -orphan and judge of the widow.” Even if she -had taken property with her into the convent, -how could she have secured it in her flight? -But when Erasmus writes and says, “Luther -has married a wife, a most beautiful daughter -of the celebrated family of Bora, but, as is said, -without a fortune,” this might also proceed -from the dissatisfaction of her relatives with -her marriage and her flight from the convent.</p> -<p>But though those enemies of Luther could -not exactly show the humble condition of his -wife’s parents, others tried hard to throw doubt, -at least, on her <i>noble</i> birth. They could not -deny that her mother was entitled to that distinction -of rank, but they totally reject her -<span class="pb" id="Page_51">51</span> -father’s claim to it, and because Luther does -not mention him in his writings, they draw the -unsound conclusion that he must have belonged -to the very lowest class of society. Catharine’s -honor would not in the least have been periled -even if her father had been of humble birth. -But the most unimportant circumstances were -industriously used by Luther’s enemies to degrade -him; hence, they would not allow her distinguished -birth, although the plainest proofs of -the fact were given. His opponents sometimes -contradicted each other. They all agreed in -most scandalously calumniating him, but in -their accusations they sometimes singularly -differed, and often unintentionally wrote something -which was more honorable to Luther than -injurious. Cochlaeus, for example, charges it -as the greatest sin of Luther “that he rescued -from the convent nine nuns, <i>who were all</i> of -<i>noble rank</i>, and, to the eternal disgrace of so -many distinguished families, led them away.” -Could this deadly enemy of Luther only have -conjectured that some of his brethren of the -faith ever intended to assail Catharine’s birth, -he would have been more careful than to have -spoken of <i>noble</i> rank and <i>distinguished</i> families. -<span class="pb" id="Page_52">52</span> -But the testimony of one such cotemporary is -proof sufficient of her noble origin, and we need -not stop to refute those who maintain that there -never even existed a <i>family</i> of <i>de Bora</i>.</p> -<h2 id="c4">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Luther’s Domestic Life—Character of Catharine—Perils -of Luther—Sickness—Death of his Parents—Private -Life—Catharine.</p> -<p>Luther led with Catharine a very peaceful -and happy domestic life. It would be doing -him great injustice and placing him in the rank -of common men, to judge of his conjugal and -domestic demeanor from his public character. -Here there was no trace of that severity and -violence which can only find an apology in the -frequent insulting conduct of his enemies, the -unrefined spirit of the times, but, above all, in -his burning zeal for the glory of God and the -truth of the Gospel. No! in the circle of his -family he was an affectionate husband and -<span class="pb" id="Page_53">53</span> -tender father; kind and condescending to all -his household, and benevolent to the poor. In -writing to Stiefel (Aug. 11, 1526), he playfully -says: “My rib, Kate, salutes you. She -is well, with God’s help; she is amiable, -obedient, and obliging in all things to a greater -degree than I could have hoped for, thank -heaven, so that I would not exchange my -poverty for the wealth of Crœsus.” When he -had finished his commentary on the Epistle to -the Galatians, he cried out, “This is my letter -to which I am betrothed; it is my Katy von -Bora!” On the 31st of August, 1538, he thus -writes to Bernard von Dohlen: “If I were a -young man again, now since I have experienced -the wickedness of the world, if a queen were -offered to me after my Catharine, I would -rather die than marry a second time.” “I -could not have a more <i>obedient</i> wife unless I -would have one hewn out of stone.” Many -such expressions occur in his table-talk. Among -other things, he says, “I hear that there are -much greater faults and occasions of disagreement -among married people than I find in my -wife. This is an abundant reason that I should -love and esteem her, because she is <i>sincere</i> and -<span class="pb" id="Page_54">54</span> -<i>upright</i>, as a <i>pious</i> and <i>discreet</i> wife should be.” -“I have a <i>pious</i> and <i>faithful</i> wife in whom the -heart of her husband doth safely trust.” Prov. -31; 11. “I value her more highly than I -would the whole kingdom of France and the -sovereignty of Venice; for God has given me -a <i>pious</i> wife.” “The best and most valuable -gift of God is a pious, affectionate, godly, -domestic wife, with whom you can live at peace, -to whom you may entrust all that you possess; -yea, your very body and life.”</p> -<p>But Catharine had in Luther not only an -affectionate husband, but a man who, on account -of his enlightened understanding, his widespread -usefulness, and his undaunted heroism, -deserved all the veneration he received from -all the truly pious of his generation.</p> -<p>From this time forth, Catharine was totally -and forever weaned from the monastic life, and -all the anxieties for the future which may have -distressed her on her first escape, had now -vanished. Though Luther’s worldly circumstances -were not the most flourishing, yet he -was aided by the liberality of the princes and -other noble-minded men to such an extent, at -least, that he did not absolutely suffer for the -<span class="pb" id="Page_55">55</span> -necessaries of life.<a class="fn" id="fr_8" href="#fn_8">[8]</a> In this respect, Catharine’s -circumstances were much improved. However, -many dangers threatened the bold champion of -truth, right, and liberty, which were calculated -to disturb the happy serenity of his wife. He -had several alarming attacks of sickness, which -occasioned her painful solicitude. In the first -year of his marriage some noblemen conspired -against him because he effected the escape of -thirteen nuns out of a cloister in the territory -of Duke George. He himself acknowledges -this in a letter to Stiefel, and says of it, “I -have chased away Satan from this booty of -Christ.” Hence, with tears, she entreated him -not to leave Wittenberg at such a perilous time -when he was invited to the wedding of Spalatin, -and he yielded. But he was not accustomed to -be alarmed at the thunder-clouds which rolled -<span class="pb" id="Page_56">56</span> -over him. Even as early as 1526, he undertook -a journey in company with Catharine, and -yet that was the time he had most to fear. But -he was never free from danger. In 1530, when -his father was lying on his death-bed, he dared -not venture to visit him, but wrote an affecting -letter, stating that his friends positively forbade -his leaving Wittenberg, lest he might be murdered. -A Jewish physician of Posen was hired -for two thousand golden guilders to poison him. -In 1541 he was waylaid by an assassin, but -escaped. Notwithstanding his vigorous constitution, -which seemed to promise extreme old -age, yet from early youth he was subject to -frequent severe attacks of sickness, and under -such circumstances we may well wonder, that -besides his numerous professional labors, he -was able to prepare so many theological works, -to conduct so extensive a correspondence with -men of every class of society, and accomplish -so many journeys, which must have consumed -much time.<a class="fn" id="fr_9" href="#fn_9">[9]</a> His master-piece, The Translation -<span class="pb" id="Page_57">57</span> -of the Bible, was a work which scarcely any -learned man of the present day could have -accomplished in the same space of time, under -similar circumstances. Let it be remembered -that the first time he ever saw the whole of the -Bible in the Latin language he was already -twenty-two years of age; that he had few of -the preliminary aids essential to such a work, -and that the German language was at that time -still very imperfect. In twenty-eight years the -translation of the whole Bible was finished and -printed.<a class="fn" id="fr_10" href="#fn_10">[10]</a> -He suffered most from hæmorrhoidal -affections, the treatment of which was little -understood at that time. These attacks appeared -<span class="pb" id="Page_58">58</span> -mysterious to him, and in his depression -of mind occasioned by them, and in the indulgence -of a lively imagination, he ascribed the -painful anxieties which he felt, agreeably to -the notions of that day, to the temptations of -the devil, who tried to hinder him in prosecuting -his good work by assuming various forms and -appearances. Attacks of sickness, which were -in part the result of his severe fastings during -his monastic life, were aggravated by his extraordinary -mental labors, by his sedentary habits, -and the numerous painful mortifications of -spirit to which his unconquerable love of the -truth exposed him. Above all, it was the -unhappy sacramentarian controversy in 1525 -which had the most injurious influence on his -health. Hence these corporeal sufferings could -never be entirely removed. Yet amid all his -painful and melancholy hours Catharine was to -him a ministering angel. By her affectionate -sympathy, her tender nursing, and prudent -accommodation to his whims, she greatly -relieved his bodily and mental sufferings. She -had frequent occasion to display these amiable -qualities, for her husband had often recurring -attacks of sickness. To notice but a few instances, -<span class="pb" id="Page_59">59</span> -we will state that as early as 1526 he -suffered with hæmorrhoids, accompanied with -severe oppression of the breast. But it was -particularly in 1527 that he was attacked in a -manner that brought him to the very borders -of the grave. In July, he was so suddenly and -dangerously seized that his wife and friends -trembled for his life. But both of them displayed -a greatness of soul and dignity of -deportment which were truly admirable. Christian -fortitude, perfect resignation to the will of -God, and unshaken confidence in an all-controlling -Providence, animated them both in the -highest degree. They endured their present trials -with pious submission, and with comfortable security -they anticipated future dangers. Luther -did not think that he would recover, but believed -that he should have to part with the wife whose -husband he had been but two years. Catharine -was full of terrible apprehension of being left a -poor widow and mother of one child, without -being able to count much on human aid, and -having no means of support. He was to leave -the sacred work which he had begun, and for -which he would have sacrificed his all, and she -was to be dependent on the kindness of some -<span class="pb" id="Page_60">60</span> -real and many equivocal friends. Yet Luther -prayed with a submissive heart, and commended -his wife to God’s paternal care. “My loving -and most benevolent Father! I thank thee -from my heart that it was thy will I should be -poor on the earth, and hence I can leave neither -house, field, money, nor any other property, to -my wife and son. As thou hast given her to -me, so I restore her to thee,” &c. He also -consoled his wife with these words; “My -beloved Kate, I beseech you to submit to God’s -gracious will, if it should please him to take -me to Himself this time. You are my faithful -wife, let the blind, ungodly world say what it -may. Let your conduct be governed by the -word of God, and hold fast to it, and thus you -will have certain and constant comfort against -all the temptations and blasphemies of Satan.” -When, at his request, they brought his infant -son to him, he said, “O you good, poor little -child! now I commend your beloved mother -and you, poor orphan, to my good and faithful -God. <i>You have nothing</i>; but God, who is the -father of the orphan and the judge of the -widow, will richly provide for you.” Here he -again turned to his wife, and said, “You know -<span class="pb" id="Page_61">61</span> -that, excepting the silver cups, we have -nothing.” These, and similar expressions, -awakened the most painful emotions in the -heart of Catharine, and yet she tried to conceal -her grief, and to encourage him, “My dear -Doctor,” said she, “if it is God’s will, I would -rather you should be with Him than with me. -But it is not only I and my child who must be -taken into account, and for whom your life -would be valuable, but there are many pious -and Christian souls who have need of your -presence and services. Do not distress yourself -about me; I commend you to His divine -will. I trust he will graciously preserve you.” -Eight days after, Luther recovered, to the -great joy of his wife and all his friends.</p> -<p>Not long after, in the same year, a contagious -disease broke out in Wittenberg, which -created so much alarm that the students precipitately -fled, and the University was transferred -to Jena. The Elector, John the Constant, -advised Luther to repair to Jena also; -but this main pillar of the new-born church -would not leave Wittenberg, although there -were cases of the contagion in his own family. -Bugenhagen also remained at the post of duty. -<span class="pb" id="Page_62">62</span> -Nov. 1, Luther wrote to Amsdorff, “My house -is an hospital. I begin to feel anxious about -my wife, who is in a delicate condition. My -infant son has been sick these three days; he -eats nothing and is extremely unwell.” But -these attacks were not contagious, and their -alarm soon subsided. In the following year, -Luther suffered from a pulmonary affection and -constant headache. In 1532, he was so severely -attacked with vertigo that apoplexy was -apprehended. He also occasionally suffered -from obstinate boils; in his later years, symptoms -of calculus were also apparent. In 1536, -an affection of the hip-joint confined him to -bed a fortnight. But in 1537, Catharine had -especial occasion to display her affectionate -solicitude, for her husband was again brought -to the very brink of the grave. During this -year he was commanded by John Frederick, -Elector of Saxony, to proceed to Smalcald on -important church business. Although he suffered -severely from calculus, and the weather -was extremely cold, he set out on his journey -on Feb. 1. But he had scarcely arrived at -Smalcald, when the pains increased to such an -extent, to which an obstinate ischury was super-added, -<span class="pb" id="Page_63">63</span> -that everybody was doubtful of his -recovery. The Elector, who was present, contributed -everything in his power to his restoration. -He visited and consoled him. On his -departure, he thus addressed him: “If it should -please God to take you away, be not concerned -about your wife and children. I will take them -into my protection.” He recovered sufficiently -to enter on his journey home on the 26th. -Dangerous as travelling appeared to be under -the circumstances, yet it was of immediate -service. On the way, he was relieved of the -principal cause of his intense suffering, and -communicated the joyful event to his wife and -the sympathizing Melanchthon. To the former -he wrote, “Yesterday I left Smalcald. I was -not well three days whilst there; in a word, I -was dead, and I had commended you and the -children to God and my gracious Elector, for I -never expected to see you again; but God had -mercy on me. Most fervent prayers to God -were offered for me, and many tears were shed -on my account. God heard these prayers, and -last night I was relieved. I now feel like a -new-born man. Thank God for this; and let -the dear children, with Aunt Magdalena, thank -<span class="pb" id="Page_64">64</span> -the Heavenly Father, for you had almost lost -me, the earthly father. God performed wonders -towards me last night through the intercession -of pious persons. This I also ascribe -to you, for I presume the Elector ordered word -to be sent to you that I was dying, so that you -might come and speak to me, or at least see -me before I died. That is not necessary now, -you may remain at home, for God has so mercifully -helped me that I expect soon to meet -you happily in our own house. To-day we are -stopping at Gotha.” Something similar to this -he wrote to Melanchthon: but, unfortunately, -he had a relapse at Gotha, and anticipated -death so certainly, that he requested Bugenhagen -to administer to him the Lord’s Supper. -As soon as Catharine heard of this she could -be no longer restrained from setting out to -meet him. She remained with him all the time, -and accompanied him home. Thus Luther, for -the present, had escaped all apparent dangers, -but every year, for the ensuing nine, he was -attacked by some disease. Dysentery, Rheumatism, -fever, violent vertigo, and headache, -painful cutaneous eruptions, and pulmonary -affections, embittered all his days.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>The affectionate sympathy, faithful watching, -and tender nursing which he received from his -wife, not only on these occasions, but always -when bowed down under the immense weight of -his other cares, moved him deeply. He frequently -alluded to it in the most touching -language. On his sick bed at Gotha, on Feb. -28, 1537, he commended Catharine, who had -enlivened twelve years of his life, to Bugenhagen, -and bore this favorable testimony to her -character: “She has served me not only as a -wife, but with all the fidelity and industry of a -servant.” Afterwards, he said, “I inconsiderately -look to Catharine and Melanchthon for -greater benefits than to Christ, and yet I know -that neither they nor any human being on -earth can or will ever suffer for me as he has -done.” Soon after, he said, “How intensely I -longed after my family when I was lying at -Smalcald, almost dead! I thought I should -never see them again. How painful the idea -of separation was! I now believe that this -natural inclination and love which a man has -for his wife, and children for their parents, are -most intense in dying persons.” In his last -will, (Jan. 6, 1542,) he said of her “that she -<span class="pb" id="Page_66">66</span> -had always been a pious and faithful wife, and -she always conducted herself handsomely and -worthily, as became a pious and faithful -spouse.”<a class="fn" id="fr_11" href="#fn_11">[11]</a></p> -<p>But Catharine’s love for her husband was -extended also to his parents. The most striking -proof of this she gave, when, in Feb., 1530, -Luther’s father was lying very sick. She most -heartily wished that he might be conveyed to -Wittenberg, where she could nurse him. “Dear -Father,” wrote Luther to him, “my brother -Jacob has informed me that you are dangerously -sick. I wished most eagerly to go and -see you, but my friends dissuaded me from my -purpose, fearing the danger to which I would -expose myself, for you know that the Peasants -are so violently opposed to me.<a class="fn" id="fr_12" href="#fn_12">[12]</a> But it would -<span class="pb" id="Page_67">67</span> -rejoice me greatly if it were possible for you -and mother to come to us. My wife also, with -tears, expresses her desire that you should -come. We will here nurse you most tenderly.” -But the father was unable to go, and died in a -few months after, whilst Luther was residing at -Coburg, where he had concealed himself during -the diet of Augsburg. As soon as Catharine -heard of the event, she was very solicitous about -the effect of the intelligence on her absent -husband, of whose affectionate attachment to -his father she was well aware. She wrote to -him a letter full of consolation, and in order -more effectually to calm his troubled heart, she -sent him a likeness of his favorite child, Magdalena, -at that time an infant of a year old. -She was not disappointed in her hopes. His -secretary, Veit Dietrich, answered the letter, -and said, “You have done a good work in sending -the likeness to the doctor; he forgets many -troublesome things in looking at it. He has -hung it on the wall opposite the table at which -we dine. When he first saw it, he did not -recognize it. ‘Why,’ said he ‘Lena’s complexion -is dark!’ But now he is remarkably -<span class="pb" id="Page_68">68</span> -well pleased with it, and the more he looks at -it the better he likes it. <span class="gs">* * *</span> -I pray you, do not be troubled about the doctor; -he is, thank heaven, well and in good spirits. -For the first two days he was much depressed -respecting his father’s death, but has now recovered -his usual vivacity.” When, in the -following year, Luther’s pious mother was -attacked with a dangerous sickness and his -numerous engagements did not allow him to -visit her, he wrote her a consolatory letter, the -conclusion of which expresses in a very striking -manner the cordial affection which Catharine -and her children entertained for this excellent -woman. “My wife and children are praying -for you. They weep and say, ‘Grandmother is -very sick.’” She also died, to Luther’s most -profound regret, on June 30, 1531.</p> -<p>It was not only in seasons of affliction and -distress that Catharine deeply sympathized -with her husband. In times of prosperity and -rejoicing she equally displayed her interest, -and was ever proud of his growing reputation -and of the honors conferred on him.</p> -<p>These are proofs sufficient that their matrimonial -life was happy; yet the foulest slanders -<span class="pb" id="Page_69">69</span> -were heaped upon them by the enemies of the -cause of which Luther was now the acknowledged -champion.</p> -<p>Luther awarded to his wife the praise of -unconditional obedience, and agreeably to the -custom of the times she always saluted him as -<i>Herr Doctor</i>. During the first years of his -matrimonial life particularly, when he had -recovered from his attacks of melancholy, and -his general health had improved, he was almost -always in excellent spirits. He treated his -domestics in the kindest manner, and his whole -household was conducted in a way which contributed -to the happiness of every member. He -acceded to Catharine’s supreme control over -the affairs of the family, and never interfered, -except when he deemed it absolutely necessary. -He often playfully addressed her as <i>Mrs. Doctor -and Professoress</i>, and sometimes as <i>Master -Catharine</i>. All the world knew that this was -but the outpouring of a sportive disposition and -an affectionate heart.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<h2 id="c5">CHAPTER V.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Income—Expenses—Hospitality—Charity—Diet—Afflictions—Despondency—Journeys—Death.</p> -<p>Luther’s income was disproportionate to -his expenses. He has often said “that he -gave more out than he took in.” His pay at -this time amounted to but 200 guilders, and his -own family expenses to 500. Besides, he aided -his poor relatives, and was obliged to perform -many expensive journeys on business relating -to the Reformation. His eminent position in -society often subjected him to invitations to -assume the relation of godfather, and this -always levied contributions on his purse. He -was also obliged to make numerous marriage -presents, and almost daily to entertain strangers, -which compelled him to keep a corresponding -number of servants. His expenses were so -great that sometimes he was embarrassed with -considerable debts. He says, “I am unfit for -housekeeping; I am made quite poor by the -necessary support of my destitute relations and -<span class="pb" id="Page_71">71</span> -the daily demands of strangers.” In writing -to another friend, he says, “You know that I -am quite oppressed by my large domestic -establishment, for through my thoughtlessness -I have, during this year, made debts to the -amount of more than 100 guilders. I have -pledged three silver cups at one place for 50 -guilders; but the Lord, who chastises my folly, -will deliver me. Hence it is that Cranach and -Aurifaber will no longer take me as security, -for they observe that I have an empty purse. -I have given them my fourth cup for 12 guilders, -which they have loaned to Herrman. But why -is it that my purse is so completely exhausted—no, -not quite exhausted; but why am I so -deeply immersed in debt? I believe that no -one will charge me with parsimony, avarice,” &c. -He sometimes had the honor of entertaining -persons of exalted rank. Elizabeth, the sister -of Christian II., King of Denmark, who had -fled from her husband on account of his cruel -treatment of her because she had abandoned -popery, and the Duchess Ursula of Münsterberg, -an escaped nun, had often been his guests -for upwards of three months at a time, and it -is no small matter for a poor man to entertain -<span class="pb" id="Page_72">72</span> -a princess. Many monks and nuns who had -escaped from convents had often imposed themselves -on his hospitality, and sometimes shamefully -deceived him. In 1537 he took into his -house his relative and countryman, Agricola, -with his wife and family, and kept them for a -long time, until Luther procured a professorship -for him. Luther’s five children were now -growing up, and their education was by no -means neglected, and even the fields which his -wife owned, near Wittenberg and Zoldorf, -demanded no little outlay. To all this was -superadded that peculiar disposition which has, -however, characterized many great minds, -which is, a perfect contempt of all earthly possessions. -The grounds of this he sought and -found in the Bible. When with scorn he rejected -all offers of gold and dignities on condition -of renouncing his faith, which his enemies -made, he did right; but it must be confessed -that as a father of a family he was too careless -about their wants. Thus, when some one reminded -him that he might, at least, lay up a -little property for his family, he replied, “That -I shall not do; for otherwise they will not trust -to God or their own exertions, but to their -<span class="pb" id="Page_73">73</span> -money.” Thus he presented all his manuscripts -to the printers, who were at that time also -booksellers, and when they offered him 400 -guilders annually for the privilege of printing -and selling his books, he rejected the offer, and -said, “I will not sell the grace of God. I -have enough.” Only occasionally he asked for -a copy of his books as a present to a friend. -He charged no fee for his lectures. “It was -my intention,” said he, “after I was married, -to lecture for pay. But as God anticipated me, -I have all my life sold no copy of my books, -nor read lectures for money. And if it please -God, I will carry this honor to the grave with -me.” When the Elector, John the Constant, -in 1529, designed to honor him with a share in -a productive silver mine at Schneeberg as a -compliment for his translation of the Bible, he -replied, “It much better becomes me to pay -the amount of my share with a <i>pater noster</i>, -that the ores may continue productive and the -product may be well applied.” This he confirmed -soon after, (Sept. 8, 1530,) with these -words, “I have never taken a penny for my -translation, and never asked it.” And at -another place he says, “If I did not feel such a -<span class="pb" id="Page_74">74</span> -painful concern <i>for his sake who died for me</i>, -the whole world could not give me money -enough to write a book or translate any portion -of the Bible. <i>I am not willing to be rewarded -by the world for my labor; the world is too -poor for that!</i>” Melanchthon promised him -1000 guilders compensation if he would finish -the translation of Æsop, begun in 1530, and -dedicate it to some great personage; but -Luther desired to labor exclusively for the -diffusion of the Gospel, and write theological -works, for which he would receive no pay. -Another friend made him a present of 200 -guilders, which he generously divided among -poor students. When, in 1529, Bugenhagen -brought him a gift of 100 guilders from a rich -gentleman, he gave Melanchthon the half of it. -As early as 1520, he received a bequest of 150 -guilders from Dr. Heinrich Becke of Naumburg, -and in 1521, a person named Marcus Schart -presented him with 50 guilders, which he divided -with his prior, Breisger. When the -Elector, John the Steadfast, in 1542, ordered -a tax to be levied to raise money to carry on -the war against the Turks, and exempted -Luther’s property, the latter would not consent -<span class="pb" id="Page_75">75</span> -to it, but for the sake of the example had property -to the amount of 610 guilders assessed.<a class="fn" id="fr_13" href="#fn_13">[13]</a> -Many other similar instances of his remarkable -disinterestedness, which, however, were not -always worthy of imitation, might be mentioned. -He was liberal and benevolent as even few rich -men are, and hence it is that his children -received no large inheritance from him. Thus -on one occasion a very poor man applied to -him for help. He had no money at hand, and -his wife was sick; but he took the donation -which had been made to his infant at its recent -baptism, and gave it to the applicant. The sick -wife, who soon missed the money out of the -savings-box, expressed her displeasure, but -Luther meekly replied, “God is rich; he will -provide in some other way.”</p> -<p>At another time, a young man who had -finished his studies, and was about to leave -Wittenberg, made a similar request. Luther -was again destitute of funds. With sincere -sympathy he deplored his inability to aid the -youth; but when he observed his deep distress, -his eye fell on a silver cup which had been presented -<span class="pb" id="Page_76">76</span> -to him by the Elector. He looked -inquiringly at his wife; her countenance seemed -to reply, no! But he hastily snatched the cup -and gave it to the student. The latter was -much astonished, and was unwilling to take it. -Catharine also, by winks and looks, intimated -to her husband not to press the acceptance of -it on the stranger. But Luther, with a great -effort, pressed the sides of the cup together and -gave it to the young man, saying, “I have no -use for a silver cup. Here, take it; carry it -to a goldsmith, and keep all you can get for it.”</p> -<p>Luther was indebted to the punctuality, -thrift, and economy of his wife, for the small -property in land, furniture, and books, which -he left at his death. She has been charged -with parsimony as well as with a multitude of -other sins by Luther’s enemies, but there is -no evidence to sustain the accusation. If she -was economical when her husband had no -guests in his house—which was not often the -case—it rather redounded to her credit, and -arose from necessity. This course was pursued -with his sanction. He was always temperate -in his diet. Sometimes, even when he was in -good health, he partook of no substantial food -<span class="pb" id="Page_77">77</span> -for four days together. At other times a little -bread and a herring sufficed for a day; or, that -he might study the more intensely, bread and -salt constituted his meal. Of course, at other -times, he lived more generously, but always -within the bounds of moderation.</p> -<p>Catharine not only sympathized most sincerely -with her husband in all his joys and -sorrows, but she herself suffered severe afflictions, -some of which were calculated to fill a -mother’s heart with inexpressible anguish. -Some of these have been already alluded to. -In August, 1538, they were both attacked with -fever, and in July, 1539, they providentially -escaped a violent death. Luther had had a -new cellar constructed, which he went to inspect -in company with his wife. They had scarcely -left the cellar, when the ground caved in with -a terrible crash. In loud thanksgivings to -God they expressed their sense of this miraculous -deliverance. In January, 1540, Catharine -was brought nigh to death at the birth of a -child. To Luther’s great joy, she gradually -recovered. The death of their second daughter, -Magdalena, in 1542, at the age of fourteen—the -first, Elizabeth, had died in 1528—bowed -<span class="pb" id="Page_78">78</span> -her heart deeply, and overwhelmed her with -sorrow. Scarcely had the pious sufferer endured -these severe visitations with the resignation -becoming a true Christian, when she was -called on to deplore the death of her most intimate -and valuable friend, the wife of Dr. -Jonas. This unexpected event was so much -the more painful to Luther, inasmuch as when -in secret he reflected on his own departure out -of this world, he always reckoned on the wife -of Dr. Jonas as the comforter of his widow and -children.</p> -<p>In 1545, the three sons of Luther and his -yet surviving daughter, Margaretta, were all at -the same time attacked with the measles, and -the latter also suffered in addition, from a -severe and dangerous fever.</p> -<p>About this time, Luther, very unexpectedly -to his friends, determined to leave Wittenberg. -His strength was exhausted by disease, and by -his numerous literary labors. He was disappointed -and chagrined also on various accounts, -and longed for repose. As soon as this became -known, Bugenhagen and others were sent to -him on the part of the University and the town, -whose tears and entreaties prevailed on him to -<span class="pb" id="Page_79">79</span> -remain for the present. But in July, 1545, he -was bent on carrying out his determination, -and travelled in company with his eldest son, -John, by way of Löbnitz and Leipzig to Merseburg, -where he visited Prince George, of -Anhalt, whom, on this occasion, he solemnly -consecrated to the office of Coadjutor of the -Chapter of the Cathedral. During his stay in -Leipzig, he wrote (July 28), to his wife, “I -should like to arrange it so that it would not -be necessary for me to return to Wittenberg. -My feelings are so alienated that I do not care -any longer about being there. I also wish that -you would sell our house and other property. -I wish you would return the large house to my -gracious master,<a class="fn" id="fr_14" href="#fn_14">[14]</a> and it would be better for -you to settle at Zallsdorff whilst I yet live; for -after my death you will hardly find a support -in Wittenberg, hence you had better do it -during my lifetime.” Catharine was extremely -surprised at this determination; but as her -husband had enjoined it upon her to inform -Bugenhagen and Melanchthon of his purpose, -and to request the former to take leave of the -congregation in his name, she, at least, complied -<span class="pb" id="Page_80">80</span> -with this wish. But not so the University. -As soon as the members had learned the purport -of his letter, they sent not only a copy of -it to the Elector, and a letter to his Grace, -beseeching him to influence Luther to return; -but they and the town council also sent Bugenhagen -and Melanchthon, and some other deputies, -as a committee to see him. The Elector -himself wrote to him, promising to render his -condition at Wittenberg more comfortable, and -summoned him to appear at his palace at -Torgau for further conversation on the subject. -Luther instantly obeyed the summons, and -appeared at Torgau. The Elector persuaded -him to return to Wittenberg. Sick and depressed -in heart he arrived there on the 18th -of August, where he was received with open -arms by all his friends.</p> -<p>But this gratification was of short duration -for them and Catharine; for in January, 1546, -completely debilitated by the effects of protracted -sickness, he entered upon a journey of -another character, from which, alas! he never -returned. His youngest sister, Dorothea, was -married to Paul Mackenrot, who was in the -service of the Elector. The family of Mackenrot -<span class="pb" id="Page_81">81</span> -possessed productive silver-mines in the -duchy of Mansfeld, which excited the envy of -the dukes of Mansfeld, and led them to the -determination of securing to themselves the -entire products of the mines, for before they -had received only the tenth and some other -perquisites. As soon as Luther heard of this -unjust proceeding, he undertook to maintain -the rights of his brother-in-law, and in 1540 -wrote to Duke Albert on the subject; but his -intercession was fruitless. In 1542, he renewed -his attempts, but without any favorable -result. In 1545, he travelled to Eisleben and -to Mansfeld on the same mission, but all to no -effect. Soon after, Luther was urgently entreated -by the Dukes themselves (of whom, -Albert was a Protestant, and the other two, -Philip and John George, were still Catholics,) -to appear personally at Eisleben in order to -settle this difficulty as well as some others -existing among them. Although his health -was in a wretched condition, he promised to go. -After he had preached in Wittenberg, the last -time, on January 17, 1546, he took leave of -his friends, and on the 23d, he departed, accompanied -by his three sons; John, 19 years -<span class="pb" id="Page_82">82</span> -of age, Martin 14, and Paul 13. He passed -through Halle, where he visited his friend, Dr. -Jonas, at that time pastor in that city. Jonas -accompanied him to Eisleben; but as he approached -that city, he was so exhausted that -he fainted, and they were apprehensive of his -death; but he was conveyed to a house where -they rubbed him with warm cloths, and he was -soon restored. He arrived safe at Eisleben on -the 28th, but a violent attack was soon renewed. -Catharine, who on the departure of her husband -could easily have anticipated these attacks, on -having been informed of them by the eldest -son, John, who had been sent back, forwarded -some remedies from her own domestic medicine-chest, -the good effects of which he had often -experienced. On the 1st and 6th of February -he communicated to her the state of his own -health and of the affairs at Mansfeld, and -entreated her to lay aside any undue anxiety -about himself. But he soon expressed an -intense desire to return home. He wrote to -that effect on the 10th, and again in a jocose -style besought her not to be uneasy on his -account. But he was never to see her again. -As he anticipated, he was destined to die in the -<span class="pb" id="Page_83">83</span> -place of his birth.<a class="fn" id="fr_15" href="#fn_15">[15]</a> Although he suffered keenly -from pulmonary affection, he not only preached -four times, but performed much other important -business. But his end had come, and he -died on February 18, 1546, in the 63d year of -his age. Dr. Jonas and the court preacher at -Mansfeld, Michel Coclius, who, with others, -were present at his death, immediately communicated -the melancholy event to the Elector, -and requested his Grace to issue orders respecting -the funeral, as well as to have a letter of -consolation written to his bereaved widow. -The intelligence was conveyed so rapidly to -Torgau, that the Elector, on the same evening -of the day on which Luther died, answered the -letter, and gave immediate orders in relation to -his funeral.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<h2 id="c6">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Catharine, a Widow—Her Support—Sufferings—Journeys—Death.</p> -<p>No one was more deeply distressed at his -death than the mourning widow. For more -than twenty years she had lived with him in -uninterrupted harmony; had sought to alleviate -his sufferings, and had shared his joys; and -she was not permitted to see him die nor minister -to his last wants! Even if he did die -among friends, yet she was not there to smooth -his pillow and to perform those tender offices -which an affectionate wife alone knows how to -do. When on the 22d of February the corpse -was conveyed to Wittenberg and deposited in -the castle church, and all the inhabitants of the -city went to meet the melancholy procession, -there stood Catharine weeping, and with her -children looked on her deceased husband.</p> -<p>She survived him nearly seven years, and -cherished his memory most affectionately. -Though his enemies assailed him most virulently -<span class="pb" id="Page_85">85</span> -when he was no longer present to defend himself, -yet she never allowed her affection to cool -nor her interest in his work and reputation to -abate.</p> -<p>The black velvet cloth which had covered -the funeral car came into the possession of the -widow, and for many years it was preserved -among Luther’s posterity as a valuable memento. -Neither did the Elector forget her. -He wrote her a letter of condolence, in which -he sought to comfort her on the grounds of the -happy death of her husband, and the secret, -wise councils of God. At the same time, he -repeated his assurances of his protection of her -and her children.</p> -<p>Although Luther had expressed a desire that -Catharine should remove from Wittenberg, -fearing that after his death she might not be -able to support herself there, yet induced by -good reasons, she resolved to spend the remainder -of her days in that place; for where -could she expect to find better friends than in -Wittenberg? Bugenhagen, Cruciger, Melanchthon, -and others, were still living, who were -her counsellors and comforters; and Wittenberg -was also the place where her sons had -<span class="pb" id="Page_86">86</span> -already begun their education, and where they -could most advantageously finish it.</p> -<p>Luther had, some time before his death, -made ample provision, consisting of various -kinds of property, for his wife,<a class="fn" id="fr_16" href="#fn_16">[16]</a> which she was -to hold independent of her children, in the -event of her remaining a widow. In the document -conveying it to her he speaks of her in -the most exalted terms as a pious woman, a -faithful wife, and an affectionate mother. The -property thus left was far from being sufficient -to maintain the widow and her children. The -Elector of Saxony, agreeably to his promise, -contributed to her support. The dukes of -Mansfeld and the King of Denmark also -liberally came to her help. The Elector, John -Frederick, of Saxony, who had already paid -the funeral expenses, thus wrote to Dr. Schurf, -Professor of Medicine and Rector of the University: -“And as we have heard that the -widow of the sainted Luther is in need of pecuniary -assistance, ... we send you by -this messenger 100 gold Groschen for her use.” -<span class="pb" id="Page_87">87</span> -He also wrote to Cruciger and Melanchthon, -the guardians of the children, to select a teacher -for the two younger sons, Martin and Paul, -with whom they should also board. He directed -that with regard to the oldest son, John, they -should wait six months longer, to ascertain -whether he was inclined or qualified to study -a learned profession, and if not, the Elector -promised to give him employment in his palace -as a clerk or secretary.<a class="fn" id="fr_17" href="#fn_17">[17]</a> To enable the guardians -to execute his wishes with regard to the -children, the Elector sent them 2000 guilders. -He likewise afterwards sent the same sum to -the widow. The dukes of Mansfeld, for whose -benefit Luther had undertaken many journeys -and suffered much trouble, were not behind; in -the same year they established a fund of 2000 -guilders for the benefit of the widow and children, -from which they drew an annual interest -of 100 guilders. Part of the capital only was -paid, for when Catharine died, in 1552, 1000 -guilders still stood to her credit. The year -after Luther’s death, Christian III., King of -<span class="pb" id="Page_88">88</span> -Denmark, transferred for her benefit 50 dollars, -the remainder of a sum which he had previously -granted to Luther and several of his friends. -Catharine wrote to the King, expressing her -profound gratitude for this act of benevolence.</p> -<p>But she was soon called on to experience -additional sorrows. The Smalcald War had -already broken out in 1546, which brought -desolation into many peaceful and happy -families. Catharine did not escape the general -calamity. The Elector, John Frederick, who -would certainly have done more for her, was -taken prisoner at the battle of Muhlberg, April -24, 1547; Wittenberg was besieged on the 5th -of May, and on the 25th, Charles V., with his -Spanish troops, entered the city as conqueror. -All the faithful subjects of the Elector, and -many persons who had embraced the doctrines -of the Reformation, had left before the siege. -The widow of the Reformer, with her children, -could not possibly remain behind. She accompanied -Dr. George Major, Professor of Theology, -to Magdeburg, and thence, sustained by the -town council of Helmstadt, she went under -Melanchthon’s protection to Brunswick, from -whence Dr. Major was to conduct her to -<span class="pb" id="Page_89">89</span> -Copenhagen. Here she expected further protection -and support from the King of Denmark, -as her illustrious benefactor, the Elector of -Saxony, could no longer assist her. But she -did not proceed farther than Gifhorn, near -Brunswick; for a proclamation appeared promising -a safe return and the secure possession -of their property to all who had left the country. -It seemed best to her, as well as to Melanchthon, -to return to the home she had abandoned. -But her life, from this period, was an unbroken -series of sorrows. The assistance she had formerly -received from the liberality of the Elector -was withdrawn; the annual contribution of the -King of Denmark—although he had promised -further help—had not been sent since 1548, -and her small real estate was loaded with taxes. -It would have been difficult for her to support -herself and four children if she had not, some -time subsequently, mortgaged her little farm at -Zillsdorff for 400 guilders, and pawned some -silver-ware for 600 guilders. She also rented -out several rooms in her house, as her husband -had done, and boarded the occupants, and thus -she contrived to gain a meagre subsistence.</p> -<p>In the beginning of the year 1548, she -<span class="pb" id="Page_90">90</span> -travelled with Melanchthon to Leipzig, in order -to solicit from the imperial assessor some diminution -of the oppressive war tax. Melanchthon -also wrote to the King of Denmark, entreating -him to continue the annual contribution which -he made during Luther’s lifetime. Bugenhagen -wrote similar letters to his Majesty, begging -him, for Luther’s sake, to come to the help of -“the poor widow and her children.” But as -these repeated appeals were fruitless, she herself -wrote to him, October 6, 1550. In this -letter, she calls to his mind the services which -her illustrious husband had rendered to the -cause of Christianity, and his Majesty’s former -liberality to him. In pathetic terms she represents -her destitute condition and the severity -of the times, occasioned by the existing wars. -She says, “Your Imperial Majesty is the only -king on earth to whom we poor Christians can -fly for protection, and God will doubtless richly -reward your Majesty for the kindness you -have bestowed on poor Christian preachers and -their widows and children.” This letter did -not immediately produce the desired result. -Two years afterwards, when most sorely pressed -by want, she repeated her entreaty, and wrote -<span class="pb" id="Page_91">91</span> -again. In this letter she complains of her -forsaken condition, and declares that she had -been more unkindly treated by professed friends -than enemies. She writes in a deeply desponding -tone, and seems to be on the brink of -despair. Bugenhagen seconded this appeal to -the King, and it was successful; a contribution -was received which relieved her immediate -wants and comforted her desponding heart.</p> -<p>Luther’s exalted merits were not always recognized, -at least, not in the way in which they -should have been. The widow of the man who -conferred favors on thousands at the expense -of extraordinary self-sacrifice, often pined in -misery, and paid the severe penalty of his disinterestedness -and liberality. With much truth -could it be said in a discourse commemorative -of her virtues: “During the war she wandered -from place to place with her orphan -children, enduring the most trying privations -and perils, and, besides the numerous trials of -her widowhood, she also encountered much -ingratitude from many, and she was often -shamefully deceived by those even from whom -she had a right to expect kindnesses on account -<span class="pb" id="Page_92">92</span> -of the inappreciable services of her husband to -the Church.”</p> -<p>After the peace of Passau (July 31, 1552), -security was re-established for the Protestants, -and the former elector of Saxony was restored -to liberty.</p> -<p>About this time a contagious disease broke -out in Wittenberg, and all the members of the -University removed to Torgau. Catharine also -determined to leave the place with her two -younger sons, Martin and Paul (John was -studying at Konigsberg), and her only daughter, -Margaret, was to follow them a short time -after. On the journey the horses became -unmanageable and ran away with the carriage. -Catharine, more concerned about the children -than her own safety, and with the hope of -facilitating their escape, leaped out of the -vehicle and fell violently into a ditch full of -water. This painful accident gave such a -severe shock to her system that she was conveyed -to Torgau in a very weak condition, -where she took her bed and never left it alive. -Her illness increased from day to day, and -soon assumed the decided character of consumption. -Two months after, December 20, 1552, -<span class="pb" id="Page_93">93</span> -she died in the 54th year of her age. Her -funeral was attended by an immense crowd of -persons. The professors, students, and citizens, -united in demonstrations of respect for the -deceased widow of the illustrious reformer.</p> -<p>During the whole period of her sickness, she -comforted herself with the promises of God’s -word. She heartily prayed for a peaceful -departure out of this vale of tears. She frequently -commended the Church and her children -to the continued protection of God, and -her daily supplication was that the true doctrine, -which the Lord had given to the world -through her deceased husband, might be transmitted -uncorrupted to posterity.</p> -<p>A plain monument in the <i>city church</i> of -Torgau designates the place where her remains -repose. On the monument or tombstone there -is a recumbent statue, the size of life, with an -open Bible pressed to the heart. The inscription -is, Anno 1552, den 20 December. Ist in -Gott selig entschlaffen alhier Zu Torgau Herrn -D. Martin Luther’s Seligen hinterlassene Wittwe -Katharina von Bora.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<h2 id="c7">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Luther’s Children—Domestic Character—Catharine.</p> -<p>Catharine had been the mother of six children, -three sons and three daughters. 1. <i>John</i>, -born June 7, 1526; studied law, and became a -civil officer in the service of the Elector of -Saxony; died October 27, 1575, aged 50 years. -2. <i>Elizabeth</i>; born December 10, 1527, died -August 3, 1528. 3. <i>Magdalena</i>; born May 4, -1529; died September 20, 1542, aged 14; 4. -<i>Martin</i>; born November 7, 1531—studied -theology; died March 3, 1565, aged 34. 5. -<i>Paul</i>; born January 28, 1533—studied medicine, -and became court physician to the Elector -of Saxony; died March 8, 1593, aged 61 years. -6. <i>Margaret</i>; born December 17, 1534; died -1570, aged 36 years.</p> -<p>Luther was accustomed to say, “The more -children we have, the more happiness we enjoy. -They are the loveliest fruits and bonds of the -domestic life.” He was never more happy than -in the circle of his family, and whoever saw -<span class="pb" id="Page_95">95</span> -him there forgot that he was the man who -spoke without fear or trembling with emperors, -kings, and nobles. He was much averse to -noisy entertainments. “I lose too much time -at such festal gatherings with the citizens. I -do not know what demon it is that prevents me -from abandoning them, and yet they do me -much harm,” said he. It was in the bosom of -his family and in the company of a few select -friends in which he sought the most agreeable -relaxation from the burdensome cares of his -life, and gathered fresh vigor for his arduous -labors. Surrounded by his wife and children, -and by the side of his intimate friends, as -Spalatin, Bugenhagen, Cruciger, Melanchthon, -and a few others, he took part in the innocent -amusements of life with a heart full of gratitude -to God, who favored him with these evening -relaxations. In 1543, he celebrated his 62d -birthday, and invited Melanchthon, Bugenhagen, -Cruciger, George Major, and Eber; it -was the last time he celebrated that day. Subjects -of solemn import came up for conversation. -Luther, in a prophetic spirit, said, “As -long as I live, with God’s help, there will be -no danger, and Germany will continue peaceful; -<span class="pb" id="Page_96">96</span> -but when I die, then pray! There will be -really need of prayer; our children shall have -to grasp their weapons, and there will be sad -times for Germany. Hence, I say, pray diligently -after my death.” He then turned to -Eber particularly, and said, “Your name is -Paul; hence be careful, after Paul’s example, -to preserve and defend the doctrine of that -Apostle.”</p> -<p>Luther was a man of a sociable disposition, -always enjoying conversation enlivened by wit -and edifying anecdote. He excelled in spicy -conversation himself, and was the life of every -circle of distinguished men. But he especially -found the sweetest enjoyment in conversation -with his wife and children, and often, too, from -the innocent prattle of the latter he derived no -ordinary edification. When his heart was sad, -he would take one of them into his arms and -tenderly caress it. Thus, on more than one -occasion, he took the youngest child, and, -pressing it to his bosom, with deep emotion -exclaimed, “Ah! what a blessing these little -ones are, of which the vulgar and the obstinate -are not worthy.” On another occasion he said, -“I am richer than all papal theologians in the -<span class="pb" id="Page_97">97</span> -world, for I am contented with little. I have -a wife and six children, whom God has bestowed -on me; such treasures the papistic divines do -not deserve.” Little Martin was once playing -with a dog; “See,” said Luther, who took a religious -view of the most ordinary circumstances, -and thus also in social life he became the -teacher of those around him; “See,” said he, -“this child preaches God’s word in its actions; -for God says, ‘Have, then, dominion over the -fishes of the sea and the beasts of the earth,’ -for the dog suffers himself to be governed by -the child.” On one occasion, this same child -was speaking of the enjoyments of heaven, and -said “In heaven, loaves of bread grow on the -trees.” The father replied with a smile, “The -life of children is the happiest and best of all, -for they have no worldly cares; they know -nothing about fanatics and errorists in the -church, and have only pure thoughts and -pleasant reflections.” He was amusing himself -one day with the child, and said, “We were all -once in this same happy state of mind in Eden; -simple, upright, without guile or hypocrisy—we -were sincere, just as this child speaks of -God, and in earnest.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>At another time, he remarked that Martin -afforded him special delight because he was his -youngest child. “We do not find such natural -kindness in old persons; it does not flow so -freely and fully. That which is colored or -feigned loses our favor; it is not so impressive; -it does not afford as much pleasure as that which -springs up naturally from the heart. Hence -children are the best playmates; they speak -and do everything sincerely and naturally. How -Abraham’s heart must have beat,” he continued, -“when he was called on to sacrifice his son! I -do not think he told Sarah anything about it! I -could contend with God if he demanded anything -similar of me.” Here the maternal feeling of -Catharine was roused, and she observed, “I -cannot believe that God could demand of -parents the slaughter of their children.” He -removed her objections by reminding her of the -greater sacrifice which God the Father made -by offering his own son as a ransom for our sins.</p> -<p>Margaretta was once speaking to her father -of Jesus, the angels, and heaven. Deeply -moved, he exclaimed, “Oh! how much better -than ours is the faith and life of children! The -word which they hear they accept with joy and -<span class="pb" id="Page_99">99</span> -without any doubts, and are happy. But we -old fools have painful anxieties, and dispute -long. Well has Christ said, ‘Unless ye be -converted and become as little children, ye -cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Christmas, -particularly, was a season of joyful festival -in Luther’s family. No annual fair, such -as are to this day held in Germany, passed by -in which he did not purchase presents for his -children. With deep regret he wrote to his -wife, when he was in Torgau, in 1532, that he -could find nothing in that town to buy for the -little ones at home.</p> -<p>Vocal and instrumental music was a frequent -source of family entertainment, especially after -supper. Luther himself accompanied it with -the flute or the lute, both of which he played -skilfully. He often invited accomplished -singers, and thus held family concerts in his -house. When his time and the weather permitted, -he repaired to what was afterwards -called <i>Luther’s Spring</i>, which he himself discovered, -and over which, after his marriage, he -had a neat summer-house erected. He spent -many an hour of pleasant enjoyment in his -garden, with his wife engaged with her needle, -<span class="pb" id="Page_100">100</span> -and the children playing around him. Here he -often invited his friends to exhibit to them the -luxuriant fruit of his own cultivation. As the -children increased in years, especially the sons, -he made them his companions. He took them -with him on his numerous journeys, and they -accompanied him on his last and eventful tour -to the place of his birth, and, as it proved, the -place of his death. That he might enjoy the -society of his wife as much as possible, he -pursued his labors with her at his side or invited -her into his study. She often copied his -manuscripts for the press, and otherwise rendered -aid in writing. He communicated to her -everything of special interest relating to the -progress of the Reformation not only orally -when at home, but by letter during his absence. -He also frequently read aloud for her entertainment, -and sometimes even extracts from -the books of his opponents, such as Erasmus -and others. He often gave her striking passages -of Scripture to commit to memory, such -as Psalm 31, which was particularly applicable -to her condition after his death, just as though -he had anticipated it years before. She, on -the other hand, often urged him to the performance -<span class="pb" id="Page_101">101</span> -of pressing duties, especially answering -letters. Her participation in his affairs was -kindly reciprocated by him. He patiently -listened to all her requests, and in his letters -executed many of her commissions. It was -only when he desired to complete some work -which allowed no postponement that he dispensed -with her presence. At such times, he -locked himself in his study for days, and ate -nothing but bread and salt, that he might, without -interruption, pursue the work in hand. -This often occurred, and he would not allow -himself to be disturbed. On one occasion he -had been thus locked up for three days; she -sought him everywhere—shed bitter tears—knocked -at all the doors and called him, but -no one answered. She had the door opened by -a locksmith, and found her husband profoundly -absorbed in the explanation of the 22d Psalm. -She was proceeding to reprimand him for -occasioning such painful anxiety, but he was -impatient of the interruption to his studies, -pointed to the Bible, and said, “Do you think, -then, that I am doing anything bad? do you -not know that I must work as long as it is day, -for the night cometh in which no man can -<span class="pb" id="Page_102">102</span> -work?” But his tone and look sufficiently -indicated to her that he was, after all, not -unduly excited. At his social assemblies, his -walks for recreation, and short excursions into -the country, she was his inseparable companion -as often as circumstances permitted. When -numerous business calls necessarily compelled -him to leave home, he wrote to her the most -affectionate and often the most humorous letters.</p> -<p>The birth of his first child (June 7, 1526,) -afforded him peculiar gratification. He communicated -the fact to many of his correspondents -in a strain of pleasant humor, and, of -course, received their congratulations in return. -The child was baptized soon after birth by Dr. -Rörer, and named <i>John</i> by the grandfather. -Bugenhagen, Jonas, and the painter, Cranach, -senior, were his godfathers. From his earliest -years this boy excited the liveliest hopes in his -parents on account of his uncommon mental -qualities, and it was he who gave occasion to -the preparation by the father of several excellent -books for children. Luther possessed the -rare faculty of letting himself down to the -capacity of children without himself becoming -a child. This son’s name often occurs in the -<span class="pb" id="Page_103">103</span> -letters of Luther, and he is always mentioned -as a lad of uncommon promise and an agreeable -plaything to his father and mother. He thus -writes to Hausman: “Besides this, there is -nothing new, except that my Lord has blessed -my Kate and made her a present of a healthy -son. Thanks and praise for his unspeakable -goodness. Mother and child send their respects -to you.” Sometime after he wrote to Spalatin, -“My little Hans salutes you. He is now -teething, and begins to scold everybody about -him with the most amiable reproaches. Kate -also wishes you every blessing, and particularly -that you also may have a little Spalatin, who -may teach you what she boasts of having learned -from her boy, viz: the joys of matrimonial life, -of which the Pope and his satellites are not -worthy.” Luther’s friends were much attached -to this child on account of his amiable disposition, -and sent him many presents suitable to -his age. When the boy was yet but four years -old, his father wrote to him the following letter: -“Grace and peace in Christ, my dearest little -son. It pleases me much to hear that you love -to learn and to pray. Continue in this good -way, my child; when I come home I will bring -<span class="pb" id="Page_104">104</span> -you a beautiful present. I know where there -is a beautiful garden into which many children -go. They wear gilded garments and gather all -manner of fruit from under the trees; they -sing, leap, and are happy. They also have -beautiful little horses with golden bridles and -silver saddles. I asked the man who owns the -garden what sort of children they were. He -replied, ‘They are children who love to pray, -to learn and serve God.’ Then I said, ‘My -dear sir, I also have a son called little Hans -Luther; may he not also go into the garden, -that he, too, may eat these beautiful apples and -pears, and ride these nice horses and play with -these good children?’ He answered, ‘Every -little boy who loves to pray and learn, and is -good, may come into the garden, Lippus and -Jost<a class="fn" id="fr_18" href="#fn_18">[18]</a> also, and if they all come together they -shall also have all sorts of musical instruments, -and dance and shoot with little crossbows.’ -And he pointed out to me a meadow in the -garden suited for a children’s playground, and -there were hanging golden instruments of -music and beautiful silver crossbows. But it -was yet early, and the children had not yet -<span class="pb" id="Page_105">105</span> -eaten their breakfast, hence I could not wait to -see the children dance and play, and I said to -the man, ‘Ah, my dear sir, I will go without -delay and write all this to my beloved little -son, Hans, that he may diligently pray, learn -well, and be pious, so that he, too, may come -into this garden; but he has a little sister, -Lehna, whom he must bring with him.’ Then -the man said, ‘It must be so; go and write to -him.’ For this reason, dear son, learn and -pray, and tell Lippus and Jost also to do the -same, and then you shall all go into the garden. -I commend you to God. Kiss Lehna for me. -Your dear Father, M. L., 1530.”</p> -<p>The prudent discipline of the mother, exercised -with tender earnestness, gradually developed -the moral and intellectual faculties of -this youth in an eminent degree, and this, combined -with his religious and scientific attainments, -as subsequently displayed, afforded the -father unspeakable gratification. In his 15th -year this youth received the most honorable -testimonial of his industry in study and general -excellence of character from John William, the -second son of the Elector, John Frederick, -promising further encouragement and aid in -<span class="pb" id="Page_106">106</span> -the prosecution of his studies. When he was -properly qualified by preliminary attainments -to attend a higher school, he was sent to the -Gymnasium at Torgau. Afterwards, he studied -law at Wittenberg and Konigsberg, and on his -return from his travels in various countries of -Europe he was appointed Court Councillor by -John William, in which office he subsequently -served under the brother of the Elector. He -was dismissed at his own request, and entered -the service of Duke Albert in Konigsberg, and -died October 28, 1575, aged 49 years.</p> -<p>His second child, Elizabeth, was born during -the prevalence of the contagious disease in -Wittenberg before alluded to. She lived only -nine months, and Luther’s grief at her death -was excessive. He thus writes to Hausman: -“Never could I have believed a parent’s heart -could be so tender towards children; seldom -have I mourned so deeply. My sorrow is like -that of a woman.”</p> -<p>The death of his third child, Magdalena, at -the age of 14, was a severe affliction. She was -a girl of unusual promise; amiable, gifted, and -pious. Her complete resignation to the will of -God—her vivid conception of the doctrines of -<span class="pb" id="Page_107">107</span> -the Bible—her strong faith in the Saviour, -and her filial and religious virtues, distinguished -her far above many of her tender years. She -was for a long time confined to bed, and she -felt that her end was rapidly drawing nigh. -She ardently desired to see her brother John, -who was a student at the academy at Torgau. -The father gratified her wish, and despatched -a messenger to summon the absent son to the -death-bed of his sister. Luther, as far as was -possible, watched by the side of the dying -child. Although the trial was severe, his -patient submission to the will of God was characteristic -of the man and the Christian. -“Alas!” sighed he, “I love this child most -tenderly; but O, God, as it is thy will to take -her to thyself, I cheerfully resign her into thy -hands.” Then he advanced to the bed and -spoke to the suffering child, “Magdalena, my -daughter, you would willingly remain with your -father on earth, and yet you also desire to go -to your Father in heaven.” On which she -replied, “Yes, dearest father, just as it pleases -God.” He continued, “Dearest child, the -spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Overcome -by emotion, he turned away and said: -<span class="pb" id="Page_108">108</span> -“Oh! how I love this suffering child! but if -the flesh is now so strong, what will then the -spirit be!—well, whether we live or die, we are -the Lord’s.” When she was breathing her -last, the mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, -retired from the couch; Luther threw himself -on his knees, wept convulsively, and implored -God to release the child from suffering; he -then took her by the hand—and she died. -The father at once had recourse to the Scriptures -to seek consolation for his grievous loss. -He opened the book, and the passage, Romans -14; 7, first arrested his attention: “For none of -us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” -This expressive passage was as a balsam -to his wounded heart. When the body was -deposited in the coffin, he said, “Thou dear -Magdalena! how happy thou art! O, dear -Magdalena, thou wilt rise again, and wilt shine -like a star, yea, like the sun.” But the coffin -having been made too small, he said, “This -bed is too small for her, now that she is dead. -I am indeed joyful in the spirit, but after the -flesh I am very sad; the flesh is slow to come -to the trial; this separation troubles us exceedingly; -it is a marvellous thing to know that -<span class="pb" id="Page_109">109</span> -she is certainly happy, and yet for me to be so -sad!” When the people came to attend the -funeral, and, according to custom, addressed -the Doctor, and said that they sincerely condoled -with him in this affliction, he said, “You -should rejoice: I have sent a saint to heaven, -yea, a living saint. O! if only such a death -were ours! such a death I would be willing to -die this moment!” When one said, “That is -indeed true; yet we all wish to retain our -relatives,” Luther replied, “Flesh is flesh and -blood is blood. I rejoice that she has passed -over; I experience no sadness but that of the -flesh.” Again, he said to others present, “Be -not grieved, I have sent a saint to heaven, yea, -I have sent two.” When she was buried, he -said, “It is the resurrection of the flesh,” and -when they returned from the funeral, he said, -“Now is my daughter provided for, both as to -body and soul. We Christians have no cause -to complain; we know that it must be thus. -We are perfectly assured of eternal life; for -God, who, through his Son and for the sake of -his Son, has promised it unto us, cannot lie.”</p> -<p>Throughout the whole of this trying event -Luther showed all the tenderness of an affectionate -<span class="pb" id="Page_110">110</span> -father, and all the resignation of a -Christian.</p> -<p>His second son, Martin, was tenderly cherished -by the father. He himself feared that -the child would be spoiled by too much affectionate -attention and favoritism. In reference -to this, he said, “The love of parents is always -stronger for the younger than the elder children, -and the more they require the care and protection -of the parents the more dear are they to -them. Thus, my Martin is now my dearest -treasure, because he demands more of my -attention and solicitude. John and Magdalena -can walk and talk and can ask for what they -want, and do not require so much watchful -nursing.” But afterwards, Luther’s anxieties -about him were very great. “He is rather a -wild bird,” said he, “and he occasions me much -solicitude.” But Martin, who was not without -talents, studied theology, and it was only continued -ill-health that prevented him from publicly -assuming the office of a preacher. He -spent his life in private teaching. In an -obituary notice of him, it is said that “he possessed -such strong mental faculties and such -<span class="pb" id="Page_111">111</span> -striking oratorical powers, as even to have -excited the admiration of his father.”</p> -<p>Of the third son, Paul, when yet a child, -Luther thus spoke: “He is destined to fight -against the Turks,” alluding to the energy of -character then observed in him, and which was -afterwards so strikingly developed. And truly, -this Paul, endowed as he was with unusual -decision and unshaken perseverance, was the -most gifted of Luther’s sons, even if he did not -in all respects possess the heroic spirit of his -father. He was not only a zealous promoter -of the science of Alchemy, so highly prized at -that day, but he was a distinguished chemist, -and succeeded, by his assiduous labors, in -making many useful discoveries in Chemistry -and Medicine. He also possessed a thorough -knowledge of ancient languages. He was -devoted with all his heart to the religious doctrines -which his father restored, and defended -them with zeal and ability. He was so strenuously -attached to the orthodox system of -theology, that he once refused a very flattering -call to the University of Jena on account of the -presumed heresies which the theologian, Victorine -Striegel, had promulgated at that seat -<span class="pb" id="Page_112">112</span> -of learning, and he soon afterwards received -the appointment of private physician to John -Frederick II., at Gotha. In 1568 he served Joachim -II., of Brandenburg, in the same capacity, -by whom he was elevated to the rank of Councillor, -and richly rewarded. Afterwards (1571), he -was employed by the Elector, August, and his -successor, Christian I., at Dresden. The former -not only honored him by inviting him to -be sponsor to his children, but also presented -him with a farm, which, however, never came -into the possession of his family, inasmuch as -the subsequent times, during which the Calvinistic -Chancellor, Crell, held the helm of affairs, -were not favorable to the prosperity of the -sternly Lutheran Paul Luther. This same -Calvinistic spirit, finally, was the occasion of -his retiring into private life in 1590. He -moved to Leipzig, where he died in 1593. -At the baptism of this son, Luther said, “I -have named him Paul; for St. Paul has taught -us many great and glorious doctrines, and -hence I have named my son after him. God -grant that he may have the gifts and grace of -the great Apostle! If it please God, I will -send all my sons away from home! If any one -<span class="pb" id="Page_113">113</span> -of them has a taste for the military profession, -I will send him to Field-Marshal Löser; if any -one wishes to study, him I will send to Jonas -and Philip; if any one is inclined towards -labor, him I will send to a farmer.” But afterwards, -when he became better acquainted with -their disposition, he changed his mind. “God -forbid,” said he, “that my sons should ever -devote themselves to the study of the law; that -would be my last wish. John will be a theologian; -Martin is good for nothing, and about -him I have great fears; Paul must fight against -the Turks.” But history teaches us that his -wishes were not gratified. He himself subsequently -advised Paul to study medicine, and -the example of John induced all the educated -sons of Luther’s children for several generations -to study law.</p> -<p>The sixth child, Margaret, who entered into -a happy matrimonial alliance, was dangerously -attacked with fever after the measles, from -which her brother suffered at the same time. -Her father was much alarmed about her condition, -but comforted himself with the thought -that she would be taken out of this present evil -world. She married George V. Kuhlheim, a -<span class="pb" id="Page_114">114</span> -civil officer in the Prussian service, who was a -pious man and a most ardent admirer of Luther, -and especially of his writings, of which his -favorite one was “Luther’s Exposition of the -Book of Genesis.” So profound was his reverence -for the Reformer, that the fact was thought -worthy of being mentioned in the sermon -preached at his funeral. His youngest son -must have inherited his father’s disposition and -character, for he always esteemed it the highest -possible honor to be “the grandson of the -great Luther.”</p> -<p>It is not known to what extent Catharine -took part in the education of her children; but -a woman of her mild and amiable temper and -strong decision of character must have contributed -much to the proper training of her offspring. -These prominent traits exercised a -subduing influence even on her husband; and -Erasmus, who was at this time bitterly opposed -to him, says, “Since Luther’s marriage, he -begins to be more mild, and does not rave so -fearfully with his pen as formerly.” Presuming -this to be true, it speaks well for the character -of Catharine as a woman and a wife.</p> -<p>Luther not only employed special teachers -<span class="pb" id="Page_115">115</span> -for his children, but also instructed them himself, -notwithstanding his numerous other engagements. -He says, “Though I am a Doctor -of Divinity, still I have not yet come out of the -school for children, and do not yet rightly understand -the ten commandments, the creed, and -the Lord’s Prayer, but study them daily, and -recite the catechism with my little Hans and -Magdalena.” For years he superintended their -instruction, diligently watching their progress, -and often giving them tasks to perform. But, -above all, he was solicitous about their religious -and moral training, agreeably to his own sound -principle. The father must speak out of the -children. The proper instruction of children is -their most direct way to heaven, and hell is -not more easily earned than by neglecting -them! They were taught to pray and to read -the Scriptures and other devotional books in -the presence of the family. Particularly during -their meals did he address them in impressive, -paternal admonitions. Morning and evening -he assembled his numerous family, house-teachers, -guests, and domestics, to worship. -When it is elsewhere said that Luther “daily -spent three hours in private devotion,” it must -<span class="pb" id="Page_116">116</span> -be restricted to the period of the Diet of Augsburg, -when he was concealed at Coburg.</p> -<p>Luther, during all his life, was a man of -prayer. Although he was opposed to mechanical -formality in regard to special times and -seasons, as he had been taught in the church -of Rome, yet he maintained a certain order and -regularity in the performance of this Christian -duty. Matthesius, one of his biographers, and -a cotemporary, says, “Every morning and -evening, and often during meals, he engaged -in prayer. Besides this, he repeated the smaller -catechism and read the Psalter. <span class="gs">* * *</span> In all -important undertakings, prayer was the beginning, -middle, and end.”</p> -<p>“I hold,” says Luther, “my prayer to be -stronger than Satan himself, and if that were -not the case it would long since have been quite -different with Luther. If I remit prayer a -single day, I lose a large portion of the fire of -faith.” His writings contain many sparkling -gems on the subject of prayer.</p> -<p>Fondly as he was attached to his children, -yet he never showed a culpable indifference to -their errors, and, least of all, when they were -unruly or displayed anything like ingratitude -<span class="pb" id="Page_117">117</span> -or deception. On one occasion when John, at -twelve years of age, was guilty of a gross impropriety, -he would not allow him to come into -his presence for three days, and paid no regard -to the intercessions of the tender mother and -of his intimate friends, Jonas and Cruciger, but -forgave him only after he had repented of his -fault and humbly begged for pardon. He said, -“I would rather have a dead son than a rude -and naughty living one. Paul has not in vain -said, ‘A bishop must be one who ruleth well -his own house, having his children in subjection, -so that other people may be edified, witnessing -a good example, and not be offended.’ We -ministers are elevated to such a high position -in order to set a good example to others. But -our uncivil children give offence to other -people. Our boys wish to take advantage of -our position and privileges, and sin openly. -People do not inform me of the faults of mine, -but conceal it from me. The common saying -is fulfilled, ‘We do not know the mischief done -in our own families; we only discover it when -it has become the town-talk.’ Hence we must -chastise them, and not connive at their follies.” -Once, when he saw a youth of fine personal -<span class="pb" id="Page_118">118</span> -appearance and uncommon abilities, but of corrupt -morals, he exclaimed, “Ah! how much -evil an over indulgence occasions! Children -are spoiled by allowing them too much liberty; -hence I shall not overlook the faults of my son -John, nor shall I be as familiar with him hereafter -as with his little sister.” But Luther, -though he received from his father a severe -training, and was roughly treated at school, -was too well acquainted with human nature not -to know that undue severity in all things -created a cowardly, slavish fear in the minds -of some children, and obstinacy and dissimulation -in others. Hence he pursued the golden -medium, and tried to accomplish his purpose by -kind and yet earnest admonitions. “I will not -chastise Hans too severely, or he will become -shy of me and hate me,” said he. “We must -take care to teach the young, to find pleasure -in that which is good; for that which is forced -out of them by stripes will not be profitable, -and, if this is carried to excess, they will only -continue good as long as they feel the lash. -But by admonition and judicious chastisement, -they learn to fear God more than the rod. We -must often <i>stammer</i> with children, and in all -<span class="pb" id="Page_119">119</span> -good things come down to a level with them, -that is, we must be tender, affectionate, and -condescending, and, if that is of no avail, then -we may employ severity.”</p> -<p>When he saw his wife or children suffering, -his sympathizing heart often found relief in -tears. “I love my Catharine,” he would say, -“I love her more than I do myself. I would -rather die myself than she and the children -should die.” It was only when the cause of -religion was concerned that the dearest object -on earth was not too dear; for the honor of -religion and truth, he would have sacrificed wife -and children. Deeply penetrated with this -sentiment, the magnanimous Reformer, when -he had already become the father of two children, -could most cordially say, in the spirit of -Christ’s words, “Let them take my life, property, -reputation, children, and wife—let them -all go—the kingdom of God is still ours.” His -heroic hymn, “Eine feste Burg ist unser -Gott,”<a class="fn" id="fr_19" href="#fn_19">[19]</a> sufficiently shows his feelings on this -subject.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<h2 id="c8">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -<p class="h2sum">Character of Catharine.</p> -<p>It must be acknowledged that there is -nothing remarkably striking in the history of -Catharine de Bora, considered apart from her -relation to her illustrious husband. She was -distinguished by no extraordinary talents or -surprising act of heroism after her marriage; -she has left no literary monument to perpetuate -her memory, nor any public institution founded -by her munificence. She was nothing more -than the “virtuous” woman so eloquently -described by King Solomon in the last chapter -of the Book of Proverbs, but she was that in -an eminent degree. A noble dignity and a -temperate self-reliance were the fundamental -traits of her character. Hence, though dependent -on others for support, she possessed sufficient -independence of mind to reject several -brilliant offers of marriage, and showed herself -worthy of Luther. Her resolution to exchange -the noiseless cloister for a life of honorable and -<span class="pb" id="Page_121">121</span> -useful activity in the disturbed world without, -displayed not only a noble courage in the certain -anticipation of poverty and persecution, -but also a strong confidence in God. It is more -than probable that she read many of Luther’s -writings as soon as they appeared, not actuated -by a blind curiosity, but with a sincere desire -to ascertain the truth, and to derive from them -instruction for heart and head. Afterwards, -during her married life, she took every opportunity -of correcting and enlarging her religious -views. Although, as the result of the spirit of -that age and of her previous monastic training, -she was not profoundly educated, yet Luther -esteemed her as a woman possessing a noble, -dignified, independent spirit, in whose feelings -and opinions he found an echo of his own. -Pious, in the proper sense of the word, she -found her highest enjoyment in solitary communion -with God, and those hours which she -devoted to the attentive reading of the Scriptures -were always the most happy. To this -profitable exercise she was often exhorted by -her husband, and she followed his advice. Said -she, “I hear a great deal of the Scriptures, and -read them diligently every day.” In writing -<span class="pb" id="Page_122">122</span> -to Jonas on one occasion, Luther says, “She is -a diligent reader of the Bible; she shows deep -earnestness in this duty.” She faithfully -attended the public means of grace also, and -with her Christian brothers and sisters worshipped -God in the sanctuary. She was devotedly -attached to the doctrines of the Reformation, -and one of her dying prayers was for -their preservation in purity to the end of time. -She never neglected her <i>domestic</i> duties. To -her husband, in all the relations of his active -life, she was the most affectionate companion; -in his sickness, the most faithful nurse; in his -troubles, the most tender comforter: to her -children, she was a most gentle mother; in her -household affairs she was a model to all in -regard to cleanliness, order, and neatness; to -her domestics and dependants, a condescending -and indulgent mistress. She was liberal without -extravagance, economical without meanness, -hospitable without ostentation. Her questions -and opinions, still preserved in Luther’s -writings, show a strong desire for mental -improvement, an enlightened understanding, a -clear and dispassionate penetration. This -elevated, intellectual character of Catharine, -<span class="pb" id="Page_123">123</span> -connected with her lofty independence and self-confidence, -created a distaste for the company -of other less cultivated and less dignified ladies, -for the glory of her husband also encircled her -head, and the house of Luther was the central -point of union of the distinguished men of that -day. Hence we need not wonder that, by the -envious, she was accused of pride. It is true, -that now, after the lapse of three hundred years, -there may be many more refined and accomplished -women than Catharine was, for she was -not distinguished for learning or science; but -none exceed her in that pious, Christian disposition -which was so forcibly expressed in her -words and actions. Her lively temperament -and affectionate heart admirably qualified her -to feel the warmest sympathy in the diversified -events of her husband’s life, and most kindly -to participate with him in his joys and sorrows. -But above all, it was not less her pious disposition -than her persevering faith which identified -her so completely with himself! Whenever the -opposition of the enemy disturbed the quiet of -the husband, Catharine never faltered for a -moment, and proceeded to administer consolation -to his dejected heart. During the prevalence -<span class="pb" id="Page_124">124</span> -of a contagious disease, in 1527, her confidence -in God was not unshaken, so that Luther -could in truth write, “Catharine is yet strong -in the faith.” Also, as a widow, when she was -subject to attacks of sickness and adverse circumstances, -her equanimity never entirely -failed. She was especially solicitous about her -children, and devoted all the energies of body -and mind to their welfare. It cannot be denied -that Catharine partook of the common lot of -mortals; she had her faults and infirmities; -but they are all overshadowed by those -numerous exalted virtues which are not always -found united in one person of her sex. She -was a pattern of every domestic and Christian -virtue; of righteousness and good works to her -generation, and may the daughters and wives -of the present day imitate her example, and -profit by the practical lessons which her life -has taught!</p> -<p>If she could make no pretensions to personal -beauty, still she possessed not a little that was -attractive. She was of medium size, had an -oval face, a bright, sparkling eye, an expansive, -serene forehead, a nose rather small, lips a -little protruding, and cheek-bones somewhat -<span class="pb" id="Page_125">125</span> -prominent. Erasmus speaks of her as a woman -of magnificent form and extraordinary beauty; -but Seckendorf says this is an extravagant -picture of her. The later opponents of Luther -agree with Erasmus in representing her as very -beautiful, and falsely charge the Reformer as -being attracted only by her personal charms. -Maimbourg says, “Among the nuns, there was -one named Catharine von Bora, whom Luther -found to be very beautiful, and whom, on that -account, he loved.” Varillas and Bossuet report, -“That he married a nun of high rank and -uncommon beauty.” Chardon de la Rochette -relates the following fact: “I have found the -likeness of Luther and his wife in a lumber-room -in Orleans, where they are in great danger -of going to ruin. I will bet that there is -no man who would not wish to have so beautiful -a wife as Catharine von Bora. It is the first -time that I have seen her picture, and it justifies -the opinion which Bossuet has expressed -of her appearance. She has a noble, expressive, -and animated face.” But Luther himself -says of her, “A wife is sufficiently adorned and -beautiful when she pleases her husband, whom -she ought to please.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>Her likeness was frequently painted, and -at various periods of her life, by the distinguished -artists of that age, such as Cranach, -senior, Cranach, junior, and Hans Holbein, -junior. Cranach, senior, painted her likeness -in oil colors <i>sixteen times</i>, and the other artists -mentioned, several times each. Many of these -original portraits are still to be seen in the -various picture galleries of Europe. There are -extant more than <i>forty</i> different copper-plate -and wood-engravings of her likeness. It has -also been transferred to porcelain-ware and -other articles of domestic use. A number of -medals containing her likeness have been struck -to commemorate her virtues, and plaster casts -of the bust of full life size have also been made. -All this shows the high esteem in which she has -ever been held by those who can appreciate -exalted virtue and genuine Christian character.</p> -<p>As a proof of her artistic skill and her proficiency -in ornamental needle-work, even in that -distant age, there is, to this day, exhibited in -the vestry-room of the cathedral at Merseburg, -a blue satin surplice which she embroidered for -her husband, and which he wore on the occasion -<span class="pb" id="Page_127">127</span> -of some great solemnity, and in the former -University library at Wittenberg, they still -show a likeness of Luther, neatly and elegantly -worked in silk by Catharine. But these works -will perish, whilst the results of her faith, hope, -and charity, will endure forever.</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END.</span></p> -<h2 id="c9">FOOTNOTES</h2> -<div class="fnblock"><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_1" href="#fr_1">[1]</a>1 Cor. 7; 7, 8, 26, 28. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_2" href="#fr_2">[2]</a>1 Tim. 3; 2, 12. Tit. 1; 6. 1 Cor. 9; 5, 6. Matt. -8; 14. Mark 1; 1. Luke 4; 38. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_3" href="#fr_3">[3]</a>The passage 1 Cor. 9; 5, 6, speaks of Christian -<i>married women</i>, who accompanied the apostles on their -travels. From this and other passages it is undeniable -that most of the apostles, and that, too, during their -apostleship, were married men. John probably lived -unmarried; and Paul seems to say the same of himself. -1 Cor. 7; 7, 8, compare ch. 9; 5, 6. The idea that in -Phil. 4; 3, he is speaking of <i>his own</i> wife, conflicts with -the connection of the verse. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_4" href="#fr_4">[4]</a>Melanchthon married (Nov. 25, 1520,) Anna -Krappe, daughter of the burgomaster of Wittenberg; -Carlstadt, (Dec. 26, 1521,) Anna von Michael. Soon -after, he gave his reasons for this step in a letter to the -Elector, in which he says, “I have learned from the -Scriptures that there is no condition of life more -pleasing to God, more blessed and more consistent with -Christian liberty than the married state, if we live in it -agreeably to God’s design.” Luther highly approved -of the measure. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_5" href="#fr_5">[5]</a>He thus expressed himself in one of his tracts: “I -hope I have come so far <i>that by the grace of God I may -remain as I am</i>, although I have not yet got over the -difficulty.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_6" href="#fr_6">[6]</a>His brother and predecessor, Frederick the Wise, -had died May 5, 1525. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_7" href="#fr_7">[7]</a>Dr. Jerome Scurf, Professor of Theology at Wittenberg, -among others, said, “If this monk should marry, -the whole world, yea, the devil himself would laugh, -and he would thereby spoil all his previous works.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_8" href="#fr_8">[8]</a>His annual compensation did not amount to more -than about $160, but the Elector, John Frederick, supplied -him with wheat, wood, free house, clothes, &c. &c., -to some extent. He inherited only 250 guilders from -his father. The King of Denmark, Christian III., gave -Luther towards the end of his days a pension of $50 a -year. A man who was executed for murder in Leipzig -in 1537, with a vain hope probably of reconciling heaven, -bequeathed Luther $530, and Melanchthon $300. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_9" href="#fr_9">[9]</a>In 1529 he wrote to Link, “I am daily buried in -books, so that windows, chairs, benches, &c. &c., are -full.” As early as 1516 he said to Lang, “I have full -employment for two secretaries. I do scarcely anything -all day but write letters.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_10" href="#fr_10">[10]</a>Luther was aided in this work by several of his -learned friends, as Melanchthon, Cruciger, Jonas, -Bugenhagen, and others. He submitted his work to -their review, and adopted such alterations as his judgment -approved. Various sections or books were published -from time to time, until finally, in 1534, the -complete Bible was published. His work superseded -all other previous translations, for it excelled them all -in fidelity, force, and distinctness; and even now, 300 -years after its appearance, with all the modern progress -in criticism and biblical interpretation, and the improvements -of the German language which are displayed -in many more recent translations, Luther’s Bible still -maintains the ascendency in private and public use. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_11" href="#fr_11">[11]</a>Jerome Weller von Wolsdorff, Luther’s intimate -friend, has said, “I remember hearing Luther often -say that he always regarded himself extremely happy -that God had given him such a prudent and thrifty -wife, who cherished him so tenderly in sickness, &c. -Whenever Dr. Luther was depressed, she, like a sensible -wife, always consulting his welfare, secretly invited Dr. -Jonas to her table, so that he might cheer him by his -interesting conversation. She knew that no one could -so well entertain him as Dr. Jonas.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_12" href="#fr_12">[12]</a>This was during the Peasants’ War. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_13" href="#fr_13">[13]</a>This property was obtained by gifts from the -benevolent. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_14" href="#fr_14">[14]</a>The Elector had presented him with a house. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_15" href="#fr_15">[15]</a>He was born in Eisleben on the 10th of November, -1483. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_16" href="#fr_16">[16]</a>All the property he ever owned was received from -his father, his friends, and the Elector. He never -accumulated any by his own savings. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_17" href="#fr_17">[17]</a>This son, John, afterwards studied law at Wittenberg, -and subsequently filled responsible offices under -several successive Electors. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_18" href="#fr_18">[18]</a>Sons of Melanchthon and Jonas. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_19" href="#fr_19">[19]</a>See a translation in Hymn 907 of our Hymn-Book. -</div> -</div> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Corrected a few palpable typos.</li> -<li>In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Catharine de Bora, by John G. Morris - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CATHARINE DE BORA *** - -***** This file should be named 56084-h.htm or 56084-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/0/8/56084/ - -Produced by Turgut Dincer, Stephen Hutcheson, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> |