his wife and children.
He said he was quitecontented, althoughhis Elsie would like a littlehouse, which is only reasonable.
There is no house to be had, so they showed me a pieceof ground upon which theythoughtof building one, next to the sexton's.
I lay this matter before my most graciousfriends,thinking it would only be praiseworthy(seeingit is in your power) to show your gratitude to your faithful pastor,who has served you fourteen years, by providinghim with what he requires, which it is usual for the citizens to do.
I would request you in a friendly manner either to present him or helphim to procure such a pieceof ground, which may be lying neglected.By so doingyou will therebygivea proofof your love to the Word and its servants, which, alas,too seldom receive any token of favour.
I am sure you will act in a Christian manner in this matter.
I herewith commend you to of Wittenberg,a widower, who afterwards married Luther's orphan niece.
You are aware, dear magister,that God's mercy is much greater than our misfortunes.
Although,as you observe,you have good cause to mourn, yet it is only a little vinegarmixed with your good sugar.
For your wife it is far better,for she has passed away, and now lives in Christ.
I too were that length!
I would not longto return here.
Your sufferingis only temporal,viz. the natural longingfor your dear one.
Although your wife is dead, she has left pleasantmemories behind her, the memory of a pious,loving, obedient inmate of your house.
You must comfort yourself with such thoughts,and let it be seen, by not forgettingher, that you were an affectionate husband.
You are a good dialectician, and teach it to others,so now you have an opportunityof practising the same, and letting your friends see it beingexemplified in your present behaviour.
When you compare your misfortune with that of others,you will perceive that your wife'sdeath is not in itself a circumstance to be deplored, except as itaffectsthe deepestfeelings of your heart,which is ever the case when peopleare deprivedof parents, children, and such-like.
One would do well to recallwhat the EmperorMaximilian said in trying to comfort his son Philip over the loss of a faithful,brave,and piousman who fell in battle:
Philip, you must accustom yourself to such trials, for you will stilllose many who are dear to you."
So Christians must do the same ; there is no other way. ccclxvii to the burghermaster and council of the Luther expresses his joyat the Swiss joiningthe Wittenberger
Grace and peace in Christ, our Saviour, honoured and dear sirsand friends!
I have delayedfar too longin answering your letter, which I hope you will excuse the delay, for I know you are well aware how much rests upon my shoulders daily,especially now that 1 have had to tear myselfaway from friends and business to steal the time to write this.
I have againread your letter, and am highlypleased to see that allformer sharpness and suspicions have been lulled to rest, and that you are really in earnest as to joiningthe WittenbergConcord and doing your best to promote it.
Father of all unityand love will doubtless completethe good work which He has graciously begun, as it is written in Prov.
" When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."
It isevident, and cannot be otherwise,that such great