Speaker 1: Chapter one of Catherine de Borah or Social and Domestic
Scenes in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot Organ recording
by Bill Moseley, Lano County, Texas, U s A. Catherine
de Borah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life
of Luther by John G. Morris. Chapter One, Clerical Celibacy, Luther,
Bernardi's marriage, treatment of Catherine de Borah, the Convent, wealthy Nuns,
convent life, the escape, treatment of the nuns, Florentine de Oberweimer,
Leonard Cope, Luther's defense. 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 widespread 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 country and sovereign were disregarded, but the cord
which bound them to the interest of Rome was only
the more tightly drawn 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. 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 Martin Luther, Augustinian monk, doctor of theology
at the University of Wittenberg, who, by his heroic conduct
and relation to this subject, has only added to the
other inappreciable services he has rendered to 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, to enter the married state. 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. Several
years before, two friends of Luther who were his noble
assistants in the work of the Reformation, Melanchthon and Karlstodt,
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. Luther was not the first priest in
those days who practically rejected celibacy, as early as fifteen
twenty one, one of his friends and fellow laborers, BERNHARDI,
superintendent of the churches at Kemburg, had the boldness to marry.
He was the first ecclesiastic in Saxony who took this step,
and his wedding day was long regarded as the pastor's
emancipation day. But Caspar Aquilla, a priest residing near Augsburg,
was married as early as fifteen sixteen, Jacob Canabe in
fifteen eighteen, and Nicholas Brunner in fifteen nineteen. 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 Sexony, Frederick the Wise, to
send Bernardi 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
offense of BERNHARDI, 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 fifteen forty seven, more than twenty years
after his nuptials, the Emperor Charles the Fife captured Wittenberg.
His savage Spaniards seized Bernardi 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 Kemburg. 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. Catherine de Borah,
a nun of the celebrated Bernhardin or Cistercian convent at
Nimpschen in Saxony, was the person whom Luther chose as
his wife. She was born on the twenty ninth of
January fourteen ninety nine. 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 Catherine that we first become acquainted with her. Her
Romish calumniators, 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 was 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
truth to establish the calumnious charge. This convent was designated
by the name of the Throne of God. It was
founded in twelve fifty by Henry the Illustrious. No trace
of it remains at the present day. In eighteen ten
to twelve its ruins were removed to make room for
the erection of an edifice connected with a school for
boys established at that place. 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 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. It may seem strange that Catharine de Borah,
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 Frederic the Wise, who
was Luther's friend and patron, That Luther himself visited a
neighboring monastery at Grimau as inspector, that in fifteen nineteen,
after the dispute with ek at Leipzig, he spent a
few days in the town of Nimpschen, 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 have been entirely concealed
from the unobtrusive occupants. Could not Some of those courageous
friends of Luther, who, afterwards, at his suggestion, affected 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 have 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 soul's 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, Bernard Cape, a citizen of Torgau,
to execute the project. Two other citizens of the same
place accompanied him on the adventure. George Spalatin, Court chaplain
and secretary of the Elector, reports that they fled from
the convent on the night before Easter, April fourth, fifteen
twenty three. There were nine of them. In all. 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 tasks. The historians, however, agreed
that Kape performed his part in the enterprise with consummate
courage and skill. It is very likely that the nuns
were aware of Cope's design and held themselves in readiness
at the appropriate time. Tradition tells us that they escaped
through the window of Catherine's cell. To this day they
show at Nimpshen a slipper, which they say Catherine lost
in the hurry of the flight. They arrived at Wittenberg
on the seventh of April, under circumstance is calculated to
excite the sympathy of every feeling heart. As they 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 affecting 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
tenth of April, quote, 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 numbers still
confined in convents, who are going to ruin in that
condition of constrained and unnatural celibacy. 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 your Spellaton, 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 Staupits, Elizabeth Decarnate's, Eva Grossen, Eva
Schoenfeld and her sister, Margaret Lunette de Golis, Margaret de
Zeschal and her sister Catherine and Catherine de Borah. They
are indeed objects worthy of compassion, and Christ will be
served by conferring favors on them. End quote. 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 quote, 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 end quote. There is no doubt that the elector,
who esteemed Luther highly sent him the desired 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.
Luther's intercessions on behalf of the nuns with their relatives
seemed 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 Catherine de Borah, 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 Rockenbach would have hazarded his
own character by harboring a licentious woman. Neither would doctor
Glacias and other imminent divines have sought her hand in marriage,
as they perseveringly did. Nor would she have enjoyed the
friendship and confidants of Almsdorf and other professors of the
university if she had not sustained a character above suspicion.
The epitaph of her tombstone at Torgau commemorates her virtues
in most exalted terms of eulogy, from the time of
her escape to her death. 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 Nimpshen 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 Zeits, six at Soormts, eight at Pentwitz, and sixteen
at Widenstadt 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 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, Florentine de Oberweimer,
who had escaped from a convent at Eisleben Quote. 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
hints 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 doctor Luther 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 bands. Florentine then
minutely describes the severe treatment she received before the band
was dissolved. After that, I wrote to my relative Aspar
de Wattsdorff, who loved the Gospel truth, and complained of
my treatment. This also became known to the abbess, and
I cannot tell to strangers how shamefully I was abused
by her and others. I was so violently beaten by
her and four other persons that they became completely exhausted.
She put me in prison again and fastened my feet
with iron chains. In quote and et cetera, et cetera.
In the dedication of this little book to the Duke
of Mansfield, in whose dominions the convent was located, Luther wrote,
on the second of March fifteen twenty four, quote, 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. Now now
that is not cheerfully and voluntarily kept. Hence, my dear
gracious sirs, I have published this little narrative that all
the world may know what conventual life is, and the
devil's folly thus be made known. 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 for it and contribute much more
towards spreading it abroad than I am doing. But Luther
was not the only one who was charged with being
accessory to the flight of these nuns. Leonard kape As,
the chief instrument in affecting their escape, was perhaps exposed
to greater dangers and persecutions than Luther, who was powerfully
protected by his prince. For although Kapey had formal been
a counselor 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 copy 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 Copy and inspire him
with courage. Quote 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 Copy has suffered himself to
be led by that cursed, heretical monk, and has aided
nine nuns to fly from the convent at once and
to violate their vows. To this, you will reply, this
is indeed a strange way of keeping the thing secret.
You are betraying me and the whole convent of nympshen
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. One that it may
be known that I did not advise it to be concealed.
Or what we do we do in and for God,
and do not shine 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,
even if it should cost me my life. Two. 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. Three to warn the
nobility and pious gentry who have children in convents, to
take them away themselves, so that no worse thing befall them.
You know that I advise and sanctioned the enterprise, that
you executed it, and that the nuns consented and earnestly
desired it. And I will here briefly give the reasons
for it before God and the world. First, the nuns
themselves had before most humbly solicited the help of their
relatives and friends in affecting their release. They gave them
satisfactory reasons why such a life could no longer be endured,
for it interfered with their soul's salvation. And they promised
to be faithful and dutiful children when they should be released.
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. Secondly, 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. Thirdly, it is plain that
a person may be compelled to do before the world
what he is not cheerfully done, but before God and
in his service, no one has a right to use
comp Fourthly, women are created for other purposes than to
spend a lazy and useless life in a convent. End
of chapter one recording by Bill Moseley, Lano County, Texas, USA.
Speaker 2: Chapter two of Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Catherine
Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of
Luther by John G. Morris, Chapter two, Luther's Reflections, example
of the Apostles, Celibacy Gregory seven, Luther's change of mind,
Luther's mayor marriage character of Catherine. 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 propriety of clerical matrimony. 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 Christians of
Corinth to remain unmarried during the season of persecution, yet
the first teachers of Christianity, and even Peter and most
of the other Apostles were married men. Besides, celibacy is
nowhere regarded as a meritorious condition in the New test
christ himself distinctly commence matrimonial affection and harmony, and Paul
teaches that it is better to lead a married than
an unchased life. First Corinthian seven two nine twenty eight footnote.
The passage in First Corinthians nine five to six speaks
of Christian married women who accompany 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 First Corinthians seven, seven and eight.
Compare Chapter nine five to six. The idea that in
Philippians four three he is speaking of his own wife
conflicts with the connection of the verse and footnote. 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 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 three twenty five, the first serious
attempt was made to introduce celibacy, but the attempt failed
through the influence of Bishop half Nudius 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 Cyrisius Innocent
the First, Gregory the Second, Nicholas the First, and Leo
the ninth, also made attempts to restrain the priests. The
predictions of Paul in first, Timothy four one in three
were soon fulfilled. Scarcely had Gregory the seventh 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 to the Council held at Rome in
ten seventy four 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 une married 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
Vermes in ten seventy six, 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 put this pope under the b Notwithstanding all this opposition,
Gregory 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 ten eighty, though not universally for urban.
The second felt himself compelled in ten eighty nine and
ten ninety five to reenact it, and it was reserved
for innocent. The third in twelve fifteen more firmly to
establish celibacy as a disciplinary law, although long before this
marriage had been declared to be a sacrament. In his
address in fifteen twenty to his Imperial majesty and German nobility,
Luther strenuously advocated the marriage of the secular clergy. He
entertained different views, however, with regard to the monastic order,
and he made their celibacy a subject of investigation at
Vartberg Castle. Although thought he their offices 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. Molangthen, who had married
a short time before, and Karlstadt, who followed his example
a short time after, to Luther's great joy, had both
advocated the marriage of the monastic clergy in their writings,
although not altogether with his approbation footnote. Malengthen married November
twenty five, fifteen twenty Anna Kroppe, daughter of the Burgomaster
of Wittenberg. Karlstadt December twenty sixth, fifteen twenty one, Anna
von Michael. Soon after, he gave his rest for this
step in a letter to the Elector, in which he says, quote,
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 end quote.
Luther highly approved of the measure and footnote. Our wittenbergers
even wish the monks to have wives. Thus, he wrote
to Spalatin August sixth, fifteen twenty one. But they shall
force no wife on me. I wish Karlstadt's book had
more light and distinctness, for it contains much talent and
learning footnote. He thus expressed himself in one of his tracts, quote,
I hope I have come so far that, by the
grace of God, I may remain as I am, although
I have not yet got over the difficulty end quote
and footnote. But Luther's pen trading 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 of the question,
Yet he did not at this time feel himself inclined
to matrimony. This was in the autumn of fifteen twenty two.
Two years after this, fifteen twenty four, 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
end quote. Still, he highly honored the married relation as
an institution of God. Long after this, he wrote thus
to his friend Stifle, 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 end quote quote. I married also for
the purpose of opposing the doctrine of Satan and putting
to shame the scandalous immorality practiced 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 poor contempt on the ungodly lives of so
many popish priests. End quote. Luther's mind gradually underwent a change.
He now secretly resolved to marry Catherine, 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 doctor John Rule of May fourth, fifteen
twenty five. If I can manage to spite the devil,
I will marry Catherine before I die, if I hear
that my enemies continue their reproaches end quote. 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 in favor
of the Reformation footnote, his brother and predecessor, Frederick the
Wise had died May fiveth, fifteen twenty five and footnote,
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 quote, I could no longer deny this last
act of obedience to my dear father, who earnestly entreated
me to me. 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 monastic celibacy
and yet not practicing his own doctrine. 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.
Anxious as he was to consummate the event. Yet his
choice of Catherine 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. Quote. If I had
felt a disposition to Mary thirteen years ago, says he,
I would have preferred Eva Schoenfeld, who is now the
wife of doctor Basilius. I did not love my Catherine
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 Proverbs thirty one eleven, my
heart doth safely trust in her, And she contributes so
much to my content and manages my affairs so prudently
that I have no need of spoil. That is, I
have no temptation to envy the wealth of others, or
to pray upon my neighbors end quote. Nor was she,
on her part in a hurry about giving her consent.
But she deliberate long though she was poor, yet she
followed the inclination of her heart. Before he thought of
marrying her himself, he recommended her to Jerome S. Baumgartner,
a Nuernberg patrician and a student of theology, who had
a very tender regard for Catherine, and to whom she
was not altogether indifferent. Luther wrote to him October twelve,
fifteen twenty four, if you have made up your mind
to marry Catherine, 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 would be
much gratified to see you marry her and quote. 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 doctor Caspar Glossius,
vicar of the art Archdiaconate of the Castle Church at Wittenberg.
Luther favored his pretensions to her hand, and this led
her to complain to Amsdorf, Luther's friend. She requested him
to cease his importunity in behalf of Glossius, for whom
she had no inclination. Whatever. She, however, honestly acknowledged to
Amsdorf she would not refuse an offer, either from himself
or Luther. She was not mistaken in her estimate of Glossius,
for he was an ill tempered man who never was
at peace with his congregation, and was dismissed from his
office in fifteen thirty seven. 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, and
that the Antichrist would be the son of a monk
and a nun end quote. And he remarks in relation
to this old saying quote, if this were true, the
world has had thousands of antichrists end quote. 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 befell the country. The demolition
of the convents in the Peasant's War and other similar calamities.
For they said that he had inflamed the hatred of
the peasants against monastic life and the possessions of the clergy. Quote.
And all this he did, they affirmed that he might
marry end quote. But many of his friends also disapproved
of such an alliance. Quote. Our wise men are fiercely
excited on the subject, and quote wrote Luther after his marriage.
To stifle quote, 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. End quote.
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 quo 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 of but few friends, my marriage would
have been prevented for my best friends, exclaimed, do not
take this one but another end quote. Hence we are
not surprised to learn that his final engagement to Catherine
and his marriage occurred on the same day. 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 unknne. 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. Footnote.
Doctor Jerome Scurf, professor of theology at Wittenberg, among others,
said quote, if this monk should marry the whole world, yea,
the devil himself would laugh, and he would thereby spoil
all his previous works end quote, end footnote. But Luther
thought otherwise, and believed that by marrying Anne he would
inflict a terrible blow on the whole system of monasticism.
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 his marriage
would also be noted. And yet the reports are very different.
Melanthon'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 Camerrius July twenty one,
fifteen twenty five, 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 thirteen of June fifteen twenty five, he quite
unexpectedly married Catherine de Borah. There is no good reason
to doubt Molengthan's report of the date, which is established
by many other witnesses, and hence it is unnecessary to
refute those who give other dates. Agreeably to these accounts.
Compared with others, it appears that Luther on the Tuesday
after Trinity June thirteenth, fifteen twenty five, in order to
avoid all excitement, took with him John Bugenhagen, Pomeranius, Pastor
of the city Church, doctor John Appel, professor of canonical law,
and Lewis Cranach, court painter, councilor and chamberlain, without the
knowledge of his other friends, and proceeded to the house
of the town Clerk Reichenbach, with whom Catherine 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, doctor Justus Jones, and the wife
of Cranac 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 Catherine 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.
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 to follow in all things the instructions of Thy word. Amen.
The golden wedding rings of Luther and his wife were
probably not exchanged on this evening, but afterwards the celebrated
artist Albert Durer of Nurnberg made them at the order
and expense of the patrician and counselor von Perkinheim. They
were 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 article. 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. End
of chapter two.
Speaker 1: Chapter three of Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or do volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Bill Moseley, Lano County, Texas, USA. Catherine Deborah or
Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of Luther by
John G. Morris, Chapter three, Wedding Dinner Melanthon Slanders. 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 twenty seventh 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 had
written invitations, seven of which are still extant, but He
was particularly desirous of having his parents, who resided at Mansfield,
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 Catherine and
to receive from them their parental blessing. They, with three
or four others of his friends, accepted the invitation at
this as well as 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. It may appear remarkable
at first sight that Melanchthon, Luther's most intimate, trend 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 Malengthen he knew that his
friend was so painfully concerned for his reputation and peace
of mind, that, though 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
Melanchton and even avoided his company at this time. The
whole circumstance occasioned such painful anxiety to malanchthen, not because
he did not sanction the act in itself, but because
it would give the numerous enemies of Luther fresh occasion
for more bitter persecution and more virulent calumny. 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 wasated 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 Catherine 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. 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 might have been anticipated. Their hatred
of the man who had shaken the pillars of their
spiritual despotism was also to be vented again 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 Catherine 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 the Eighth 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 wounded them also,
and that wound will never heal. They most dishonestly perverted
his language and endeavored to dishonor the name of Catherine
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 Catherine 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 eulogies on monastic
life and send them to Luther in the hope that
they would fall into Catherine's hands and induce her as
a penitence center 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
atheni assays so ingeniously arranged in a square that, beginning
in the center, the same word could be read in
forty different directions. 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 Walter,
a counselor, found it necessary to communicate a full report
of the whole transaction action to the court chancellor of
Duke George. The infamous attempt, however, to separate Luther and
his wife signally failed. 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 had laid down such doctrine, as the following Cardinal
de Compegi has taught that quote, it is a greater
sin for a priest to marry than to lead an
infamous life. Quote. The Jesuit Costor taught that quote. Although
a priest who indulges the most unnatural appetite commits a
great evil, Yet he sins still more if he marries.
And Cornelius A Lapidae remarks quote, for those who have
taken the vow of chastity, it is better that they
live unchastely than mary. The men who taught such morals
were the opponents of Luther's 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 Catherine most infamously, but
eight months afterwards he had the magnanimity to retract his
false accusations. 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 a copy, 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 relatives 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 Hents not mentioned at all. It is likely that
poverty first moved them to place their daughter in a convent.
Early in life, Luther and some of his contemporaries bear
testimony to the fact that she possessed no property. At
one place, he expresses himself relative to the condition of
her property, quote, as Thou gavest 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 it quote.
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, quote, Luther has married a wife,
a most beautiful daughter of the celebrated family of Boorah.
But as is said, without a fortune and quote, this
might also proceed from the dissatisfaction of her relatives with
her marriage and her flight from the convent. 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 noble birth. They could not deny
that her mother was entitled to that distinction of rank,
but they totally reject her 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. Catherine'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. Cocle,
for example, charges it as the greatest sin of Luther
quote that he rescued from the convent nine nuns, who
were all of noble rank, and to the eternal disgrace
of so many distinguished families, led them away end quote.
Could this deadly enemy of Luther only have conjectured that
some of his brethren of the faith ever intended to
assail Catherine's birth, He would have been more careful than
to have spoken of noble rank and distinguished families. But
the testimony of one such contemporary is proof sufficient of
her noble origin, and we need not stop to refute
those who maintained that there never even existed a family
of Deborah. End of Chapter three recording by Bill Moseley,
Lano County, Texas, USA. Chapter four of Catherine de Borah
or Social and Domestic Scenes from the Life of Luther.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. Or more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Bill Moseley, Lanocounty, Texas, USA.
Katherine de Borah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the
Life of Luther by John G. Morris, Chapter four, Luther's
domestic life, character of Catherine, Perils of luther sickness, death
of his parents, private life Katherine. Luther led with Catherine
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 tender father, kind and
condescending to all his household, and benevolent to the poor.
In writing to Stifle August eleventh, fifteen twenty six, he
playfully says, quote, 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 Croesus end quote.
When he had finished his commentary on the Epistle to
the Galatians, he cried out, quote, this is my letter
to which I am betrothed. It is my Katie von
Borah end quote. On the thirty first of August fifteen
thirty eight, he thus writes to Bernard von Dolen, quote,
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 Catherine, I would rather
die than marry a second time. End quote. Quote. I
could not have a more obedient wife unless I would
have one hewn out of stone end quote. Many such
expressions occur in his table talk. Among other things, he
says quote, I hear that there are much greater faults
on 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 sincere and upright,
as a pious and discreet wife should be en quote quote,
I have a pious and faithful wife in whom the
heart of her husband doth safely trust in quote Proverbs
thirty one eleven, quote, I value her more highly than
I would the whole kingdom of France, and this sovereignty
of venice, for God has given me a pious wife.
In quote quote, 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. Life.
But Catherine 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.
From this time forth, Catherine 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
necessaries of life. Footnote. His annual compensation did not amount
to more than about one hundred and sixty dollars, but
the Elector John Frederick supplied him with wheat wood, free
house clothes, et cetera, and et cetera. To some extent.
He inherited only two hundred fifty guilders from his father.
The King of Denmark, Christian the Third, gave Luther towards
the end of his days a pension of fifty dollars
a year. A man who was executed for murder in
Leipzig in fifteen thirty seven, with a vain hope, probably
of reconciling heaven, bequeathed Luther five hundred and thirty dollars,
and malanchthened three hundred dollars in footnote. In this respect,
Catherine'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 stifle, and
says of it quote, 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
thunderclouds which rolled over him. Even as early as fifteen
twenty six he undertook a journey in company with Catherine,
and yet that was the time he had most to fear.
But he was never free from danger. In fifteen thirty,
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 Posin
was hired for two thousand golden guilders to poison him.
In fifteen forty one, 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 accomplished so many journeys which must have
consumed much time footnote. In fifteen twenty nine he wrote
to Link quote, I am daily buried in books, so
that windows, chairs, benches, et cetera, et cetera are full
in quote. As early as fifteen sixteen he said to Lange, quote,
I have full employment for two secretaries. I do scarcely
anything all day but write letters in quote. In footnote.
His masterpiece, the Translation 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 footnote. Luther was aided
in this work several of his learned friends, as Melanchthon, Crusiger,
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 fifteen thirty four, the Complete Bible was published. His
works who preceded all other previous translations, for it excelled
them all in fidelity, force and distinctness, And even now
three hundred 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 ascendancy in private and public use.
In the footnote, he suffered most from hemorrhoidal affections, the
treatment of which was little understood at that time. These
attacks appeared 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 sedendary 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 fifteen twenty five 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, Catherine 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, we will state that as early
as fifteen twenty six he suffered with hemorrhoids accompanied with
severe oppression of the breasts. But it was particularly in
fifteen twenty seven 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 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 had 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. Catherine 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 sacrifice his all, and she was to be
dependent on the kindness of some real and many equivocal friends.
Yet Luther prayed with a submissive heart and commended his
wife to God's paternal care. Quote, 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 end quote et cetera. He also consoled his wife
with these words, quote, 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 inconstant comfort against all the temptations and
blasphemies of Satan. End quote. When at his request they
brought his infant son to him, he said, quote, oh,
you good, poor little child. Now I commend your beloved
mother and you poor orphan to my good and faithful God.
You have nothing but God, who is the father of
the orphan and the judge of the widow, will richly
provide for you. End quote. Here he again turned to
his wife and said, quote you know that accepting the
silver cups, we have nothing end quote. These and similar
expressions awakened the most painful emotions in the heart of Catherine,
and yet she tried to conceal her grief and to
encourage him. My dear doctor, said she quote, 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 reserve you. Eight days after, Luther recovered, to the
great joy of his wife and all his friends. 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 Jenna.
The elector John the Constant advised Luther to repair to
Jenna 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. November first, Luther wrote to Almsdorf quote,
my house is on hospital. I began to feel anxious
about my wife, who is in a delicate condition. My
infant son has been sick these three days. He eath
nothing as 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 fifteen
thirty two, 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 fifteen thirty six, an affection of the hip joint
confined him to bed a fortnight. But in fifteen thirty
seven Catherine had a special 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 Schmall Called
on important church business. Although he suffered severely from calculus
and the weather was extremely cold. He set out on
his journey on February first, but he had scarcely arrived
at schmall Called when the pains increased to such an
extent to which an obstinate histuary was superadded 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 quote,
if it should please God to take you away, be
not concerned about your wife and children. I will take
them into my protection. In quote, he recovered sufficiently to
enter on his journey home on the twenty sixth, dangerous
as traveling 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, quote, yesterday I left Schmulkold.
I was not well. Three days whilst there, in a word,
I was dead, and I had commended you and the
children of God to 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 Magdalen. Thank 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 ascribed 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. Today
we are stopping at Gotha. Something similar to this, he
wrote to Melancthon. 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
Catherine 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 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 February twenty eighth, fifteen
thirty seven, he commended Catherine, who had enlivened twelve years
of his life to Bugenhagen, and bore his favorable testimony
to her character quote, she has served me not only
as a wife, but with all the fidelity and industry
of a servant. In quote afterwards, he said, quote I
inconsiderately looked to Catherine 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. In quote. Soon after,
he said, quote how intensely I longed after my family.
When I was lying at small, cold, 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 quote in his last will, January sixth fifteen forty two.
He said of her quote that she had always been
a pious and faithful wife, and she always conducted herself
handsomely and worthily as became a pious and faithful spouse.
End quote, footnote. Jerome Weller von Wolsdorf, Luther's intimate friend,
has said quote, 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, et cetera. Whenever doctor Luther was depressed, she,
like a sensible wife, always consulting his welfare, secretly invited
doctor 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 doctor Jonas end quote
and footnote. But Catherine's love for her husband was extended
also to his parents. The most striking proof of this
she gave when, in February fifteen thirty 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, quote, 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. But it would 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 hear nurse you
most tenderly en quote. 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 Catherine 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. Its secretary Vit Dietrich answered the letter and said, quote,
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 die. When he first saw it,
he did not recognize it. Why, said he, Lena's complexion
is dark. But now he is remarkably well pleased with it,
and the more he looks at it, the better he
likes it. 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.
In quote. 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 Catherine and her
children entertained for this excellent woman. Quote, my wife and
children are praying for you. They weep and say, grandmother
is very sick in She also died, to Luther's most
profound regret, on June thirtieth, fifteen thirty one. It was
not only in seasons of affliction and distress that Catherine
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.
These are proof sufficient that their matrimonial life was happy.
Yet the foulest slanders were heaped upon them by the
enemies of the cause of which Luther was now the
acknowledged champion. Luther awarded to his wife the praise of
unconditional obedience, and, agreeably to the custom of the time,
she always saluted him as her ductor. 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 Catherine'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 Missus,
doctor and professoris, and sometimes as Master Catherine. All the
world knew that this was but the outpouring of a
sportive disposition and an affectionate heart. End of chapter four.
Recording by Bill Moseley, Lano County, Texas, USA.
Speaker 3: Chapter five of Catherine Deporah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
All lubrifox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit librifox dot org. Recording
by Kathleen Catherine de Borah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther by John G. Morris, Chapter five. Income, Expenses, hospitality, charity, diet, afflictions, despondency, journeys, death.
Luther's income was disproportionate to his expenses. He is often
said that he gave more out than he took in.
His pay at this time amounted to but two hundred
guilders and his own family expenses to five hundred. 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 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 one hundred guilders. I have pledged three silver cups
at one place for fifty guilders. But the Lord who
chastises my folly will deliver me. Hence it is that
Cranage and all Refaber will no longer take me as security,
for they observe that I have an empty purse. I
have given them my fourth cup for twelve guilders, which
they have loaned to Hermann. 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
and so forth. He sometimes had the honor of entertaining
persons of exalted rank Elizabeth, the sister of Christian, the
second 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 Munsterberg and escaped.
None 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 the princess. Many monks
and nuns who had escaped from convents had often imposed
themselves on his hospitality, and sometimes shamefully deceived him. In
fifteen thirty seven, he took into his house his relative
and countrymen, 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 Soldorf demanded
no little outlay to all. This was super added 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 write, but it must be confessed that as
a father of a family, he was too careless about
their wants. Thus, when someone 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 money. Thus he presented all his manuscripts to
the printers, who were at that time also booksellers, and
when they offered him four hundred 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 pleased God, I will carry this honor
to the grave with me. When the Elector John the
Constant in fifteen twenty nine designed to honor him with
a share in a productive silver mine at Schneberg 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 paternoster, that the oars may continue
productive and the product may be well applied. This he
confirmed soon after September eighth, fifteen thirty, 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 painful concern for his sake,
who died for me, the whole world could not give
me money enough to write a book or translate any
portion of the Bible. I am not willing to be
rewarded by the world for my labor. The world is
too poor for that. Melanchthon promised him one thought thousand
guelders compensation if he would finish the translation of Esop,
begun in fifteen thirty and dedicated 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
two hundred guilders, which he generously divided among poor students.
When in fifteen twenty nine bugen Hagen brought him a
gift of one hundred guilders from a rich gentleman, he
gave me Langthon the half of it. As early as
fifteen twenty he received a bequest of one hundred fifty
guilders from doctor Heinrich Beck of Nalburg, and in fifteen
twenty one a person named Marcus Schardtz presented him with
fifty guilders, which he divided with his prior Greisker. When
the Elector John the Steadfast in fifteen forty two 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 to it, but for the
sake of the example, had property to the amount of
six hundred ten guelders assessed. 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. 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 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. Catherine, also
by wings 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. 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 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. Catherine not only
sympathized most sincerely with her husband and 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
fifteen thirty eight, they were both attacked with fever, and
in July fifteen thirty nine 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 fifteen forty, Catherine
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 fifteen forty two, at the
age of fourteen. The first Elizabeth had died in fifteen
twenty eight, bowed her heart deeply and overwhelmed her with sorrow.
Scarcely had the pious suffered 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 doctor 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
doctor Jonas as the comforter of his widow and children.
In fifteen forty five, 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. 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
law longed for repose. As soon as this became known,
bugen Hagen and others were sent to him on the
part of the university and the town, whose tears and
entreaties prevailed on him to remain for the present. But
in July fifteen forty five he was bent on carrying
out his determination and traveled in company with his eldest
son John, by way of Leeubnitz and Leipzig to Mursburg,
where he visited Prince George van Halt, 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 twenty eighth 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 men, and it would be
better for you to settle at Zalsdorf, 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. Catherine was extremely surprised at this determination, but
as her husband had enjoined it upon her to inform
buchen Hagen and Melancthon of his purpose and to request
the former to take leave of the congregation in his name,
she at least complied 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 buchen Hagen and Melancthon
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 eighteenth of August,
where he was received with open arms by all his friends.
But this gratification was of short duration for the Amen Catharine,
for in January fifteen forty six, 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 Macenrod, who was in the service
of the Elector. The family of Macenrod 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 or before they had received only the tenth and
some other perquissets. As soon as Luther heard of this
unjust proceeding, he undertook to maintain the rights of his
brother in law, and in fifteen forty wrote to Duke
Albert on the subject, but his intercession was fruitless. In
fifteen forty two he renewed his attempts, but without any
favorable result. In fifteen forty five he traveled to ice
Laban 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 ice Laban 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 seven, seventeen, fifteen forty six, he took leave
of his friends, and on the twenty third he departed,
accompanied by his three sons, John nineteen years of age,
Martin fourteen, and Paul thirteen. He passed through Halley, where
he visited his friend doctor Jonas, at that time pastor
in that city. Jonas accompanied him to ice Laban, 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 ice Laban on the twenty eighth, but a
violent attack was soon renewed Catherine, 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 first and sixth 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 tenth, 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 place of his birth.
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 eighteen,
fifteen forty six, in the sixty third year of his age.
Doctor Jonas and the court preacher at Mansfeld, Michel Cauclius,
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. End of chapter five. Chapter six of Catherine
Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of Luther.
This is a libribox recording. All libribox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit libribox dot org. Recording by Kathleen Catherine Deborah or
Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of Luther by
John G. Morris, Chapter six. A Widow, Her Support, sufferings, journeys, death.
No one was more deeply distressed at his death than
the morning 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 twenty second 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 Catherine, weeping and
with her children, looked on her deceased husband. She survived
him nearly seven years and cherish his memory most affectionately,
though his enemies assailed him most virulently 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. 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 momento. 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 counsel of
God At the same time, he repeated his assurances of
his protection of her and her children. Although Luther had
expressed a desire that Catherine 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. Beugen Hagen, Crusiger, Melanthon and others were still
living who were her counselors and comforters. And Wittenberg was
also the place where her sons had already begun their
education and where they could most advantageously finish it. Luther had,
some time before his death, made ample provision consisting of
various kinds of property for his wife, 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 doctor Scherff,
Professor of Medicine and Rector of the University, and as
we have heard that the widow of the Saint of
Luther is in need of pecuniary assistance, we send you
by this messenger one hundred gold Grosian for her use.
He also wrote to Crusager and Melanthon, 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. To enable the guardians to
execute his wishes. With regard to the children, the Elector
sent them two thousand 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 two thousand guilders for the benefit of the
widow and children, from which they drew an annual interest
of one hundred guilders. Part of the capital only was
paid for when Catherine died in fifteen fifty two, one
thousand guelders still stood to her credit. The year after
Luther's death, Christian, the third King of Denmark transferred for
her benefit fifty dollars the remainder of a sum which
which she had previously granted to Luther and several of
his friends. Catherine wrote to the king expressing her profound
gratitude for this act of benevolence, but she was soon
called on to experience additional sorrows. The Small Cold War
had already broken out in fifteen forty six, which brought
desolation into many peaceful and happy families. Catherine 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 Malburg April twenty four, fifteen forty seven.
Wittenberg was besieged on the fifth of May, and on
the twenty fifth Charles 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
doctor George Major, professor of theology, to Magdeburg, and thence
sustained by the town council of Helmstadt, she went under
Melancthon's protection to Brunswick, from whence doctor Major was to
conduct her to 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 Melancthon,
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 country abution of the
King of Denmark, although he had promised further help, had
not been sent since fifteen forty eight, 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 Zilsdorf for four hundred guilders and pond some silver
ware for six hundred 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
meager subsistence. In the beginning of the year of fifteen
forty eight, she traveled with Melancthon to Leipzig in order
to solicit from the Imperial Assessor some diminution of the
oppressive war tax. Malangthon also wrote to the King of
Denmark entreating him to continue the annual contribution which he
made during Luther's lifetime. Eugenhagen 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 sixth,
fifteen fifty. 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 to you.
Years afterwards, when most sorely pressed by want, she repeated
her entreaty and wrote 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. Butchen Hagen seconded this appeal to
the King and it was successful. A contribution was received
which relieved her immediate wants and comforted her desponding heart.
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 a
discourse commemorative of her virtues. During the war, she wandered
from place to place with her orphaned 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
of the inappreciable services of her husband to the church.
After the Peace of Passau July thirty one, fifteen fifty two,
security was re established for the Protestants, and the former
Elector of Saxony was restored to liberty. About this time,
a contagious disease broke out in Wittenberg and all the
members of the university removed to Torgau. Catherine also determined
to leave the place with her two younger sons, Martin
and Paul. John was studying at Koenigsburg, and her only Margaret,
was to follow them. A short time after on the journey,
the horses became unmanageable and ran away with the carriage. Catherine,
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 resist
them 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 twenty fifteen fifty two, she died, in the fifty
fourth 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. During the whole period of her sick lines,
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. A plain monument in the city church
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 fifteen fifty two Den twenty December
ist in god Zelig Intschlaffen and her zu Torgau herne
d e Martin Luther's Zeligan interlassen vite Catharina don Bora
end of chapter.
Speaker 1: Six, Chapter seven, Part one of Catherine de Borah or
Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of Luther. This
is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the
public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit
LibriVox dot org. Recording by Bill Mosley, Lano County, Texas, USA.
Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life
of Luther by John G. Morris, Chapter seven, Luther's Children
domestic character Catherine. Catherine had been the mother of six children,
three sons and three daughters. One. John born June seventh,
fifteen twenty six studied law and became a civil officer
in the services of the elect of Saxony. Died October
twenty seventh, fifteen seventy five, aged fifty years two. Elizabeth
born December tenth, fifteen twenty seven died August third, fifteen
twenty eight three. Magdalena born May fourth, fifteen twenty nine
died September twentieth, fifteen forty two, age fourteen four. Martin
born November seventh, fifteen thirty one studied theology. Died March third,
fifteen sixty five, age thirty four five. Paul born January
twenty eighth, fifteen thirty three studied medicine and became court
physician to the Elector of Saxony. Died March eighth, fifteen
ninety three, aged sixty one years six. Margaret born December seventeenth,
fifteen thirty four, died fifteen seventy, age thirty six years.
Luther was accustomed to say, quote, the more children we have,
the more happiness we enjoy. They are the loveliest fruits
and bonds of the domestic life. Quote. He was never
more happy than in the circle of his family, and
who ever saw 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. Quote,
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 in quote, 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, Crusager, Malngthen, and a few others,
he took part in the innocent amusements of life with
a full heart of gratitude to God who favored him
with these evening relaxations. In fifteen forty three, he celebrated
his sixty second birthday and invited Melanchthon, Bugenhagen, Crusainger, 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, quote, as long as I live,
with God's help, there will be no danger and Germany
will continue peaceful. 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.
Speaker 3: Quote.
Speaker 1: He then turned to Eber particularly and said, quote your
name is Paul. Hence be careful after Paul's example to
preserve and defend the doctrine of that apostle end quote.
Luther was a man of 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, quote, Ah,
what a blessing these little ones are, of which the
vulgar and the obstinate are not worthy. In quote. On
another occasion, he said, quote, I am richer than all
papal theologians in the world, where 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.
In quote. 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 quote,
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, where the dog suffers himself
to be governed by the child in quote. On one occasion,
the same child was speaking of the enjoyments of heaven
and said, quote in heaven, loaves of bread grow on
the trees. Quote. The father replied with a smile, quote,
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. In quote. He was amusing himself
one day with the child and said, quote, 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 in quote. At
another time he remarked that Martin afforded him special delight
because he was his youngest child. Quote. 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. He
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. End quote. Here
the maternal feeling of Catherine was roused, and she observed
quote I cannot believe that God could demand of parents
the slaughter of their children end quote. He removed her
objections by reminding her of the greater sacrifice which God
the Father made, of offering his own son as a
ransom for our sins. Margaretta was once speaking to her
father of Jesus, the angels and Heaven. Deeply moved, he exclaimed, quote, Oh,
how much better than ours is the faith in life
of children. The words which they hear they accept with
joy and 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
fare 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 fifteen thirty two, that
he could find nothing in that town to buy for
the little ones. At home, 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 skillfully. He often invited accomplished singers,
and thus held family concert in his house when his
time and the weather permitted. He had prepared to what
was afterwards called Luther's Spring, 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
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 suns, 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 aim
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 thirty one, 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 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 twenty second Psalm.
She was proceeding to reprimand him for occasioning such painful
anxiety that he was impatient of the interruption to his studies,
pointed to the Bible and said, quote, 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 work.
But his tone and looks sufficiently indicated to her that
he 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. The birth of his first
child June seventh, fifteen twenty six, 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 doctor Aurora and named John by the grandfather Eugenhagen.
Jonas and the painter Chronic Senior were his godfathers. From
his earliest years, this boy excited the liveliest hopes in
his parents on account of his uncommon middle abilities, 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 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 houseman quote 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 childs in their respects to you.
End quote. Some time after, he wrote to Spalatin quote,
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, namely
the joys of matrimonial life, of which the Pope and
his satellites are not worthy end quote. 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, quote, 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 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 ask 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 his good may come
into the garden. Lippus and Yost, also sons of Melanchthon
and Jonas. And if they all come together, they shall
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 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, Lina, 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 Yost also to
do the same, and then you shall all go into
the garden. I commend you to God kiss Nina for me,
your dear father m. L. Fifteen thirty end quote. 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, aid, afforded the father unspeakable gratification.
In his fifteenth 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 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 Koenigsberg, and on his return from his travels in
various countries of Europe, he was appointed court councilor 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 Koenigsburg,
and died October twenty eighth, fifteen seventy five, aged forty
nine years. End of Chapter seven, Part one. Recording by
Bill Moseley, Lano County, Texas u s A. Chapter seven,
Part two of Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Bill Moseley Lano County, Texas U s A. Catherine
Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of
Luther by John G. Morris. 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
Houseman quote, 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.
The death of his third child, Magdalena, at the age
of fourteen, 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 the Bible, her strong faith in the Savior,
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 as a student at the Academy at
Torgau the father gratified her wish and dispatched 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 quotes,
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, quotes, Magdalena,
my daughter, you would willingly remain with your father on earth,
and yet you also desire to go to your father
in heaven, quote on which she replied, quote yes, dearest Father,
just as it pleases God. In quote, he continued, quote,
dearest child, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
In quote. Overcome by emotion, he turned away and said, 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 fourteen seventh first arrested his attention.
Quote for none of us liveth to himself, and no
man dieth to himself end quote. This expressive passage was
as a balm to his wounded heart. When the body
was deposited in the coffin, he said, quote, thou, dear Magdalena,
how happy thou art, Oh dear Magdalena, Thou wilt rise
again and wilt shine like a star, yea like the sun.
End quote. But the coffin having been made too small,
he said, quote 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 marvelous thing to
know that she is certainly happy, and yet for me
to be so sad. In quote. When the people came
to attend the funeral, and according to custom, addressed the
doctor and said that they sincerely condoled with him in
his affliction, he said, quote, you should rejoice. I have
sent a saint to heaven. Yea, a living saint. Oh,
if only such a death were ours, such a death,
I would be willing to die this moment. In quote.
When one said, quote that is indeed true. Yet we
all wish to retain our relatives. In quote, Luther replied,
quote flesh is flesh and blood is blood. I rejoice
that she has passed over. Experience no sadness but that
of the flesh. En. Quote Again, he said to others present, quote,
be not grieved. I have sent a saint to heaven. Yea,
I have sent too. In quote. When she was buried,
he said, quote it is the resurrection of the flesh.
End quote. And when they returned from the funeral, he said, quote,
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 in quote. Throughout the whole of this
trying event, Luther showed all the tenderness of an affectionate
father and all the resignation of a Christian. 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, quote, 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 they are
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 quote. But afterwards Luther's anxieties about him were very great. Quote.
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 quote he possessed
such strong mental faculties and such striking oratorial powers as
even to have excited the admiration of his father. Of
the third son Paul, when yet a child, Luther thus spoke, quote,
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 unj shaken 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 Strigel had homulgated at that seat
of learning. And he soon afterwards received the appointment of
private physician to John Frederick the Second at Gotha. In
fifteen sixty eight, he served Joachim the second of Brandenburg
in the same capacity, by whom he was elevated to
the rank of counselor and richly rewarded. Afterwards, fifteen seventy
one he was employed by the Elector August and his successor,
Christian the First at Dresden. The former not only honored
him by inviting him to be sponsored 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 Calvinist Chancellor Krell 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
fifteen ninety he moved to Leipzig, where he died in
fifteen ninety three. At the baptism of this son, Luther said, quote,
I have named him Paul, for Saint 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 of them has a taste
for the military profession, I will send him to field
marshal Lesser. 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 quote, 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 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. The sixth child, Margaret,
who entered into a happy matrimonial alliance, was dangerously attacked
with fever after the measles from 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. Kulheim, a 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. It is not known to what
extent Catherine 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 quote, 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 Catherine as a woman and a wife. Luther not
only employed special teachers for his children, but also instructed
them himself, notwithstanding his numerous other engagements. He says quote,
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 quote daily spent
three hours in private devotion. In quote, it must be
restricted to the period of the Diet of Augsburg, when
he was concealed at Cobourg. 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 his Christian duty. Matthesius, one of his biographers at
a contemporary says, quote, every morning and evening, and often
during meals, he engaged in prayer. Besides this, he repeated
the smaller Catechism and read the Psalter. In all important undertakings,
Prayer was the beginning, middle, and end in quote I hold,
says Luther, quote 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 contained many sparkling gems
on the subject of prayer. Fondly as he was attached
to his children, yet he never showed a cupable indifference
to their errors, and least of all when they were unruly,
or displayed anything like in gratitude 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 Crusager. But Forget gave him only
after he had repented of his fault and humbly begged
for pardon. He said, quote, 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 offense 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. In quote, once when
he saw a youth of fine personal appearance and uncommon abilities,
but of corrupt morals, he exclaimed, quote ah, how much
evil and 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. In quote,
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. Quote. I will
not chastise hans do severely, for he will become shy
of me and hate me en quote said he. Quote.
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 stammer with children,
and in all 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 so verity in quote when he saw his wife,
her children, suffering. His sympathizing heart often found relief in tears.
I loved my Catherine, he would say, quote, I love
her more than I do myself. I would rather die
myself than she and the children should die en quote.
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, quote, let them take my life, property, reputation, children,
and wife. Let them all go. The Kingdom of God
is still ours. He is heroic him, I'm Feistenburg East
and Sergott sufficiently shows his feelings on this subject. End
of section eight, Chapter seven, Part two recording by Bill Moseley,
Lano County, Texas, USA.
Speaker 4: Chapter eight of Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther. This is a LibriVox recording.
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by Larry Wilson. Catherine Deborah or Social and Domestic Scenes
in the Life of Luther by John G. Morris, Chapter eight,
Character of Catherine. It must be acknowledged that there is
nothing remarkably striking in the history of Catherine de Borah.
Considered apart from her relation to her illustrious husband. She
was distinguished by no extraordinary talents or surprising active 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 imminent degree.
A noble dignity and temperate self reliance were the fundamental
traits of her character. Hence, though dependent upon 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 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 to Jonahs 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,
worshiped God in the sanctuary. She was devotedly attached to
the doctrines of the Reformation, and one of her dying
prayers was for their preservation and purity to the end
of time. She never neglected her domestic 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 dependence. 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 Catherine, 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 Catherine 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, Catherine never faltered for a moment, and proceeded
to administer consolation to his dejected heart. During the prevalence
of a contagious disease in fifteen twenty seven. Her confidence
in God was not unshaken, so that Luther could truth right.
Catherine 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 Catherine
partook of the common law of bortals. 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
present day imitate her example and profit by the practical
lessons which her life has taught. If she can make
no pretensions to personal beauty. Still she possessed not a
little that was attracted She was of medium sized, had
an oval faith, a bright sparkling eye, an expansive, serene forehead,
a nose rather small, lips, a little protuning, and cheek
bones somewhat prominent. Erasmus speaks of her as a woman
of magnificent form and extraordinary beauty, but Sewendorff says this
is an extravagant picture of her. The later opponents of
Luther agree with Erasmus in representing her as very beautiful
and falsely charged the reformer as being attracted only by
her personal charms. Mainborg says, among the nuns, there was
one named Catherine von Bora, whom Luther found to be
very beautiful, and whom, on that account he loved. Marillus
and Bassuitt 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 Katherine von Bora.
It is the first time that I have seen her
picture and it justifies the opinion which Boussuet 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. Her likeness was frequently painted and at
various periods of her life by the distinguished artists of
that age, such as kronachh. S. Kranachh Junior and Hans
Holbein Junior. Kronach Senior painted her likeness in oil colors
sixteen times, 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 forty different copperplate and wood engravings of her likeness.
It has also been transferred to porcelain ware and other
articles of domestic use. A number of metals 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, as a proof of
her artistic skill and her proficiency and ornamental needle work.
Even in that distant age, there is to this day
exhibited in the vestry room of the cathedral at Mersenburg
a blue satin surplice which she embroidered for her husband,
at which he wore on the occasion 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 Catherine. But these works will perish, whilst the
results of her faith, hope and charity will endure forever.
End of Chapter eight, end of Catherine and Deborah or
Social and Domestic Scenes in the Life of Luther by
John G. Morris