Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/211

 since ———‘s death are now quite purified up to the Pfarr church and the market. May the Lord guide you to what is well pleasing to Him and good for yourself. Amen.

Greet your Kathie and Justelchen. Augustine’s wife is better. If only Margaretta Mochim would recover, but now we have hope. She has been some weeks ill, and can scarcely hear or speak.

P.S. — Your house, which is now clean, I have lent to the other chaplain’s wife and family, for she was so distressed over the death of her friend, the chaplain’s wife, that it was the only way to comfort her, but the two husbands sleep here in the manse. I hope you will excuse us making so free with your belongings, but I promised that if the plague attack any of them they shall at once be brought back here.

Meanwhile may Christ give you a house in Nordhausen, as we in our dire need had to take yours.

Our Brunoni’s little son will not live over the day, for death has marked the orphan for his own. Farewell in Christ. MARTIN LUTHER.

CLVIII
TO JOHANN WALTHER, IN TORGAU

Walther was three weeks in Luther’s house helping to arrange the Church music, the Reformer himself composing the melodies for the German hymns, to Walther’s amazement. Luther said Virgil had taught him this.

December 21, 1527

Grace and peace! From this letter you will see, my Walther, that I answered your last, as I wished to offer you help and counsel. The messenger should have fetched this letter early in the morning, as you write, but how can I know where they spend the night, or run after them?

It is their custom, when they have given the letters to my servants, to disappear, as if carried away by the wind, and they do not reappear.

Therefore I write once more, as you request. I herewith commit you to God. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER.