Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/241

 Grace and peace in Christ! I have nothing, and yet a very great deal to write to you, my honored friend in Christ. Concerning myself I have nothing, except to commend myself to your sacred prayers, but in regard to the bridegroom, your fellow-citizen, that most excellent young man, Conrad Mauser, I have a great deal. Doubtless your large heart will know that were I to write a letter at all commensurate with the greatness of this burning love which has been kindled in the bridegroom’s heart, perhaps the whole world could not contain it. But I am only joking in order to gain your sympathy for Mauser’s marriage. For he desires through you to gain his parents’ consent to his happy union.

This will certainly be accomplished if you can make the father see that his son has really chosen a pretty and, what is even better, a capable and virtuous maiden, and I would add Christian, if the value of the term had not sunk in the estimation of the people through its indiscriminate use, although it is not so with us.

And the bride’s father is not nearly so badly off as the most of the burghers are here, but is a member of the Town Council and well-to-do — in short, a most honorable man, who looks well to the ways of his household, and has a most industrious wife, who is universally loved because of her amiability.

You will have the goodness to bring all this to the knowledge of Mauser’s father when you have the opportunity, so that he may not grieve his son, but cause him to rejoice through his consent, without which he will not marry.

It is much to be desired that the father, to show his approval, should appear at the wedding. And we are most anxious to have your presence also, but we fear to present an impossible request to you. May the kindness of your heart prompt you to do what is right in your eyes, and may you prosper in Christ! Amen. MARTIN LUTHER.