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BOSTON PUBLIC
UBRARY
TALES FROM ALSACE,
" The
monk
disappears like a shadow into the dark
TALES FROM ALSACE OR
SCENES AND PORTRAITS FROM LIFE IN THE DAYS OF THE REFORMATION
^0
HBrainn from ©Iti C5)ronicUs
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
WITH INTRODUCTION APPENDED TO THE FRENCH EDITION BY
THE FRENCH TRANSLATOR,
E.
ROSSEEUW SAINT-HI LAI RE.
LONDON JAMES NISBET &
CO.
21
1868.
BERNERS STREET
EDINBURGH
:
T.
CONSTABLE,
PRINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.
CONTENTS. PAGE
PREFACE BY FRENCH TRANSLATOR,
UNCLE BALTHASAR'S
RELIC,
....
THE KAISERSBERG DOCTOR AND LITTLE MAT, THE OLD
ST.
STEPHEN'S TOWER AT MUHLHAUSEN,
vii
44
83
CROOKED-BEAK,
104
THE MINISTERS OF THE WORD,
138
THE
177
FUGITIVES,
SPITZI,
218
.
GOING HOME,
247
MASTER NICHOLAS,
279
THE FOREST-HOUSE,
316
THE FUR
356
COAT,
—
PREFACE BY THE FRENCH TRANSLATOR, PROFESSOR ROSSEEUW SAINT-HILATRE.
Happening house, B.,
I
to be,
some
was enjoying,
home
of
my
friend
Pastor
the sweetness of that Christian hospitahty v;hich
world knoweth not, and of which, were
would be
my
Mul-
eight or ten years since, at
the
in
One evening my
jealous.
hands a
man
tract I ever
tract
is
not ignorant,
it
dear friend put into
pamphlet containing not much more than
little
a printer's sheet, saying,
mise, for
it
the
saw
'
Do
read that
Now,
!'
!
may be
it
it is
the best Ger-
necessary to pre-
some French readers who may not know
that a
it,
usually a short narrative intended to bring out in
strong relief
some
religious truth set in a very simple frame,
usually borrowed from real
That same evening
life.
I
read
the tract of which this volume contains a translation,
'Master Nicholas.'
I
was so much struck by
its
merit,
the elevated tone of feeling and graceful naivete which it
from beginning to end, that
pleasure of translating
it
I at
by
mark
once promised myself the
and making
it
known
in
France.
Preface.
vlii
The
next morning, as
thanked Pastor B. for
I
question was one which
first
me
eager to put to
'
:
Who
my
depths of your remote Alsace
And
my
here, I
must
unknown
had so much break
to
incognito^
but to
may have
now no
youth
its
make
the wished-for I
modesty with which
veil of
guessed,
it is
a
woman) has
cannot be more than partially withdrawn.
herself,
She was once young, preserves
no
But the secret of the anonymous author
as the reader
enveloped
is
delight. in translating, I hastened not only to
have no right to betray, and the (for,
which
This unknown author
After having read the work I have
me.
through the
acquaintance.
she
from the
for us
"?'
confess, I have reached a point at
embarrassment begins.
longer
my
unknown
the author of this
is
which you are disinterring
chef-d'oeuvre
his gift,
readers would doubtless be
is
so
now no more,
but her heart ever
She looks back upon
!
illusions for her,
life,
which has
but which has enriched her with
treasures of experience manifest in each line that flows from
her pen. little
work
If,
dear reader, you long to
at
once so
—now you know
all
light
I
if
the
author, to find her out
by working
it
out in your
have tried to sketch I fulfilled
my
racy,
know
and so
the writer of a
truly deep,
of her that I have any right to
only remains for you, its
and
little
own
tell.
volume leads you
by means of
it,
and
why, It
to love
to complete,
thoughts, the rough draught
for you.
promise to myself, and translated
'
Master
Preface.
much
Nicholas^ with as
my
work of
care as I could have lavished on any
own, and with
the author's friendship.
—
ix
all
I felt
the freedom granted it,
may
and long enough too, as
however, easily
my
me by
duty to wait,
be perceived,
—
till
another was added to the first-born to form
one
tract after
this
slender volume.
During the
interval, the author of
'Master Nicholas' {Meister Klaus) and of 'Little Mat'
by
has, in the quietest way, advancing
{Der Kleine Matthis)
gentle steps, attained, I will not say fame, too high-sounding
a word for these larity.
that part of
France,
little
Not Alsace
is
which
it
now
matters, but an ever increasing popu-
but Germany, and
alone,
contiguous with the frontier of
is
familiar with
The
'
Strasburg Tracts as such. '
But what touches the author most sensibly of her
anonymous work,
heart, that she has
in the success
the assurance, so sweet to her
is
been the means of doing some good.
With the exception of some few masterpieces of destined to last for ages, nearly
as
quickly
as
all
their
and I
my
whom
inspiration,
must plead
'
their
literature,
books here below pass away writers.
volumes, great or small, of which
Master from
especially
it
Happy,
may be
then,
the
said, as of the
authors derived their every
gift
they go about doing good.' guilty to having felt jealous
country as regards this
little
work, which
on behalf of is
in
reality
French, as being Alsatian, although originally written in
German.
One
object in presenting
it
in its
new
form,
is
to
!
X
Preface.
give its I
it
Having obtained, by
right of citizenship in France.
means, some welcome rest amid more serious labours,
noAv offer
French reader, by no means without
to the
it
a feeling of uneasiness on
(I will
not disguise
arising
from the state of the times and of current
it)
behalf,
its
literature.
In fact nothing can have less resemblance to the fashionable novels of the day than these tales, for they breathe the
The
purest morality, and are inspired by the tniest piety.
heroes of the
little
ideal world in
succeed
in painting
learned
to love
first
her picture,
at large, yet so in
its
well,
it
heart
in the sixteenth
be able to
necessary to have
As
little
to
to the
known
frame of
to
Alsace, so
and manners, so French
morals its
is
;
author delights
and
;
right well.
worthy of being known
science,
patriotism and
them
always Alsace, so
is
it
them so
my
which
dwell are almost always children
to
!
France
German in
its
Alsace, which, in a word, inscribed,
century, so
many an honoured name
in
the pages of our martyrology, and which ought, at least, to
be very deeply attached to that
faith
which cost her so
dear
The
scene
is
often placed in our narratives in one of
those fine old small towns of Alsace, which seem so fresh, so mediceval, as
by the the
levelling
first
if
but just exhumed, and as yet untouched
hand of our monotonous
i^lace there
appears,
as in the
'
civilisation.
In
old St. Stephen's
Tower,' one of those ancient edifices, dear to every burgess
Preface.
xi
as a living personification of his native town,
the luck-
till
day dawn when the hammer of speculation must needs
less
Then
begin the work of demolition. the old tower, one with
it,
living in its
again, incrusted in life,
days, like that of Melchior,
— perhaps
we behold some
of the good
capital antiquated figure, characteristic
old
the most original of
our author's creations.
But some reader, resolved to be amused only according to rule,
and
compromising himself by yielding
afraid of
freely to the pleasure
he
feels in
bethink him of inquiring for '
Are they intended
You do
whom
addressed to then
tell
me
all if I
it
it,
than
I
man
I
do know
heart.
have deceived you, or
As
%
should waste
for
%
In truth, I
doubt whether the author can
What
who have any
their right address.
destined.
tales'?'
and I.
may
grown-up persons
are they written, gentle reader
more about
stories,
they are
not pretend that a reasonable
know nothing about tell
whom
for children or for
time in reading children's
For
reading these
me,
I
is
that they are
Only read them, and if
they have reached
have read them to grave
personages, who, with a tear in the corner of the eye and a smile on their
lips,
have been surprised at finding them-
selves either melted or tales
;
charmed by these despised
children's
and when, by chance, children have heard them, they
have been entranced and captivated on finding their own language so well understood.
— Preface.
xii
Here, however,
we touch on
interest,
—
genius,
so different
among
the richest of
that of the nature
The German poet and a
genius little
from ours
in
and
France,
the varieties of the
all
^
a question of more grave
and character of the German-
may be
human
family.
described in two words
coupled together
child
certainly
!
There
a
:
an
is
indescribable mixture of the naive and the lofty, the in-
and the sublime, connected with the perfect good
fantine faith
of that primitive people,
who have kept
sible youthfulness,
still
fresh after ages
If there exist in this world
made
two
irrepres-
have passed over
varieties of national genius
One
is
always ironical
always ready to laugh at others, and at himself too. other, simple to a degree almost
impatient of irony, which
is
always quick to grow angry it
strikes
me
German
I see her
^
*
nature.
French
taste,
little
its
nature,
feeling itself misunderstood.
which
truly reflects this
Thus,
instinctively shrink
Genie,''
ever repugnant to if
The
to childishness,
I
at first sight
may
double tendency
admire her audacity when
not afraid to condescend to certain
familiar that
sudden, a
amounting
that, in a style
seem humble, our author of the
would
it.
not to understand one another, assuredly they must
be the German and the French.
Now
to
.closer
Nature than we have, and who are gifted with an
details,
always rather mounted on
from them.
And
so
stilts,
again, all of a
vignette of an Alsatian landscape sketched
— a word scarcely capable of being adequately
translated.
— Preface.
by a master's hand,
xili
— an unfolding (altogether unlooked human
of the workings of a
deep
laid bare with a
soul,
for)
penetration which surprises one, reveals, in the midst of a
and of acute
childish narrative, treasures of life-experience,
and sagacious observation.
M.
'
Josse, thou art a goldsmith
So be
reply.
it
But
!
if
I
!'
may be my
have succeeded
reader's
securing
in
these precious pearls in a setting by which they lose nothing,
have revealed to France the
if I
home
familiar, so
her, I
it
life
of a people
and a whole
in such close contact with her,
me
that after
my
all
time
so
literature,
charming, yet the existence of which
appears to
now
new
is
to
not wasted.
is
have always loved Germany too well to believe in the
To draw
possibility of a
war between France and her
together
two great nations, held aloof from one
these
another by so
know one
to
stretch out a
many
prejudices, one
another,
must
!
teach them
first
and to
then to love one another,
hand mutually across
that noble
Rhine which
rather unites than separates them. I
have travelled much and often in the north and in the
south,
and have been much struck by one
the Bible life
is
Wherever
not the corner-stone of education, of society, of
in general, there
the people at large.
is
no
literature for children,
Look
at Spain, Italy,
every land, in short, in which the Bible is
fact.
no reading
for the child
—none
is
— none
France
itself
not read.
for the
for
working
There
man
!
xiv
Preface.
In Germany, in England, on the contrary, we find a mass of popular and juvenile Christian literature, in which the national genius fairy tales
is
Instead of those
reflected as in a mirror.
which repel one by
their nonsensical character, or
of those novels which rouse one's indignation by their immorality,
you have immortal works such
or Uncle Tonis Cabin^
—writings
as Robinson Crusoe
for all ages, for all classes
of society, calculated to charm every succeeding generation. Or, in a humbler rank, you have narratives such as those
now
offered to the reader,
faith
and human sympathy, impregnated with
drawn from the
living sources of all
the tender-
ness of the family circle, addressed to and understood by all,
but more especially by children and by unsophisticated
readers. I
This
is
and popular
the juvenile
my
cannot but covet on behalf of
tomed
as she
is
for
two centuries
literature
which
native land, accus-
to reign over
Europe
in
the empire of mind, thanks to her immortal phalanx of great writers, to
whom
one
art
alone
is
lacking, that of
speaking to the young and the popular mind, and of reaching I
this
it
by frequent appeals
to the heart.
have hitherto dwelt on the tender and childlike side of work.
more
I
must not conclude without saying a word on
serious character,
little tales.
attention,
This
and on
it
on the
its
really historical value of these
was which
first
this side I believe,
peculiarly attracted
my
dear reader, they will
be found not unworthy to engage yours.
You
will find,
XV
Preface.
along with a profound acquaintance with Alsace and her ancient chronicles, a page,
hereby added
full
of glory yet hitherto inedited,
to that History of the Reformation to which
each century and each people must contribute quota,
—which
own
must be evermore continued, never com-
The
pleted here below.
mind a
its
authoress has formed in her
certain ideal, both religious
and
own
historical, of the
annals of the Reformation, which she seeks to work out by availing herself of the old legends of her native country,
only supplying by fancy that detail which historic narrative leaves blank.
In these
stories,
apparently detached and independent of
one another, we may discern a secret plan which binds them together, betrayed
all
by the re-appearance of the same per-
sonages in altered positions and at different ages.
endeavour
in a
few words to draw an outline of
this
I shall
general
framework of the whole, that the author's object and idea
may be '
better understood.
The ManiLscript of Father Aniulph'^ forms but a species
of prologue, detached from the work, but for,
and leading us on to
one of those ancient life
It
first
castles of Alsace,
Part of the
first
beincj omitted in the
;
there
it
preparing us
introduces us into
and
of a noble family of the middle ages
Benedictine cloister ^
it.
into the ;
home
then into a
reveals to us the secret pre-
tale, 'Uncle Balthasar's Relic,'— the other part French translation.
xvi
Preface.
occupations of a pure soul, in earnest about
about the holy gospel, which, so long
found again, four centuries the
later,
lost,
its
was
be as
it
and
were
We see
by Martin Luther.
germs of the Reformation deposited
first
vocation,
to
in the depths
of this monastery, in the shape of the controversy of the
Immaculate Conception, a more serious controversy than might
at
first
sight
be imagined, between two orders, of
which one, the Benedictines, represents science and
— the
other, the Franciscans, ignorance
however '
Little
it
piety,
and fanaticism, not
to the exclusion of ability in worldly affairs.
Mat;
'
The Tower of
and
St. Steplwi's^
'
Crooked-
Beak; are ingeniously devised entablatures, destined to place in bold relief the early scenes of the Reformation,
with that twofold character of simple naivete and of mental conflict
In
'
which marks
its first
The Ministers of
steps
on the
soil
of Germany.
the JVord' the author introduces us
to the ver)^ heart of her subject,
and German Protestantism
showing us
at large
had
entering into peaceful possession of their
all
that Alsace
to suffer before faith.
One
feels
penetrated with respect and pity as one enters the humble
parsonage of Matthew Zell (the yore), in jail
and
which the persecuted of
and the
stake, find a refuge,
^
littie
Mat'
all lands,
of days of
fleeing
from the
and share a common
faith
its trials.
In
'
Spitzi' the interest
striking as to rise
still
grows, and the scene
even to the dramatic.
It
is
is
so
a fine and
Preface.
xvii
'
who only
touching creation, that of the poor pastor forth from his obscurity to
that
humble heroism of
martyrdom
A
faith
which leads him to regard
one of the functions of
as
century has elapsed
—the
his ministry
!
heroic age of the Reformers
With the baptism of blood of the Thirty
has passed away.
Years' War, liberty of conscience has been gained of arms, at the expense of
Protestantism in face the light of
longer
many
Germany can day
been extinguished, courage.
!
But since the
faith
many
lives lost,
at last
hold up
fires
the Church the gospel.
head and
well as
as
soil,
—no
by the blood of the martyrs, the seed of
Germany needs
!
force
of the stake have
waxed languid
has
by
tears shed.
its
Already Rationalism germinates in that
fertilized
issues
go to the martyr's death, with
a
new Luther
Nevertheless the old faith of
to restore to
it
early days
is
its
preserved in some remote valleys of Alsace, and 'Master Nicholas' shows us in the workshop of the aged cooper
Here we may
see
the hidden germs of Pietism in that pious childhood
of
the
dawn of a new
opener, as in like
religious awakening.
manner we
see the grand traditions of
Luther yet living and breathing
in that
manly and
original
conception, the master-cooper of Ribeauville. Finally, in
'
with Christian
The
Forest-House'' the author's
sympathy another of the sore wounds of
poor Alsace, one which liberty herself has I
mean
hand touches
failed to heal.
the religious condition of the Jews in that land.
Preface.
xviii
where they feared,
are,
more
by
a
hated and
so richly
more
The
other part of France. his little daughter
Leah
paradox,
strange
than in
influential
old
once more
at
colporteur
Simeon and
afford striking types of that race,
endowed with Heaven's
which, bowing under
gifts,
the weight of the Divine sentence, turned
away from the
things of heaven to look only at those of earth
and prostrate
tians,
race,
now no
religion will
a fallen
;
save
left
its
remind Chris-
notwithstanding their prejudices (which often, alas
seem but too fied), that
'
well founded, or at least
salvation
their misdeeds,
the
having
This affecting narrative
nationality.
any
is
more
or less justi-
of the Jews,' and that, in spite of
we ought
to
behold
in
them
'
!
all
our fathers in
faith.'
RossEEUW Saint-Hilatre. Versailles, December 1S67.
While gratefully acknowledging Professor RosseeuwSaintHilaire's great kindness in permitting the translation of his
beautiful preface to be prefixed to this volume^
which adds to the French
edition,
^
—a
Legeiides de
preface
r Alsace,'
not only the prestige of his distinguished name, but also an intrinsic value
and
interest, as well as the
authority in historic literature,
—
imprimatur of an
the English translator has
xix
Preface. only to call the reader's attention to the fact that Coat,' *
The Fur
published in the original only very shortly before the
Legendes
last,
'
'
appeared, and therefore here unavoidably placed
ought chronologically to stand immediately after
'
The
Miiiisiers of the Word.'
Professor
Rosseeuw
Saint-Hilaire's translation contains
only a selection from the Strasburg Tracts,
—
not, as
he has
himself stated, owing to any partiality in his appreciation of the authoress's -writings, but to reasons applicable to the
French public alone, and of which he competent judge.
nay
feels
The
is
certainly the
most
English translator ventures to hope,
confident, that those tales which here complete
the series, will, in Great Britain, be read with an interest
not inferior to that inspired by those alluded to in the
French Preface.
—
—
!
UNCLE BALTHASAR'S EXTRACTED FROM
*
We
One Lord, one
HIS PAPERS.
one baptism.'
faith,
RELIC.
Eph.
iv. 5.
here at once usher our readers into the Reign of
when Robespierre's bloody yoke was heavily kingdom of France, and his
Terror,
pressing the unfortunate
opac-
complice Schneider was perambulating our beautiful Alsace with the guillotine, like a pedlar with his wares that time the
;
only at
bargains were for property and blood, for
our heads and for our
lives.
Not long since, the famous The Convention decrees that
decree
had been
there
a Supreme Being,' to which our blind poet Pfeffel
is
issued,
'
replied with his characteristic satire *
Thou,
clear
The dictum
Lord God,
art
now
again allow'd to be
power amid the Franks. To Paris straight an angel embassy must come. To bring from Heav'n th' Almighty's humble thanks It
was
this of sov'reign
for every
one a time of fear and anxiety
breathed heavily, as in the sultry der-storm
;
' !
and however
air
patriotic
;
we
which precedes a thun-
we were
in Strasburg, yet
the wish was brooded over, especially by us young people, to shake off the
bloody yoke, and to overthrow the
tyrant.
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
2
Our older
who were more prudent than we young
friends,
hot-headed fellows, advised us to take a journey on foot during the Whitsun holidays. gau, to I
was
Pfirt,
It
to be into the Sund-
had not seen
my beloved bride, whom whom I would so gladly
long time, and
for a
have brought home very soon to be the
my
But
house.
in
shook under our swallow us up, his
to Basle.
to go, however, a stage further, to dear Zurich, to
Father Lavater, and to Frederica I
was
and thence over the Jura mountains
faithful mistress of
those dreadful days,
a rich
when
the ground
and threatened every moment to
feet,
man
could scarcely think of building
house and of establishing his own
fireside, far less I,
since I never possessed either gold or silver.
The
prodigious power of steam was at that time
known, and a journey from Strasburg
still
un-
to Basle, even without
going the roundabout way of the Jura mountains, was considered such an undertaking as could not be begun without a formal farewell of the whole family. little
I
had fastened
knapsack, and for the ease of mind of
my good
my
sister
Selma, and as the best passport in those times, had placed the red Jacobite cap
upon
my head for any He had been came.
upon
packet of
'
assignats'
it,
which
I
would not have worn
money, when at
and a
fled to the monaster)^ of
my
letter for
M.
Luppach, near
Theobald had met M"^^
cousin Theobald
and brought
Diedel,
St.
Delille at St.
Delille, Pfirt.
Diedel,
m^
a
who had
My
cousin
and had
promised her that he would send the money and the letter safely to
him the favour
her husband. ;
but to deliver
I
would
letters to
willingly
have done
emigrants was then
Uncle BaltJiasar's Relic. a state crime, and called me,
'
I,
3
hero of the quill/ as
had not the courage
to take such
my
companions
dangerous goods
Selma suggested the idea of sewing the
with me.
in the lining of
my
would look
for
My
it.
proposed idea, and
Jacobite cap, where certainly
letter
no one
cousin was quite in ecstasy at the
I, noletis
volens^
Our journey was favoured with
The
during the Whitsun holidays.
promising a rich harvest of
was obliged
to agree to
the finest weather. trees
fruit.
were in
full
The corn and
It
it.
was
blossom, the vines
were growing luxuriantly, and the beautiful blue sky was
on the prosperous
smiling hearts
it
was
But
plains.
otherwise
far
— anxious
in
poor human
fears,
suspicions,
anguish and pain on the one hand, and on the other bold
and barbarous covetousness.
defiance, wild licentiousness,
At Mulhausen, which Confederation, soldiers,
front of
and
his
Some
and
at that
which
time belonged to the Swiss
was
surrounded
we saw the guillotine erected on the the Crown Inn and we were told ;
companions were then seated
by French
little
square in
that Schneider
at the table at dinner.
inhabitants of the town were silently surrounding the
newly invented
which they contemplated with a
scaffold,
kind of curious awe
;
but one saw by the
determined
countenances of these people of the Sundgau that they felt
themselves to be
inclined to
bend
free,
their
still
and that they were by no means
We
necks to the bloody yoke.
heard that Schneider was going to Altkirch, where he would arrive before the evening,
took
hoped
away for,
all
our
and remain some
appetite
for
the
and though we had intended
good
time.
That
dinner
we
to rest ourselves in
— !
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
4 the it
'
as quickly as
be
if
noticed, I
it
now we hastened away from
old Swiss town, yet
little
we had
wings, by the nearest gate
was foremost
cealed letter caused
me
in the flight
—
to sweat with anguish,
and
\
for the con-
and
it
burned
my back. While I was thus runquickly in advance, my red Jacobite cap dangled so ning so comically round my knapsack that one of my companions, to tease me, shouted after me Pfeffel's verse like
glowing coals upon
'
coward cap how Ensign Hare back his colours bright lets fly His lady friends in glee too well aware 'Tis there most sure to meet the foeman's eye See on
Aye
his
to the
—
At
last
we made
into contact
with
None
a halt.
!
come
of us wished to
Schneider and his improvised
'
com-
Some advised us to return, we should have met Schneider, and probably fallen hands. Some wished to go direct to Basle, and
mittees of the public safety.'
but thus into his
give
up the Jura mountains, but they were the great object
of the
little
journey.
But
at that
moment
a large waggon
with two strong horses coming up, the driver, a good-natured peasant, offered to take us to Altkirch.
From
a distance of less than three hours to Pfirt.
good, and moreover there was moonlight, so reach Pfirt quite comfortably
;
thence
it
was
The road was that we could
and the next morning
it
was
arranged that we should see the castle and the neighbour-
hood, and then take our wished-for *
And
thasar's flight,' cried out
No
flight to
the mountains.
the cuckoo's pursuit will not equal the rapidity of Bal-
one of
sooner said than done.
my merry companions
We
drove to Altkirch
again. ;
there
Uncle Balthasar's Relic.
5.
took a guide, went through a very beautiful
forest,
and
reached the old residence of the once powerful Counts of Pfirt,
to
We
at nine o'clock in the evening, tired to death.
put up at the Bull Inn, kept by a citizen
whom
I
was to give the
The
Delille.
letter
and the
assignats for
intelligence of Schneider's arrival at Altkirch
had spread general consternation, even
mountain
named Vogelweid,
village,
and on our
besieged with questions.
We
in the peaceful little
we were immediately
arrival
were obliged to relate when
and where we had met him, and what we had heard of In the confusion around
plans.
and the unfortunate
letter to Delille
In vain
a millstone.
me
I
I
weighed
me down
sion
:
in the parlour,
and so taken up with him.
like
sought to speak to the landlord of
the Bull privately, in order to acquit myself of
he was
his
was very uneasy,
surrounded by so
their claims, that I
During the whole night
I
my
commis-
many
people,
could not get near
was dreaming of Schneider,
of hatchets and of the guillotine, and more than once started
up very much frightened.
companions were
still
all
asleep
I rose
when
early,
and
I
my
I slipped noiselessly
out of the large room, where a night's lodging had been pre-
pared for us on fresh straw. '
decade
'
had happily
ing was remarkably
fallen
Silence reigned without.
The
on a Sunday, and the morn-
fine.
Hastily I passed through the stone gate, and over the
portentous
drawbridge of the old baronial
occupied with the best get rid of
letter,
castle,
and with the thought how
I
only
could
it.
But above, on the
castle height, the finest point of our
6
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
beautiful Alsace, in the pure fresh
morning
my
and the
trouble, the letter, Schneider,
soon forgot
air, I
The
guillotine.
glorious prospect, the quiet solemnity of the Sabbath, which
seemed
to
come down
in blessing
to the fruitful land below, as
it
from the azure sky above
my
lay spread out at
feet in
the loveliest garb of spring, between the range of the Vosges
and the Rhine and distant Black Forest,
mind
heart and
to
Him whose
the morning' (Hosea
We on
'
it
was
prepared as
is
vi. 3).
had no longer any Sunday
this height,
in
poor France
;
but here,
really a primeval Sabbath, such as that
must have been on which Christ rose triumphant
Down
grave.
laid a
after
he had performed his
me, in
an apparition of bygone ages.
hand, reading devoutly in his
me
when
the
Above, not
far
from
Inn on a mossy stone, rosary little
book of
That
prayers.
in
him, for in those days of bold
little
flock of the faithful were obliged
confidence
infidelity,
forest, at
then he vanished under the
;
sat the landlord of the Bull
gave
castle,
orisons,
first
nosegay of fresh flowers, gathered from the
the foot of the stone cross ruins, like
o'er the
below, in the ruined chapel of the
monk, who,
knelt a
my
raised
all
going forth
conceal themselves, the right hand of fellowship was
to
stretched out to Christians of whatever name,
was the token of recognition,
among and
the early Christians.
told
him
at
once that
I
like I
and prayer
the sign of the Cross
approached the landlord,
had been directed
to
him
in
order to deliver a commission for Mr. Delille. '
Ah
!
for
for several
Mr. Delille
weeks
in
?
Yes, he has been
the monastery of
Luppach
living ;
here
but yester-
Ujicle BaltJiasars Relic,
day
7
got wind that the red gang was approaching Alt-
it
kirch,
<
and thereupon he went
'
Is that far
'
A
from here
good walker can reach
Mr. Dehlle infernal
safe
is
machine
up
to Blochmont.'
'
%
two or three hours
in
it
but
;
and the executioners with
there,
their
not mount up thither as long as the
will
good people of the Sundgau have
Rely upon
fists.
that,
citizen.'
I
my '
took the packet of assignats and the red cap out of pocket.
Here
is
letter for
money,'
Mr.
The money
letter stay
now-a-days, and
send with
cap a
in the lining of the
the kindness to
has cost
my
all
heart, but let the
Letters are dangerous goods
citizen.
it is, it
and
Blochmont, citizen Vogelweidl'
at
I will
where
'
Would you have
Delille.
send both to him *
I said,
many
a one his
who has
life
taken charge of them.' *
But what must
then
I
do
with
it ?
cannot be
I
burdened, as with a guilty conscience, during the entire journey,' exclaimed ^
No, certainly
above who
is
panions, and it
me I
in
almost in despair.
I,
not.
I
take
will
for there
it,
more powerful than Schneider and
He
is
here, in God's
the
Lord and Master of us
name, and
it
will
not
come
is
his
all.
take the letter from
its
Give
to grief
was proceeding to draw the thread out of the order to
One com-
hiding-place,
lining,
when
suddenly we heard the sound of noisy voices ascending the
mountain, and in a the whole
swarm of
trice
my
we saw
ourselves surrounded
by
companions, and by several inhabi-
8
Balthasars
Uficle
tants of Piirt,
my
and with lightning speed
pocketed
I again
There was a perfect Babel of confusion
red cap.
town below, they informed us
little
Relic.
;
every
moment
from Altkirch and the neighbourhood were
in the
fugitives
arriving.
Some
wished to go to Blochmont, others over the mountains into Switzerland, and others wished to remain in concealment at
to
and aid from the
All desired counsel
Pfirt.
lord of the Bull
know
my
;
the quickest
friends also turned to
way of
and of reaching Mariastein was certainly confidence
gallant land-
him and wished
getting out of this mouse-trap,
in safety,
in his
e?i
route to Basle.
Lord and Master,
to
It
whom
he had just been praying, that had given to the landlord of the Bull a peace
and security which astonished me.
With
almost the bearing of a king, he stood in the midst of the anxiously embarrassed countenances around him. '
Only keep quiet and
with you and
all will
see what
is
gentlemen of Strasbourg, will
to
go
well.
be done.
I say,
for
you there
enough of the tery of
therefore,
;
castle rock,
Luppach
;
I will
go down
you, young
however, that the Bull Inn
no longer hold you, and moreover
pleasant
I will
To it
would not be
when you have seen
go down below into the monas-
send you your dinner there, and
then immediately afterwards you can set out on the way to Mariastein.'
He
whispered to
me
as
we were going away,
*
When
you
reach the monastery give the letter to Brother Wendelin.'
To
Brother Wendelin!
But surely there was no
soul in the deserted cloisters of the monastery,
our footsteps and the song of
my
living
where only
friends resounded.
'
Uncle Balthasars Relic.
The most courageous among uneasy, and therefore
9
us had begun to feel rather
some of our party had
struck
rock patriotic songs which were
castle
vogue.
Secular songs, as well as sacred, exercise an
song
irresis-
Secular songs intoxicate like stimulants
tible influence.
sacred
up
then in
on the
elevates,
and calms the mind,
attunes,
;
as
pure clear spring-water refreshes and revives our wearied
My
limbs.
companions had been singing
They stormed
were more vociferous now.
lustily,
in
and made many very unseemly jokes on what they
cells,
At
found in them.
last
they came to a locked door, and
having for some time shaken and battered
after
and
empty
the
they were about to force,
when
all at
make
the attempt to break
monk
figure of a
once the
it
it
in vain,
in
by main
glided noise-
lessly
from a concealed side-door, and quickly vanished
again
like
a shadow into the
exclaimed the wild youths,
'
dark passages.
stand
still,
'
Halt
!
and give an account
of whence you come,' and on they went, in closed ranks, singing the air of the Marseillaise,
'
To
arms, citizens
your battalions,' in pursuit of the poor monk, several passages,
led
and then down a steep winding
to the crypt of the
brotherhood encircled
monastery.
the
chests built into the walls,
black iron door.
and the
skulls
first
crypt
;
The
—form
through
stair
which
graves of the
they resembled
small
and each secured by a small
Many were
standing open and empty,
and bones of the dead, which were lying
around, sufficiently proved
how
the barbarous Vandalism of
the Revolution spared not even this quiet habitation of the
dead.
In this dreadful place
we found
the
monk, deadly
—
'
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
10
pale and motionless, standing before a door, which, as
I
afterwards learned, led to the mortuary chapel.
The
*
fellow stands there for
my
growled one of foremost, but reserve corps
;
the world like a statue,'
all
companions, who hitherto had been
who now, visibly alarmed, followed in the and now again the most courageous stepped
forward,
and sang, or rather screamed, amid peals
laughter,
'
arrive' and they so assailed the poor
down, dropping a
black box and a
little
concealed under his cowl, at the feet of
At
he looked
first
him
The been made so,
me
that he sank
skull,
which he had
this
with terror, but
giddy crew.
arms round him.
when
I
nodded
to
a friendly way, he answered with a grateful, pathetic
in
skull
smile.
do
at
monk
my
hastened to him, and put both
I
of
enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire est
AlloJis,
and
of
it,
was now picked but
up,
and game would have
somehow my companions could not all expressed some degree of
countenances
their
perplexity. ^
What kind
causes
Let
me
*
Yes
—
got between
it is
%
'
its
teeth,
which
asked one of them.
cried another.
see,'
thasar must
I
it
to grin at us so wrathfully
it
*
among
of a ticket has
in Latin,
translate
and that
it
I
do not understand.
for us, for
he
is
Bal-
the only student
us.'
took the ticket and read '
They
all
raising the
:
As thou art now, so once was As I am now, thou soon shalt
I,
be.
remained as quiet as mice, and, while
box from the ground, and replacing a
I
was
thick roll
1
Uncle Balthasars Relic, of parchment which had fallen out of
1
my
it,
brave com-
panions went out of the vault noiselessly, and I was
With great
alone with the monk.
him
left
difficulty I got out of
was Brother Wendelin, and had remained
that he
in
the service of M.'Delille in the monastery, while the other
monks had for
all
escaped to Mariastein.
He
had taken us
Schneider and his companions, and had therefore fled
He
in such terror.
come, and
felt
had
also
beHeved that
hour had
his last
would prefer dying beside the holy
that he
relics
of the monastery, because he would then hope with
more
certainty to have an interest in the intercessions of
no longer had any
the saints, although he since the world,
come
He
to
and even
me
all this to
overflowing thankfulness
him he fancied
that I
guillotine,
visions of
—
with
many
digressions,
could say to
for in spite of all I
which he had never seen, and wonderful In the mor-
which had taken possession of him.
now conducted me,
good Wen-
the
had secreted the pictures of the Virgin and the
together with the relics of the monastery, and
throughout a strange and motley appearance. glass
and with
had saved him from Schneider, and also
tuary chapel, whither he delin
fear of death,
beloved monastery, had be-
him no better than purgatory.
related
from the
his]
coffins,
in
which were
lying,
of each.
although Brother Wendelin related to
He showed me
cross, the staff of
many
presented
There were
on half-decayed
cushions, the entire skeletons of different saints I forget,
it
Saints,
also a piece of the
satin
whose names
me the
wood
legends
of the true
a pilgrim, rosaries, and other things,
which the Crusaders had brought from the Holy Sepulchre,
2
—
'
Balthasars
Uiiclc
1
Relic.
and which had possessed miraculous power.
But
was now a thing of the
atheistically
And
that
little
under your arm
It
It
had been
all
that
by these wanton and sacrilegious robbers.
violated *
past.
black box which you carry so carefully
— what
my own
is its
history
It is
'
Is this the skull of a saint?'
'
I
am
relic
;
it
V
does not belong to the monastery.'
'
not able to say what poor soul once dwelt in
it.
always stood, however, together with the label which you
translated to-day into
therefore I prize
it
German, on Father Hugo's
table,
and
so highly.'
'
Who
was
this
Father
'
Truth to
tell,
he was a Benedictine, and therefore did
Hugo
?
not belong to us, as we are of the holy Franciscan order or rather were, for there
is
nothing
left
of us now,' he added,
with a deep sigh.
'What made him come '
He came
to
Luppach?'
over from Mariastein, where he could not
agree with the Fathers on the subject of the mother of God,
who
worshipped there, and to
is
grimage
;
from our less
whom
so
many go on
pil-
and though he experienced much harsh treatment prelate,
and from him of Mariastein, he neverthe-
remained steadfast
in his opinion, that
God
alone must
be worshipped.' '
'
He He
knew
was then a Jansenist perhaps V was not so
really,
but very
every flower, herb and
much
of that sort.
blade of grass
;
He
and when
the
box and
his
spring came, he sallied forth with a large tin
Alpenstock, and said to me, " Now, Brother Wendelin, shake
3
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic. off the dust
from your
mountains.
We
will
feet,
1
and come up to the beloved
He
go and botanize together."
was
a botanist, and the large folios in which he kept his dried plants he called his herbarium;
name
and he knew not only the
of every plant, but also the particular property with
which God had endowed
it,
and
could apply some healing herb. suffering he has cured,
only
known
to
One
every bad accident he
in
Yes, and the amount of
and the pain he has soothed, are
above, and to myself
who always accom-
panied him in his wanderings, when, in spite of wind and weather, he climbed up the mountains to seek remedies for his
poor
patients.'
The monk was
as
if
transfigured
;
animated, and an expression of deep feeling his death-like glassy eyes, so that I
became beamed from
his rigid face
contemplated him with
amazement. During the conversation we had seated ourselves on the bier,
us,
and when
and then
I
at the
involuntarily of a saith the
looked
first
at the dried-up
countenance of passage
in
bones around
my companion,
Ezekiel
xxxvii.
Lord God unto these bones, Behold,
breath to enter into you, and ye shall
5
I
thought
:
I will
'
Thus cause
live.'
Brother Wendelin however continued
:
'
And
the tending
of fruit-trees he understood like no one else in the country.
He
brought our espalier apples and pears to a
of real magnificence ate
when
;
and the peaches
I say that they
brought a great deal of persons
I
were as large as
money
of rank in the
!
point
do not exagger-
my
fist.
This
to the monastery, for all the
neighbourhood and from Basle
4
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
1
bought
And
their fruit of us.
flowers in our garden
flowers
yes, dear
!
Hugo's auriculas and pinks were remarkably
Father
!
beautiful,
and
and monasteries wished
the gentlemen, gardeners,
all
we had
sir,
as fair as those in Paradise
to
have some of them. So he carried on a brisk trade with the
monks of Upper Baden and every autumn I have taken many a load of cuttings thither, and then have brought some from Baden back to our monastery.' ;
'
You were
of Father
then
very fond
Hugo, Brother
Wendelinr ^
And how
could
it
be otherwise
appeared in spring, he would say Wendelin, and
let
:
the
warm sun
"Bestir thee, Brother
and when
I
had done
so, yes,
was a pleasure to see the tiny green leaves unfold them-
and the tender buds
selves,
"
When
]
me
us carry out our beautiful pots of auricula
into the dear, bright sun ;" it
to
Thank
And
now we
Hugo came
before Father
just like
raising their heads, as
you. Brother Wendelin,
the
knew nought
if
to say
to our monastery, I
auriculas in winter
—
in a
:
are indeed glad."
dark
cellar,
was
and
I
save the sweeping of cloisters and the per-
forming of church services, and was always fearful and anxious.
I
was
afraid of the
before His Holy Sacrament
Hugo seem and a
said to me, to regard the tyrant,
you with
Hugo
!
all
for
"What
Lord our God, and
like is
an aspen
He
is
His heart."
I
trembled
But Father
the meaning of this?
Lord our God
and yet
leaf.
as
if
He were
a cruel
You man
your merciful Father, who loves "
Ah
!
that cannot be. Father
no human being has ever loved poor Wendelin
since he has
been
in this
world
— not
even his father and
— 5
'
Uncle Balthasar s Relic. mother, for as a
little
I
never
child
knew them, and came
and
;
1
^
to the
monastery
Lord of heaven and earth
that the
should love me, the chief of sinners
—
no, Father
Hugo,
that
" Listen, Brother Wendelin, do you think
is
impossible "
if
we always allowed our
!
auriculas to remain in the cellar,
and never brought them out into the warm sun of God's heaven, that
air
and
poor soul does not perish but carry
and looked
Then Father Hugo
voice as tender as
if it
then took out of that
how
book of
German how He and
Oh
is !
!
the Gospel, ;
—how
see that your
of your slavish
seized
man
I
could carry his
therefore half-wonder-
my
hand, and, with a
black box
I
(it
— and,
:
He
Brother Wendelin."
always stood on let
me
see,
remember, he called
and translated some of
it
for
what
it
me
the into
gracious and tender the Lord Jesus was
loved poor sinners
—how He
now
appears for us,
our Advocate before God's holy judgment-throne.
dear
that
sir,
and when again I
a
him
parchment
Oh now
it ?
at
soul,
little
his table) a thick roll of
did he call
cell
had come from heaven, he said
the sun of the
is
dark
out into the bright sun of heaven."
it
soul into the sun,
"Love
"Then
sun."
in the
did not, however, understand
ingly.
fra-
" No, Father Hugo, their growth would certainly
"
%
be stopped without
fear,
free
produce such exquisitely tinted
and that they would afford such delicious
flowers,
grance
they would
my
ears,
anxious and overpowered with
fear,
fell
I felt
like
heavenly music on
derived comfort from that beautiful verse which Father
Hugo made me
learn
by heart
than
man
lay
this, that
a
down
:
"Greater love hath no
his life for his friends."
man
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
1
Here
good Wendelin folded
the
down
rolled slowly
childlike fervour,
his
Ah
'
!
his hands, a large tear
haggard cheeks, and he
Lord
how could
Jesus,
said, I
with
so have
forgotten, during this reign of terror, that out of love to
me Thou
didst die
Deeply moved,
good
*
Never have
hand of the
own.
He looked
I
so cheered since Father Hugo's death,
felt
into your custody to the
Your
!
;
?
—
for the
What
!
little
Lord our God has
good
me
black box
certainly sent
for that purpose.
you thinking
are
heart
But you must do
patiently.
Will you kindly take this
Brother
of,
Wen-
you must keep them yourself
do take them, dear
The book
my
you have done
monastery expressly
relics
No
delin?
Oh
my
truly
one more favour.
'
in
How
and you have listened so
'
warmly
it
for a long time in silence, then with a friendly smile
exclaimed,
you
cross?'
seized the cold, withered
and pressed
brother,
me
at
upon the I
sir,
containing the Gospel
I
beg and pray of you.
is
written in Latin, with
which you must be well acquainted, and
any one who can read
it
into
German
for
I
have no longer
me
;
and there are
besides beautiful stories about the former generation of the
noble counts of to me,
whom whom
Pfirt.
Hugo has me about a
Father
and he has also told
often related
them
Benedictine monk,
he rejoiced in the prospect of meeting in heaven, and
he would immediately seek out on entering his
Now
eternal rest. lived to see
all
is
with him, and, thank God, has not
the troubles of our time.'
*
How
'
Just five years.
long
he
is it
since he died?
To-day
is
the anniversary of his death
;
Uncle Balthasars Relic. and when,
my
in
mortal
me
as
come
if
to
me
you raised
fright,
from the ground, and looked
1
me
at
so gently
so kindly,
it
was to
my dear Father Hugo, grown young again, had my assistance from heaven. In his last hours he
was continually pointing
to the httle black box, as
if
he
wished to say something to me, which unfortimately I could
make
not
After his death I took
out.
cealed, because I
was always
it,
in dread lest
and kept it
it
con-
should contain
something which might lead people to accuse him even his grave
—
Therefore
poor Father
for
soon depart hence, and die to *
know
that
it is
Hallo, Balthasar
Dinner
We
is
!
'
ready
rose.
possible to
With
a great deal.
it
be a comfort to
will
exclaimed one of stair
'
;
why
are
my
I
M.
all
I
friends from
light of day.
!'
quietly took the letter out of the red cap, to let
it
be despatched as soon as
Delille.
my
heart,' replied he, placing the letter in his
bosom, and pressing the black box into significant
I shall
me when
you hiding yourself?
from that musty vault to the clear
and begged the monk
'
suffered
in your hands.'
above on the winding
Come up
Hugo
beg of you to take the box with you.
I
in
and beseeching
my
hands with a
gesture.
Brother Wendelin became quite lively and talkative, even with
my wild
companions.
He waited
upon us
accompanied us afterwards over the ridge to Mariastein.
chest in
my
emotion and
While we were
knapsack, and
it
eating,
and
as far as the road
he packed the black
was not without hearts
tears in our eyes that
B
at dinner,
full
of
we bade each other farewell.
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
1
At Basle was
in
I
found
letters
the lovely banks of the clear
My
from Zurich.
Upper Baden, and begged me
Limma
Frederica
to join her there.
me
she helped
On
to look
With holy awe, we un-
through the contents of the chest.
folded the yellow, almost worn-out leaves of the Testament,
and transcribed from the Vulgate.
written in a very neat hand,
Two
old manuscripts, also in the Latin tongue, interested
The
uncommonly.
was written
first
by Father Arnulph, and another Benedict.
leisure, I
have them
made me promise
would
'
Oh
!
'
said Frederica,
'
hovv
at the record of these noble
Lord, one Avho
of
all,
In
Him we
German, and
the
in
Word
bond of
it
is
faith,
above
of
men love,
one's heart to look
How
!
closely are
which embraces
Enoch
all
own
to our
we the
times
!
one baptism, one God and Father
all,
and through
all,
and
in us all?"
and
!'
Brother Wendelin, of the hero of our
prepared for him a very pretty
warms
are all one in holy fellowship, here below
there above
become
into
mind, which had honestly
children of God, from Abel and
One
them
translate
in faith in Jesus Christ.
united to them by the
'^
who was when I had
that,
had found peace
struggled after truth, and
God, and
by Brother
Father Hugo's diary gave us a deep
printed.
into a very beautiful
insight
at a later period
related their contents to Frederica,
I
so fascinated that she
time and
me
in the twelfth century
little
little
whom
little
I
had much to
company
at
agreeable surprise.
purse, into
tell,
had
Baden. Frederica
She knitted a
which every one of the company
put his mite, and the wealthy several dollars the monastery where Wendelin was
still
had
;
then, from in
remem-
Uncle Balthasar's Relic.
19
brance, flowers were bought, and packed in a large box,
Baden bonbons and
besides
A
delicacies.
and
her,
to deliver
as
happy
how much chest,
which
better is
become my beloved till
later,
and
been
and the packing,
silver,
and pictures of saints, has
and
me
to
a holy sepulchre,
and most lovely memories.
happy, and with a heart
weeks
it,
all
of ebony lined with
scrolls
relic,
had
the great morning of the resurrection, I have
my fondest
confided
We
to give than to receive.
is
it
made
and adorned with wonderful
to which,
to receive
as children during the purchasing
felt
The black since
him
Wendelin.
lines for Brother
added a few and we
in safety to the landlord of the Bull
it
the latter to ask
I wrote to
Inn.
kinds of sweetmeats and
all
lady from Basle offered to take the box with
my
full
Baden
I left
of early love and hope
a few
:
Frederica died of a low fever, and the Lord
then said to me, 'Thou shalt go through
life
alone.'
The same day that I received Frederica's papers from Zurich, a letter came from Father Lavater, and another from the landlord of the Bull at follows '
Pfirt.
I will give
them both
as
:
Among the
heavy
afflictions
deeply-tried Balthasar, one
is,
which
lie
upon me, my dear
that I cannot fly to
you
in
person, instead of sending a few lines of brotherly consolation
and
heartfelt I
say.
my
sympathy.
I felt
was ashamed that
I
your sad
loss, that I
can truly
could do absolutely nothing for
friend under so afflictive an event.
My
may
heart's desire
Ah
!
what should we be without these touchings of God's hand
]
and prayer Daily do that
I
is,
that God's healing finger
feel this
happens
to us
more deeply.
touch you.
May we
in everything
be led to recognise God's love comfort-
20
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
ing us from on high
Dear brother
!
where you do not see
and
;
in
the Lord, believe
this fiery trial
let
be to you a
pledge and seal of sweet and heavenly consolation
and
Amen
!
John Caspar Lavater.
!
In great haste.'
'
'
Amen
Greeting to you, Citizen Balthasar, *
hereby inform you that we
I
Brother Wendelin.
He
had desired
remembered
and
to
to you,
the benefits bestowed
morning buried
be most kindly
to
much
thank you very
for all
They The money came
upon him from Upper Baden.
were a source of great pleasure to him. at
this
an acceptable time, as thereby we were able to nurse him
well during his illness,
and
early yesterday he spoke to lord,
me
to let
me
him want
for
nothing
unreservedly, and said,
;
and
"Land-
send some one to Mariastein; a brother must come to
Holy Sacrament,
with the
night Father
Hugo
Wendelin, shake
up with me
for I shall very
appeared to
me and
into Paradise,
than on our mountains
;'
said,
from your
off the last dust
where much
soon '
die.
Last
Now, Brother
feet,
and come
fairer flowers
bloom
" and then the Brother folded his
hands, and said with a loud voice, " Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ," to which
I,
without end. Amen."
Then
died in the fellow, *
name
it
The
for the pitcher
became me,
all
was very
!
grateful to
you
for the letter
cannot
only taken to the fountain
and the Lord our God
is
World
was indeed an honest
rule of red republicanism is
replied, "
was over with him, and he
He
of the Lord.
good Brother Wendelin
!vL Delille
money.
as
till it is
ever the Master of us
and the
last for ever,
all.
broken,
Uncle Balthasars Relic. '
hope you are
I
in
good
health,
again in more peaceful times to pitious circumstances than
was topsy-turvy.
—
I
2
and that you
Pfirt,
on that Sunday when everything
remain your obedient servant,
'VoGELWEiD, Landlord of the Bull Years have
now passed away
pilgrim's dress
go home.
will
laid aside,
is
I
come
will
and under more pro-
j
the day
Inn.'
declining
is
;
the
and soon the weary wanderer
have employed the quiet hours of
life's
eventide in carrying out Frederica's wish, and have translated both the Latin manuscripts.
I
have had neither the
courage nor the leisure to do so sooner translated
came
relics
young
my
them into
my
which
I
but after I had
;
ought to relate
how
those dear
hands, and in doing so I became quite
Those were
again.
life
I felt that I
certainly the happiest days of
spent in dear Baden beside
and the remembrance of them has been
my Frederica, my withered
for
warm spring sun was for Brother AVendelin's The withered leaves unfold and grow green
heart what the auriculas.
again, '
and the crushed bud of
Because
said,
I live,
ye shall live
life
also,'
and therefore there comes
uplifts its
bowed
head.
our Lord and Master has
to us animating as a vernal
breeze from across the grave, the sound of those words, Resurrection,
Here script.
— Re-union.
follows the translation of Father Arnulph's
The
second, by Brother Benedict, which
ing episode in the history of the Counts of later, if
the
Lord
will,
and our
life is
is
Pfirt, will
spared.
manu-
a fascinat-
appear
22
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
TRANSLATION OF THE LATIN MANUSCRIPT OF FATHER ARNULPH. Thy
Sanctify them through
Written a.d. 1175,
^^^
Thy Word
Truth,
is
Truth.'—John
Mo?iastery of Veldpach,^ by
^^^^
Brother Ar?iulph, of the holy Order of lately
Domestic Chaplain
to
St.
vie,
Benedict,
the noble Counts of Pfirt.
In the year a.d. 1144, Frederick the
First,
Count of Pfirt,
together with his consort the Countess Stephanie, and his
son Louis, the present reigning Count of monaster}^ of Veldpach, for the glory of
Pfirt,
founded the
God and
for the sal-
vation of their immortal souls, and by a deed authorized the venerable
monks
Abbot of Cluny
found there a colony of
to
of the holy Benedictine order, so that, under the
direction of a prior, they might serve
and do
upon
their parts
earth.
At
God without
distraction,
towards the extension of His kingdom
that time I
Ortlieb, Bishop of Basle,
was sent by the Right Reverend
from the cathedral school of that
town, where I had been a pupil, to the Fathers of Cluny in the monastery of Veldpach, divinity there,
in order that I
and especially that
I
might become familiar
with the writings of the Abbot of Clairvaux,
Bernard
;
and
I
noble Count Frederick the castle of Hohen-Pfirt.
Now
now
called St.
was subsequently received into the holy
Benedictine order, and later
^
might study
still,
First,
In this
called Feldbach, situated
during the lifetime of the
appointed chaplain of the
difficult
post
I
have neither
between Altkirch and
Pfirt.
Uncle Balthasar's Relic.
done anything,
said nor
in
my
public capacity, knowingly
could not answer at the Great
and
willingly, for
Day
before God's holy judgment-throne.
which
compelled on account of
I
23
my
am, however,
I
and of the
great weakness,
which always cleaves to me, to acknowledge that
in sight
sin
of
the Omniscient God, w^ho tries the heart and reins, I must
always stand as a great sinner
and while
;
I
was an inmate
of the baronial castle, I have often grievously sinned through anger, harsh
and unseemly words, and too severe judgments,
which may our merciful God not lay to
my charge,
but by His
grace forgive, for the sake of the merits of the blood of our crucified
Redeemer Jesus
ledgment of
sin, I will
venerable prior, relate of
my
Pfirt,
why and
wherefore
I will
of our monastery, so that our holy
the Apostles and '
among the archives order may not incur any
deposit the manuscript
suspicion of having denied our
Church,
was deprived
I
domestic chaplain to the noble Counts of
office as
and
After this sincere acknow-
Christ.
then, according to the wish of our
common
Martyrs, and the
faith, for
which
loved not their lives unto the death,'
— the
belief in
the holy Trinity, in the person of the Mediator, in the
by the shedding of
Christ's
Holy
common redemp-
Ghost, in the grace of God, and in our tion
faith
holy Fathers of our
blood on the cross ^
—
am ready to die, acknowledging it with my last breath before God and men Amen. The circumstances I am about to relate occurred during faith for
which
I
!
the administration of
my
In the beginning, that ^
is
holy office at the castle of to say as long as the old
Wilhelm, Abbot of
St.
Thierry,
1
139.
Pfirt.
Count
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
24
went on
lived, everything
the duty confided to
of the difterent
and
and
well,
me by God,
members of the noble
to the best of
my
was enabled
to
fulfil
and confessor
family, conscientiously,
Old Count Frederick was a
ability.
brave man, and he ruled
I
as the pastor
lands and in his house
in his
in a spirit of chivalry.
He
placed his son, the young Count Louis, under
management and a very feeble
and firmness of
nature
;
of his father's
or of his mother's impetuous
will,
and he preferred poring over books and hunting.
and he often
to
tilting,
This seriously displeased the Count,
said to me,
and do not make
my
however, had
latter,
without a grain
character,
ability
^v^estling,
The
instructions.
'
Rouse
that boy. Father Arnulph,
monk
either a soft fellow or a
of him, for
he must one day rule over a country and people, to defend them, and preserve them from
noble Lord,'
I
then replied
makes out of His
wood
clay what
* ;
He
all
;
the potter,
is
We
pleases.
into iron, nor clay into steel
'Yes, most
injustice.'
God
but
hence
cannot make a
I
young man
lion-hearted knight or a brave warrior of our since the
Lord our God has given him neither the
nor the power for
and
cannot change
;
taste
it.'
But we got on, nevertheless, with the help of God,
head and heart of the old Count were
for the
in the right place,
and the mind of the young Louis was open
to the reception
of the sacred truths of Christianity, and he was willing to
be led and instructed trembling reed, ately the
in the fear of
moved by
God
every breath
;
;
but he was a
and as unfortun-
wind always blew from two opposite quarters with
the
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
25
Count and Countess, and very often whirlwinds
fol-
lowed,
it
was frequently a hard case with the young Count,
especially
when
the hot, scorching wind of his mother in-
clined this trembling reed of a lust of the flesh,
our,
young soul towards the
sinful
towards luxury and haughtiness of demean-
and towards
riot, revellings,
and the
lust of the eye.
In course of time, Count Frederick asked the hand of the pretty son,
young Countess Richenda of Habsburg
and Count Louis was over head and ears
was transported
into the third
who had been brought
to
for his
in love,
and
heaven over the lovely maiden
him from
the
good lands of
Switzerland.
During the marriage
festivities at the castle there was
no end
of mirth and rejoicing, of singing and the sound of music. After the celebration of the wedding, however, ever)'-thing
resumed ess
its
ordinary course, and the two ladies, the Count-
Stephanie
and her daughter-in-law, were obliged
to
remain within bounds, and to behave most properly as long as the old
Count
lived.
The
latter
had the joy of seeing
two grandchildren come into the world, namely the dear Herzelande,
who was
comfort and joy; and hereditary
Count of
little
the apple of her grandsire's eye, his also the
Pfirt
little
boy Frederick, the
and Egisheim, who turned the
heads of both his mother and his grandmother, and they vied with each other in spoiling and mismanaging the child, so that he threatened to
could not prevent little
boy was
this,
still in
become an Absalom. The old Count unfortunately, as he died
when
the
swaddling clothes.
After his departure, and
when we had buried
the wearied
26
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
body, according to his wish, in the church of our monaster)^ at
Veldpach, then, by the
will of
God and
his
own
right, his
son Louis was to wear the Count's crown, and to be Lord of Pfirt and the surrounding lands.
He
sincerely desired
to tread in the footsteps of his deceased father,
fear of
God
to rule his lands
and people,
that he has a Master in heaven
respect of persons.
ever be said,
He
was so
mother and
*
The
craftily
—a
as
just Judge,
Of good Count Louis spirit
is
and
in the
one who knows
it
who
has no
might how-
willing, but the flesh is weak.'
ensnared and sung to sleep by his
his beautiful
young
wife, that,
though he wore
the crown on his head, the two ladies nevertheless ruled the roast,
and acted without any
control, according to their
own
pleasure, especially the Countess Stephanie, for during the
time that her brother, the old childless Count Ulrich of
Egisheim, was lying on his sick-bed, and she foresaw that the castles and territories of the family of Egisheim, together
with her entire domain, would be inherited Louis, and then by her idol, that
was no
on
in
limit to her
little
extravagance
;
Emperor's palace,
Pfirt
than at the
—what with pages, maids of honour,'min-
banquets, tournaments and dances, eating and
drinking, carriages
and
horses, wrestling
and hunting, and a
cart-load of costly furniture, splendid attire,
of gold and
by Count
and things were carried
a grander style at our castle of
strels, festive
first
imp Frederick, there
silver,
pearls
and precious
things of that description.
and valuables
stones,
and other
When, however. Count Ulrich
of Egisheim died soon afterwards, and the rich inheritance
devolved on the house of his
sister,
our Countess Stephanie,
Uncle Balthasars Relic.
2^
then the tempter came to her and led her up to a high moun-
balcony of her high
tain, viz., the
and showed her
castle,
the surrounding country from the Rhine to the Vosges,
all
and
to the
most distant boundaries of Burgundy, and then
he spoke these words give thee,
me and ;
and the glory of them to
whomsoever
worship me,
wilt
And
to her heart
all shall
:
for that
:
I will, I give
be
All this
'
it.
power
will I
delivered unto
is
If thou therefore
thine.'
who
the poor Countess did not look unto Jesus,
alone could have saved her poor soul, and have given her the
strength
Thou thou
to
'Get thee behind me, Satan.
ejaculate,
Lord thy God, and
shalt worship the
complacently on the riches of out at her
only shalt
this
rest
world which lay spread
feet.
'All that
tempter.
Him
But she suffered her covetous eyes to
serve.'
is
mine,' her proud heart repeated after the
She held out her hand to him
covenant, and the compact was
the unholy
in
made which would
carry
her to everlasting destruction. I too, Father Arnulph, then suffered
wheat by the
like
lacking in love, and forgot what
be
of,
and
I
the
manner of
dealt out hard words, threats,
against the unchaste
with
myself to be
and thus deeply sinned.
devil,
sword.
and immoral called
I
the
spirit I
was
should
and reproofs
creature, like St.
Countess
sifted I
Peter
Stephanie
a
haughty idolatrous Jezebel,
and the Countess Richenda
an adulterous Herodias
especially, I addressed
;
and
Louis harshly, and told him that
him
the soul of his
little
son,
God would
Count
require of
and that he was severely
28 to
Uncle BaltJuisar s Relic.
blame
boy be brought up under such
the
for letting
a bad system, and for allowing him to indulge passions.
accused him
I
honoured
being
of
and prophesied that he would share ous words
stir
up
me was
against
anger,' the wise
among
great
me
derisively called
only
man
me
and deprived
of
my
holy
bounds of secular power
me
have permitted
But God,
it.
had placed a gentle dove child Herzelande,
She was her
He
angel.
in
and
\
from the
if
Count Louis would
His great grace and mercy,
darling,
and
namely the
among
the
guardian
his
and she was a
real blessing.
was about the same time that Father Weridon, of the
Franciscan order, came to the
wisdom of
castle.
He
possessed the
the serpent, but unfortunately not the harmless-
ness of the dove.
At
first
he wished to speak kindly to
He
everybody, and behaved extremely well to me. to drag
me
into the controversy
Immaculate Conception. This, however,
short,
he ingratiated himself with everybody, but
at all
charmed, and In this
my
I
my
I
evaded. I
In
was not
withdrew myself more and more from
retirement I began to examine myself,
and the grace of the Lord led wickedness in
wanted
between our two orders as
to the
him.
castle,
had been within the
stood there like a rose father's
and they
The Countess
this falcon's nest,
in
griev-
clung with his whole soul to the child, and the
child to him, It
who
so,
it
'
the anger
the noble family,
office, if
do
to
But
says
Father Wolf.'
'
who
Eli,
more than God;
Eli's fate.
Stephanie would certainly have driven
thorns.
another
mother, wife and child
his
bad
all
heart,
me
to discover the leaven of
and by the mouth of a holy inno-
\
Uncle Balthasars Relic. cent,
namely
little
word
29
He
that of the child Herzelande.
to touch
ashamed on account
my of my
heart
to
the quick.
the
little
I
if
me
little
at the
and
there,
left to herself,
upon the
the old falcon hen looked titious
were no longer
Herzelande was equally
— seeing
dove
—
was a
it
natural consequence that the child and myself were I related to
the words which
fell
her
many
from
my
especially
much
devoured
things, while she lips,
as
that
as a surrep-
egg which did not belong to her brood,
together.
As
of love.
spirit
they had begun to take scarcely any notice of
and to act as
became
passionate wrath, and humbled
myself before God, and- prayed for a
castle,
caused a I
when
I told
her the beautiful stories out of the Bible concerning the sufferings
and death of our Lord Jesus on the
sat with the child well,
little
Christ,
and
I often
stone seat, or by the castle
which the old Count, with great trouble and expense,
had caused
to
be hewn out of the rock, 115 fathoms deep,
in order to supply his castle with fresh water
seemed
me
to
living water of
hearts
;
but
Israelites,
mercy,
as
and
Above
to
and
it
often
if
had sinned against the Lord,
I
like
I feared I
committed
;
God had appointed me to pour the His Word upon the hard rock of human
as
me
like
Moses had doubted His grace and
the
great
should never succeed in leading the souls into the heavenly
Canaan.
the stone garden-seat two sparrows had built their
nests in the wall, to the great delight of Herzelande,
and
while the swallow was sitting hatching her eggs, the child
had made
it
so tame with her gentle ways that
grains of corn out of her hand,
it
would eat
and Herzelande often stood
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
30 for
hours on the bench, and watched with a solemn gaze the
struggUng
efforts
of the birds
lows wore mourning
for the
Lord
ought not to be eaten, and that
away
the
for the old steward of the
;
and white swal-
told her that the beautiful black
had
castle
life
of one such.
and therefore they
Jesus,
it
was a deadly
And when
the
sin to take
young ones came
out of the eggs, the old ones took the grains of corn from
Herzelande's hand into their open beaks, and they began to
be fledged, and to spread of her heart,
in the joy
more than once
be able to all else,
I
Then
fly.'
'
Oh
young sparrows
that our
with the dear
little girl I
and rejoiced with her so much over the
seemed
to
me
as though I understood
my
be glad
!
soon
will
soon forgot birds, that
And
almost seemed to have become a child again.
often
child,
upon
fell
neck, old grumbler that I was, and called out, too. Father Arnulph,
The
their little wings.
now
it
for the
first
time the blessing of the holy innocence of childhood,
and
also that saying of Christ,
heaven.' castle,
God.
—
'
Of such
the
is
kingdom of
But unfortunately, there was another child
at the
who had almost made me disbelieve these words of The little boy Frederick was malicious as a little
panther, and cruel as though, like the
Pagan twins Romulus
and Remus, he had been suckled by a
fierce she-wolf,
on a loving human mother's
had never
lain
to afford
him a
deprive his good
breast.
really diabolical delight if little sister
It
and
seemed
he could either
of a pleasure, or else
mar and
damp it. When at last Herzelande's wish was reaHzed, and the young swallows flew rejoicing at
it,
for the first time,
then the wicked
little
and the
child
boy watched
had been
like a lurk-
Uncle Balthasars Relic. ing'cat,
3
and pounced upon one of the helpless
feathers.
I
came up
as the waiting-maid
birds,
little
and, amid peals of mocking laughter, pulled out
its little
was screaming and
remonstrating, and Herzelande, trembling and deadly pale,
was vainly endeavouring
to release the tortured bird
the bloody fingers of the
little
severely for is
my
Wolf
from
reproved him '
What
and he flung the poor writhing
aristocratic
quite getting the better
monster a sharp box on
up the swallow, and threw
well, in order to put little
1'
Then my wrath
feet.
of me, I gave the young the ear, picked
the
I
he made a mocking face at me, saying,
it,
that to you. Father
creature at
When
boy.
an end to
its
it
into the castle
Thereupon
sufferings.
boy raised a cry of murder, threw himself down on
madman, crying out, Oh, grandmother, grandmother. Father Wolf has struck me !'
the ground like a
'
The Countess Stephanie rushed very red in the face
angry voice inquired, to raise
;
out in her rich silk dress,
me
she looked at
'How have you
your hand against
my
noble grandson
related the circumstances to her quite calmly, '
and
fiercely,
in
an
dared, Father Arnulph, 1'
I
then
and added,
Therefore, most noble Lady, I exhort you, in God's name,
and
in virtue
and
if
of ray holy
ber that God's holy hateth his son betimes.'
I
if
you love the
;
Word
says,
"
He
little
at heart,
boy,
remem-
that spareth the rod
but he that loveth him chasteneth him
"
During
and
office,
you have the welfare of your house
my
conversation the Countess
became
quite pale,
could not help noticing what a transformer of the
human countenance anger
is.
In one
moment
it
can paint
it
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
32
red as crimson, and in another, white as ashes.
The Countess
Stephanie forthwith asked the waiting-maid to Hft the Httle
boy from the ground, and to carry him into the castle. This however was no easy task, for the furious child began to kick like an unmanageable foal
and struck her
girl,
when
I
girl to
'
Do
not touch him,
Then she took
!'
away with him
and when
me away roughly, and let me never see
in her arms,
and rushed
who
of her frock, and the old
Herzelande was sobbing without intermission, seated myself beside her, and wished to comfort
I
why
castle well,
Because
little
did you throw the poor
where
it
it
voice, little
'
Oh
!
Father
swallow into the
must have been instantly drowned f
I pitied
handled, and
any
boy
had come.
bosom
asked in her gentle
she
Arnulph,
it,
my
child;
would have been a
had been dreadfully
it
sin to let
it
writhe and
longer.'
But could not the Lord Jesus have cured beautiful
its
and
one on the shoulder and the other on the head
of the child.
'
;
having tamely fluttered about for some time, were
sitting
suffer
fist
on the stone garden-seat, and had concealed the
sitting
birds, after
*
hands of the poor
clenched
again alone wdth Herzelande,
other young swallow in the
her,
the
as hastily as she
now found myself
now
bit the
control him, the Countess pushed
and exclaimed,
was
he
stepped forward and wished to help the trembling
you again
I
;
in the face with his
little
feathers
my
it,
and made
grow again V
He thought it good so to do Him all things are possible but I knew beforehand that He would not do so.' '
Yes
for with
certainly,
child, if
;
Uncle Balthasai's Relic.
And why not?' When a poor animal
*
'
deprived of
then
its life,
is
33
tortured to death, and needlessly-
God does not
bring
to
it
life
again.
He, however, who has committed the wicked deed,
will
escape punishment as those ungodly children
who
as
little
mocked
the prophet Elisha,
and were torn
in pieces
by
bears.'
And will
'
Lord send a bear now
the
asked Herzelande
devour Frederick
done
to the
poor swallow.
wicked children
in the
name
so cruelly
?'
in consternation.
would only be what he deserves,
It
'
to
for
Elisha cursed the
of the Lord
and they
sent two bears out of the wood,
what he has
;
and the Lord
tore the children
in pieces.'
But you have surely not cursed Frederick
'
cannot
surely.
could not with a good conscience say
I
as I
had more than once done so
Oh
'
else a
him
1
pray, pray,
bear will
to pieces,
?
No
!
you
Father Arnulph, have done that?'
in
my
No
to the child,
heart.
do not curse him, Father Arnulph, or
come
out of "Wolf's Hollow,"^ and tear
because he has so cruelly tortured the poor
bird!' I
stood there before the child in her dove-like innocence,
an old and great sinner; and the Spirit reproved me,
I,
and
spoke
not,
for
I
in
those words
—
'
Bless
and curse
Herzelande had folded her hands; she
Near the Castle of
name
heart
have called thee to distribute blessings, and
not cursing.' 1
my
Pfirt there is
to this day.
C
a hollow which bears the same
Uncle BaltJiasar s Relic.
34
me
glanced up at
with the large tears in her eyes, and with
an angelic look she asked me,
'
Can
Lord Jesus not
the
He
forgive Frederick also his deadly sin, even as
the murderer on the cross *
The murderer on
and
the
Lord only
repent of their
Oh
'
!
then
Him, my child, who pray to Him and
the cross prayed to
forgives those
sins.'
we
for pardon, so that
how
and mother
hearts
we
Father Arnulph
may
he
and may teach him
sin,
not be devoured by the bears.
also
if we two pray with all our Now, you have promised me.
and
;
be heard. !'
At that moment came one of the Count's the waiting-maid, to
the
well
;
Countess Stephanie to destroy
;
my
hid her face in '
Now we
must pray
may
so that she the bears little
;
much
and to
grandmother
I
I
not, with Frederick,
be torn
consume
willingly
have called down
the adulterous generation.
softly,
in
by
His dear
sin.'
Spirit
for the Lord, the
me
to pieces
Lord Jesus
was which the Holy
had been zealous would
frightened flew
Father Arnulph,
also,
swallows, and has committed a great it
the
swallow to her heart,
little
for she has grieved the
This then
me.
commanded by
garment, and whispered to for
with
and as the nest was tum-
bling down, the old swallows being
Herzelande pressed her
suite,
pointed out to him
she
the swallows' nest, which he had been
away.
lead
to pray
our grandmother would weep, and our
father
shall
may
pray that the Lord Jesus
will
Frederick to repent of his
Only think
forgave
?'
wished to teach
Lord of Sabaoth, fire
from heaven
But to pray
for the
Uncle Balthasars Relic.
35
poor erring children of men, to pray and wrestle
me
immortal souls intrusted to
do
and
;
—
that I
for the
had neglected
who prayed
for malefactors,
and who
willeth not the death
and
of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted
With
live.
this
view of the
cross,
my
angry heart, so greatly
lacking in love, could no longer judge and condemn,
pubHcan
like the
breast It
and
came
cry,
Weridon.
and
God be
me
merciful to
and
upon
my
a sinner.'
to pass that, a few days after,
said
:
'
Count Louis sent
The latter addressed me thus in honeyed words, The Lord bestows an office, and the Lord deprives
of the same
God
how
for the foolishness of
;
rule the world.
to the favour
A
was not
men and
the
wise man, however,
is
wisdom superior
and the disapprobation of men, and he knows
to recognise the finger of
saw through I
'
in the gospel, I could only strike
me, and the summons was delivered through Father
for
of
to
stood there before the cross of the Redeemer,
I
it all,
in
God
in everything.'
and knew which way the wind was
the least surprised
when
I
came
I
now
blov/ing.
into the
presence of Count Louis and perceived on the table a large
document with an episcopal
me
seal.
The Count stood
before
with a particularly embarrassed countenance, and looked
as though he did not
had
in
hand.
know how to introduce the subject he who was also in her father's
Herzelande,
my
presence, gently pulled toe into the
with
deep recess
garment, conducted
in the
me on
window, and pointed
tip-
softly
an upraised finger and joyful countenance to the
window-pane above.
had suspended a
There the old steward of the
little
basket,
had placed a
Uttle
castle
moss and
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
36 flannel in
it,
swallow,
and had made a bed
And
'
young rescued
for the
the old swallows are flying up and
see,
down, and feeding the young one, and they are teaching
how
to
so that
fly,
when
me
exclaimed Herzelande
Then Count
Louis,
stretched out his
hand
who had
of emotion, said,
full
'
in old
am
I
it
so often
is
as de-
in ecstasy.
stepped
also
me, as
to
it
may go home
about. Father Arnulph, where
lightful as in Paradise,'
a voice
it
warm country you have
with them to the beautiful,
spoken to
comes
the winter
forward,
and with
times,
heartily sorry. Father
Arnulph.' *
May the
child soon
go
to her heavenly
home
for she
;
is
too good for this wicked world, and the company of Korah
which rebels against the Lord
!
'
I
exclaimed as
Thereupon the poor Count was took the child Herzelande
in his
if in
a dream.
He
greatly alarmed.
arms, and asked,
'
What
do you mean. Father Arnulph?' '
Pardon me, most noble Count,
God knows
it)
do not wish
the child also.
well in the end with your noble house to
it.
Up
to
be (and
a messenger of evil tidings to you, for you
me and
are dear to
I
But ;
here at your castle the wind
it
can never go
therefore look is
you
being sown, and
therefore only the whirlwind will be reaped.' '
You do
our beloved mother injustice, and you do not
acknowledge the pious designs of the noble think
now
of the
many
lady.
religious institutions she
Only has en-
dowed from
the foundation of your monastery of Veldpach
to this day,
when she
is
intending to build a monastery at
the foot of our castle-rock on our property of Luppach, in
Uncle Balthasars Relic. order to present the '
it
Holy The founding
37
to the brethren of the strictest order of
Franciscans.'
pious
of
churches and monasteries,
Those
most noble Lord.
God
ence,— and
— that
God
therefore to
of
very good and praiseworthy,
only, however,
has given the means
building
the
institutions,
is all
is
can do
this to
alone the honour
whom
and
to say, wealth
influ-
The
due.
is
sanctuaries, however,
which are the most pleasing to God,
and which we should
all
to us,
build for
Him,
are those in our
own
There, on that territory which has been intrusted
hearts.
we should endeavour, by
the grace of God, to found
a temple which shall be the habitation of the Holy Ghost.
In every home, be
it
a palace or a cottage, each
member
of the same ought to carry about with him a holy place
where God dwells, and where everything
is
not appear to me, however, and perceive
it,
I
and
this inner
It
does
think you must yourself
most noble Count, that
any trace of
and
quiet
peaceful as within the sacred walls of the cloister.
spiritual
here, at Hohen-Pfirt,
temple of
God
is
to
be found.'
The Count looked down on fusion for a while,
the ground in
and repeatedly passed
Herzelande's golden
curls,
some con-
his fingers
through
then suddenly he replied,
'
Do
you know that you and your order are accused of heresy before the chapter at Basle?'
Count
*
Impossible
'
Yes, really and
!
Louis.'
truly,
Father Arnulph
!
you are accused
Holy Mother of God, and of not rendering her due homage and worship.'
of not believing in the
Uiiclc BaltJiasars Relic.
38 '
Did you formerly
me in the instruction now from Father Weridon ?'
learn that of
imparted to you, or just
Thereupon Count Louis pulled Herzelande's
He
roughly that the child screamed aloud.
so
then drew
who can assume
himself up quickly like one
curls
I
authority,
stepped to the table, and handed the episcopal document
me
to
with the words,
sorry, really ver}^ sorr)-
'
Once
again. Father Arnulph, I
but as matters
;
now
stand,
and
am for
the honour and peace of our noble house, you will easily
perceive
.' .
.
perceived only too well
I
ever, to observe
document
it,
that,
is
and
I
I
;
did not wish him, how-
inquired calmly,
and what has
it
'
What kind
of
do with me, Count
to
Louis r *
Father Weridon had better explain
it
to you, for naturally
On
he understands these things better than
I do.
of the serious accusation which rests
on your
account
order,
by
reason of the alleged offence against the Holy Mother of
God, and wife,
at the desire
who do
of
my
beloved mother and dear
not wish the stain of heresy to rest on our
noble house, the venerable Bishop of Basle has appointed
Father Weridon, of the Holy Franciscan order, to be our
domestic chaplain all
respect,
former holy
at
Hohen-Pfirt.
You, however, with
he has deprived of the administration of your office.'
After I had unfolded the document, read
discovered what table,
it
contained,
and quietly answered,
I '
laid
it
down
it,
and had
again on the
That Father Weridon,
the desire of the Countess Stephanie, has
at
been appointed
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic.
my
domestic chaplain at the castle in
my
have been deprived of this
have nothing to
I
which
ever,
relates
to
full
it
was a box on the
and not
Count Louis.
and
that I
— against
all
how-
That,
the imagined heresy of our highly is
a wicked
in the Bishop's
well that the sole
office
stead,
holy office there
say,
esteemed Benedictine order not a word about
39
my
ground of ear,
and there
lie,
document.
being deprived of
and a swallow tortured
at all a matter of faith in the
her immaculate conception, which latter
is
You know
my
to death,
Holy Virgin and is
a very subtle
point of theology, that you, most noble Count, and your
cannot understand, and on which you are not called
lady,
to give an opinion.'
The poor Count stood as a
boy,
little
me
before
had found him out
I
as in past times in a He,
when,
and he looked
humbled, that Herzelande climbed up on the
so
and asked me, Arnulph '
'
Why
table,
have you made papa so sad, Father
'
%
Would
to
awakening
God,
my
in the heart of
child,
that I
had succeeded
in
your noble father that sorrow of
which no one repents, and which works repentance unto salvation I
!
'
folded
triest
I replied,
my
deeply moved.
hands and prayed,
the hearts
and
ment throne we must sin
reins, all
'
O
Lord God, Thou who
and before whose holy judg-
appear, behold
hangs like a black thunder-cloud over
Thou mercy.
turn
it
away according
Do Thou
to
Thy
how this
the curse of
house
!
Do
great goodness and
Thyself awaken the poor misguided souls
with the persuasive call of
Thy
grace, that they
may be
Uncle Balthasar s Relic.
40
delivered from Satan's grasp, and
may
turn to
Thee and
live.
Amen.'
Thereupon Count Louis on
his
knees,''
down
lande knelt
head of
and wept
my
fell
down, pale and trembling,
beside him I spread
that
He
high.
Herze-
hands over the
I
down upon
prayed to the
would save both these immortal souls and
keep them from the take them
my
pupil and his child, and I called
them blessing and strength from on Tord
and when
like a child,
evil one, or else that
away out of
this
He
would rather
abyss of sin into the heavenly
Paradise.
thereupon shook off the dust from
I
bundle, took
my
staff in
my hand, and
descended from the proud baronial in the
monastery, that
traction,
my
I
my
feet, tied
up
castle into
might there serve
my
God
quiet cell
without
and by diligence and prayer prepare myself
heavenly home.
my
with cheerful courage
dis-
for
Amen.
But the reproach cast by the Franciscans upon our order
vexed not only our prior and our whole self
on the subject
among
till
ourselves
opinions, and
And
We
very specially. far if
on
fraternity,
but my-
often conversed with one another in the night,
and earnestly inquired
our order really held such erroneous
had apostatized from the holy Apostolic
in all the writings
and confessions of
faith.
faith of the
holy
we only found mention of a Triune God, and nowhere of four Gods in one, as it must be if the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and the Virgin, were one. The Lord further commanded that Martyrs, Fathers of the Church and Councils,
baptism should be administered in the name of
God
the
Uncle BaltJiasars Relic. Father, and the Son, in the
name
believe that
of the
when
and Holy Ghost
Holy
— in no wise, however,
Yes
Virgin.
41
;
and
I
would almost
the haughty spiritual despots presume to
we
create gods for themselves, faith of Christianity into
are again fallen from the
the darkness of heathenism, and
instead of the gods of Olympus, worship a whole host of self-created deities,
and so
fied Saviour of the world,
away from
fall
who
alone
'
of
us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification,
However, while we were
Christ, the cruci-
God
is
made unto
and redemption.'
sitting diligently
all
over our
books, and were especially studying that of the holy
Abbot
Bernard, and one of us believed he had found this thing in
my mind, who was whom an inward voice,
Augustine occurred to
his writings, St.
long seeking after the truth, and to
which was the voice of God, spoke
And what was he we are now reading
to read
'
Take and
read.'
Something similar to what
Human wisdom and human opinions He was to read the Word of
]
and views
%
:
By no means.
%
God, which alone can be the touchstone of our it
alone abides for ever, even
passed away.
I there
when heaven and
resolved in
my
faith,
earth have
retirement, invoking
the grace of God, to read the sacred books of the
Testament,
viz.,
the account of the
since
New
wondrous incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ, His sufferings and death, His glorious resurrection
and ascension, and the foundation and
extension of His church upon earth, as the
Holy Ghost,
in
the four Gospels, the Acts and the Epistles, has recorded for
our edification and rule of the
Word
faith.
Above
all,
however, in
of God, the Lord himself speaks to us, and
He
Uncle Balthasars Relic.
42
by His Word, through the power of His entrance into our hearts
Word
Spirit, finds
therefore the reading of this holy-
;
should always be preceded by earnest prayer
our knees as
Almighty God
were,
it
and
;
in
yes,
;
on
the sight and presence of the
have endeavoured, as
I
an
far as
my great
weakness would allow me, to read these sacred books
in
this spirit.
During I
study, light broke in
this blessed
apprehended the great truth that God '
love hath no for his
man
friends.'
favoured
that a
man
above
all
my
upon
love.'
lay
'
soul.
Greater
down
Thou, however, Mary, thou
his life
highly
art
others, since the
be the mother of His only begotten
to
and because thou
\
this,
yes, I will say blessed
;
Lord chose thee Son
than
is
grace, but didst believe
didst not despise this wonderful
and obey even where thou didst not
understand, and didst remain so calmly standing by the cross
when
*
sword was piercing through thine own
a
therefore shalt thou be regarded in the as a pure
Yes,
we
and holy example of humility,
call
thee blessed
to
all,
there
is
only one
or on earth, whereby
God and us
all,
I,
—no
name
my
and
for ever
and
faith,
love.
!
!
for to thee
and
us,
given, either in heaven
we can be saved
Saviour, Mary,
most blessed
soul,'
in all ages
yes, all generations shall call
;
But worship thee ?
thee blessed.
and
Church
—Jesus
Christ, thy
Saviour and the Saviour of
Amen.
Brother Arnulph, of the holy Benedictine order, con-
clude and seal this ^^Titten testimony with the
common
confession of faith of the holy Apostles, Mart)Ts, and Fathers
of the Church
:
Uncle Balthasars Relic. '
I believe in
and earth; and
God
who was conceived by
the
:
he
right
shall
in the
;
;
was
come
the third day he rose
he ascended into heaven, and
to judge the quick
saints
;
;
;
life
and the dead.
everlasting.
;
sitteth
from whence
the holy catholic church
the forgiveness of sins
of the body; and the
the Virgin
crucified, dead,
hand of God the Father Almighty
Holy Ghost
munion of
Pilate,
he descended into hell
again from the dead
on the
of heaven
onlybegotten Son our Lord,
Holy Ghost, born of
Mary, suffered under Pontius
and buried
Maker
the Father Almighty,
in Jesus Christ his
43
I believe ;
the com-
the resurrection
Amen.'
THE KAISERSBERG DOCTOR AND LITTLE MAT. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.'
Matt.
ix.
38.
It was towards the close of the eighth decade of the fifteenth century,
on the
last
Saturday of the Carnival, that the whole
population of Kaisersberg was in a state of extraordinary excitement.
Johannes Geiler^ the famous and universally
beloved Cathedral preacher of the free imperial city of Strasburg, usually
known
only as
had recently arrived as guest stein's, in
at
company with another
''the
Kaisersberg Doctor^
Count William of Rappolof the learned
men
of Stras-
burg, Sebastian Brandt, then holding an official position at Basle.
Geiler was on the above-named Saturday to revisit
the cherished
home
where as a young his
^
first
memory,
of his grandfather of blessed
child, early left
an orphan, he had received
impressions of Christianity from his pious grand-
Johannes Geiler, born
came in Ammerswihr
at Schafifhausen in 1445,
Alsace, where his father settled as notary at
was deprived by death of both grandfather at Kaisersberg.
parents,
infancy into ;
in 1448
and he was brought up by
he his
TJie
Kaiscrshcrg Doctor and Little Mat,
He
mother.
Sunday
was, moreover, to preach on the following
the church of Kaisersberg,
in
among
caused great rejoicing friends,
45
and neighbours,
for
—a
prospect which
high and low, relatives,
all,
one and
were proud of the
all
learning and eloquence of the great orator.
Now
there lived at this time in his late
house a certain
Magdalen, a daughter of
The
Kaisersberg. ears in bustle
on
said worthy
this
dame was over head and
Saturday afternoon, in her anxiety to
a hospitable reception to her honoured cousin the
Doctor of
divinity,
warmed
;
and such as was
The guest-chamber was
and fame.
striped hangings,
spun by
portraits
his ;
befitting his dignity
and well
ready, aired
bed with
the lofty four-post
with fine and snowy linen
life,
his mother's
and sj^ouse of Master Anselm, Imperial notary of
sister,
give
Dame
grandfather's
'the red
grandmother
and white
herself,
was
laid
on the wall opposite hung the
of the grandfather and grandmother, as large as
looking
down
so complacently on
the
prepared for the gifted and holy man, that
though they wished to bless him
now from
resting-place it
seemed as
above, as they
had often when here below implored a benediction on promising grandson.
In the parlour
Dame Magdalen
their laid
the great oaken dinner-table, and set the silver tankard with
the grandfather's
name and
honour, while her husband
coat of arms at the seat of filled
the shining pewter pots
with rich and delicious old wine, the produce of the grandfather's
vineyard.
purgis,
carefully
Beside the kitchen-fire stood old Wal-
watching to
dough she was baking had
see
whether the
leavened
risen satisfactorily, for she
was
46
TJic
Kaiscrsberg Doctor and Little Mat.
to have carnival cakes ready, the very cakes that were such favourites with the
Doctor
in days of yore.
For Walpurgis
had been the faithful servant of the Doctor's grandmother,
when young Hans set was now with no small then, she
had predicted
out for Freiburg as student, and
it
pride she could boast of how, even to her venerable mistress, of blessed
memory, that the youth would certainly one day become a
man
great
!
The weather was
glorious; the sun shone brilliantly in the
deep azure of a cloudless
sky, the breeze, as
and exhilarating through the roads as
The
if it
blew fresh
were midsummer.
oldest burghers
sembled
it
had dried the muddy
valley,
and
chiefs
of the people had as-
Master Anselm's house, to hand the
in front of
'drink of lionour' in the golden cup to the expected visitor
on
his arrival.
to
meet the
him
carriage, to
men
rode forward
form a guard of honour around
and others crowded the drawbridge of the old
;
and
Several of the younger
the Imperial
curiosity
their
gratified
land-steward's
with gay
train,
castle
faces,
gates,
flags,
castle,
arrival
invited carnival guests.
neighbourhood followed
jovial fellows of the
blackened
by watching the
in a
of
The motley
pipes and drums, paper masks and
behind the cavalcade, as they
filed into the
and entered, masked or unmasked, with a
multitude of hounds, falcons, and troopers.
In the heart of
this
tumultuous throng, on the bridge
leading to the castle, stood poor blind Fridli, led by his
black dog.
head
;
Scarce twenty summers had passed over his
he was
tall,
of
commanding
stature
and
stalwart
Kaisersbcrg Doctor
TJie
limbs, but fearfully disfigured
marked even
berg as cowherd sight
and the
face,
A
his sightless eyelids.
had entered the
Now,
by small-pox.
his only
way
Forester
by name, and a
'
Baron von Morshe had
lost his
his black poodle,
the gift of the
Having an extremely melodious
Morsberg.
voice,
Lord of he sang,
compassion of passers-by, sometimes the
to appeal to the
sometimes the merry ballads and national
plaintive,
much
then so
lyre,
happened
in vogue.
and
that
airs,
In his night's resting-place he had
to hear that great festivities
at Kaisersberg,
that
of gaining a pittance
was wandering through the country with '
fur-
pits
native of the Breis-
service of the
there, a short time ago,
;
47
by the deep scars and
rows which covered his whole
gau, he
and L it tie Mat.
were to take place
on the approaching Sunday the
Kaisersberg Doctor was to preach in native town; and, therefore,
hoping
for
the church of his
a rich harvest of
alms, both at the church-door and at the castle-gate, he
had
found his way to Kaisersberg, led by his
and
faithful guide,
helped forward by any kind neighbours he met.
Alas
!
on
this gala day, instead of the rich gifts
he had so
fully
sorrow.
His red
small-pox,
on which
reckoned, poor Fridli reaped but pain and
marked and discoloured by the brought down upon him coarse and cruel jeers,
and while he drew
face,
forth his lyre's sweetest strains
his liveliest carols for the
and sang
benefit of those wild urchins,
inwardly he could have wept tears of blood, to think that as yet not a single
penny had been
cast into the cap
which
Forester held between his teeth, sitting up on his hind-paws,
and looking imploringly towards
— as
he vainly hoped
—
The Kaiscrsberg Doctor and
48
When, on
generous public.
the
Mat.
Little
cry,
Here comes the
'
Doctor's carriage!' the crowd had suddenly scattered, and there
had been a stormy rush towards the
Fridli too
had been anxious
chance
begging an alms of that holy man, of
in
universally said that he loved
town,
little
might
to join, that he
try his
whom
was
it
the poor and needy.
all
But
a wicked boy had secretly cut the string by which
poodle led him.
Tenderly did the poor dog fawn
feet, trying to drag
him by
right way.
quite unacquainted with
made
Fridli,
his trousers to
his his
at
show him the the locality,
a false step in descending from the stone bridge, lost
his footing altogether,
and
fell
with a piercing cry of pain on
the edge of the deep moat. Little
out
Matthew,
among
Dame
Magdalen's
first-born,
who had run
blind
seeing the
man
lying
there,
companions and hastened back
to
his
left
poor
evil-disposed
But more
Fridli.
help and counsel was needed than he could give
little
;
was not nearly strong enough to help the poor man for although
he could, though with
shot through
it.
What was
to
left
alone together.
It
foot,
little
little
%
The
Mat and poor
;
I will fetch
godmother.
She
will
so
Fridli
to the gate of the
town, and he said to the groaning sufferer,
moment
road,
while before, had
occurred to the child that the
house of his godmother Ursula stood close little
he
and a sharp pain
be done
swarming with human beings but a suddenly become deserted, and
Mat
to rise,
difficulty, raise himself,
could not possibly stand upon that
were
and
the youngsters, heard the cry, turned round,
Conrad, and he bind up your
will lead
foot.'
'
you
Wait a to the
The Kaisersberg Doctor and
The
said Ursula, a venerable
L ittle
Mat,
49
maiden of Kaisersberg, had
presented at the baptismal font an infant from almost every
house in the good old town, and for this reason she was known
among young and
old only
by the name of the godmother.' '
She was the youngest daughter of
Geiler's grandparents,
and had watched the growth and training of the Doctor his early hom.e,
and helped
Kind-hearted and devout,
godly upbringing of the boy.
she bestowed half of her goods on churches, convents
mendicant
friars,
and
and twice a week she dispensed bread and
With added years the good
oatmeal broth to the poor. lady's
in
to the best of her ability in the
overweening love of order and cleanliness, and her
precision in
all
grew so supreme that everything
things,
which might break the well-regulated daily monotonous
made
course of things jarred against her inmost soul, and
her so thoroughly unhappy, that only her favourite
Mat
To-day she had decked
violence to her jog-trot ways. self out in
had
her greatest
that very
moment
state,
— a rare
event indeed,
— and
'
stj-aw wme,'
never as good anywhere as from her wine-press, when
Mat came running up 'Why,
and wiped
Vin de
paille,
— so
little
as she stroked his
his face with her handkerchief,
what a strange look you have ^
^
in breathless haste.
child!' said his godmother,
hair from his eyes,
her-
fetched from her cellar, to welcome
her venerated nephew, a bottle of Alsatian
'
little
could occasionally succeed in constraining her to do
!
You have
surely
been
called from the ripe grapes being left lying
straw for some time before they are pressed.
on
The Kaisersberg Doctor and
50
playing some wild prank, and will not rest
and you
seizes you,
Godmother
^
replied the boy, hardly
!'
proposal, —
begin his
and
he,
poor
'
Oh, that
what
is :
will
'
Are you
in
can any one be so
Mat
bad
foot
it
it
and an alms
spiteful
I
?
besides.'
'11
His
!
tell
you
And
if
I
after his injured foot,
and heal
my house
Is
it.'
be quite dark, and very,
be a
bitter night),
and poor
in
!'
him
to fetch
what then. Mat
in,
What
%
and do look is
to
become
?'
Oh, then you must have some straw
laid in the barn,
him
able to walk again
lie there,
No, child
!
and be kept
that
I really
he
till
is
cannot do
and you must not propose
question,
Ursula, quite in consternation.
me by storm, and my home !
!'
an hospital
No, godmother, that cannot be
do send Conrad
of him afterwards
his foot
lying out there in the ditch all
left !
%
will
will
you must have him brought
'
string,
you may bind up
your senses.
But, godmother, soon
night with his
*
some one
!
Conrad must take the old wheelbarrow^ and draw poor
blind Fridli cannot be
let
to
dog leads him,
be of no avail to him now, godmother
very cold (for father says
*
his
so badly injured that he cannot stand.
Fridli here, that ^
knowing how
!'
How
!
Conrad must take him a new foot
!'
has fallen plump into the castle-moat
fellow,
Poor creature
by which
string,
and hurt himself sadly '
the chill wind
Godmother, only think
'
has cut poor Fridli's
till
good earnest
sick again in
fall
Mat.
Little
force
me
'
You
It is
!
it
!'
and !
out of the
said the
good
are not going to take
to receive this blind vagrant into
The Kaisersbei'g Doctor and '
But, but
sure '
said
!'
—^oh yes, godmother, Mat
little
You know you
and
He
And
!'
good
coaxiiigly, in his
will
be taking him
you your reward
will give
taught us to his
you
L ittle Mat.
5
will receive him, I
am
most beseeching
tone.
for the Lord's
sake,
in heaven, as
mother has
with these words he rushed to the stable
and was out again and
friend Conrad,
in the
courtyard with the servant and the wheelbarrow, before his
godmother had time
to recover herself,
and
paced up and down before her own door plexity, saying to herself angrily,
can make anything of hearted
me
'
That clever
little
rogue
Ursula was by no means hard-
!'
but to receive into her clean,
;
She
to say no.
in the greatest per-
tidy,
well-ordered
barn a blind beggar, very possibly covered with vermin
and even
to touch,
dirty foot,
— now
Sunday dress
to bind
too, just
up
\
and doubtless very
when she had put on her best that was really more than
No, indeed
!
his sore
ought to be expected of her
!
Nevertheless she could only
!
hush the voice of conscience, which gently whispered suggestions of a
more generous
nature,
by inwardly resolving
to
expend a whole imperial dollar on the
case,
it
over for treatment to the
or the
'
Beguines
'
and hand '
Blotz-
Briider^ ^
Meantime the wheelbarrow, containing poor lustily
Fridli,
and
pushed forward by Conrad's strong arm, accompanied
^ The common
'
Beghards,^ or
'
Lollards,'
people only by the
name
were
in
Alsace
known among
of 'Blotz Brethren,'
i.e,
'
the
Small-pox
Brethren,' because they usually nursed those suffering from that loath-
some
The Beguines were women who lived together, having common, and devoting themselves to the care of the sick,
disease.
all things in
*
but without taking any vows.
'
by
Kaisersherg Doctor and Little Mat.
TJic
52
Mat and
little
'
Forester/ had already reached
Close behind them followed a messenger from
the house.
Dame
dog
the
Magdalen, sent
inquire
to
about her
son
little
Matthew, and to announce to Ursula that the Doctor had just arrived,
and was most desirous of seeing
aunt with as
little
Now
delay as possible.
his
worthy
then the poor
godmother, divided between her anxiety and her joy, had nothing for
it
but to submit, willing or unwilling,
desperate bite of the sour apple,
—
that
is
—to take a
to say, to lead the
blind patient at once into her barn, and to desire Conrad to prepare fresh straw for his couch.
And when poor blind
at last
sightless eyes
he was actually laid down there, the
in
Fridli,
and
the burning heat of fever, with his
frightfully disfigured face, the tears
pain and of grief rolling
down
his furrowed
cheeks as he
clasped his hands convulsively, and exclaimed in his dialect,
'
Oh, mother,
my own
were once more beside thee likewise seen to trickle features
own
mother, would that I
then indeed were crystal drops
!
down
little
of
'
Ursula's
more calm and comely
then did she forget the disarranging of her tidy
;
barn, the chances of vermin, and the gala dress.
She bent
tenderly over the poor sufferer, said a few words of sympathy
and comfort, examined
his swollen foot, ordered poultices
of herbs prepared with wine
;
and not
Conrad everything that could be needed herself thrown a
she take
little
warm
Mat by
until she
had given
for sick-nursing,
the hand, and, tripping as lightly as
though she had suddenly grown younger by twenty go across
to the
and
blanket over the poor man, did
years,
house of the old grandfather, there to give
Kaisersberg Doctor and
TJie
L ittle
Mat.
53
a right hearty welcome to her dear nephew, the Kaisersberg
On
Doctor.
her way thither, however, the excellent god-
mother's heart began somewhat to
near she
felt
more and more
how
she ought to accost her nephew.
him
as
Hans, and with the famihar
the
good old days
No
%
!
as she
fail her, for
that
'
drew
know
that she really did not
Should she address
Thee and '
'
Thou
'
of
would be most unseemly
towards so learned and devout a man, and the anointed of the Lord,
and one too who had brought such honour
family
Yet she did think the
!
Doctor of
not the very
this
old,
Divinity,'
— ah
!
yesterday,
Hans whom,
— she
before true
God
and
or lips
to the
Master
'
Was
!
as a child of three years
she remembered the time
'great
the
Your Honour,'
would hardly go across her
as
still
though
it
were
had fetched from Ammerswihr, when the
parents, her brother-in-law in
'
death,'
to the
and her
and
she
died off so quickly
sister,
had
solemnly promised
weeping mother that she would with
faithful love
undertake the charge of the orphaned
boy?
On
the staircase of the old homestead she was
venerable domestic Walpurgis,
came to
who
met by the
with joyous greeting
assure her that, 'though the learned doctor of divinity
did indeed appear as distinguished-looking and saint-like as
any gracious lord bishop could
same
affable
Hans
was
be, yet he
as in days of yore.'
still
He had
the very
recognised
her instantly, had shaken her cordially by the hand, and
had even asked her whether she continued lent cakes as in his grandmother's time,
baked
for his last breakfast,
when he was
to
and
bake as excelas those she
starting as a school-
TJie
54
Kaiscrsbcrg Doctor and Little Mat.
boy, sallying forth for the
home
time from his
first
into the
wide world.
by
Fortified
worthy godmother was
this assurance, the
about to enter the parlour with a lighter heart, yet with a
when
very low curtsey withal,
the
Doctor
stately-looking
rushed up to her, seized her in his arms, and cried out with a voice
full
of frank glee,
thou dear old Ursula thee again indeed, their
*
A
thousand, thousand welcomes,
Most
!
you the instant
as in duty
bound
Not
to
make my
their respects to
be thought of
honour
for the
loving salutations
but Magdalen assured
;
down
did wish to insist on going
I
I arrived, to
more pleasure by waiting '
turned upside
younger belongings, instead of waiting
to be paid all the other way. to
is
come and pay
the older folk must
if
have I longed to see
heartily
But now-a-days the world
!
me
should give
I
quietly here.'
for a
moment
The
!
idea of such a
thing as the learned Doctor taking the trouble of coming to
me '
!'
stammered out the overjoyed but astonished Ursula.
Listen
what
Hans
I
now
say.
as of old, to
always show
much
favour to leave
once
then,
have got to
all
I
for
am
all,
still
whom, from
dear good old soul, to
thy ever grateful
his
love and kindness
;
therefore
expressions of honour, and
So
separation.'
Doctor led the worthy godmother
to the seat
again after
of honour reserved for her, observing that to her, since
allusions
now many years of
God we meet
saying, the
do me the
all
to the Doctor's degree, to rest in silence,
grace of
nephew
youth up, thou didst
on that occasion she was
blessed gi-andmother.
He
it
that
strictly
filling
by the
belonged
the place of his
proceeded next to introduce to
L ittlc Mat.
The Kaisersberg Doctor and
55
her his young friend the distinguished Master of Arts, Sebas-
Brandt/ now labouring
tian
but the son of a
Basle,
at
burgess of the good city of Strasburg, and therefore pass the season of Lent
He
added with a
if I
say that I have promised
sly laugh,
two nights he would
home among
at his
come
to
his kindred.
Will you be angry, dear aunt,
'
my
dear friend that for these
welcome under your
find a hospitable
roof?'
The poor godmother grew
blind beggar in her barn, and in her guest-chamber,
pared
hand
for
it
and
If only
!
The
pale with consternation.
now this
all
the stranger gentleman
when
she was so unpre-
could have
she
known
before-
!
But
Dame
Magdalen, who read
in her face all the thoughts
that were passing through her mind, whispered softly,
need only be quiet and give her the keys
;
'
She
she would during
supper send Walpurgis across to prepare the accommodation for her
unexpected
And now came
visitor.'
the turn of
little
Mat
to
be also presented
by his father to the Doctor, with the remark, of his age indeed
;
but
if
air,
was
The Doctor
kiss,
after
lifted
him up
which the
all
in
little
and discipline of the good old
felt his
to
bed
heart
at six o'clock.
warmed and drawn out
and amid the society and surroundings ^
small
is
despatched to the nursery, there to eat his bread
and milk, and be put
scenes,
The Doctor
and gave him a hearty
fellow, according to the usage
time,
He
only he turn out a good boy,
else will signify little enough.'
the
'
in the
familiar in
Sebastian Brandt was born at Strasburg in 1458.
Kaisersberg Doctor and Little Mat.
TJie
56
;
and he found even
its
large cushions, his
days of yore, where nothing was altered the well-remembered easy-chair, with
grandmother's favourite
where she used to hear him
seat,
say his prayers, and to recount to him that
still
memory.
lived in his
he said to
his aunt,
'
was
it
and
part in a masquerade,
Do
many an
old story
you remember, Ursula,'
also in the carnival season
young fellow of
high-spirited
'
dance that followed
in the
;
a
I,
would gladly have taken
fifteen,
;
and
you, although no chick then, nor addicted to gaieties, would gladly have gone with
me
mother related
dream she had had
Oh
*
yes
to us a
I recollect
!
approached her
That
'
sends to roughly
;
to see the sight
she said a peasant with a scythe
in the night
—
!
more convenient time
—
^just
we deck and fooleries, and we
disguise ourselves, carry
drink,
"
have, one and
Come
of ourselves.
Lent begins
Woe
to
!"
I
swing of sensual pleasure
end
\
this
!"
my
carnival fools
must
I cut !
replied to her,
mow without down
Be ye
in the
any intermis-
full
and giddy
therefore wise,
and con-
thou knowest not whether thou mayest
on Ash- Wednesday be " Children
made
The mower however
him whom
sider your latter
We
thou back on Ash-Wednesday rather,
My time is at all times.
sion.
all,
we have eat, we on all manner
at present
other things to do than to think of thee.
for then
grand-
'
.
.
is to say, friend Death, whom the Lord our God mow down whom He will. But she addressed him enough, and said, " Ho now thou must come back
to us at a
of
my
but
;
.
still
in
the
land of the living
!
grandmother then continued, " forget not
dream, and do nothing, and go nowhere, where the
man
The Kaisersberg Doctor and with his scythe would
For we old
unexpectedly meet you.
young ones may count upon
home on
it,
die
death
you with
fill
L ittle Mat. terror if
folk
must
5
7
he should
die,
but you
suddenly and rapidly, before you
;
may overtake
that occasion, Ursula
We both
you."
and when,
;
stayed at
in later days, as
a travelling student, I have been surrounded by temptations of
all
and
sorts,
many
astray into
my
my
a foolish prank,
my
has recurred to
companions have sought
to lead
mind, and has been the means of saving
me
from
many
'
Yes,'
answered the godmother, with a deep sigh
true
:
a
folly.'
the young may^ but
when one
is,
'
more and more
Dear
and
to heaven, silly, silly
fearfully at
folk
;
said,
we
Yet we that,
ah
it is
and
then grim
one that one's heart
raised his hand, pointed
;
" There
a devout Christian was
'
home he
his
my
is
But we are a
horned
forget our real Fatherland,
all know we dread
!
;
!'
though we were to dwell '
in the sixties,
Ursula,' said the Doctor,
once asked where was
ing
on
like myself, far
'
;
old people must die
we
Death stands and frowns so quails
me
grandmother's dream
and act as
for ever here below.'
that
we must
death,
entrance to our everlasting
die,
though
home
;'
it
and, notwithstandis
really
but the
thus spoke Sebastian
Brandt. '
That
is
and by our
He who
only because sins
we have
have departed
wanders too
far
all far,
fallen far
away from God,
indeed from Him.
from home does not find the way
back,' remarked the Doctor. *
I have, for
my part,
done
all
that could be required,
and
The Kaiscrshcrg Doctor and Little Mat.
58
more
have spent a golden
too, for I
florin in
purchasing
from a Dominican monk, newly arrived from Rome, an absolution-ticket for ^
Thou
monk
can
my
all
sins,
past or future.'
shouldest however have bought from the Domini-
good supply of honest penitence
in addition a
without that no ticket of absolution
poor Ursula, although golden
A
florin
!
'
to the spot,
exclaimed the Doctor.
He
home
her this
Dame Magdalen
and the godmother stared
amazement.
question,
—
No, Master Doctor ;
my
'
Dear excellent
removed thy ;
and he who could
a heavy stone off
no, tell
poor
if
riveted
Doctor
in utter
hast brought
me
that
filled
with tears.
there a capital bottle of wine,
if
quaffed '
you had given
my
me
!
And
But allow
me an empty
during
quite comfortto suppose the
bottle,
could
I
have
if I
had done so
I
should
!'
yet thou wilt act towards
never wouldst towards a
life
me
?'
Why, Hans,
have been mocking you '
me.
out of that
elixir
Preserve
me
when my stomach, which does not now
ably, begins to molest
—
has not
it
answered the godmother
always bear the sedentary and studious
case,
?'
the reason why, would roll
dear Ursula, which will refresh and strengthen the season of Lent,
me, has
soul, tell
fear of death
nephew Hans,
me
heart,'
with quiet modesty, her eyes
'Thou
at the
while
lips,
listened as
took her by the hand and gently asked
that ticket of absolution *
actually have cost thee a
smile was seen to curl Sebastian Brandt's
Master Anselm and
done
may
it
;
worth a farthing,
is
God the Lord man Thou
sinful child of
!
as thou
wouldst
The Kaisersbcrg Doctor and
Him
with thy ticket of absolution bring to
healing elixir for thy sin-sick soul from '
But what then must
I do,
'
Repent, dear
that
soul
;
mourn on account of them " Lord, forgive
is
uprightly; and
me my
sin,
!"
And
!
it
daily, in right
thou doest
ivithoiit
sin, into
money and without
hour of death, without price, by Ursula ?
The Lord is
me
for
by
thy stricken and
fear of death,
it all
i),
Iv.
and comfort
life,
—
as
it
and buy wine and
price'" (Isa.
grace for sanctification in
but that which
God
so,
:
pour the costly wine of His grace, and the
Spirit,
written in the Prophet Isaiah, " Co7?ie
milk
good
will,
and mercifully receive if
and
whole heart, pray thus
trembling heart, and drive out from
signifies,
'
to say, confess thy sins
sweet assurance of the remission of
is
59
an empty bottle
nephew Hans %
to say with the
is
Jesus Christ's sake
His Holy
Mat.
though thou assuredly canst not drink the
for a sacrifice,
German, that
Little
free gift
which for the
— dost thou hear,
stands not in need of thy golden florin
well-pleasing to
Him
is
a contrite heart
a soul longing for everlasting salvation.
And
that,
;
and
thank
God, even the poorest may have.' '
Why
then has no one ever told
heaving a deep
Again the face, as
me
this
V asked Ursula,
sigh.
significant smile spread over Sebastian Brandt's
he struck in with,
'
Yes, indeed
Truth in our days is seldom heard, do pervert God's holy word, Their glosses change or smooth away His Gospel, who is the Truth, the Way
Men
1
"The
Fools' Ship,"
^
!
by Sebastian Brandt.
'
6o
TJie
Kaisersherg Doctor and
'Your hand, cousin
Mat.
Master Doctor of Divinity and worthy-
exclaimed Master Anselm
!'
L ittle
of that shameful
traffic in
^
;
if
you
also disapprove
and admit the worth-
absolutions,
money, that
lessness of a forgiveness of sins purchased for
does
my
heart good.
any man
in
Never yet have
I
seen any
nor
priest,
any ecclesiastical orders whatsoever, avow those
opinions so honestly.' Heartily did the Doctor shake his cousin by the hand,
and with solemn earnestness he added must not
'
With
all this
we
dear Anselm, that the ransom paid to
forget,
deliver us from our sins
we
—
is
the blood of Christ, and
are bought with a price indeed
— dearly bought
thus
As
!
for
the absolution, the learned Master of Arts there could repeat to
you a
capital
How goes
rhyme
that hits the
mark
well
on that
point.
the couplet in your " Fools' Ship," Friend Sebas-
tian?'
His
answer ran thus
friend's '
:
So worthless absolution 's found, That none will bid, nor beg, all round Yea, many would not pay their groat,
—
—
Though
in their easy-chair, unask'd, 'twere got.'
The Doctor added state of
yet further,
—
decay the Christian Church
the worship
of
;
God
'
is
In what a melancholy at present
!
How
has
degenerated into a mere theatrical
show, to which the spectators hardly condescend to give their attention
%
The nobihty appear
at high
mass
in the
cathedral, with clattering high-heeled shoes, with sporting
hounds, and with falcons prepared for the chase, which occasionally they set a-flying during
pubHc
service
by way
The
Kaisersheror; Doctor ^)
and Little Mat.
6i
of an amusing pastime, while others during mass transact
among themselves
worldly business
organ, which he, Geiler, called the
'
!'
He
went on
to relate
had been placed over the cathedral
that a grotesque figure
had had
to remove,
which had been
pipe-monkey,' behind which, in the festival days
of Whitsuntide, a droll fellow had been in the habit of con-
ceahng himself, to entertain the
mob by
coarse humour, and his comical songs
of making a short cut
his
howhngs, his
that, for the
;
to the adjacent market, the
sake
custom
had been established of carrying sucking pigs through the cathedral, so that the cries
and screams often compelled
the officiating priest to be silent St.
;
out in
feast of
episcopal vestments had performed the service
full
that people
had gone
to church disguised,
cessions and sung worldly songs at
had come
to church
disgraceful
pieces
composed
that even priests
for the school theatre,
with these
in the holy edifice
and thus continuing
This reached
climax
its
Adolphus's Day, the feast of the dedication of the
cathedral,
within
;
now again, to alternate
mummeries, they were acting
to desecrate the house of God. St.
them
;
had formed pro-
masked, and carried on the most un-
seemly buffoonery, and that
on
from the
that,
Nicholas to that of the Holy Innocents, a boy decked
its
when men and women awaited
the break of day
holy walls, with singing and dancing, with tricks
and scandalous sports
;
when
the high altar was turned into
a sideboard, and wine-barrels were placed in the chapel of St.
Catherine
!
He wound
up with the words,
—
'
Ah
!
when-
ever I have to witness these outrageous abominations in the holy place, I
seem
to hear the Lord's voice of thunder
Doctor and The Kaisersbcrz ^>
62
My
crying aloud, "
house of prayer
(Mark
xi.
;
house
be called of
shall
made
but ye have
Mat.
Little
it
all
nations the
a den of thieves."
17.)^
Whereupon Sebastian Brandt launched on the immoral
tions, specially
life
forth in lamenta-
of the higher and lower
ranks of clergy, the pride of the prelates, their boundless avarice, the ignorance of the village priests,
dissolute
He
of the monasteries.
life
and the
sensual,
and Master Anselm
agreed in calling upon the Doctor to prosecute with
all his
might his appeal to the Emperor, the Pope, and the Bishop, in favour of a
Reformation of the Church.
Geiler, however, replied in a '
Dear
time that
friends, every
I
somewhat mournful
tone,
have cherished some hope of
seeing these shameful abuses and vices put
down
in the
midst of us, our Holy Father the Pope,'and our most gracious lord the Bishop, and
all
prelates
and
courtiers,
have
failed
must excuse
rightly to
understand me, on which account
them.
urge most earnestly the necessity of reformation
I
as regards the clergy, the worship of
I
God, and the convents
they understand the point to be the preservation of these. '
And
so
that all things remain as of old
it is
But you must not
purpose on
suffer yourself to
this account,
faithfully fulfil
your
task,' said
be erected ^
For
now
be frightened from your
Sebastian Brandt.
details,
;
'
You, the
you, for
whom
causing that beautiful stone pulpit to
in the cathedral
vol.i. pp. 51-53-
!'
dear Master Doctor, and you must
Bishop's confessor, the people's favourite magistrates are
:
all
;
you, whose credit stands so
see Rohrich, History of the Reformatio7i in
Alsace,
The Kaisei'sherg Doctor and Little Mat. high both with Pope and Emperor, others,
ment
—you
are fitted above all
and are manifestly chosen of God,
in beginning this great
6^
to
be the
instru-
work of the reformation of
the Church.' '
I
doubt that very much, friend Sebastian
being called to
must go I say
\
however that may
but,
and things cannot,
my
be, the system
in the
name
of
God
they cannot, continue as they are in our poor Christen-
And
dom.
reform our
God
it
to pieces,
I (^oubt
;
as
because Emperor, King, and Pope decline to
life,
it is,
without sense, without reason, and without
the Bishop of
bishops, Jesus Christ, will
all
take pity on His fallen Church, and will send a reformer will better
who
whom
understand the whole matter, and for
I
may be sent only to prepare the way. A voice within tells me I shall not live to see that day but when it dawns on ;
you, remember, I beseech you, that I have foretold '
Yes,
right
truly,'
interposed
Sebastian
it.'
'
you are
dear
Master
Brandt,
!— St. Peter's bark,
waves surging round
her,
Threatens 'mid deep'ning gloom to founder Or must, if through this storm she ride, Strain'd, helpless,
Therefore Doctor,'
let
added
maim'd,
us
faithfully
he,
'
that
its
do
bufifetings abide
our part,
we may
;
!
not, in the great
day of
the harvest, be found like the wicked and slothful servant
who had
hid his talent in the earth.
sow, the other water
;
and
it
is
the
One must
plant
and
Lord who giveth the
increase.'
With these and other
similar
conversations the three
The Kaisersberg Doctor and Little Mat.
64
men
beguiled
time
tlie
a late hour,
till
when
Sebastian
Brandt accompanied Ursula to her home, and entertained her so well that, captivated by his
humour and
manners, she forgot the bhnd beggar and
his attractive
all
the trouble
and disturbance which she had apprehended from her hospigentleman.
tality to the stranger
Little
Mat
slept as soundly
could be wished or expected parents, around
and awakened in
the
whose bed angels held
As Master Anselm had
as bright as
happy child of pious their silent vigils.
honour of the Doctor invited
in
all
the persons of dignity in Kaisersberg to share his Sunday dinner,
little
Matthew was
to
go to
ately after his breakfast, to pass the
always greatly enjoyed. Fridli yesterday
He
godmother immedi-
his
day with
her,
which he
had, moreover, promised poor
evening to pay him an early
visit,
and
to
save his buttered roll for him, the regular supplement of his
Sunday
His excellent father had taught him
breakfast.
always scrupulously to keep a promise
and so our
little
made
to the
poor
friend, arrayed in his best jacket, his light-
brown locks flowing from beneath right merrily to his
his velvet cap, tripped off
godmother Ursula.
His friendly mien,
bright eyes, rosy cheeks, glowing from the breath of the fresh
morning breeze,
all
gave him a something that attracted
every one that met him.
Very
different
his straw couch.
was the aspect presented by poor
He
was not
murmuring against Him, darkness in his soul.
for
at
which reason he was
He knew
Fridli
on
peace with God, and was
not, for
filled
with
no one had ever told
The Kaisersberg Doctor' and
God
him, that
'
does not
afflict
Little
Mat.
willingly the
65
children
of
men,' but as a wise Father disciplines them in His love. Fridli
had understood, as no one
among his neighbours
else
management of
the mysteries of the
understood,
all
and herds
he had been clever and expert
;
in
When
he was of his proficiency.
very proud
flocks
work, and the Blotz
Brother at Morsberg explained to him that he must remain blind for
life
within
him
which
to
when,
in
had run
since his eyes
out, Fridli's spirit rose
in rebellion against this inscrutable will of
him appeared no more recent
less cruel
days, led
by
than unjust.
God,
And
his faithful poodle,
he
crossed a bridge, or walked along the bank of a river, and
heard the rushing sound of the water, he would gladly have
thrown himself into ence, were
it
it
make an end
moment
to cry out to him,
'
of his departure from home,
be good and devout,
Fridli,
forget not to pray, be ever mindful of
Now
indeed he did
for his father
;
children, this
and
!'
an unspeakable longing for that
his
was dead, he was the eldest of
poor old mother was
in
six
extreme penury.
account poor Fridli laid by every farthing he could
and fed on hard, coarse, black bread, with a touch of
garlic to give
it
a flavour.
to Kaisersberg, where, as
on
of eternity
But to return empty-handed— no, that he could
Forest.
not do
On
feel
God and
mother's heart, and for the hut in the Black
faithful loving
spare,
of his miserable exist-
not that the image of his pious mother appeared
to him, and, as at the
seemed
to
large gains,
making
his
On
this
account too he had come
we have
seen, he
had reckoned
and had more especially looked forward
to
lament before Doctor Geiler, and presenting to E
The Kaisersbcrs: Doctor and L it tie Mat. i>
66 him a
petition for aid, since
was universally said among
it
the
common
all
the poor and unfortunate, and succoured
folk that
the Doctor took a kindly interest in
'
man had been wont And now poor Fridli
other
them
no
as
to do.'
and lame
blind
lay there,
too,
beginning to realize that he could not beg for alms at the
door of the church, could not be admitted into the presence of the Doctor, and alas return to his dear little
had been
when
his
worst of ' !
all,
Oh,
could never, never
could but die
if I
at length the
welcome dawn appeared,
the bright rays of the sun began to illuminate the clear
azure sky, there lay poor Fridli, despairing as to his
and without any hope
fate,
—he
offer
him a cup of new milk
Fridli gloomily replied, ;
far rather
No^ no,
had '
melancholy
it is
'
he wished neither to eat nor to
a sin to speak thus
there in the castle ditch,
surly tone, as
deepest
if
! '
said
little
Mat,
who
and had heard these words.
should have done better to
been so kindly
in the
!'
just entered the barn,
We
in
for breakfast
would he drown himself
water he could find '
in a
was pushed away with a grumbling rebuff;
vain did Conrad
drink
God, sunk
in
own
In vain did his faithful Forester lick his face and
stupor.
hands
!'
exclamation in the bitter anguish of the past
And when
night.
!
mother
he
is
let
him
lie last
night out
not more grateful for having
received,' grunted out
Conrad
in a bitter
and
he stood prepared to take away the cup of
milk. Little it,
Mat, however, took
with the buttered
roll
it
out of his hand, and carried
he had saved from his breakfast, to
ll
TJie
on
Fridli
Kaisersberg Doctor and
warmed by
Mat.
up the poor
his straw couch, rousing
so friendly a way, and bidding the heartily, that Fridli,
L it tie
6/
sufferer in
dog good-morning so
the boy's spirit and cheerful-
ness as by a sunbeam, began to drink the milk and to eat the
As might be expected, each
roll.
tasted better than
the other, for since his poor mother had brought
from Freyburg
Christmas
for his
such a dainty across his
lips.
With
him one
he had never had
feast,
this
awakening of old
memories, better and softer feelings were likewise awakened
poor blind man's
in the spirit
was charmed away.
Fridli
queries put by his sympathizing
opening
his
and the dark,
heart,
little
friend,
all
whole heart to him, recounting every particular
home and
Morsberg, the dreadful small-pox, and his despair on
ing he had at having
the
and ended by
regarding his good mother, the beautiful cows at his at
evil
bitter,
answered frankly
become
come
blind, his home-sickness, his
to Kaisersberg all in vain,
now
deep
find-
distress
that he could
neither collect alms at the church-door nor speak to the great
and good Doctor.
With the long discoursing on
all
these matters a heavy stone had been rolled off poor Fridli's breast
longer
;
he knew not how or why, but so felt
so
it
was that he no
unhappy since he had spoken out
and given vent
all his
mind,
to his lamentations.
Conrad, who had been going backwards and forwards,
was so moved by the blind man's misery that he had fetched his
own
pillow,
and pushed
and had clean forgotten to church.
Little
it
in
under
silently
Fridli's
head,
to begin his preparations for going
Matthew, however, who had been
listen-
ing attentively, and whose shrewd eyes were sparkling like
6S
gems, said in a consolatory tone,
good courage,
Fridli
to get
this
;
cousin the Doctor to
and
L ittlc Mat.
Kaisersbcrz Doctor and
TJie
'
Cheer up, and be of
very afternoon
come and
see
boy jumped
little
my
ask
will
you here
you taken home to your mother
assurance the
I
in this barn,
After which
!'
and
up, called the poodle
ran into the house, where his godmother was
still
sitting at
breakfast with her guest. Forester,
who
usually could not bear
little
always began to bark or to growl at any one his
poor master, on
at
once,
and ran
this
in
occasion followed
little
Mat's
call
godmother's parlour at his
the
to
boys, and
who approached
heels.
He
was met by screams from the
Mat, leave that nasty dog outside
affrighted Ursula.
!
Oh
fie,
Matthew
'
Oh
!
!
Mr.
Magister,' she added, turning to the learned Master of Arts, '
pray excuse
this
dear
little
wild rogue
abruptly, threw the door wide open,
the dog, which
to drive out
young '
!'
And Ursula
rose
and vainly endeavoured
had taken refuge behind
his
friend.
Godmother, godmother,
and beg
for
poor Fridli
not?' asked
hand on the
little
I
Mat most
creature's
may go
at the
to-day with Forester,
door of the church,
may
I
beseechingly, as he laid his
cowering head, and stroked and
soothed him.
His worthy godmother,
still
quite beside herself, so dis-
concerted had she been by the sudden intrusion of the dirty poodle, was excited beyond
all
measure
at this extraordi-
nary request, so that she stared at the child in speechless
amazement, hardly knowing whether she could have heard
TJic correctly,
Kaisersberg Doctor and
—whether
L ittic Mat.
69
The
she was awake or in a dream.
whole scene, however, was so comical, that Sebastian Brandt could not restrain a hearty laugh.
This inspired
Mat
little
He
with fresh courage.
caught
Ursula by the hand, drevv her back to her chair, and repeated
most coaxing tone,—' Yes,
in his
me
allow
name
See, only look
!
—has been
poodle
how
yes, I
dog
the
'm sure you
—Forester
taught to beg!' whereupon he
upright on his hind-legs, gave
sit
him
will
is
his
made
the
his
cap to
hold between his teeth, and artlessly recounted the whole tale of Fridli's misfortunes
ceeded
expound
to
and
own
his
his home-sickness,
the church-door, that the poor blind
alms
after
He
all.
told
and pro-
plan of begging in his stead at
it
all
man might
still
get his
so simply, so heartily, so
touchingly, that neither Sebastian Brandt nor the
godmother
could refrain from tears. '
nature
on
Ursula, after
Yes,' said
a pause,
this
the child's
is
whenever he sees any unfortunate creature he
;
to obtain relief for him,
fire
'
and would shed
is all
his heart's
blood on his behalf '
Oh, leave him
Ursula
It
!
possession
in
world, for he can carry parts
from
these
all
little
manner,
To beg
seemly
for )'ou,
! '
it
all
Dame
riches of this
to the realms of glory
replied
when he Then
Sebastian Brandt.
at
my
the church-door, that would not be
dear
little
fellow,
nor would
to take the poodle with you, since both
worship of
the
Mat, he added in a friendly but solemnized
turning to '
of this treasure,
more precious than
is
God
;
but
I
it
be proper
would disturb the
promise you to consult with the
TJie Kaiscrsbersr
Doctor
Doctor and Little Mat.
very day as to the best way of rendering real
this
assistance to poor Fridh.'
Now
Httle
Mat would
certainly have given anything
he
possessed for leave to stand and beg at the church-door,
and
set
up the poodle
because he
the hearts of
was the best means of melting
church-goers into charity towards his poor
all
But he was trained to unquestioning obedience
friend.
he
to exhibit his clever tricks there,
fully believed that
silently led Forester
back
to the barn,
man
tunity of informing the blind
;
so
and took the oppor-
made by
of the promises
the kind and learned Magister, thereby pouring a healing
balsam into
At
his
wounded
moment
that
heart.
the bells of the town pealed their
all
joyous invitation to the house of God. little
favourite
honoured
Ursula took her
hand, and, accompanied
by the
unmingled with solemn awe, to worship God, and to the preaching of her beloved
We
life in
the
profane mocking of burg.
It is
Church all
to listen
and venerated nephew.
have already described the extinction of
Christian
by her
guest, sallied forth in a state of eager longing, not
in the
faith
and
days of Geiler, and the
holy things in the Minster at Stras-
easy to conclude from what was carried on
in
the great cathedral of the provincial capital, under the very
eyes of the high ecclesiastical authorities,
scandalous were
the
how
yet
doings habitually witnessed
more during
Divine service in the churches througliout Alsace. Nevertheless,
devout
such
ecclesiastic,
that in the
is
the
moved by
influence
of a single
truly
the Spirit of Christ himself,
church of Kaisersberg, on
this
occasion, the
The Kaiscrsberg Doctor and Sunday
To
services
went on amid
L ittic
stillness
the Doctor's great joy, there was not a
Mat.
7
and reverence.
mask
to
be seen
;
assembled citizens occupied their proper places in
the
demeanour
respectable attire and with seemly
the brother-
;
hoods, nuns, and members of the several orders came from their respective
convents in
fitting
order and dignity
;
the
nobility from the surrounding castles, the imperial 'Landvogt'
(Land-steward), with his guests, did not
appearance too, and although
it
tide festival, a great occasion in high
unmasked and
in
plain
life,
Whether
clothes.
the
from the
pulpit,
precious stones, their long
as he
their trinkets, their gold
veils,
costly lace
bold
had
them openly
ladies of Strasburg, addressing
and censuring
gracious
lest the
and outspoken preacher should reprove them done the
his
yet he appeared
matrons and noble damsels may have dreaded
lately
make
to
fail
was the principal Shrove-
and
and
silk gar-
ments, wherewith they were bedecked in the house of God,
and
all
of which he classed as
'
sinful
trumpery, with which
demon of pride is wont to purchase immortal souls, that he may then plunge them into everlasting perdition,' we cannot certify, and have no means of ascertaining. the
preached on that morning on Matt. xxv. 40
Geiler '
Inasmuch
these
my
done
as ye have
brethren, ye have
it
done
:
unto one of the least of it
unto Me.'
He
began
by explaining the origin of the fast of Lent in the Christian Church,
its
being fixed as a period of forty days, because
the Lord had fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness,
before
He
commencing His
went on
to tell
great
how
work of redemption on
earth.
the early Christians fasted, giving
72
The Kaisersbcrg Doetor and
to the
poor two-thirds, or
He
simplest meals.
Mat.
money
at least the half, of the
usually required for food,
satisfying themselves
with the
exhorted his hearers to carry out their of the word, and concluded with an
this full sense
fasts in
Little
urgent appeal on the duty of accepting with Christian love,
poor
for the Lord's sake, the responsibility of caring for the
and the unfortunate, '
Ye have done
it
unto me,' and
for they shall obtain
The
'
—remembering
:
Blessed are the merciful,
'
mercy' (Matt.
Lord,' he exclaimed
the Saviours words
v. 7).
with
earnestness,
not
did
'
command you
to build churches
and convents, while
at the
same time you
suffer the living stones, the unfortunate
whom
He
His brethren, to languish
calls
We do not read
in neglect.
He will say in the my Father, inherit
"Come,
in the Bible that
last
judgment,
ye blessed of
the
kingdom prepared
for
you from the foundation of the world, because ye have churches, founded monasteries and prebendal
built
and
so forth," but, " for I
meat
was
I
:
thirsty,
stranger,
and ye took
was
and ye
sick,
unto me."
1
and ye gave
me in me
visited
:
:
me
drink
me
was a
I
:
naked, and ye clothed I
was
by no means intend
build churches and monasteries. the one
stalls,
was an hungered, and ye gave
in prison,
to say that
No
;
but
and not leave the other undone,
me
:
I
and ye came it is
wrong
we ought
for love
is
to
the
to
do
first
and great commandment.'
Musing and deeply impressed, the godmother walked slowly
homewards with
little
^Matthew.
She
felt
as
though
her nephew the Doctor had on that day preached quite specially for her.
On
reaching
home
she bent her steps
The Kaisersberg Doctor and Little Mat. straightway to the resting-place of the
whose injured
poor bUnd man,
foot she carefully examined, talking to
way
the while in such a told
as to soothe
and comfort him.
him he must not torment himself any
would gladly keep him
until
a glass
of good
Conrad,
who would
him She
longer, for she
he should be able to walk
His dinner was sent to him from her
quite well.
73
strengthening
table,
and
wine in addition, which
generally have viewed such proceedings
with a jealous eye, seemed to-day to regard as the right and natural
he too had been
thing, for
at
church, and
had
devoutly listened to the Doctor's admirable discourse.
The was,
'
universal opinion expressed that day in Kaisersberg
No
one ever preached as did the Doctor.'
solemn, fervent words, which seemed to straight heart,
to
'
message
from God, had found some entrance to
many a
and had
any
at
Master Anselm. their
rate called forth the earnest resolve
to communicate.'
of mind prevalent
among
Such was also the tone
the guests invited to dinner
by
These, as they took their leave, gave, one
promise with plighted
hands as a sign of good
faith,
longer suffer the living stones
—
His
as a
do good and
by one,
come
troth,
and a warm shake-
that they
would not any
—the poor and the unfortunate
to languish in helpless misery.
With a heart relieved and cheered, the Doctor went, after vespers, to visit his
Fridli,
lavished on
him by
and beg
him
for
On
their
way
Brandt related to him the story of
to her house, Sebastian
poor blind
dear aunt Ursula.
and of the loving care and kindness litde
at the
Mat, and the child's anxiety to go
church-door.
The Doctor was
de-
TJic
lighted,
and on reaching
tion was, *
it
The
*
Where
house
he
till
is
now
that he is
is
had begged little *
'
is
his first ques-
poor
from
FridH'?'
As
for permission to
— such
and
his foot,
be kept and tended
restored,'
fully
how
suffering less
to
to her nephew's inquir)'.
Mat.
dweUing
his aunt's
the Httle boy, and
is
man
blind
settled
is
L ittle
Kaiscvsbcrg Doctor and
74
that
in
was Ursula's reply
to little Mat,' she added,
'
he
go into the town to join his
companions.'
What
procession
is
this
coming towards
a chorister boy?' asked Sebastian Brandt,
us,
headed by
who was
stand-
ing in the window. '
is
Oh, that
is
our wild
little
original
again to hold a service with the
done on Sundays
before.'
it
he
boys, as he has often
So said Ursula, who instantly ,
recognised in the chorister boy her
Two by
Depend upon
!
little
own
little
Mat.
two, with most exemplary order and regularity,
followed the boys his companions, each carrying his supper in his hand.
Little
Mat, a white
shirt
surplice over his clothes, bell in hand,
thrown by way of
and ringing as he
went, led the way with the utmost gravity, and guided them to the" barn *
We
where poor
Fridli lay.
must go and watch
their proceedings!'
the Doctor and Sebastian Brandt
at
exclaimed
the same moment.
So
saying they went with Ursula to the door of the barn, where
they stood unobserved. Little
Matthew had gone from house
together all his playfellows, telling them,
to '
house to gather they must
come
with him to his godmother's barn, in which he was about to
conduct Divine worship, and to repeat to them the sermon
L ittle
The Kaisersberg Doctor and preached by
his cousin
poor blind
over, lay
Doctor Geiler, and
who had been
Fridli,
his fall at the castle moat.
by Avas
now
he added,
present,'
'
In
this
Mat.
the Doctor say, none other than the
man
blind
himself,
Carnival, to offer to
poor
up as a
it
And
Fridli.'
lowed willingly the
sacrifice to the
and
his supper-roll,
whatever money he might have earned by singing
it
there
his cousin
Lord Jesus
and therefore each of them must bring
more-
in Avhich,
so hurt yesterday
had heard
as he
75
in the
Lord Jesus by giving
those wild, high-spirited boys
all
summons
of the
little
missionary, and
fol-
when
the two learned gentlemen, with their lady friend, secretly
approached the open door,
them
all,
by
led
it
was a pleasant
Mat, marching round
little
couch, at the foot of which sat
sight to see
Fridli's straw
with the cap
Forester,
between his teeth, upright on his hind-paws, while each as
he defiled past
silently
dropped
boy
his Carnival cake, apples,
nuts and buttered roll into the beggar's pouch, and the
penny, with an occasional addition of a small silver coin, into the poodle's cap,
and Conrad stood by,
and looking as
devoutly folded,
if
rapt in
hands
his
amazement,
watching the doings of the juvenile party.
As
boy threw
the last
formed a
circle
round
in his offering, they all closed in
little
Mat,
who placed
ground, clasped his hands, and prayed thus Jesus
!
do
restore poor
do take him
when we
all
safely
it
unto
me
my
as ye !
home
;
to his dear
—
'
Dearest Lord
do heal his foot; little
mother
!
go to Thee in heaven, then surely Thou
say to us, as
Inasmuch
Fridli's sight
and
the bell on the
and
And wilt
cousin the Doctor has promised to-day,
have done
Amen.'
it
to
poor
Fridli,
ye have done
The Kaisershcrg Doctor and Little Mat.
yd
Hereupon
the Doctor, deeply touched, stepped forward
into the circle of silent children,
who shrunk back
the sight of him, laid his hand, as
on
little
'
spirit,
'
Gron.^ up,
little
and thou
boy,
shalt be
r^
Great
!
—
as great as
you are
inquired our
?"
looking up with his sparkling eyes at the figure of his illustrious relative.
would have '
shyly at
to invoke a blessing,
Mat's head, and said, apparently inspired with a
prophetic great
if
to give
up
!
tall
friend,
and
stately
Well then indeed people I
me
calling
Oh, blessed simplicity
'
little
Little
Mat!'
truly of such
is
the
kingdom of
heaven,' said the Doctor with emotion, as he pressed the child to his heart.
Doctor Geiler then and
there, in the
godmother's barn,
delivered a discourse to the cliildren, which,
of God, afterwards bore rich little
by the grace
more than one of those
ones, and which was never effaced from the
most of them
to their latest day.
to his attentive
loved
fruit in
little
to Himself,
When
memory
of
he was describing
young hearers how the blessed Lord Jesus
children,
how
while on earth
He
called
them
and embraced and blessed them, and how the
experience of that day was to show them that even children
could love
Him
in return for
and could serve Him, and
His redeeming love to them,
offer to
Him
sacrifices of thanks-
giving in the persons of His sick poor, and of any suffering or
unhappy ones, suddenly little Simson Hiller rose up, retired behind the barn-door, and stood there weeping bitterly. ^
These words are recorded as having actually been addressed Zell, as a child, by Doctor Geiler.
Matthew
to
TJie
What
*
the matter with you, poor Httle fellow
is
Sebastian Brandt,
Oh
'
'
—
I '
who had followed
'
must go to
What
hell
77
V asked
hira,
more and more
replied Simson, sobbing
!
Lord Jesus cannot love me,
the
L ittie Mat.
Kaisersbcrg Doctor a]id
for I
am
violently,
such a bad boy,
!'
hast thou done
'
%
Simson turned as pale as death, then flushed crimson,
began '
and
to tremble violently,
at length
stammered
out,
Mat had better tell it he knows all Matthew would not for some time bring out what he had
Little
to say
!'
;
;
he turned to Simson instead, and
console him,
'
The good Lord
you only say the Lord's Prayer however, the
Doctor joined
and Simson added, but
punished,
I
Do
'
tell
said, as if trying to
will certainly forgive you, if
all
;
him
to
tell
all,
then I shall indeed be
have peace of mind
shall
When,
right earnestly.'
urging
in
!
Mat
little
'
threw his arms round the Doctor's neck, and whispered softly,
-It
was Simson who yesterday cut
Fridh's string,
and so he
is
to
blame
in
two poor
and
for his fall
all
his
lameness.' '
for
Well,' said the Doctor,
Simson
Simson If
?
to
'
be guilty of
that !
was indeed an
evil action
But how do you say now,
you had not deliberately planned
you had known what injury
it
it,
had you
%
would cause the blind
man, you never would have cut the
string in two,
would
your Simson however shook both hands, and said did do
it
maliciously,
his head,
in a
and
I
covered his face
suppressed voice, did laugh
when
I
'
^yith
No, no
saw him
I
fall
I !
The Kaisershcrg Doctor and
78
Oh
yes,
punish
deserved '
Now,
me
as severely as
it
again to the '
Doctor, as he
the
said
truly,'
I
;
have
fully
because
Christ's sake,
you on the cross
! '
He
then turned
your
!
He
you
sin is forgiven
for Jesus
bore your punishment instead of
!
quite
sure,
'Is that
child
any one
in
and gently and solemnly added,
fellow,
little
Be comforted, my
turned towards
such a hearty, upright, penitent confes-
'
have never yet met
I
you choose
Mat.
!'
Sebastian Brandt, sion
Little
sure?'
many
asked Simson with
tears. *
As
sure as that in presence of the holy angels in heaven
there
is
come
to
But now
joy to-day over your sincere repentance.
poor
Fridli here
!
You must
Happily our gracious Lord God has out of even this
How
evil.
ask his pardon too.
mercy brought good
in
think you, Fridli
should
I
1
say you by no means wish now you had not had that
and had not been brought among us here
Poor
bewildered by
Fridli, quite
he had met with, and
all
now
*
Fridli,'
heard
On '
me
!
am
I
Oh
Fridli
!
forgive
me
;
'
can you sing what you have
church?'
the blind
Well then,
'
so grieved.'
asked the Doctor,
in the
how-
Hiller,
straw couch, and seizing both his
his
hands, weeping bitterly, cried out,
only forgive
heard, could only
Simson
stammer out a few disjointed words. ever, knelt beside
barn
the love and kindness
all
he had just
in this
fall,
?
man
answering
raise the "
Dciim Laiidaums
— We '
in the affirmative,
Herr Gott, dich loben wir praise Thee,
O God
!
')
he replied, !" '
(the
and
Te
forth-
Kaisersberg Doctor and Little Mat.
TJie
79
with Fridli, with his ringing and melodious voice, gave out that glorious old
and Ursula,
all
Geiler, Sebastian Brandt,
Doctor
hymn.
chimed
and the song of praise swelled
in,
out with solemn sound, and rose to the throne of the merciful
Triune God.
Hand in hand hymn was being
stood Simson Hiller and
Mat
little
as the
sung, the latter turning his bright intelli-
gent glances, so
full
of tender feeling,
first
sympathy
in
towards his weeping playfellow, then in love and joy up
towards his Father
in
— the former fixing
heaven
the down-
tear-bedimmed eye on the
cast look of his dark, thoughtful,
like Peter after his fall
and
his pardon,
ground, as
if,
vision the
manner of death by which he was
he saw in
to glorify
God.
Sebastian Brandt contemplated the two boys with deep interest
;
the last notes of the Te Deiwi died away, he
when
turned to his friend the Doctor with the question, 'What
do you think '
At any
reply (Luke
The
is
little
become of
likely to
rate, the
had
fellows
listening
promising him Fridli
to
with them,' was the
all
his
long since departed to their still
tale,
sitting
giving
was indeed
in a far better
how kind
must remain blind
by poor
him
human mood than
assistance, as far as
gladly acknowledging that he
is
66).
i.
homes, when the Doctor was the barn,
these two boys?'
hand of the Lord
Fridli in
help could go. in the
morning,
every one was to him
all his life,
and
advice,
;
yet
to that he could not
bring his mind to submit, and his last word to the Doctor, in reply to all the advice '
But why then
am
I
and comfort he
blind T
tried to give, was,
The Kaiscrsbo'sr Doctor and Little Mat. i>
8o
Listen to
*
I
me
now,
Fridli,' said
the Doctor
can give no other answer than
Godr such
But suffering God's the
is
way towards
fore try again,
Lord
will,
to thy
in
His
for
kingdom of heaven.
God's
with the
and you
will,
hammer
will see that
of His grace, beat the
light to shine in Fridli's soul
to
So
say.
may
!'
Whether the worthy Doctor succeeded
tion
sake,
There-
worthless penny into a golden coin, wherewith you
gain everlasting bliss
inward
why
and stamp on your beggar's penny your
humble acquiescence the
the
this,
cheerfully,
will
'
;
" It is the will of
far,
however,
we
in
certain,
is
causing the
are not in a posiafter the
that
Doctor's conversation with him, he was more peaceful, and
seemed much comforted. Ursula's
till
being more
Simson
Easter,
Fridli
receiving
remained
frequent
at
godmother from,
visits
and more cheered by, both
little
and
Mat and
Hiller.
When, on Easter-Monday, Sebastian Brandt once more passed through Kaisersberg, he took blind Fridli with him
on
his
journey to Basle.
The poor man was
laden with
proofs of the liberality of his Kaisersberg friends, and from
down the Rhine by Freyburg the Black Forest. Perhaps we may be able to discover our subsequent narratives how matters went with Fridli
Basle his kind patron sent him to in
at a later period,
come As
and whether
little
Matthew did
truly be-
great in the vineyard of the Lord.
regards Dr. Geiler, he
preached and laboured in
Strasburg with great blessing for thirty years more. steadfastly refused all the brilliant offers
made
to
He
him of
The Kaisersberf^ a Doctor and
Little
Mat.
8i
preferment in Augsburg, Freyburg, and Basle, and remained
beloved Alsace, and
faithful to his
among
that
now be
its
people,
whom
to hear him,
and never
Emperor on the
at
by no means
it is
right
he should
truly loved,
was the favourite of the
who came
often to Strasburg
him by any name but
subject of the abolition of the rack,
any
reformation in the
that
all
and
he wished and aimed
He
rate effect great good.
way
that
Geiler appealed urgently to the
he did not succeed in he did
i.,
called
of 'The Kaisersberger.'
at,
He
so entirely forgotten.
good Emperor Maximilian
if
he so
achieved a
of procuring milder treatment for
prisoners, causing spiritual consolation
and exhortation and
the administration of the holy sacrament to be granted to
those under sentence of death,
all
which had heretofore, and
from time immemorial, been cruelly denied them, and he did
much
to increase the
number of good
raise the standard of teachers
and
schools,
their position.
and to It
was
through his influence that Sebastian Brandt, the famous poet of the 'Fools' Ship,' was, in
1500
a.d.,
appointed
Chancellor of his native city of Strasburg, where he
mained
till
his death, in T521,
of accomplishing
much
re-
and where he was the means
for the public
good.
In unison
with his friend Geiler, Brandt succeeded in founding several institutions for the benefit
unfortunate, at Strasburg.
of the poor, the sick and the Geiler died in 1510, in his sixty-
fourth year, deeply lamented
common in his
by
all,
and
especially
by the
people, and the spirit which yet speaks even to us
sermons bears witness that he was a
faithful servant
of God, and a zealous labourer in his vineyard.
He
was
82
TJie
Kaisersherg Doctor and Little Mat.
buried under the beautiful stone pulpit in the Strasburg Cathedral, which the magistrates had caused to be erected
on purpose
for
him,
and
around which, whenever he
preached, so great a multitude had crowded to hear the
Word.
May
his
memory be
ever held in veneration, and prove a
blessing in the midst of us
!
two interesting and discriminating articles on Geiler, by Adolphe in the Revue Chretienne, March and April 1862, many further particulars are furnished concerning the life, opinions and in[In
Schseffer,
fluence of this reformer before the Reformation, of said that, living in the
dim
evangelical light, he, like
whom
it
is
truly-
noonday of Moses, saw but entered not the promised
twilight of dawn, preceding the
While conscious of the mediaeval taint manifest in his strong and other superstitions, his unbounded trust in holy water and the sign of the cross, his quaint and strained allegorical renderings of Holy Scripture, and his false estimate of charity and
land.
belief in witchcraft
God (shown in the first paragraph of page 80, in the words actually quoted from his writings), we cannot but admire his bold testimony against the worldliness and immorality of his age, and contrast his groping after purer, clearer light, with the deepening twilight of many in our own day, who, loving the darkness rather than the light, willingly turn their backs on the doctrines of the patience as meritorious before
Reformation.
—
7>'.
]
THE OLD ST. STEPHEN^S TOWER AT MULHAUSEN. '
'
—
Thou desirest truth in the inward parts.' Ps. li. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out
2 Pet.
ii.
6.
of temptations.'
9.
There thou
standest
after the long,
still,
dear old tower, grey and solemn,
weary struggles of
life,
and thy
bells
chime
or peal with a tone of pathos, as though they would fain
tell
us that thou belongest not to the new-fangled world that has
sprung up around thee, and that the time has come when they
may
well ring thee also into thy quiet grave,
and thy
may be laid low and take its rest Well, we grant thee the needed repose, for thou hast lived an eventful life, hast seen many a generation pass away, and hast taken part in many a contest, but, thank God, likewise in full many a noble victory And if venerable head
!
right heartily will
!
only
we understood
way of
thy silent language, thou wouldst,
farewell, recount to us
and seek
to impress
on us many a
But to every one of us take leave of thee, for
we
it
a
memorable
by
scene,
useful lesson.
would be a melancholy task
love to recall that time
when
to
the
when we returned from our beloved home, and once more beheld
young heart beat high with foreign parts to
many
joy,
The Old
84
Stephens Tozuer at Miil/iausen,
St.
thy stately summit from
^Vherefore
afar.
feel
I
day
this
inwardly constrained to relate what I have read in the old
who was tower-watchman during many, many a year, and to whose
chronicle, about Melchior Kiiffer,
on thy
lofty height
heart thou wast so dear, that he
would rather have died
than have parted from thee.
Cousin Melchior, as people used to
call
him, was a most
strange, eccentric character, always doing ever}-thing in a
way of
his
own, and sometimes impracticable enough
others to get on with.
As watchman of
no man had anything glued to his post
;
to say against him, for he
— he
seemed
espied with his hawk's eye every
impropriety committed within the town, or even beyond
bounds
;
for
the tower, however,
and often did he
lift
up
his voice
and
utter a
its
word
of warning, through his speaking-trumpet, to one or another
who was
treading forbidden paths, thereby making himself
not a few bitter enemies.
number of each hour threatened the
and
in every
as
it
By night he came round
emergency
;
whether of
rang a stormy peal of bells to
fire,
summon
;
flood or war, he
help.
watchman, he stood firm
yet he was so singular, so different from
beings
and when danger
he blew an alarm with the said horn,
city,
his character of
regularly blew the ;
In short, in
And
as a rock. all
other
human
he descended so very seldom from his dearly-
beloved tower, and as age advanced upon him, more and
more seldom, below,' he
and
lanes,
till
at last
was wont I
seem
noise and tumult,
he never came down
to say,
^
to pant for breath strife
at all.
in the narrow, ;
all is
gloomy
'
Down streets
dust or mud,
and bickering, envy and
ill-will.
The Old But up on heaven,
St.
Stephen's
Tower
—there the sun shines
live quietly '
St. Stcpheiis Tozvcr at Miilhrntseiu
We
and
have the
I
pure
fresh,
forth bright
and
clear,
can readily believe he
lives in peace,
know
like to
with
and
whom
alone up there, and never associates with any said old Ursula at her fruit-stall
Cousin Melchior
down
to the said
'
Thou
the
of
and
I
down
Ursula,
town-clerk's
shalt not steal.'
is
is
human being
orchard,
Moreover, be
old Melchior Kiiffer, was not alone
;
!
Now
starry night shouted
was enjoying a walk
as she
no
always
in the square.
had once upon a
'
it
he would
quarrel, the silly old hermit, in his tower-nest, he
Zwingel
air
in peace.'
wonder, for we should
*
85
a it
voice
known,
in
of warning, he, the
good
he had a remark-
for
ably agreeable society in his wall-flower, rosemar}^, migno-
and the lovely pinks which he knew so well how
nette,
and which rejoiced
train in flower-pots,
by
his heart
to
their
sweet fragrance on the trellised summit of his church-tower
and Cousin Melchior loved venerable tower with alike,
the
all
his
tender nurslings and his
his heart, for they,
spoke to him of God, the Giver of
balmy breath of the scented
all
flowers,
one and
good
;
all
and, with
and the deep-toned
music of the tower-bells, there ascended likewise to heaven the voice of his prayers and thanksgivings. the
Lord with a
and were so there
on
full
He
praised
heart that his flowers flourished so well
fragrant,
and
that
he was permitted to dwell up
his quiet tower-top, where, in his opinion,
he was
Heaven than down below among the stir and human society. He had besides yet another
far nearer to
unrest
of
nursling,
and
this
was a
living soul, of
whom
old Ursula
86
down to
Old
TJie
St. Stephen's Tozver at MiilJiaiiscn.
in the square
him than
beloved
knew not
;
who was
but
dearer
dearer than even his
This was
Tower.
Stephen's
St.
at all,
the world besides
all
little
Augustine
Kramer, the guild-master's young son. Augustine's mother had obtained this boy from the Lord
answer to much prayer, as Hannah did her Samuel. Long years of wedlock had been unblest with any children, and when at last this little boy came into the world, she in
called
him Augustine, because, during the few months
pre-
vious to his birth, the Prior of the Augustinian Convent had
narrated to her
pious son
much
of the history of
it
were her dedication of him to the Lord,
entreating that he might
become
as devout, as faithful a ser-
vant of Christ and His Church as the mother's prayer was heard. loveable, warm-hearted child,
St.
But
his
mind and
this fair picture
without
life
many
of the gentle
;
Little
when
which the Lord had
had
its
dark side too, as ever}^thing
and so matters did not flow on smoothly, not
a struggle and
many
Dame Kramer and
a bitter tear, in the history
her
little
pet.
vine-
home and among
of his guild, ruled with a rod of iron.
little
The
Kramer, was an upright man,
but hard withal and violent, who, at
wont
Augustine became a
soul develop themselves.
dressers' guild-master, Nicholas
members
And
Augustine was.
and the older he grew, the more
beautifully did the noble gifts with
has in this
IMonica and her
praying with her for her child yet unborn, and
;
forestalling as
endowed
St.
And
so,
the
even
Augustine had scarcely learned to walk, he was
to chastise
him sharply for the
and often to scourge him
into
slightest
misdemeanour,
wounds with
his rod, so that
TJie
the
little
Old
St. Stephen's Tozver at Miilhatisen.
fellow, being of a very tender nature,
once made
ill
and, what was
;
was more than
worse, imbibed such a
still
dread of his father that he grew pale and trembled
him coming his loving
mother so as nearly to break her heart it,
if
he saw
This naturally grieved
or even heard his voice.
winced the more under
^y
;
and she
bowed down under
because,
the
heavy yoke of matrimony with such a husband, she could not venture to remonstrate against the father's hard and unloving treatment of their only child.
hoped lord
but
that the birth of his son
and master, and awakened better it
seemed
Alas
she had
!
would have softened her feelings in his heart
as if the very contrary were the case, for never
had she seen him so the poor boy.
irritable
My poor,
'
pray for thy birth
Oh
1
Such was one day her
and passionate as towards
poor
little
why
Augustine,
did I
out upon that hard, inhuman sex
!
bitter exclamation, as
!
weeping she
pressed her child to her bosom.
No Dame *
years,
need of taking Kramer.
this
The
matter too
stern
much
to heart,
Master Kramer
and cannot stand the noise of childish
Cousin Melchior, who
at that
moment was
heard her cry of
But
my good
now up
in
prattle,' said
bringing her a
rich golden wall-flower for the Easter festival,
'
is
and thus over-
distress,
my unhappy
child will be ruined
by
this
ill
usage.
Look here yourself and see how pale and thin he has grown, and how full he is of fear and trembling, and wanting in all life '
and joyousness
You must
his father.
as
!
much
It is as I
as possible
have
said.
keep him out of
Be
sure
sight of
you can never
The Old
88
Stephens Toiver at Miilhaiisen.
St.
man
contrive to accustom the old
morning he always goes on the
in the vineyard
and
to the field
and
hill,
In the
to children's ways.
in the
to look after his
evening he
sits
men
under
the great lime-tree, or has his glass of wine at his guild.' But, then, in the afternoon
'
me and
up
fellow
me.
you what
how
shall see
with
me
do
to
him
You must send
!
the
little
to the
my
as for the apple of
eye,
and
rosy his sunk, pale cheeks will soon grow,
the fine fresh air
in
time for
this terrible
daily to the tower to pass these evil hours with
I will care for
you up
one
for the little
I will tell
'
comes
!
Augustine, wilt thou
!
Up
church-tower?
yonder
I
come up give
will
thee pretty flowers and a gay, many-coloured Easter ^^
For a
ment his
while the child looked fixedly and in amaze-
little
at the
keeper of the tower, then suddenly he threw
arms round
his
neck and shouted
in glee,
Cousin Melchior carried him in triumph up to
The poor mother Yet
sighing.
on
his return
about his
main Melchior was seemed
the threatened punishment
!'
his tower.
right enough, for
;
have forgotten
to
he was
fashion good-natured and cheerful,
been
I will
that day, the stern father never inquired
boy, and
little
Yes,
followed him with her eyes, musing and
in the
home
'
all
about
actually after his
—more
so than he
own had
for a long time.
And from tower
daily,
was up
that time forward Augustine
and sometimes
all
day long,
for
in the
whenever
the father's countenance seemed lowering and stormy, or there was too carried
him up
much doing early.
careful
mother
Each time she took him
up, the
at
home,
his
The Old
Tower at Mulhaiisen.
St. Stephen's
fellow shouted aloud for joy,
little
his old friend
became
as
know which he loved best, Under Cousin Melchiors care he
grew
fresh
and
and very soon he and
one heart and one
not
beautiful
He
soul.
the tower or
did
keeper.
its
flourished so well that he
the flowers
like
89
in
tower
the
arbour, so that his mother's heart was overflowing with joy
and thanksgiving. But no
happy and thankful was Cousin Melchior
less
His loving, childlike
himself
spirit,
so long surrounded
only by inanimate objects, expanded in fellowship with the
opening mind of his young charge, and the treasures hitherto
now
concealed within were Augustine, showed
him
of grain, the vineyard
fields
He
developed.
played with
the distant blue mountains, the rich hill,
meadows and
the green
the dark forests, with the villages encircling the town.
explained to him
how Dame
the sturdy daughter of the
111,
Sundgau, down there, receives
in her
bosom
the clear crystal
waters of the merry DoUer, and carries them to the lowlands,
God
— down
to the great noble
has created and ordered
gloriously for the
On
He
all
away with her
Rhine
;
and how
things so beautifully
and
good of the children of men.
the fine autumnal evenings he called
him
to
admire
the golden sunset glow, which he was wont to call the gate
of heaven night,
and
:
he told him to wish the sun a friendly good-
him up
stirred
to take delight in the twinkling
evening star,— Just such a '
'
as that
star,
perhaps,' he
which led the three devout wise
would remark,
men
to the cradle
of the infant Jesus at Bethlehem.'
And
in winter
%
Ah
!
that
was the
little
boy's jubilee
The Old
90
St. Stephen's
Tower at
MiilJiaiiseii.
up
season, for in the snug room, beside the hot stove
tower, Cousin IVIelchior would take tell
in the
and
his knee,
own enchanting way, such wonderful
him, in his
that,
him on
tales,
waking or sleeping, he could only dream of them, and was obliged
his old friend
to recount
them again and yet
During the narrations. Cousin Melchior was also
again.
often engaged in carving for his little pet,
When
there
till
was a
wooden
figures of all sorts as toys
knew no bounds.
the child's ecstasy
fall
of snow, he was dragged round the
tower-top on a plank dignified with the
man
or else a
of
snow was made,
eyes,
name
were coloured with charcoal, a pipe was stuck
and a cane little
in his hand.
of sledge,
mouth and nose in his
mouth
Full of inquisitive glee did the
ragamuffins of the square below peer up to Cousin
Melchior's masterpiece, and overjoyed were they
when he
allowed them to ascend the tower and gain a near and
admiring view of the snow-man, after which they rushed
down
to
go and make one
beside the
like
in front of the belfry-house,
it
crier's little platform.
whiter and more
beautiful!'
'
mine
Still
merrily clapped
his little red half frozen hands.
Melchior,
watchman,
the
and
Master
Augustine, led a quiet, peaceful, happy Stephen's
But
Tower
in this
for
is
far larger,
shouted Augustine,
as
Kramer's
life
little
together on
St.
m.any a year.
world everything passes away; the bright day
as well as the evil
day comes
to
an end
;
and
soon,
so, full
the period arrived at which Cousin Melchior and his favourite could
intimacy.
he
So Cousin
no longer maintain
this
The puny, weakly Augustine
close
little
and loving
had, by
God's
The Old blessing,
St. Stephen's
at his birth
grown
and as the guild-master's good wife
God
for the service of
became necessary
to send
him
and holy
calling.
to school, that he
Once upon a time
it
might learn fit
him
too,
it
denly flashed upon the master of guild at dinner that '
to
is
in the ministry,
somewhat, and begin to receive some training to his high
into a
dedicated her child to the Lord, that
him
say, destined
;
gi
Miilhauseft.
to his mother's heart's content,
and
strong and healthy boy
had
Tower at
it
for
sud-
was
While mak-
high time to bring the boy under discipline.'
ing an exclamation to this effect, he mechanically suited the
word by
action to the
and
his
seizing his stick, so that Augustine
mother shrunk back
terrified,
and drew closer to one
another, with a silent mutual understanding as to what
'
bring-
ing under discipline' might signify in the father's vocabulary.
The mother, however, being a prudent woman, held her peace, did not contradict her husband, but went to her father-confessor, the Prior of the Augustinian Convent, to
whom
she opened her heart, pathetically laying before
him
her dread of the paternal harshness and severe blows for her Augustine,
little
home
receive the
vent
;
if
forced to attend school and to live at
The
instead of up in the tower.
boy
as a pupil
promising to
obtain his consent.
make
among
all right
Prior proposed to
the scholars at the con-
with her husband, and to
This he actually succeeded
in effecting,
only the father insisted on the condition that on Sundays
and feast-days Augustine must dine not abandon
under
his
all
own
discipline,
eye.'
at
home,
'
but must have him occasionally
These were often enough
val days for the poor child.
as he could
doleful festi-
92
TJlc
Old
St. StepJiciis Toivcr at Miilhaiisen.
Cousin Melchior was cross,
— and
same time
at the
a heavy one
was
it
called to bear his
That which had
for him.
been long impending, but had been hitherto only whispered secretly,
now came
even discussed
be spoken of loudly
to
in the Council,
was
and
that, therefore,
watchman would be In
too
far
old and infirm to be capable any longer of efficiently ling his duties,
and
in the guilds,
that he
viz.,
fulfil-
a young and active tower-
forthwith needed, and easily to be found.
vent her spite against her
truth, old Ursula, resolved to
reprover of the speaking-trumpet, and also to obtain his
perch and good salary for her lazy son, a trouble at
lofty
home, had raised
As
the
So
alone.'
Augustine
it
conspiracy against Melchior.
this
proverb
old
was
and
in
to
says,
'
be forced
seldom come
Misfortunes
To
case.
this
part with his
leave
to
little
beloved
his
St.
Stephen's Tower, on which he had, so to speak, taken root for so long,
seemed too much
nigh broke
the old man's
murmur
or complain
;
to
come
and when
once, and well-
all at
He
heart.
however
did not
at night
he had sounded
the hours by the blast of his horn, he stood
still
with clasped
hands, cast an imploring look up to the starry heavens, and
poured forth
his grief into his
Heavenly Father's
Or
ear.
else
he descended, to enter the vast empty church, and there he knelt full
tine
down and
thus offered up a childlike petition
must come
to pass,
—
his going to school.
Now,
O
well that this
by
child abundantly live if
they drive
!
me
that I
Lord
must !
lose
from
my
I
know
Augus-
bless the dear
But Thou knowest also that work.
'
:
I
cannot
Therefore take me,
I
pray Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, up to heaven to be with
The Old
Stephens Tower at Miilhausen.
St.
Thyself,
and
tower
Yet not as
!
When,
me
suffer
shortly
to
die
whom
to
Thou
the
afterwards,
Wernherr Dagsperger,
up yonder on
but as
I will,
my
93
beloved
!'
wilt
venerable burgomaster, the
city
owed
so much,
took his part so warmly, and obtained permission for him
remain
to
at least
temporarily in his office at the old tower
and when, that same evening, Augustine with fellow, his
his senior school-
Bernard Romer, came running up joyously,
neck and cried
Prior says
out,
—
Only
'
you are too old
to
think,
your flowers
so
;
now
on
be always eating only bread
and garhc, and fetching the water up to water
fell
Cousin Melchior, the
to the top of the tower
we, Bernard and
evening, after working hours, to take you a
I,
are,
every
warm meal from
the convent kitchen, and to bring you up a pitcher of water,
and
to stay with
Cousin
folded his '
you
rivers of water
;
vesper
bell,'
— then
indeed
I
am
!
Thou
turnest the hearts of
indeed unworthy of
all
men
as
the faithfulness
compassion which Thou hast shown to a miserable
sinner such as I It
the
hands, and looking up to heaven exclaimed,
Lord, I thank Thee
itnd
till
Melchior with deep reverence doffed his hat and
am
!'
was on Christmas eve
;
Augustine had learned his
lessons capitally, and brought his father a satisfactory testi-
monial to
this effect,
he might be allowed
with the request that, as his reward, to pass the
the convent instead of at home.
approaching holidays in
Before returning to the con-
vent he was to take his mother's Christmas-box to Cousin Melchior, in the shape of a whole basketful of victuals and
a bran-new fur cap, and to-morrow he was to be exempt
The Old
94 from
St. StcpJiens
his father's iron rod,
free to
spend
ous festive
Who
!
could well be happier than
When
the Prior.
sound
little
Beside the belfry he met Bernard Romer, also
%
watchman from
bringing a liberal Christmas-box for the old
happy
these glori-
all
days, even to Twelfth Night, in the midst of his
schoolfellows
Augustine
and
Toivcr at Mulhaiisen.
asleep, as
the two boys arrived, old Melchior was
was
his
wont
Peaceful like a
at that hour.
he lay wrapped in his mantle on his straw
child,
couch, the dark lantern burning at his side, and the crackling cheerfully in the
little
iron stove.
fire
Quietly and
cautiously did the boys set in order the contents of their rich baskets, lighting
all
the Christmas tapers, and then softly,
carrying the lantern with them, they went to the trellised arbour, there to wait for his awakening, and to witness his
glad surprise. It
clear
might be about ;
down
five o'clock
in the square
;
the evening was cold
and
below there was a motley and
noisy crowd, for the cradle of the infant Jesus was set up in the church of candles,
St.
by many hundred
Stephen's, surrounded
and the townsfolk were flocking custom was,
tions, as the
to
pay
manger.
at the holy
their devo-
The
wild and
uproarious young fry were running round the church with little
wooden
up a horrid
rattles called
din,
!'
their
fell
while,
or
'
'
'
Rdtschen^ keeping
Here we
are,
bringing
Bernard and Augustine looked down
on the merrymaking from
when
Rari-en
and crying the
the angelic greeting
with the glee,
'
their lofty tower,
to laughing
became
and shouting with the
jokes and witticisms seemed
to
infected rest,
and
be unheard,
Augustine snatched up the watchman's horn, which lay in
The Old
St. Stepheiis Toiver at MiilhaiLsen.
a corner outside, and ^ in a
blew once, the
twice, thrice,
full-sounding
fit
of thoughtless drolleiy he
the old tower reverberated with
till
Had
blast.
he blown an
horn, not greater would have been
Doors and windows flew open
tion
was on
enchanted
tumult
the
at once, lights
excited.
appeared on the
people rushed out of the church,
streets in every direction,
looking up anxiously to
95
Stephen's Tower, and the ques-
St.
What is The guards at the
all their lips,
'
alarm sounded
?'
up the bridges
in ratding speed,
and
the matter
why
%
the
is
draw
gates hastened to
to close the gates,
and
forthwith the burgomaster betook himself to the Town-hall.
But before rose,
himself,
array
these results had followed the fatal blast,
all
from
startled
his
couch in
who, knocking over the table with
of Christmas
exclaiming wofully,
thou played
me
boxes, hurried '
Oh
this trick
out
all
into
I shall lose
?
goodly
its
the
Augustine, Augustine,
!
my office
arbour,
why
down
in despair, the
cried through his trumpet,
watchman
'What
is
at the
the matter
?'
hast
certainly!'
While the two boys were standing aghast and the old looking
up
Cousin Melchior
terror,
man
Town-hall to
which
query Cousin Melchior was obliged, fetching his horn with a deep sigh, to reply at once,
Upon which
the
'
Nothing,
it
was a blunder!'
watchman below responded by and the people
furious invectives,
vociferating
in the market-place vied
with him in loud abuse, throwing stones at the tower and shouting,
mand
till
the parish priest
silence
and
try to
still
came out of
the church to
the tumult.
poor Augustine, motionless and speechless ing whether he was
Up
com-
yonder stood
too, hardly
awake or dreaming, and whether
it
knowreally
96
Old
TJic
St. StcpJinis Tozvcr at Miilhaiiseii.
who had caused
could be he
the mischief by his untimely
all
blast. '
And now,
me
sent to call
to account.
dare not
I
let
did
it,
no
tell
lie
God
!
tongue, as no one I too
God
is
forbid
is
it
was
Augustine
I
;
only say
did not
—
that also
I
had
know when
(true likewise)
fell
—and
that
true, for
is
I it
you
upon the old man's neck sobbing, and
No, assuredly
I
did not
But hark
!
Melchior, although father should beat
me
be
all
of no use,
my
ye,
Cousin
to death, I miist
that I blew the blast, for otherwise they
you from the tower and dismiss It will
to death,'
Augustine
from malice, did you, Augustine V
it
'
I shall
!
true)
happened through inadvertence
'
'
Let him only hold his
!
the snare
most
wakened up what o'clock
tell
sigh.
aware of your having been up here.
me from
preserve
fallen asleep (which
exclaimed,
you here;
was Augustine
it
beware of saying anything untrue, and may
will
did not do
find
would beat him well-nigh
for his father
added Cousin Melchior with a deep must
Avith his lantern,
him
and, Bernard, beware of telling any one that
who
comes the
youngsters, run down, for there
Town-Council, marching along
officer of the
would drive
you.'
You
boy.
will
only receive
merciless blows, and your poor mother a fresh heartbreak.
They
will
now have somewhat
which they were so long waiting
knew you done
did
his duty,
it,
his eye
would never have happened.
and got only
And
for.
they would say,
and kept
complain of against me,
to
—
If the
watchman had
on these youngsters,
He
his deserts, so there
'
even though they
is
has forfeited his
an end of
it
!'
this
office,
TJie
Old
Tower at Miilhaiism.
St. StcpJieiis
97
But already the sound of the city-messenger's heavy step
was heard on the steep boys to stay
Old Melchior ordered the
stairs.
at the other side of the trellised platform, while
he went to the
message from
little
chamber
in
the
tower to hear the
Meanwhile
his stern lord the burgomaster.
Bernard and Augustine
and returned
softly crept down-stairs,
unobserved to the convent, greatly relieved by finding that
no one had missed them.
Now
Poor Cousin Melchior!
indeed thy foes have
triumphed, and during these merry days of Christmas holiday, merciless
was thy
fate
As
!
ill-luck
would have
two
it,
stone bottles of wine formed part of the Christmas-box
one of these was broken town-officer,
in the fall of the table,
met on entering the
little
chamber
by a strong smell of wine, and by the
to
tell
his tale
how
Cousin Melchior, with
sanctimonious
more nor
less
his
tower
had flashed
below of roast
geese, sausages, bottles of wine, etc. etc., lying
of the tower-chamber, and
in the
sight of victuals
scattered on the floor, thought a sudden light
upon him, and knew how
;
and the
on the
to expatiate on the air,
floor
demure
being neither
than an arrant hypocrite, living a jolly
life
of good cheer, being manifestly addicted to tippling, so that
a drop too
much must have been
blown
horn
his
for
the cause of his having
nothing, and thus put
citizens into a state of panic.
was
growing as
assailed
watchman.
on
it
all
the worthy
All which tale spread like
wildfire in the guard-houses, at the gates, guilds,
all
and
in the various
went, so that Burgomaster Dagsperger sides to
make him
Right sorrowfully did he
G
dismiss the guilty
say at last
to the
98
Old
TJlc
town-clerk that
Melchior in
bowed God.
so
would be impossible
it
I
if
so
it
A
for
them
man
old
to
keep old
himself meekly
In God's name then forward to
'
must needs be
have a conscience
conscience at rest
!
The
office this time.
his head, saying,
meet death,
A
St. Stephen's Toivcr at MiilJiaiiscn.
at rest
—
such
if
is
the will of
!
Nay, old Melchior, not altogether
?
him
voice within whispered to
incessantly,
'
It is
not right of thee to have counselled Augustine to conceal the truth, voice,
and thus
to
have led him
so faithfully to
warn and
making a
lie,
and
this
' :
is sin.'
He who So
it
That same
after his erring
deliver them,
to
Augustine's young heart thus is
astray.'
—of the Good Shepherd who goes
— also
sheep
spoke to
conceals the truth
came
to pass that the
aged watchman of the tower and the youthful scholar of the convent each
down
a mountain weighing
felt
his spirit,
and
how a little unweb of lies, and drag us deeper meshes, how in the end we could but
they both learned by painful experience truth
may
entangle us in a
and deeper
into
its
sink into despair,
if
indeed the Lord could ever forget to
be gracious and merciful. In the ancient chronicle first '
it
stands recorded that on the
rent-day after the Epiphany, that
Melchior
Kiififer,
is
on
St.
the tower-watchman, was
Lucia's Day,
summoned
to
appear before the worshipful the Council, to answer to the accusation of blowing a false alarm.'
Before the sitting of
the Council, Burgomaster Dagsperger,
who
him
how
well, sent privately for the it
had come
timely a blast
;
to pass that
heartily
wished
poor old man, and asked him he had been guilty of so un-
and how he could account
for those roast
The Old geese,
had
broken
St. Stephen's Toiver at Millhausen.
bottles,
and such
When
like.
been awakened with a
fallen asleep,
gg
he replied he
start,
not
known
the hour, and upset the table in his fright, the burgomaster naturally asked
what had frightened him, and who had
Upon which poor Cousin
brought the Christmas boxes. Melchior, fancying
it
necessary for Augustine's sake to with-
hold the truth, could not hobble out of the scrape without telling a
from its
downright
his lips,
came
improbability,
lie,
which, far from flowing smoothly
so awkwardly, that his patron, struck
and puzzled by the
and remark, that
himself, could only shrug his shoulders,
he could not say anything better assuredly be dismissed.
and returned
to
lie
in self-defence
man withdrew
old
if
he must
downcast,
ancient tower like a criminal to his
to his
But what was to him
prison.
seemed
The
by
he was doing
injustice
far
more
distressing
under the ban of Heaven
still,
—he
in his soul, so that
he could not pray.
For Augustine,
too, these days
phany were a time of
about the season of EpiOften
real purgatory.
at a later
did he relate in what anxiety and dread he lived
burden weighed him down, almost guiltiness;
as
if it
truth,
because his
the
had been blood-
spirit
held captive at his will by the father of
let
period
how
and how, nevertheless, he had not strength nor
courage to confess the
however,
;
who knew
the old
watchman
was as
lies.
full well,
it
were
The Prior, who had not
Bernard's melancholy and Augustine's altered mien pass
unobserved,
and who, moreover, was aware from what
quarter the unlucky Christmas-boxes came, went
good dame of the
guild,
and then up
to old
first
to the
Melchior himself
100
TJie
Old
St. Stiphciis
On
to the top of the tower. itself,
Ton'cr at Miilhaiiscn.
the \txy day of the Epiphany
while the boys were eating their Twelfth-Night cake in
the refectory, and crowning the their usage
King of Beans, according
to
from time immemorial, with his paper crown,
the Prior called the two young friends, Bernard and Augustine, into his cell,
When on
where they stayed
till
far
on
in the night.
the following day, the Feast of St. Lucia, the
Council had assembled to investigate the matter, and the old watchman's friends and foes,
among
the rest the guild-
master, had congregated to be present at the decision,
when
Cousin Melchior stood there, bowed down, with
his grey
locks hanging disconsolate, waiting to be brought
down
dishonour to the grave
;
then the Prior entered the
accompanied by Bernard and Augustine, led the
up to the burgomaster, and
straight
said,
—
'
in
hall,
latter
Here, right
worshipful and gracious gentlemen of the Council, I bring
unto you the true criminal.
watchman was his horn,
He
asleep, recklessly
it
was who, while the
blew that dire blast with
and thus caused the worthy
panic, which he
now
heartily repents
of.
citizens a needless
He now
declares
himself willing to undergo any pain or penalty which
may
be decreed by the most honourable Council'
Summoned and encouraged by proceeded to
relate simply, in a
the Prior, Bernard then
few words, the whole course
of events, from their being intrusted with the Christmas
and
their visit to the arbour at the top of the tower,
gifts,
— to the
confusion caused by the concealment of the true story to save Augustine from his father, and the consequent suspicion resting
on Cousin Melchior.
The Old In solemn
and
Tower at Mil thatisen.
St, Stcphciis
and with deep
silence,
citizens listened to the
attention, the Council
young and eloquent scholar of
But Augustine, who stood trembling
the convent-school.
condemned
before the burgomaster like a culprit
seemed, while Bernard was speaking, to
removed from
lOi
When
his heart.
his
to death,
a heavy weight
feel
companion had
finished
speaking, Augustine held his head higher with a sense of
and
freedom,
large bright eye steadily
fixing his
on the
burgomaster, he exclaimed out of the fulness of an honest heart,
I
—
Thank God,
'
out at last
is
it
You
!
know now
all
And
was to blame, and Cousin Melchior innocent.
Mr. Burgomaster,
be dismissed, tower
let
—you
me
and
parent, took his hand,
give
me
even conceal the truth
I
;
the
said
Never, never will
!
boy
w^ent
up
most humbly
I tell
a
lie
;
to his stern '
:
Father, for-
never again will I
would rather be beaten
to death
Cousin Melchior hereupon ran forward, clasped favourite in his arms,
who have
I, it is I, sir,
just wrath
to
hide
truth
punishment, which
;
I
;
:
'
It is
sinned and incurred your severe but
young
soul,
and caused him
do therefore remit the poor alone have deserved
he wiped them
first
child's
!"
But here an unusual glistening was seen to appear father's eyes
!'
his little
and said to the guild-master
for I led astray this
;
the
now,
sure he will not
never drive him from his beloved
will
The next moment
!'
am
say to you, I
in the
with one hand, then with
the other, but he could not hinder the tear rolling slowly
down At
to his beard. this
juncture the question was put to the vote,
whether the worshipful
the
Council should declare the
The Old
I02
watchman of sede
him
in
St. StcpJicns Tozver at Miilhauscn.
the tower guilty of neglect of duty, his
A
office.
large
and super-
majority of votes was
recorded in favour of a negative reply
;
and on the motion of
the town-clerk, a letter, sealed with the official signet of the
town, was addressed to Melchior Kiiffer, appointing him, in consideration of his faithful services for thirty years, to the office
of perpetual tower-watchman at
St.
Stephen's, with the
promise of an assistant being granted him
in case of neces-
the shape of a lay brother of the Augustinian Con-
sity, in
vent. '
But,' interposed a certain
member
had promised poor Melchior's '
is
it
written in
of the Council,
who
office to old Ursula's son,;
our law, the penalty for blowing a false
alarm shall be three days' imprisonment
the tower
in
on
bread and water.' '
That sentence
I
am
prepared to undergo, as
blast!' exclaimed Augustine, with '
'
Even
so,
my
young
friend,'
something
I
blew the
like glee.
rephed the burgomaster
you have incurred the penalty, and the law must take
course.'
care of
Then
turning to the Prior, he added
and watch over these two boys
worthy and reverend
father, for
it
seems to
' :
Take good
as before,
me
its
that the
most
Lord
has destined both to be chosen instruments for good in
His Church
!
Old Melchior returned
by but
his friends, old full
of thankfulness
his feeble petition that
And
to his tower in triumph, escorted
and young. ;
for the
He
was humbled and
Lord had graciously
still,
fulfilled
he might be suffered to die up there.
the guild-master not being, as
all
had
feared, in a
The Old
St. StepJiciis
Tower at
MiilJiaitsen.
103
rage because Bernard had alluded to Cousin Melchior and
Augustine being
in
dread of his blows,
down
contrary ashamed, and looking
solemn
air,
as
muning with tine's
if
himself,
being on the
with a thoughtful and
were exercised and he were com-
his spirit
hand between
— but
and
taking, for the
first
time, Augus-
two hands, being altogether,
his ow^n
from that day forward, much gentler and kinder,
—
all this
too was manifestly the answer to the prayers of his excellent wife, for 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man
availeth much.'
Augustine bravely endured his three days' imprisonment in the tower
merry and
on bread and water,
spirited,
the
to
the
first
in the chronicle
convent-school.
His pious
— not
the ancient chronicle of the
out doubt, the names of
many
— stand
souls
who
town of
registered, with-
God
will bless
eternity for his preaching of the blessed gospel.
Word
of
He
evangelical preacher in his native city, and
Miilhausen, but the record on high
all
which he returned,
answered as regarded him.
mother's prayers were
became
after
God we
read
' :
They
the brightness of the firmament to righteousness as the
these wise teachers
we
that be wise shall shine as ;
and they
stars for ever
shall
to
In the
not seek
and
that turn ever.'
many
Among
in vain for the
name
of our friend Augustine Kramer.^ Augustine Kramer was among the first to proclaim the pure gospel As early as 1522 he had gathered round him a small evangelical congregation holding fellowship as a Reformed Church. ^
in Alsace.
CROOKED-BEAK. '
Blessed
him out
is
the
man whom
of thy law.'
— Ps.
thou chastenest,
'Godliness with contentment '
Be not overcome of
O
Lord, and teachest
xciv. 12. is
great gain.'—
i
Tim.
vi.
6.
but overcome evil with good.'
evil,
— ROM.
20, 21.
xii.
We read in our
ancient chronicle of Miilhausen that in the
year 1508 a dreadful pestilence raged in Alsace, which in
our town alone, then numbering 1500 inhabitants, laid low
400
That must
victims.
the day, have been
There stood
'
truly,
according to the language of
a great death.'
at that
time in the Blauwlattengasslein, or
Blauwlatten lane, a half-dilapidated
little
by Hans Hiigelin, the working miller, with Hans Hiigelin had, as a young fellow,
Waldner von Freundstein had
settled
having
in
lost his
a
home
young
his mother-in-law
and
his
own
at Lyons.
This
Count
After
Later
it
he
still,
he returned to Miilhausen with
two young
children.
town he obtained employment with the latten,
followed
to the Italian war.
of his
wife,
house, inhabited his family.
In his native
miller of Blauw-
and the above-named dwelling was cleared out and
given him for his abode.
Crooked-Beak.
The
little
Hans,
means disposed do by
heart,
as
and
prime of
marry again, although often exhorted so
to
little
his mother-in-law, Lette,'
'
be tempting
His two
Theresa, were the joy of his
known among
Frejich Letfy,'
frugal in her housekeeping, that his part
seemed by no
life,
master and his fellow-workmen.
his
Walsche
'
in the
still
Frank and
children,
05
family worked industriously, and lived in great
retirement.
to
1
the townsfolk
was so orderly and
Hans thought
God were he
it
would on
to himself a
to take
and thereby run the chance of bringing dispeace and
wife,
among
trouble
his family,
where hitherto
all
had been quiet
and harmony. was
It
Hans
truly a peculiar
in his
home
circle,
and
characteristic
—one with which
that
life,
especially the female portion of them, could not
The very fact of and brought home a French
by any
means sympathize.
his
foreigner,
mother-in-law,
name,
'
Idelette,'
was unpronounceable
of
his fellow-citizens,
having married a
for them,
whose
and who
talked French with his children, a language which not one
of the neighbours understood
from ours
!
—was
in itself
—
for those
days were difterent
obnoxious to people to
time immemorial everj^thing foreign had grain. all
Besides, Idelette
around
her,
was so
whom
from
been against the
peculiar, so very unlike
and moreover she had a book
—whether
MS. or printed our old chronicle does not inform us,
— and
read daily in this book, and also taught the children to read it;
and
ways.
this
For
burgesses,
was the most unheard-of of
all
that the nobles in their castles,
and
her strange
and even the
in particular the right worshipful the
Mayor,
1
06
Crookcd-Bcak.
should teach their children to read order of things, natural and right
!
—why, But — the
ones of Hans Hiigelin, the working miller that '
Letty,'
by
and a thing plainly not little,
little
No, indeed; in the
be endured
to
in the
ragged
!
was an unpardonable piece of impudence
little
was
that
French
In short,
!
every one began to whisper about this proud
who tried, forsooth, to who had little intimacy
foreigner
raise
herself above
equals,
with
any of them, but
her
received often enough suspicious visits from strangers, with
whom all
she read in her big book, and who,
belonged to those heretics, the
Alsace and in Switzerland as
France as
Among
'
Lyonists
'
or
Waldenses' or
who
poor Idelette and manifested
known
in
Lollards,' in
Dame
Griindler, a
in the
tall,
way, lean
house next to the
frequented by none of the best company,
for drinking, carousing, dancing,
rently reported as to this
mischief of
'
without cause calumniated
evil a spirit as the
miller's,
was believed,
hostility to her in every
woman, who kept a small tavern Blauwlatten
it
Winkeler^
Pauvres de Lyons.'
'
the neighbours,
none was of so
'
*
all sorts,
Dame
and gambling.
and was not nice as
her ways of breadwinning,
— that she had
many an
It
was
cur-
Griindler that she was up to to the choice of
do with many a
to
many a wed a bad husband, and sealed the fate of many young woman when on the verge of ruin. No one, how-
game
at cards,
with
evil
deed, had helped
light girl to
a
ever, ventured to
dreaded
her.
speak openly of
Those wlio were
and fought shy of her
;
all
this,
one
for every
better than she stood aloof
while the evil-disposed treated her
to fair speeches, but whispered behind her
back that
'
she
Crooked-Beak.
107
was a wicked old hag, a
sort of witch,
worked abundance of
and against
evil,
who had
whom
it
already
was neces-
sary to be on one's guard, as she was in league with evil spirits.'
And
as
from the beginning the children of dark-
ness have ever hated and persecuted the children of so also this the gentle
Dame
little
Theresa, nor the merry
would she have shown her
had she not stood
light,
Griindler could not endure Idelette, nor
awe of the
in
though Hans did indeed leave
little
Gladly
Frank.
deeds as well as words,
spite in
just
all his
vengeance of Hans,
for
neighbours unmolested,
he always expected that others should equally leave him and his in peace,
and
v/as
possessed of a right sturdy
which
fist,
inspired a certain degree of respect.
To fatal
return then
to our chronicle of the
epidemic was then raging.
ways,'
and
He
the excellent
saw
fit,
Hans
Dame
this
left in
charge of the young
it
who were open-
judgment of God which could not French Letty.
'
fail
Now,
would soon enough be seen whether, with her
devout hanging of the head and she could
great death,' to call
This was truly a triumph
to be sent to break the pride of that
to be sure,
'
Griindler and others like her, the
A
Hiigelin to his everlasting home, while
orphans, helpless and desolate.
mouthed about
year 1508.
God's ways are not as our
by means of
the poor old grandmother was
for
'
manage
all
her boasted good works,
to earn a pittance for herself
and the
children.'
In truth, the situation of Idelette and the
was sad enough. xlix. 11),
'
Yet not
Leave thy
in vain has the
little
Lord
orphans
said (Jer.
fatherless children, I will preserve
them
1
08
Crook cd-Bcak. and
alive,
meaning
and so
it
the old saying,
Prayer
*
God
'
is
the guardian of the poor,'
Hans
And
the wall round the widow's dwelling.'
is
proved here, to the great amazement and
wrath of
Dame
and her
Griindler
greater
still
Not only was
friends.
Hiigelin, notwithstanding the taint of heresy, honour-
ably buried like other Christian
by them beforehand,
monk
Augustinian
— but
latten miller granted
and the
Bernard Romer, an
took the most
children.
them the cottage
employed Theresa
The Blauw-
rent-free,
him thoroughly
mill to train
miller's wife
— a point greatly doubted
almost daily, and
affectionate interest in her
Frank into the
men
also Father
held in high esteem for his learning and
Idelette
visited
piety,
The
Not without deep
thy widows trust in me.'
let
is
and took
in his work.
to help her in house-
hold work and in that of the farm-yard, where she had specially to feed
and clean the poultry, and as she had
early learnt sewing from her grandmother,
had been very expert plied with
many
and household enabled
a penny.
some
assistance
and
so,
and peacefully suffered
little
of her
with
in the
miller's wife,
mill,
God's help, little
all
whose
growing fond both in
own when and where
quiet
youth
Theresa thus to
and of the grandmother, took pleasure
of the
girl
offered,
The
in her
was constantly sup-
work by the good housewife of the
large family
earn
at her needle, she
who
adding
occasion
went on smoothly
home.
Its
inhabitants
no need, for prayer and industry sweetened their
cruse of water and seasoned their oatmeal-broth.
they neither had nor wished
they did almost daily procure
to
—
have.
More
Yet one dainty
to wit, a fresh egg for the
Crookcd-Bcak.
who had
old grandmother,
from cramp
hands and
we have
109
suffered for a long time past
the stomach and rheumatic pains in her
in
How
feet.
the heroine of our
she
and
yet to relate,
came
to possess the fresh egg
this leads us to
'
Crooked-Beak^
tale.
Crooked-Beak was a beautiful crested snow-white hen.
As
it
crawled out of the egg, Theresa,
who
carried the
new-fledged chicks into the sun in her apron, and scattered grain for their
scraped
first
lustily
managed
food, at once observed that although the
feathered
said tiny
friend,
on the earth with
to pick
up a
up the small creature grief that the
like
brothers and
its its
little
and discovered
upper and under parts of
sisters, it
never
Theresa took
single grain of corn. in her hand,
yet
feet,
its
to her
beak crossed
each other obliquely, forming something like an open pair of scissors, and that
it
food was heaped up. little
could therefore only eat when
chick after this fashion, and
brood were tripping for them,
gaily
Crooked-Beak
so,
while the rest of the
about to gather the food scattered
sat
on her shoulder, eating
at its ease out of her well-filled hand.
tame
that
it
flew
up
to her as
down
Thus
on her
it
its
corn
became so
foot, and,
to her needlework, settled to
shoulder, where
it
soon as she entered the
poultry-yard, followed her, perched
she sat
its
For a long time Theresa fed her
usually enjoyed
its
when
roost on her
mid-day slumbers.
Before autumn had arrived, Crooked-Beak had grown such a beauty that Theresa was quite proud of
it,
with great glee she said to the miller's wife,
good
mistress, at
and one day *
Only
look,
the fine large tuft on the head of this
I
Crookcd-Bcak,
lo
little
chicken
while
all
By
!
Bat why does
'
mark we may be
this
sure
the rest of the same brood are cocks
not eat with the others
it
is
it
a hen.
!'
asked the
%'
mistress. '
Because
it
'Ah,
I see
Look
cannot.
Then
!
here, see
how
beak
little
its
!
crosses over in front
is
it
of
little
poor
avail for the
creature to be such a beauty, and a hen to boot, for
be condemned to the same slaughter as the cocks. fatten
it
little
must
it
Only
well first!'
'Crooked-Beak
have her dear
to
And
Theresa.
piteously ejaculated
neck twisted!'
little
she pressed her
as
feathered favourite tenderly to her bosom, her tears began to flow. '
Well now
bird
It
%
—but
what
Oh
feed '
it
Ah
!
but,
my
little
last
'
I
little
chick
may be
you must not
;
fritter
I shall lose
allowed to put
good, kind mistress all
me
to
it
!
I will
it.'
away your time
!
can manage to eat alone.
return
special feeding.'
morsel of bread with
can assure you, mistress,
If only I
its
do give
Theresa, you must work and learn to
gain your livelihood
with this
to spare for
dear, kind mistress, pray
and share !
can be done with the poor
could only perish in the course of the winter, for
no one would have time '
else
I
!
the winter.
If
Oh will
!
its
no time with
food into a saucer,
pray, pray give
gladly do your
it
to
sewing
it.
it
me, in
we had but Crooked-Beak, my
old grandmother, whose infirm limbs keep her a prisoner to her chair all day,
would not be so lonely
at
home when
Crooked-Beak. I
am
in the mill
1 1
she would have a living creature to keep
;
her company.' '
my
Well, for
grandmother's
Michaelmas present that,
Theresa
was wishing
I
any
at
although in
;
you the hen
part, I gladly give
sake.
rate, so
my
all
for
you may take
life I
your
you some
give
to
it
for
never yet heard of
human being.' own exclaimed
such a thing as a hen being company for a '
Crooked-Beak
my
own,
my
very
!
'
Theresa, as she kissed and hugged her pet with childlike
Oh may God reward you, mistress Oh you know how rich and how happy you have made us, soon Crooked-Beak will lay eggs, and then we shall
joy.
'
!
!
!
little
for
!
always have something for grandmother to eat '
Have you not always something for her now 1 asked the if alarmed. You are never in want, child V '
mistress, as '
Oh
you,
'
no,
!
no
Lord Jesus
for the
;
madam, have been very
did forbid
my
telling
you
But
kind.
of
it
so gracious, and
is
—but
.
.
.
.
.
.
grandmother since father's
death we have only oatmeal-broth, and grandmother longer able to take that
;
and when
it
get anything else, except occasionally a mess
any milk you her.
But
if
may happen
for her every day.'
And
the
made
That does
to give us.
Crooked-Beak soon
is
with
refresh
lays eggs, I can boil
little girl
no
disagrees she cannot
one
jumped and clapped
her hands. '
and
I tell
you what, Theresa, come into the house with me,
I will give
grandmother
enough
to
;
you grain
to feed the hen,
and you must come
make
a
and milk
daily
to
for
fetch
your milk
good milk-pottage, and on meat days a
Crookcd-Bcak.
1 1
bit
little
never
Now
of meat.
let this slip,
remember, Theresa, you must
even should
it
store-chamber, laid
bacon, and
some
my
escape
So saying, the good housewife of the
butter and eggs, meal, a flitch of
a bottle of wine, in a basket,
while somewhat in this strain
:
'
and soliloquized the
Yes, yes, so
Because the gracious Lord supplies thee at thy well-garnished
O
the starving.
Lord
memory.'
mill repaired to her
it is,
old Kitty
liberally,
thou,
board, forgettest to sympathize with !
enter not into judgment with
me
!
Great indeed were the joy and thankfulness in Theresa's
home, on her return with Crooked-Beak and her basket.
On
Frank hearing how kind the
well-filled
miller's wife
had
been, he gave his grandmother his pledge that he would stay at the mill
and render
faithful service to the surly miller all
his life long for the sake of the
excitable fellow, Frank,
had
generous mistress.
This
in fact already repeatedly given
proof of his hot-headed temperament, by refusing to put up
any longer with the ill-humour and whims of a very severe master, and declaring his preference for
and going
to the wars as his father
old Idelette
who
had no easy job
becoming a
had done.
soldier,
Thus poor
in controlling the youngster,
nevertheless had at bottom a fine disposition, and was
ready to go through
fire
and water
for his sister or his
grandmother.
new home.
Frank
made
her up a nest of straw beside the hearthstone.
Close
to
stood a
Crooked-Beak led a merr}'
it
with her food the
little
her
dish with water and sand, and a second
— the barley
good dame
life in
for
at the mill.
which was never forgotten by
So the pet fowl enjoyed
all
Crooked-Beak.
113
her meals quite at her ease, generally seated the while on Theresa's shoulder, and making a point of waiting
grandmother carefully collected
old
formed her
When
dessert.
crumbs which
the
winter came, she was allowed
warm bed-chamber, under
to sleep in the
the
till
the stove
;
and on
Christmas-Eve Theresa was greeted in the morning by the discovery of the boiled
it
milk-rolls,
soon
the
for
miller's wife
first
old
her.
empty-handed,
But when the
woman's supper!
Father Bernard
— then indeed
nuts,
of cast-off clothing, and,
articles
and thanksgiving
praise
great was her joy as she
came. with her Christmas boxes, apples,
and various
after
How
^%%.
—he,
by no means
too,
Idelette's heart overflowed with
her
to
God and
She
Saviour.
folded her hands, the children knelt beside her, and she
poured forth a short and hearty prayer, her unpremeditated utterance of praise, followed noster
by the
petitions of the Pater-
—the Lord's Prayer— repeated
in her
broken German
with such devout fervour, that tears stood in the mistress's eyes,
and she involuntarily
young ones
as
concluding with
the
tidings of great joy
a Saviour.' this too in
fell
on her knees beside the
Father Bernard pronounced the blessing, words,
...
for
'
Behold,
unto you
is
I
bring you good
born
this
day
After which he sang with the children
German, so
could understand,
—
'
that their kind friend
Glory to
God
.
.
.
— and
from the mill
in the highest,
and on
earth peace, goodwill towards men.'
On felt
returning home, the miller's wife
before in her
one of
his
life,
and said
to her
felt
as she
husband,
had never
who was
in
most crabbed moods, and bent on wrangling
H
:
Crookcd-Bcak.
Il4 '
Leave
me
peace now, old Martin
in
this
;
evening
me
quarrel with you, but only ask you to forgive alas I
!
too often done so already; for truly
had
it
I
cannot
for having,
seems as though
been hearing the song of the blessed angels
just
in
heaven,' '
He who
Thus
departs from evil
Word
says the
tion to fools to depart from evil^
Idelette.
She had become
Griindler.
That
and the
an abomination to xiii.
Eng.
an
('// is
19.
So was
vers.)
abomination
fools.'
abominait
with
Dame
to
should go well with these humble folk
it
mean home and
in their
is
of God, Prov.
Bernard
their penury, that Father
should take
miller's wife
and loving an
true
-so
interest in them, all this filled her with bitter jealousy,
And
inflamed her spiteful hatred. fire
of
an unruly
hell, is
of iniquity
'
(James
evil, full
5-8), so
iii.
swore that she would never
rest
as the tongue,
to
work
in
records, but so
the
much
first is
and
set
on
of deadly poison, a world
accordingly that
till
Dame
instance
Grundler
French Letty should
be driven out of the town and the country set
'
How
too.
she
our chronicle nowise
certain, that the matter
was brought
before the parish priest and the worshipful magistrates, and that the former called Father Bernard to account for the
misdemeanours carried on under the roof of the French
widow
in
the
Moreover,
Blauwlatten Street.
that,
— the
wise, prudent and venerable burgomaster having procured
information
on the
subject,
—
it
was
settled
measures must shortly be taken against the foreigner placed in confinement,
by the
town-officer to
Dame
all
that evil,
strong
and the
which was recounted
Griindler, with
whom
he was
Crooked-Beak.
wont
to pass
bling.
He
all
almost every evening in drinking and gam-
own
added, as his
would be
115
if,
suggestion, that the best of
by hook or by crook,
Dame
Griindler could
gain possession of the suspicious big book, for then they
would have proof positive of the sorcery
in
own
their
hands, and the suit against the French heretic for witchcraft
would be So
it
good
as
came
as gained.
to pass that,
on a
—
it
was
in the Carnival,
and wild merry-makings had been carried on Griindler's,
—
Idelette
was
sitting still
when
at
Dame
and peaceful with her
grandchildren, reading to them from the big light of their little lamp,
when
bitterly cold night,
a piercing north wind was blownig
book by the
the tavern guests, heated with
wine, and incited by the spiteful speeches of their hostess against the poor foreign widow, rushed out en masse, and
pouring forth a torrent of abuse and imprecations, proceeded to attack the
little
cottage, smashing the tiny
round panes
of glass in the leaden-framed windows with a shower of stones. falling
When on the
their heads,
the tumult began, the rattle of broken glass floor,
and the whiz of stones
Theresa raised a cry of
Beak, frightened out of her nest, flew round in
might have done
Frank seized
in a poultry-yard if a weasel
his old
flying
about
and Crooked-
distress,
terror, as
had broken
she in.
rheumatic grandmother in his arms,
carried her out into the kitchen, placed her at the fireside,
and was rushing down-stairs prepared and
its
dear inmates,
besought him with stay, stay,
Frank
;
many
to defend his
when Theresa, tears to
clinging
remain with them.
home him,
to '
Oh
!
what can you do, alone and unarmed.
Crooked-Beak.
Il6
men?
against these wicked, drunken
take your
Let
'
*
They
me
alone, Theresa,' cried Frank, glowing with rage,
for should they
me
murder
ten times over,
I
avenge the injury on these malicious knaves
At
this
moment
when
Roman
the
'
soldiers
Frank gave no answer
;
must and
will
hand on
his
!'
the grandmother laid her
shoulder, and gently asked,
say
will certainly
life.'
Frank, what did the Saviour
were nailing him to the cross?'
his face
was glowing,
with his feet and knocked his clenched
fist
—he stamped
against his fore-
head. ^
What
did your Saviour say
%
softly
'
repeated the grand-
mother. '
Father, forgive them, for they
whispered Theresa,
Hot tears down before in
rolled his
know not what
down
as he threw himself
his cheeks, ;
and when
he hid
his face
She suffered
his tears
at length
her lap, and wept like a child.
still
they do,'
clinging to her angry brother.
grandmother
to take their course,
at length all
was once more
below, the wild raging throng having dispersed, and the
shrill
heard, *
still
Dame Griindler being no more woman said lovingly but seriously,
blustering voice of
then the
Thou must
for they too
old
forgive them, Frank, as the
know not what
Lord
forgives thee
Poor old Idelette was obliged, with Crooked-Beak, sleep in the cold kitchen
;
they do.'
on the
floor,
Theresa gathered up the stones and
tiles
to
while Frank and
thrown into the
bed-chamber, and endeavoured to put things into order again as best they could.
But next came the question,
Who
was
Crooked-Beak, to
pay
broken windows
for the
117
Money
%
they had none
;
the doers of the mischief they knew, indeed, well enough,
but before any tribunal the poor calumniated widow, with
had no chance of obtaining righteous
the desolate orphans,
When Frank, on
redress.
to the miller
the following morning, appealed
about the matter, he could get no hearing even he too had had his head
from him,
for
gossip, so
much
so that he
family notice to quit his premises,
had not
stood between him and the oppressed
and given
with spiteful
filled
would gladly have given the poor his brave Kitty their defender,
as
notice to her growling old Martin, that
fair
the field or in the mill he was, as a matter of right, lord
master, and free to rule
pleasure
;
and dispose of everything
all
But
she had no business to interfere.
at
'
in
and
at his
home,
the household concerns were her jurisdiction equally as a
matter of right
;
therefore
grandmother and her
will of
her own.
was, that the cash
now he would was
little
This decision was
street.'
final, for
would not
suffer the
old
orphans to be turned into the final, for
the miller's wife had a
But again the other side of the matter all
pertained to the husband's jurisdiction
not pay for the broken panes
;
and
this
;
too
the miller was a headstrong man.
Nevertheless Griindler,
she
and
— and
this
satisfied
Letty was a witch
was
really too
much
for
Dame
her more than ever that that French
— that very evening
saw
fresh glass in the
windows, and towards dusk Frank fixed a great board in front of
them
the world
all '
to prevent
had paid
I will tell
you,'
any danger from stones.
for the
broken panes
whispered
little
Who
in
?
Theresa to her kind
Crooked-Beak.
1 1
friend from the mill, ing.
'
The Lord
replaced for
Dame
when she came
and he has done
us,
across late in the even-
Jesus told Father Bernard to get them
But you must not
it.
Griindler
From time immemorial
the vintage has been the great
season of festivity with the people of Miilhausen.
hundred years ago, as dead
in
in
our
own
days, the
the true joy of harvest
to
most
rejoices
Him
—
is
and
to
its
not
one
at the vintage, originating full
of frivolity and
—those known by the
Stitten im Lande^' or
sacrifice of praise
many
epithet,
Quietists'),
'
that in the vintage of
in our old chronicle,
1
510, noted
a heart did bring
and thanksgiving, and did
to consider the poor.
The worthy poor
{^
we may believe
Lord the
fail
offers
to doubt, since
Exceptions to the general rule there have, by
'quiet ones in the land'
as a rich
hand
joy was
of a quiet, moral and loving character,
the grace of God, always been,
truly
stir
this
His grace, and
Pagan customs, were noisy and
impropriety.
and so
in
—we have reason
whereas the scenes of men^'making in ancient
Whether
that which, while enjoying the rich
in the Giver
sacrifices of praise,
joy in the Lord
Three
town appeared
autumn, because every creature that could
or foot had gone to the vineyards.
gifts,
tell
!'
friends,
lady of the mill had been mindful of her
and had been
that family she
liberal in her largesses
had taken under her
protection.
towards
However
sour the master of the Blauwlatten mill might be as he
looked on askance, his brave Kitty would not be deprived of her right to insist that for once Frank and Theresa should
have a merry day
like the rest,
and go with
their neighbours
Crooked-Beak. Zuckerberg
to the
large vineyard.
morning
Sugar-hilV), where the miller had a
{^
So
119
actually
it
came
to pass that in the
both started early with the miller's family
his ei7iployes for the vineyard,
Frank
in highest glee,
and
all
Theresa
on the other hand oppressed and anxious, so burdened with care indeed that,
allowed
it,
her grandmother;
had
called late,
woman
if
only her kind mistress would have
home
she would have preferred staying at for the
with
previous night Father Bernard
and had been long closeted with the old
in secret conversation, since
which
it
seemed
as if
a funeral pall had been spread over her dear face, usually so peaceful and serene. and, for the
about
first
She was grave and rapt
in thought,
time since Theresa was of an age to reflect
she had gone to rest without reading in her big book,
it,
saying that her eyes ached, and that she preferred repeating
some of
it,
for she
knew
nearly the whole by heart.
All this
had caused Theresa many a puzzled, sorrowful thought. While she was thus cogitating amid the vineyard merrymakings, her solitary old grandmother was, however, already
comforted right well by her dear Saviour, on cast
all
her burden, and
answered her cry by
Dame too was
Griindler full
thoughts of
filling
own
thoughts.
at
it,
and
home, and she !
they were
her
own mind
But, alas
She was turning over
sion of the suspicious book,
actually
she had
her with peace.
whether the lucky moment had not come
authorities,
whom
relieved her of
had likewise remained
of her evil.
who had
in
for getting posses-
and handing
it
over to the
through her friend the town-officer.
There was
no creature
in
the street,
save herself and that
Crooked-Beak.
20
1
French Letty, mill, sat
for old
who was watching
deaf Ulrich,
the
now
snoring on the stone bench, as she had even
ascertained by peeping through the window.
was so much crippled
Idelette
in the limbs
Dame
Griindler,
movements,
No
widow's
on the
sooner thought of than done
sly,
she glided
down
last
health,
and inquiring
in return
by
saying,
Idelette that she hers, over
concerning her welfare, every corner.
"into
'
She had begun to weary,
would show
come
for her benefit.
to
to ask as a favour of
her, for once, that big
which she was wont
as
there so
left
book of
to pore so diligendy, and,
perhaps, indeed she would be kind enough to read
now
her
Softly,
!
she responded to her neighbour's queries
long alone at home, so she had
it
in
the lane, entered the
peered with a keen, hawk's-eye glance
At
and brisk
room, and, while receiving her hospitable
little
salutations,
yet strong
house with the book secured
to get out of the
as her booty. like a cat
who was
painfully raise
would be more than time
herself with her crutches, there for
by rheumatism
and before she could
that she could not walk,
To which
some of
Letty replied that
it
grieved her to be obliged to refuse the request, but she had lent the
waxed
book
to a dear friend.
Whereupon Dame
and she poured her not at
all,
forth a torrent of abuse.
but sat
still,
'
little
to find in
it,
— and
she would speedily find the
the place to which
it
Idelette
answered
peaceful and composed, while
the vixen searched through the
and
Griindler
so wroth that she could no longer contain her rage,
little
room,
—soon
done,
protested with an oath that
book
herself,
and carry
it
to
belonged, and where Idelette too
Crooked-Beak.
would have her mask of piety torn
what was concealed behind
1
and
off,
very bottom of the chest,
earthquake.
frail
little
Still
had
to the
no book, she ran
off
slamming the doors behind her so
reviling,
violently that the
finding
still
would see
after she
rummaged
vainly ransacked every place, and even
raging and
all
However,
it!'
2
Idelette
tenement shook as sat
there,
with an
if
with folded hands,
looking up to heaven, and as tears of thankfulness rolled
down her
pale cheeks, she exclaimed,
graciously hast
So
far all
Beak was
Thou
had gone on
just then sitting
new-laid egg,
and
my
preserved
'
Ah
dear Lord,
!
treasure for
me
but unfortunately Crooked-
well,
on her
nest, in
which she had a
began
after the fashion of all poultry she
when Dame
to raise a loud cackling
how
!'
Griindler stormed out
and rejoiced
meet with any
of the house.
Hearing
living creature
on which she might vent her anger, the said
Dame
moment
You What have beggarly
!
shall serv-e
!
and feeding chickens wings, stuffed
out of the
is it
!
if
folk to
'
all,
and bragging
' !
;
full
ourselves
Speech
the saying of a wise
man
Aha
you
!
do with eating eggs
into her apron,
Ah
house again.
even so with us
'
turn at the right
!
many
!
But
full
often
a grief and trouble have
by unnecessary is silver,
of old,^
and hurried
poor, poor Crooked-
only thou hadst held thy tongue
brought upon
1
my
she seized Crooked-Beak by the
!
egg and
it,
little
to
and with the words,
turned round,
accursed animal
Beak
this,
silence
is
we
talking, boasting gold.'
— one that we have
This was all
often
Often quoted as a saying of Talleyrand, but attributed by the French
translator here to
an Arabian proverb.
122
Crooked-Beak.
need to have whispered Master, to
whom
in
O
Set a watch,
us to pray,
'
the door of
my
lips,'
endure and to be
In the school of that
our ears.
Holy Ghost
the
in the 141st
Lord, before
Psalm teaches
my
in that school Idelette
mouth, keep
had learned to
She did therefore hold her peace,
silent.
when Frank and Theresa came home, and she merely
said,
'She had heard Crooked-Beak cackling loudly, and then crowing anxiously, and she believed some one had carried off the bird.'
For more than one reason she deemed
it
wiser to keep silence altogether as to the invasion of her
premises by
Dame
In the
Griindler.
place, she did not
first
wish to increase Theresa's dread of the wicked old for the
girl
stood
on seeing her
in
wholesome
In the second place, the old
at a distance.
grandmother had a
Dame,
such awe of her that she trembled even
fear of her
fear of sin
;
own
—
it
was indeed only a
she dreaded the violent rage and
excitement of Frank and of the miller's wife, and as she that
'
(James
20), she preferred laying her
i.
tale of all her
Him
for
complaint and the
need before the Tord alone, and praying to
her oppressor.
the loss of Crooked-Beak
Most ;
little
bitter
indeed to her too was
could she to-day relish even
the delicious grapes which Theresa had brought the vintage, because her pet
was not there
out of the palm of her hand.
fruitless
home from
to pick the skins
Poor Theresa was incon-
solable in lamenting her vanished darling
a
knew
the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God
search in the mill and up and
;
after
down
having had
the street, in
every hole and corner, she was sobbing so bitterly as she left
the
court-yard that even poor deaf old Ulrich was
Crooked-Beak. melted
was
of her grief; he beckoned to Frank,
at the sight
moment coming down from
at that
23
1
who
the hay-loft, where
he also had been seeking in vain, and whispered to him, <
Look ye now, Frank,
on the
I
'11
ye what
tell
This afternoon
right scent.
I
—
think I have got
I
saw the
witch
vile old
opposite creep into her house like a fox into his hole, with a
she should have the hen
what
if
work
too, not
Griindler
is
march
in league with the
act in the matter, all
%
fat
time
and be you as dumb as a
Yet often
I
us.
fish.
So
let
have heard better with I
me
Yes, yes,
shall
knows
my
two
prove
it
too.'
Frank went home
in silence,
pondering, but never repeat-
At supper the poor
ing Ulrich's surmises.
mournful mood, not one of the three
eat.
Dame
powers of darkness, and
an injury on
to inflict
eyes than they with their sharp ears, and
in
goose
set slily to
think deaf old Ulrich observes nothing and
nothing.
this
stolen
But we must
straight in at the main-door, for
would soon contrive
they
might carry a
as he
well-filled apron,
The egg
for the
for the miller's wife
trio sat together
much
disposed to
grandmother was not wanting indeed,
had remembered
that,
but Frank was of
opinion that in the boiling Theresa had poured more tears
than water over
it,
and
as he
made
the remark, so strange
a twitching came over the corner of his mouth, and so significant a glance
was darted from
Idelette, alarmed, laid her
hot tear
fall
on
it,
hand on
his flashing eyes, that his,
and as she
felt
a
she herself could no longer restrain her
tears.
'In this said
)';ear
of grace 15
10,'
we
further read in the
1
Crooked-Beak.
24
old chronicle,
'
the to^\^l of Miilhausen
had so completely,
by the grace of God, recovered from the troubles, persecutions,
before, that
it
and wars
vaults,
effects
had endured
had attained a most flourishing
town-hall was built, and beside
and
it
it
large
of the
forty years
state.
cellars,
Anew
granaries,
wherein were to be preserved the provisions,
public documents and treasures of the town.'
Now
German
the Knights of the
desirous of doing their part
caused vaulted
aisles
Stephen's (which the
to
orders of chivalry were
on the occasion, and they
be erected
Emperor Charles
in the
church of
St.
the Fourth had in the
year 1354 presented to the Teutonic Knights), and added,
by the hand of the master-builder, Hans of Constance, the crowning point to
worthy
zeal,
spire.
its
The
authorities, with praise-
had already, on the erection of the
choir,
ordered several imposts to be levied for the beautifying of our parish church.
Thus, for example, the best garment
of every deceased individual
fell
to the church
;
the burghers
were to contribute, each according to his means, some corn
and wine, others geese, hens, pigeons,
etc.,
and on the
appointed days they were to bring their levies to the
Ga-man Housed or Town- Hall. On one of these days the Knight-Commander of the land, Ritter' George von Andlauw, being in the German House in
steward in the
his
'
own apartment, heard an
extraordinary noise in the
window to see among many other
court below, and stepped forward to the
what was the matter. citizens,
Down
there
male and female, he saw
Dame
Griindler, with a
basket containing a hen, which she was desirous of present-
Crooked-Beak.
125
ing to the town-steward as the church-tax laid upon her.
But before her stood Frank,
his face
boldly maintaining the hen was
feloniously
by Dame Griindler on the first Dame, for her part, was defending
day of the vintage.
stolen
The
glowing with rage,
his property,
said
tumult and screams, the other
— deaf
herself with
screaming
in concert,
of Frank's fellow-workmen
and another
Ulrich
women
stepping forward as witnesses, and saying to the steward, *
They
knew
well
the
hen by
its
crooked beak, and
assuredly belonged to the Hiigelin family, and not to
She again
Griindler.'
persisted,
her rightful property, for the
and vociferated that
Frenchwoman Letty
the absence of her grandchildren, sold
it
witch
!'
;
and with the exclamation,
'
Dame was
it
had, in
at the vintage,
Thereupon Frank grew yet more
to her.
bolder too
who were
it
You
irate,
lie,
and
you old
he snatched the basket violently from the hands of
the vixen.
At
this juncture the noise
and tumult were so great that
the Knight-Commander, dreading a riot and hand-to-hand fight,
rushed quickly down-stairs to restrain the wild mob.
Meanwhile the
lid
of the basket had sprung open, Crooked-
Beak, snuffing the free
and flown, crowing
air
of heaven, had spread her wings
lustily the while,
straight into the
arms
of Theresa, who, pale, and with eyes red with crying, had that
moment
Bernard.
welcomed '
entered the Court hand in hand with Father
On it
in
Crooked-Beak,
seeing her feathered friend
fly to
her she
her arms with tears of joy, and cries of
my own
little
Crooked-Beak
The crowd had drawn back
!'
respectfully at the sight of
1
26
Crooked- Beak.
the universally beloved Father Bernard,
and of the Knight-
Commander of the land, who also inspired reverence silence was suddenly restored among the populace conversing in Latin, many an eye were and while these two ;
was her
sympathy on the weeping Theresa, and on
fixed with
who had come
slim brother,
tall,
to stand beside her as
her protector, his flashing eyes downcast for the time out of deference to his two superiors, but unable to restrain his joy
and the victory gained.
at the liberation of the bird
The judgment
King Solomon could hardly
of the wise
have been expected with greater suspense than that with
which the assembled burghers
now awaited
in the court
the decision of the Knight-Commander.
He,
after convers-
some time with Father Bernard, turned with a sharp
ing for
glance towards
Dame
faction towards the
Griindler,
young
wish to put
it
and looking keenly
satis-
at the
into the
'
hands of our steward as your due,
the equivalent of that which
money The
and then with one of
You maintain then that this hen name [of God and of justice, and you
former, he said to her,
belongs to you in the
pair,
is
levied
on you
as church-
?'
old
Dame
replied
the affirmative,
in
with
many
asseverations, adding a torrent of abuse levelled against the
who had dared
rascal
against citizen.
to
be
due,
and
to
vilipend
Upon which
silent,
and
—the hen
your business
is
is
thus publicly to lay a complaint
the
her,
an
aged and respectable
Knight-Commander ordered her
said sternly,
'
Enough, you have paid your
accepted as your equivalent, and thereby
concluded
:
you may
retire.'
And imme-
Crooked-Beak.
1
diately turning to the steward, he asked,
was the
two
his purse, laid
'Add
Church, and
fully
forthwith
his
out
said,
have
I
these witnesses, purchased of the
all
paid for it
hand, and
This hen
these coins to the church-money.
free to dispose of I
The Knight drew
reply.
shillings in the steward's
hereby, in presence of
What may be
'
'At the utmost one
the esthnated value of this hen?' shining, your worship,'
27
it
;
is
therefore mine,
and
I
am
my will and pleasure. And thee, my poor child,' — laying
according to
present
it
to
hand gently on Theresa's bowed-down head, and ad-
dressing her in a kind and conciliatory tone
go home
—
'
Take
and
it,
in peace.'
For an instant
all
stood as though petrified on hearing
unexpected dictum, but presently there arose a murmur
this
which gradually became a loud expression of approbation, '
That
ment
is
!
capital
!'
The
'
'Wellsaid!'
'
'Welldone!'
old hag has found her
match
'Ajustjudgat last
But
!'
Frank respectfully approached the Knight-Commander, held
May
out his hand, and said, with ill-suppressed emotion,
'
God reward
right-
eously, loyal
!
You have judged
and should you ever need two strong arms, and a
and
Hiigelin,
with
you, most noble Knight
faithful heart in
who
all his
is
your service, then think of Frank
bound by
might, or to lay
the ties of gratitude to serve you
down
drew forward Theresa, who,
his
bashfiil
life
for you.'
He
deep reverence before the Knight, and whispered,
God reward you
in
then
and trembling, made a
time and in eternity
!'
Then
the
'
May
young
pair departed with light and rapid steps. '
That fellow pleases me, and the maiden
also,' said
the
128
Crooked-Beak.
Knight-Commander him
into the
to
he accompanied
German House.
The wrath began
to Father Bernard, as
of
Dame
Griindler
complain loudly of
rabble always
now
'
now knew no bounds she way in which that foreign ;
the
obtain a preference in our town, and are
permitted with impunity to calumniate honourable citizens,
and
in
which, moreover, with certain personages of high
rank, a comely face
and rosy cheeks are worth more than
the lawful rights of a venerable and respectable citizen
Several of the bystanders sought to pacify her. Ulrich,
on with abuse, she ought rather gratitude to the
hen out of
his
further inquiry
own ;
'
to
That instead of running acknowledge her debt of
Knight-Commander
for
having paid for the
privy purse, and abstained from making
for if the
before a Court of Justice
matter had been formally brought it
would have fared
ill
with her,
the witnesses would have been against her,
seeing that
all
and could
easily
have brought overpowering evidence of
theft.'
These home-thrusts so incensed the angry dame exclaimed with a this
Deaf
however, the journeyman miller, and some other
burghers, said plainly to her face,
her
!
day forward
sold the hen to
fearful oath, if
me
'
May
I
that she
be a cripple from
be not true that the French Letty
it ! '
Whereupon, scolding
noisily,
and
German Court. The Knight-Commander, however, when quietly ensconced with Father Bernard in his own apartment up yonder, was most anxious to know what all this had to do with the French widow in the Blauwlatten Street. Why she was quivering with rage, she
left
the
Crooked-Beak.
And above
suspected of heresy?
1
29
whether the holy
all,
Father was acquainted with that book by means of which
was believed to practise the black
Idelette
Full well
'
Father
'
;
am
I
acquainted with
since I have for
art
%
replied the
truly,'
it,
some days past had
in
it
my own
hands.'
Well
'
'An
;
and what
sort of
book may
be then
it
'
1
old Bible, a copy of the French version
by Peter
Waldo, which has been handed down from father
to son in
Idelette's family for generations,
precious, esteemed indeed their
and held sacred and most most costly family
treasure,
the most valuable heirloom of their ancestors.' *
She
is
stunned.
then a Waldensian '
!
'
exclaimed the Knight, as
Then indeed she must be ordered
tory, for within the
must be suffered
if
off our terri-
bounds of our town no such
evil
weeds
to take root.'
Father Bernard responded by simply asking the question,
'
Do men
(Matt.
vii.
'
How
*
I
gather grapes of thorns or
mean,
to apply that, Father
Sir Knight,
Has not the Lord " shall know them 1
...
But
*
That
is
'
1
is
'
1
you might yourself have recognised
pleased the proof as to what
'
of thistles
16.)
do you mean
the two young people with
in
figs
whom
you were so highly
spirit their
grandmother
explicitly declared, "
she really a Waldensian
By
is of.
their fruits ye
'
1
a point on which, in good truth, I cannot certify
you, forasmuch as I never questioned her on the matter.
One
thing however I
know
of a surety, Sir Knight, that I
Crooked-Beak.
130 in
this
silent
and devout
example by which
God
(Rom.
believeth'"
have seen a Hving
I
have learned that the Gospel of Christ
I
"is the power of
sufferer
i.
unto salvation to every one that
16).
For a while the Knight-Commander
and down the room with long stood
and
still
warning voice
Romer, take heed '
On
strides,
paced up
then he suddenly
before the Father, laid his hand on his shoulder, in a
said
silently
Word
the
!
Thou
Bernard Romer, Bernard
' :
standest on slippery ground
of God, Sir Knight
On
!
that
!
Rock on
which the Lord hath builded His Church, and against which the gates of
hell shall not prevail.'
They looked one another
in
the face for long, shook
hands without another word, and In the humble dwelling
same evening, a
souls.
.
parted friends.
.
in the Blaiiwlatten Street,
feast of joy
by three simple
.
on
this
and thanksgiving was celebrated
The grandmother was happy, not among
only because they once more had Crooked-Beak
them, but more especially because the Lord had so graciously preserved her Frank, and not permitted that he, led
away by
his violent passions, should
be involved '
And
in
repast, for to-night
eggs,
besides '
crime, or
now,' exclaimed Theresa joyously, as she heartily
embraced the old woman and
commit any
any scrape.
we
;
'
now
and Crooked-Beak
in
shall prepare
I
We
are rich folk.
the
a rich
have milk, butter,
midst of us
again
!
What
is
the matter in the street
and screaming
! '
1
said the grandmother.
Hark
!
what a noise
Crooked-Beak.
131
Frank hastened
Theresa shrunk back in alarm.
out,
but
speedily returned in agitation with his master's wife, who,
pale as death and with clasped hands, sank
down on a
chair. '
Has any
misfortune happened
%
'
asked Idelette and
Theresa with one breath. of God,' slowly and solemnly replied the
'A judgment miller's wife
of
my
'
j
and
Yes
body.
sure enough, the
it
has given
it is
;
awful
—
me
Lord has judged her
*
Judged whom?' eagerly inquired
'
Dame
Yes, truly
Griindler.
;
awful oath, as she was leaving the
would go lame
a shock in every limb
makes me shudder ;
it
for life if
it
Idelette.
she declared, with an
German
Court, that she
was not true that you had sold
her that hen.
She then turned homewards,
and
On
scolding.
step caused her to
she
lies,
but,
!'
still
swearing
own door a false She could not rise and now there
the threshold of her
fall.
;
bemoaning
writhing like a worm,
ing infernal torture.
Truly she
is
herself as suffer-
struck
down by God
Himself!'
*We must '
The poor
run to help her
!'
quickly exclaimed Idelette.
creature must have broken a leg or dislocated
her hip-joint
—a
bad job enough
to Father Bernard,
and beg him
at her age.
to bring the
you, Frank, go with the mistress, and
and lay her on her
lift
tained that
'
Doctor
the poor
fly
and
;
woman
bed.'
But the grandmother spoke to deaf
would venture
Theresa,
to go.
Frank and the
Certainly the
.
.
.
ears.
No
creature
main-
miller's wife
may God
preserve us
!
.
.
.
Crooked-Beak.
132
...
the
is
staring visibly out of the old dame's eyes, and,
moreover, she launches such curses at Idelette and her grandchildren that really
approach
it
would not be advisable to
her.'
Father Bernard had been anxious that very evening to
and
restore to Idelette her beloved book, at
rest,
reaching the Blaiiwlatten Street, he was not a
Dame
prised to find the crowd gathered round
house, and to learn what had occurred.
God
!
that
'
mind
to set her
having only good news to carry to her; but, on
seemed every one's
*
one was willing to touch the subject of
;
her from
afar with spiteful curiosity, others with shrinking fear
horror. it
not
And yet some the command of
should overcome that our gracious
evil
God
help must be given somehow. the
Lord Jesus
His
that
chastises even the
be led to acknowledge
as
Is
disciples
we not assured wicked among the
their sins,
may be
and
to
converted and
flee
live
no one would help good Father Bernard
sufferer
and
with good, and are
children of men, not in wrath but in love, that they
crucified, that they
of
and no
this awful stroke,
Some beheld
nor to render her any assistance.
sur-
A judgment
thought
first
little
Griindler's
from the ground,
1
still,
and
him alone with the unfortunate
woman, he went straightway
to
Idelette's
called out Frank, sent Theresa for the doctor,
the miller's wife to go with
So then
to raise the
for all fought shy of her
stood coldly aloof, leaving
may
to Christ
him
to her
lowly
home
and entreated
unhappy neighbour's
house, to arrange everything needful for the nursing of the invalid.
He
felt
bound however
first
to spare time for a
Crooked-Beak.
133
devout Paternoster offered up with Frank and the wife,
and
petition,
word
for a little '
Forgive us our trespasses as
trespass against
At
us.'
each member of the
circle
on
to impress
we
miller's
their hearts that
forgive those that
did go as he wished, and
last all
performed his or her Christian duty
towards the suffering woman, to the great joy of the good old grandmother,
who could
no help
give
but yet
herself,
did the best she could, and in truth more than they
all,
for
she continued unremitting in silent, earnest prayer, that the
Lord would teach love wife,
of
and would
in
to her
Frank and
Dame Griindler. And now what of the
old
Dame
herself?
stroke was, as the neighbours said, for the
to the miller's
mercy soften the hard and stony heart
Lord had taken her
at her
Assuredly this
a very judgment of God,
word
her hip-joint, and was a cripple for
:
she had dislocated
life.
But the Lord,
according to His great mercy and loving-kindness, after chastising her for a while, granted her space for repentance,
and dealt with her
in the riches of
indeed a hard struggle
There was
in the case of this veteran sinner
a long time she refused to
God, to confess her
His grace.
bow under
sins, to repent,
the almighty
;
for
hand of
to bid farewell to all
her animosities, to see either the miller's wife, or Frank, or Theresa, or her grandmother, or to suffer them to approach her bed. see,
However there was no one else whom she could else came near her, for those of a better sort
no one
shuddered
proved by
at
the idea of the
this visitation
the disreputable
anathema under which,
of God, she seemed to
women who
lie,
as
while
at first agreed to nurse her for
1
Crooked-Beak.
34
the sake of large payments, tended her so carelessly, cheated
her so shockingly, and carried on such wild doings in her house, that she was forced at
deprived of
all
last, in
order to avoid being
her worldly goods, to follow Father Bernard's
wise advice, by resigning the care of herself and
all
her con-
cerns to the kind and thrifty miller's wife.
And
when,
thereafter, she
found herself
rounded with an atmosphere of
all
at
once
merited but much-dreaded lecturing andupbraidings Theresa,
little
come
who
sur-
love, instead of the well;
when
with her heavenly Father's aid had over-
the fear of the old
Dame, chatted with her
friendly way, handled her injured limb so gently,
in such a
and sought
with such tender compassion in every way to alleviate her pain
when even
;
the
monosyllabic Frank and the stern
mistress of the mill became, under the persuasive influence
of old
milder
Idelette,
more sympathizing; when
and
'French Letty' herself repeatedly caused Frank to carry
down beside her sick-bed, and there, freely and of her own accord, read for her benefit large portions of the beloved old book, and spoke in her own simple way of Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners, who 'will have all men to be saved,' who came down from her across and set her
heaven and died upon the cross
Dame
Griindler;
—then
the
for sinners,
warm
even such as
breathings
of faithful
Christian love did gradually thaw the hard ice of this evil
heart
;
then the heavenly Physician entered within, and by
His Holy
Spirit cast out the
so long a time soul in
seven
evil spirits
had grievously tormented
bondage
as Satan's slave.
her,
which
for
and held her
Crooked-Beak.
135
This transformation did not indeed take place without
many
Adam in a man has in Dame Griindler
a conflict and relapse, for old
often a very tough
life,
and the old man
repeatedly rose again, and began afresh to pursue his former
grumble and so
courses, to wrangle, scold,
the miller's wife
and
'Why
felt,
we one and
endure so
all
Dame Griindler
and plaguing from
teasing
lost all patience
more than once well-nigh should
that
forth, so
much
She was a
%
sort
of incarnate fiend from the beginning, and would be to the
Every one ought to be just and give her her dues,
end.
and then take no further trouble about
However,
shown mercy
her.'
The Lord had
was of another mind.
Idelette
to her in her
deep necessity, and
He had
taught her also to be merciful, had given her grace to re-
ward
with good and thereby to
evil
on the head of her enemy.
It is
'
heap coals of
always the case
fire
when we
pray heartily and perseveringly for any one, seeking at the
same time
to
show kindness and
son becomes dear to of indifference love
is,
—
like
\
us,
and so
heat,
she strove to resist
—
it,
to
to
do good, that the per-
and can never again be an object it
was with
be
felt,
Dame
not seen
Griindler. ;
But
however hard
gradually the beneficent effects of this
love did overcome her, and she was constrained to love first little
Theresa, then Idelette, and at last even Frank and
the miller's wife. desolate heart was
whom
As
this love
awakened
to a
Idelette's silent pleadings
began
new had
to spring up,
life,
her
and the Lord,
to
risen acceptably, like
Abel's sacrifice, awakened and enlightened and converted
her soul, and His grace led her to repent and to seek salva-
1
36
Crooked-Beak,
tion with wrestlings, supplications
and much exercising
ot
spirit.
Those who had seen her formerly would hardly have recognised her now, so utterly transformed was the expres-
and the glance of her now friendly
sion of her countenance eye.
was indeed a lovely
It
the following year,
on the bench
Griindler sat peaceably together latten street,
warming
her
down
in the Blaiiw-
It
was the
time that the
first
from her bed, and Frank had carried
risen
that she might
Crooked-Beak was
Dame
their weary, aching old limbs in the
mild rays of a waning sun.
lame woman had
autumn days of
sight in the
when the aged grandmother and
also
be revived by the sweet fresh
air.
and must evidently have
there,
forgiven her former foe, and that right heartily, for often of
had
late she
and to-day she greatly
popped
company with Theresa,
visited the invalid in
into her
crumbs so caressingly
relished the
crooked beak by that very hand which had
inflicted the injury of old.
'No! Who could have
predicted
last
this
autumn?'
involuntarily exclaimed Theresa, as she prepared to
go up
to the vineyard hill with the miller's wife. *
Ah, indeed, that
feel as I
you
is true,'
responded
do, I cannot understand
look at that hen of yours,
purpose in thy heart
all
Therefore,'
glory, praise '
added
that evil,
who had
Idelette,
and thanksgiving
Amen,' answered
Dame
Griindler
it is
;
'
I
Whenever
!
Thou didst Lord God has
say to myself, "
I
and our
graciously brought such blessing out of '
Dame
how
'
to
!
Him
'
"
it
be
all
the honour,
!'
Griindler and the miller's wife,
joined the group at that moment.
Crookcd-Bcak.
137
Further details regarding the end of this
have not found
We
we
less,
shall hereafter
Bernard Romer, but that
tell
we may
In the meantime
hers
?
—
also there
fall
in
and who can
once more with
?
let
us each
as precious
Whether we
and
all
solemnly examine our-
and as sacred
daily read in
it
live
its
precepts, as did Idelette, walking
working by love
%
to wit, the
faith,
and whether it,
and obey
and
that faith
in the spirit that breathes in
by
—
as old Idelette did
as she did,
we
and walk
Neverthe-
meet again the Augustinian monk,
and ask whether we hold our own Book
Book of books
been the
take in their welfare.
in this said ancient chronicle,
Frank and Theresa
selves,
farewell to the inhabitants of the
however warm may have
street,
we could not but
interest
we
our town-chronicle of the olden time.
in
must therefore bid
Blaiiwlatten
history
little
THE MINISTERS OF THE WORD. In
'
all
things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.
2 Cor.
Parson in '
Master
in
Zell,^ parish priest of
Cathedral of Strasburg,
the
15 21,
Lawrence's chapel
commonly
the
simply
called
he himself informs
IStatthew,' had, as
the year a.d.
St.
vi. 4.
us,
begun,
memorable year of the Diet
of Worms, to preach the gospel to the people of Strasburg,
by a course of regular expositions of
The
of the Bible.
streamed
such multitudes
in
the chapel of
crowded congregation. the
to
and
Zell's parishioners
Dean and Chapter
truth,
hear his sermons, that
'Lawrence was soon too small
St.
books
single
citizens, thirsting after light
for the
then turned to
with the request that their parson
might be permitted to use the so-called
'
Doctor's Pulpit^
formerly placed by order of the magistrates for Geiler's
Gladly would the
use in the middle of the Cathedral.
Dean, Count Sigismund of Hohenlohe, have granted petition, but
their
he was out-voted by the other members of the
Chapter, and the stone pulpit was forthwith closed by their orders,
which occasioned no small
When,
at large.
nomy, which ^
stir
among the burgesses Book of Deutero-
shortly afterwards, the
Zell
was
Matthias Zell,
just
bom
beginning to expound, was
in Kaisersberg, a.d. 1477.
The Ministers of the Word. printed and circulated in the
ment and discontent first
German
1
language, the excite-
For the
rose to the highest pitch.
Word
time for a thousand years the
even to the unlearned,
—
of
God was open
time a book of the Bible
for the first
was printed and published
39
in Strasburg,
— 'and now,
forsooth,
they would fain stop the mouth of our beloved preacher
God from
they seek to withhold the word of
malcontent
Thus on the
citizens.
and
us,
us out of the salvation of our souls!' loudly
to cheat
grumbled the
of expectation,
tiptoe
both the authorities and the populace awaited the course of
coming It
service,
to
events.
was early on the
when
old
'
Sunday
first
in
Advent, before morning
Mey-Babeli,^ Zell's faithful cook, was seen
wend her way towards Gourd Lane from '
'
her master's home.^ in the beautiful
the Parsonage,
Mey-Babeli was a native of Miillheim
little district
of Markgrafler.
She had been
a servant in the household of the parson's old aunt at Freiburg, after
whose death she had passed, with the inheritance of
From
house, garden and farm, to the nephew.
Freiburg in
Breisgau, where he filled a professorial chair, she
lowed him
to Strasburg
;
in
fol-
and she was devoted with her whole
soul to her revered master.
appear to be
had
But to-day Mey-Babeli did not
her usual cheerful
mood
;
her eyes were red
with weeping, she hardly bestowed any salutations on the ^
*
Mey-Babeli,' a familiar appellative,
keeper Barbara.' ^
The
literally
signifying
'House-
Ti\
spacious and ancient Cathedral-Parsonage, the
home
of Zell,
Court Street (Briiderhof's-Gasse), opposite the present Episcopal Seminary, and had an exit towards Jews' Street. Judging
stood
in Friars'
by the ground
it
occupied,
it
must have been of very large
size.
The Ministers of tJie Word.
140
and hurried along so rapidly
passers-by,
once she was forced to stand '
Yes, yes, Mey-Babeli,
me, one cannot be so ago when one was your strength,
—we
when one grows
brisk, or
Gourd Lane
shall arrive all in
the
at
spectable Sunday the '
portly
Do
not hurry beyond
good
in her
into
most
re-
rosary in hand, and holding also
attire,
Book of Deuteronomy.
Ah
!
directly,
is
it
you,
Dame
Butzer V said Mey-Babeli, as
Kate.
.
.
.
But
Gourd Lane
1
— what
is
I
little
the matter
Only look
It is
!
!
must of necessity,
Maiden
talk with
now
this
morning
crowded with men,
packed so close that you could walk over
Oh
if
Unfortunately,' added she
cannot linger an instant, for
I
'
'
before Divine service begins, have a
*
Dame
time,' said
who turned
wife,
same moment, clad
awakening out of a dream.
in
you and
old, like
run on so nimbly as long
in one's teens.
Butzer, the master-cooper's
more than
that
to recover breath.
still
their
!'
heads
do you actually not know yet that the guild of
joiners has assembled,
and they are carrying over
to the
made in your master may
Cathedral the wooden pulpit which has been
Master
Schiitz's
preach
in the
workshop 1
It is all that
Yes, yes, most gracious
Minster.
sirs,
the
Very Reverend the Dean and Chapter, you may lock up the Doctor's stone pulpit, but you can no longer thereby lock
up God's Word from as well to us,
Master Matthew
us.
and apply
it
as well
home
will
expound
to our hearts
it
from
the slender pulpit of wood, as from your fine sculptured
stone one which you have
'What do you
now
barricaded
!
say?' exclaimed Mey-Babeli in consterna-
The Ministers of the Word. 'What? my master
tion.
preach to-day in
to
is
Cathedral instead of in the Chapel of joiners have
made
a
new
pulpit
141
St.
the
Lawrence, and the
on purpose
for him, to
spite the Cathedral Chapter?' '
It is all true, sure
enough, just as
I
have told you.
This
time Striidel-Hans has proved worthy of his name' ally signifying
'
Blustering
'
or
'
Hot-headed John
(liter-
and
'
'),
in
a few days' time he has contrived and manufactured a portable pulpit, which
may
indeed be a
shaky and hastily
little
got up {gestrudett), yet will be sure to stand firm enough to
bear your master's weight, for he '
Alas, alas
bring '
'
my
!
'
is
small and light enough.'
sobbed out Mey-Biibeli,
'
What do you mean, Mey-Babeli V I mean that I wish Strudel-Hans with
were where the pepper grows testily,
that will certainly
poor master to utter ruin at once
gulping
down
!'
!
his
wooden
rejoined the good
her tears with a violent
holding up her handkerchief
pulpit
woman
effort,
and
to conceal her eyes, red
and
swollen with weeping.
Dame
Butzer had no time to inquire further regarding the
sorrows of Master Matthew's faithful domestic, for while she
was speaking, the procession fonned before Master workshop, and as
back on both wards
all
marched
it
was being
sides with
joined
it
in
set in
solemn
motion, the crowd
Immediately
gravity.
most regular order.
in full dignity the virtuous
;
fell
after-
and foremost
First
and honourable Master
of the Guild, Justice Schiitz, with his the insignia of his dignity
Schiitz's
official staff
then followed
of the guild of joiners, each having the
the
all
Book
and
all
members
of Deutero-
The Ministers of the Word.
142
nomy
hand, 'for the purpose,' as
his
in
preface to
'
it,
is
stated in the
of promoting the custom of taking to church
with one the book from which the subject
is
and having the opportunity there, before
be chosen,
to
preaching
the
of reading over the text about to be explained.'
begins,
Next came 'Hot-headed Hans,' Master
Schiitz's
foreman;
with his GoUath-hke hmbs, he carried the pulpit as easily
on
his
broad shoulders as
if it
were a mere washerwoman's
two other journeymen carried the platform on
basket
;
which
it
was to
ladder by which
rest, it
while a third followed, bearing the
Then came the among the rest Maiden Katherine,
was to be ascended.
wives and daughters of the master joiners, the gifted daughter of Justice Schiitz,
with her two chosen friends, the highly esteemed widows,
—
the Dames known by the name of die Krdftinne?i,' who had, from early youth, dedicated themselves, Kraft,' with their bosom friend Katherine Schiitz, to the service of '
'
—
the church
thereby
Dame
and
won
Maiden
aiming
at
and poor, and had
and veneration.
Butzer and Mey-Babeli
latter specially '
to the care of the sick
universal love
now
To
these last
joined themselves, the
being in closest proximity to
Kate.'
In the great Minster square, before the Cathedral, the Patricians and Councillors were awaiting, with anxious
and
long-strained expectation, the proceedings of the burgesses.
There were
to
be seen, beside Daniel Ming the reigning
meisier (chief magistrate), the ex-magistrate Herrlin, cillor
others
Pfarrer (Sebastian Brandt's son-in-law), ;
there too was the aged
Am-
Coun-
and several
and venerable Wimpheling,
The Ministers of the Word. Geiler's
friend, leaning
most confidential
on the arm of
his
Jacob Sturm of Sturmeck, the famous Stdttmeister
pupil,
(burgomaster) of Strasburg, in that day '
143
German
the ornament of the
commonly designated
nobility,'
who,
tumul-
in the
tuous and perilous times of the Reformation, merited in the
homage of
highest degree the grateful orders,
fraternities,
canons,
was easy
it
small effort to restrain against
Old men
all
it
them no
cost
Over
several guilds with their masters,
with an air of firm resolution.
close array,
in
to discern that
expression of discontent.
all
them were the
drawn up
The
his native city.
and monks were
groups, to outward appearance quiet
standing in various
enough, while yet
priests
and young, matrons and maidens,
all
were together
expecting the beginning of the pubHc worship of God.
At
last
of the joiners
procession
the
Minster square
;
the bells pealed
;
arrived
the
at
opened
the sacristan
all
the doors, and in a few minutes the vast area of the build-
crammed with human
ing was
prised was Master
Matthew
empty, and his hearers
by
their
master,
apprentices,
all
beings.
to find the St.
Not a
Led
assembled in the Cathedral.
Schiitz,
'
sur-
little
Lawrence Chapel
Hot-headed Hans,' with
the
had quickly and expertly put up the wooden
pulpit in the very centre of the Cathedral, in front of the
locked-up stone one, which the date 1487 visible
proceeded to fetch
and lead him Zell
on
upon
their
respectfully
is it.
standing there to this day with
The Masters
of Guilds then
beloved preacher from the Chapel
up
to seat
him
in the
ascended the steps under deep emotion, his
knees
in prayer, while [the
new fell
pulpit.
at
once
organ pealed forth
its
144
Ministers of the Word.
T^Ji^
accompanied by the rich harmonies of a
thunders, choir,
and the glorious song of
of
praise
the
church, the Te Deum laudamtis, was re-echoed from
Had any
a thankful heart.
full
ancient
many
observer closely watched the
preacher during that interval, he might have seen him, his
whole soul voluntarily
of the impression
full
made by
the singing, in-
his eyes to that stone pulpit, then cast a long,
lift
deep, resting look on Geiler's grave, the silent tears mean-
down
while coursing
had died
out,
read out his
his cheeks.
As soon
as the last chords
he offered up a fervent prayer,
text,
after
which he
and preached with extraordinary unction.
The sermon over, the congregation dispersed with as much stillness and decorum as they had shown in assemHot-headed Hans and his associates carried the bling wooden pulpit back to Gourd Lane, and from the Chapel of St. Catherine there emerged a train of monks with ;
holy water, incense and lighted candles, to reconsecrate the desecrated spot Forgetful of
behind a
pillar,
all
around. Maiden Katherine Schiitz sat
deep in the study of those glorious
courses contained
in
the
Book
of
Deuteronomy.
continued reading long after the church was empty.
behind
her, Mey-Biibeli
dis-
She Close
was mechanically passing the beads
of her rosary through her fingers, waiting impatiently for the
time
when Maiden Kate should have
and when she might be
finished her devotions,
free to consult her about her affairs.
Suddenly the door of a confessional near them was opened,
and out stepped the Dean, who approached Katherine Schiitz,
and laying
his
hand on her shoulder,
said gently.
'
The Ministers of tJie Word.
145
Katherine, I have somewhat to say to thee.'
Immediately
the damsel closed her book, rose and followed the Count
Mey-Babeli glanced complacently
into a side aisle.
two noble
figures,
a dignity about her as
true, there is
born, and fore she
fit
is
and soliloquized thus
to converse with kings
the ver}^ person,
and no
if
at the
half-aloud,
'
It is
she were a princess
and emperors. other, to tell
There-
my
to
it
poor master.'
At length Mey-Babeli did in the Minster square.
find herself alone with Katherine
She grasped her hand, and, heaving
a deep sigh, said in a most beseeching tone,
Maiden Kate, trive to get his, for
'
Oh
for the sake of all the blessed Saints,
Hot-headed Hans
burn that wooden pulpit of
to
my poor
unless he does, assuredly
himself into utter beggary upon
dear
!
do con-
it
master
will
preach
!'
Katherine could scarcely control a smile, but, perceiving the perplexed and excited state of her worthy friend, she
answered good-naturedly, such matters
day meal, tell
me
all
at
ask you.
This
is
not the place to discuss share
my
noon-
which, without fear of interruption, you
that
in
is
in a hesitating, timid tone,
Maiden Katherine
without which
I
may
Mey-Babeli promised so
your heart'
however
to do, adding first
'
come home with me and
:
Schiitz, to
lend
me
'
a
I
must
florin,
should be unable to give Simon Scheldt pay-
ment for the errand he has run
:
he returned yesterday even-
ing from Freiburg, and longer I really cannot, for decency's
My
sake, keep
him out of
nothing of
it
already
Katherine instantly gave her the
!'
.
.
.
but
his
money.
... ah
I
good master knows
you know what
I mean money she
The Ministers of the Word.
146
saying
required,
present
—
in
her friendly way,
meet again soon
to
They
!'
parted,
hour before vespers Mey-Babeli appeared
and related
to her as follows
all
Farewell
'
at
for
the
and about an
Maiden
Kate's,
weighed upon her
that
mind. '
Master Matthew Zell had inherited, from the
ceased
sister
at Freiburg,
lately de-
of his father, of blessed memory, two fine houses
and a splendid vineyard,
all
which he had, being
a Strasburg parson, rented to a certain Stoffel Bosenstein,
whom
Mey-Babeli never could endure, nor could she bring
herself ever to expect any
had been of old a
calker.
good from him, seeing
that he
Moreover, Master Matthew had,
out of his patrimonial possessions, lent out a certain amount
of capital to the late young nobleman Conrad von Kranz-
now, upon which
his
widow was
interest in the shape of a yearly
in the
sum
habit of paying
of nine
florins.
Ac-
cordingly, every year of late, during the season of Advent,
her
master had
sent the post-runner
Simon Scheldt
to
Freiburg, to collect his interest from Stoffel Bosenstein and
Widow von Kranznow, on which errand the said Simon had now been despatched as usual. He had returned the night and with empty hands, saying that by
before, half-dead
name of His Imperial Highness ArchDuke Ferdinand, the honourable Council of Freiburg had made over said houses and grounds to said Stoffel Bosen-
orders and in the
stein as his actual
Matthew rights
Zell to
and
titles
and lawful possession, declaring Master
be thereupon deprived thereto.
had paid down the nine
for ever of all his
AVhen Widow von Kranznow florins to
Simon on the
table, as
The Ministers of the Word.
147
he was on the point of popping them into his purse, a rap
was heard
at the door, a
and
"
said,
town messenger entered the room
That money you have
just received
not carry away with you, for I forbid sequestrate
Council."
money in the name Whereupon he tore up the Not
to the mint.
she
interest or gain to '
And was
tale,
my
hereby
receipt prepared
by
added Mey-Babeli with
tears, as
that they can there bring in
poor master
any
!'
the post-runner not informed on what ground
or pretext they could
of his
'
I
and straightway carried them
florins,
indeed,'
wound up her
you must
of the Worshipful
the
Simon, pocketed the
and
it,
make bold
goods and possessions
to rob your
in so
good master
shameful a manner?'
inquired Katherine. '
Ah
!
yes indeed, and that
nigh breaks
my
heart,
is
the very thing that well-
and old Simon's
my
must act thus because
master
and an ungodly preacher, one who against the clergy
and the
Tliey say they
too.
is
a Lutheran heretic
stirs
authorities,
up the populace
and who
for
that
reason would be shortly excommunicated by the Pope, and laid
by the Emperor under the ban of the Empire, and
therefore burnt alive
Maiden
Kate,'
!'
sobbed out Mey-Babeli, her hands
— — she proceeded
clasped in despair.
'
Oh
I
so well
how
to give
up
do,
:
parsonage, and break to Job's post.
!
my
do, I entreat of you, dear '
come
this
evening to the
poor master the news of
have not the heart to do
to set your words.
And you
this preaching, at least for
it,
this
and you know
will
persuade him
a time, and to content
himself with saying mass as the other parish priests do.
The Ministers of the Word.
148
And And
then Hot-headed
my
then
master
when he has only
Hans may burn
wooden
pulpit.
not always be giving away a florin
will
penny
a
his
own
to call his
!'
And what more, Mey-Biibeli ?' Ah Maiden Kate, how can you be so composed ? However, I may tell all to you in confidence. Trusting to *
'
!
my
the interest from Freiburg,
he had
;
so
we
speak to him on
when
master has given away
now reduced
are
this
matter
mean
I
;
all
and you must
to penury,
way
the
in which,
the people from town or country bring their tithes or
dues, he says to them, "
Keep your money, and take your home again with you,
butter and eggs and your sucking-pigs
them
or carry gives
And
to market."
them money from
the call again and again
his :
own
that were all
if
purse,
But he
!
and then there comes
" Mey-Babeli, give this poor
man
a glass of wine and a good hunch of bread to strengthen him,' or,
Lay an
'
may
take
one
year's
and never and has
extra cover at table, that this poor
some hot soup with us end
to another
The
receiving.
called
my master
;
we
And
!"
so
it
woman
goes on from
are always dispensing freely
collector
is
angry already about
ing his parishioners and injuring the public interest. I
do know
that
it
will bring
him a
;
and
if
only
and exert myself
I
we
life's
were young again, and able to work
as of old, I
and replenish the exchequer hold expenses
Now,
blessing that he does not
help in oppressing the poor, and sucking out their
blood
it,
to account right sharply, for spoil-
would
trust to
my own
thrift,
sufficiently for all the house-
really need,
from the produce of our
garden in the Schweighof, and with what
little
we
still
draw
The Ministers of the Word. from Kaisersberg,^ but alack-a-day now, and I
am
going quickly
know not what
master '
to do,
down
nor what
is
life
sober truth
in
become
to
Cheer up and keep your mind
has
is
my
of
poor
power
all
left
evening.
;
tation.
to the
be with you
sitting in his
will assuredly
was not
task of expounding God's
for this
!
study in deep medi-
had sunk heavily on
All at once the thought
that he alone
poor folk
You may reckon on me
I shall certainly
Master Matthew was
in all
and the love and tender compas-
shown
unrequited.
!
Lord and Master,
keep and protect His own
to
dangers and necessities
not be
Mey-Babeli
ease,
at
in the service of our great
sion which he has
mind
slow in busy
and
hill,
!
your master
who
am
I
!
149
sufficient to
word
his
undertake the great
to the
whole people
;
he
alone could never carry on the great work in opposition to Princes, Bishop
and Chapter; and so he clasped
and exclaimed, strong not do much.
my work
is
in faith,
But the cause the labour in
—
'
It
Thy
is
Thy
is
true,
his
hands
one alone can-
cause, dear Lord,
vineyard.
Now
and
know
I
assuredly that Thou, good and faithful Householder and Father, wilt soon thrust forth
more
labourers,
shall
have associates to be husbandmen with
field
of
Thy
sowing.
How
can
already gone forth to seek such
I
doubt
and that
it?
me
in
Thou
I
the
hast
!
Katherine entered, followed by Mey-Babeli with the post^
Besides the garden close to the Fishers' Gate,
as the in his
Schweighof Garden, Zell native town of Kaisersberg.
still
known
at
Strasburg
possessed some landed property
^
The Ministers of the Word.
150
The two
runner.
both stood, with throbbing hearts,
latter
at the half-opened door, waiting anxiously to see
Katherine
simple words, telling
him
how
also
related
their
had occurred,
that
all
and concerned Mey-Babeli
distressed
and Simon were on the
how
Calmly, with few and
master would bear the sad tidings.
subject.
As soon
was
as her tale
ended. Master Matthew gave her his hand, with a friendly
and warm expression of liarly genial
—
well, in
house,
God's name,
hope
I
gratitude,
let
;
also robbed, stripped,
little if I
'
unjust towards so
in,
them
I
!
so cruel
and
German
—
'
it is
all in
a crying
Freiburg.
for all this was,
shame
!
I told
— stealing
and
!
Be of good comfort, dear
my
enemies
against me, they cannot drive
earth.
it
!'
!'
say so before them
however furiously
on
and
seized her master's hand, and cried
how can any one be good a man
that the plain
seeing that
into the world,
interposed Simon Scheidt, nervously twisting
ay,'
plundering
and nailed to the
bare and in very penury
it
cap round and round on his head,
Openly did
'
Oh
came
I
depart from
Mey-Babeli rushed
'Ay,
my
If they take
!
my vineyard, yet the earth and my Lord Jesus Christ. He, the
naked and helpless
out with tears,
his
own pecu-
If they take
Lord and Judge, was cross
his
Well now, dear Kate,
us go forward
things therein belong to
matters
'
have a house not made with hands, eternal
I
in the heavens. all
and with
look and tone he said,
all
power
is
children,' replied
Zell,
'
for
may set themselves in array me out of Christ's dominions,
given unto
Him
in
heaven and
Therefore weep not, Mey-Babeli, for whitherso-
The Ministei's of tJic Word. ever they
may
chase
His blessed hand
us,
hold us up and to guide us
bumper
of
See
I
now
I
— there
you have him
known how
again,'
florin
—
from you
pay, Mey-Babeh,' said
outside the door. folk'' [E?-bvoikY
leeches,
from
I
'
whispered the
double pay
this day,
full
at all
this point
all
But
Oh
!
tell
you
I
!
!'
Simon Scheldt
to her
well that the " hereditaij like
they can against him to drive him
may God
preserve him in
it
!
and
Lutheran heretics were as good and devout as he
all
If
!
should
I
draw blood from your poor master
and muster
his office.
know
'
him any pay
to give
beseech you, do talk reason to him on
Keep your
Dost
job.
'
had not borrowed the
'
for his
%
housekeeper to Maiden Kate,
never have
Simon a
give
had such a disagreeable
errand, because he has
'
be there to
will
Now,
!
good Kaisersberg wine, and a double pay
hear, Mey-Babeli
faithful
Amen
!
151
should be one to-morrow
is,
if
I
!
Within the study Katherine yet lingered to deliver the
warm and
brotherly salutations of the Dean.
morning,' she said,
'
Early
'
this
he was aware of the unpleasant circum-
stances that had happened to you at Freiburg, and he
is
of
opinion that you ought forthwith to present a petition to an
honourable Councillor of
this place, that
friend with the Council of Freiburg,^ ^
The name by which
he
may
stand your
and help you
in those days the
to regain
populace were wont to
designate the highest grades of ecclesiastics. 2
This petition Zell actually did present, but without success.
The
reply of the Council of Freiburg to that of Strasburg was, that they
could do nothing further, having been forced to act as they did by order of their lord, the Archduke Ferdinand.
The Ministers of tJie Word.
152 your
And
rights.
ficence
Count
as the
aware that works of bene-
is
and compassion are a heart's necessity with you,
you must allow him the pleasure of paying in the place of Stoffel Bosenstein
So
in the
Hohenlohe,
Matthew
.
.
and Widow von Kranznow.'
hand the purse which she
saying, she laid gently in Zell's
had
.
this year's interest
morning received from Count Sigismund von for that purpose, in the Cathedral.
Zell
looked
silently for a
little, first
at the purse,
then at Kate, and then he turned his glance upwards and said with
deep
feeling,
'
Ah
this
!
comes from
that
Lord who well knows what we need, and gives before
we have asked
hand and added
my
and be
cheerfully,
treasurer, dear
Mey-Biibeli and other at
all
on
I
me
'
then took
even
Katherine's
But you must keep the money
Kate
and
to refer the
to forbid her plaguing
money
'
!
Look now,
the fact
is,
cannot any longer understand one an-
this point,
love to authorize
He
!
it
good
it
it
will
be a true labour of
good old soul
me any more
to you,
and
with these wretched
matters.'
Katherine promised to do as was proposed.
Mey-Babeli
too was pleased with the arrangement, and Master
was of opinion
that
'
it is
a
good and blessed thing when the
Lord our God sends one so dear a
'
Let us praise
God
help.'
with joyous
strain,
His word has come to us again Now Winter's chill and gloom are o'er, !
Summer
is
nigh,
Matthew
— ev'n at the door,
Sweet flowerets ope
their fragrant store
The Ministers of the Word. He who
can
153
things thus transform,
all
Will to the end the work perform
!
Master Matthew Zell had uttered prophetic words prayer, strong in faith, w^as heard,
God was
and
The good and
not put to shame.
and Householder had gone
Father
faithful
forth to seek labourers for
vineyard, and in the spring,
when
sent to Strasburg two such
;
his
:
confidence in
his
His
He
the swallows returned,
one a learned,
and
rich
distin-
guished prelate, the other a poor, exiled, refugee preacher.
The
and learned
rich
Capito
(his true original
prelate was named Wolfgang German name being Kopfd), an
and
associate of Zell's in his youth,
Freiburg, a Doctor of Divinity, of
He was born
in
Hainault
councillor in that place.
but soon turned from
it
his
in 1478, his father
He
being
i^Iedicine. farrier
and
began by studying medicine,
to divinity,
obtained his Doctor's degree.
fellow-student at
Laws and of
At
which he pursued
first
till
he
he was parish-priest at
Bnichsal, afterwards Professor in the University of Freiburg,
and
at
a later period preacher in the
Abbey Church
at Basle,
where he connected himself with the great Erasmus, and helped zealously in promoting the circulation of Luther's writings.
him
In 1520, the Elector Albert of Mayence to his Court,
Court-preacher.
upoQ him, Strasburg.
and appointed him
summoned
Chancellor and
In the same year Pope Leo x. bestowed
unsolicited, the Provostship of St.
Thomas's
at
Capito had on more than one occasion warned
Luther to beware of prosecuting great
his
violence.
his glorious
That sturdy hero of the
work with too faith,
Martin
Luther, saw, however, in these exhortations only the worldly
The Ministers of the Word.
154
wisdom of
the wily courtier, and considered
of indifference towards justice
and
judgment
truth
opinion and
filled
with
is
them
ill-will
as proofs
most sacred, towards
Deeply wounded by
itself.
of his
motives, and
that
all
and indignation against the
cabals of the Electoral Court and the absence of
dom
which prevailed
of conscience
possessed the Elector's
fullest
to every expectation,
all
there,
Abbey
of
St.
free-
all
who
Capito,
confidence, resigned, contrary
his
appointments, and
brilliant
betook himself in 1523 to Strasburg, there to seek the
severe
this
misunderstanding of his
rest
in
Thomas's, and to Hve in retirement, de-
He
voted to the better convictions of his mind and heart.
was a man of great
and refined
cultivation, dignified
in
man-
ners and bearing, and so pure and strict in his moral tone, that he never suffered
Martin
Bucer
any but male servants
(originally
preacher, was the son of a cooper,
Martinmas day 1491.
Convent
He
bom
and the
Heidelberg.
spirit
in the
on
Dominican
Prior, discerning the
rising spirit of the talented youth, sent at
poor refugee
in Schlettstadt
was educated
in his native town,
in his household.
the
Biitzer)^
him
to study divinity
There Bucer penetrated deep into the
of the Bible
;
he became, however,
of his manifest rejoicing at Luther's
first
of reformation, exposed to the hatred of
in
consequence
steps in the all
work
the brethren of
his order; this issued in his quitting the order in 1520,
and
prosecuted by that famous inquisitor, that hunter of
and
all
sundiy heretics, Jacob von Hochstraten, he took refuge in the Castle of Ebernburg, the stronghold of the valiant Franz
von Sickingen.
The brave knight
sent
him on
to Luther
The Ministers of the Word. to invite
him
1
55
On
also to accept a safe retreat in his castle.
the recommendation of various friends, Bucer was appointed
The
Court-preacher by Frederick, Count Palatine.
ous
of a palace, and the restraint under which, to a
life
certain degree, he
this point
Hiitten
under
thence pastor
five
in
his
marriage with
months
living of the
jurisdiction.
Elizabeth
little
In
town
There Bucer
Palass.
Driven
by war, he joined the evangelical
later
Henry Motheren
Rhenanus,
and Nicholas Gerbel.
him the
1522, Sickingen gave
of Landshut, then
was united
to lay his conscience, rendered
strongly, in his letters to Beatus
Ulrich von
Zwingle,
May
was forced
Court so painful, that he expressed regret
his residence at
on
luxuri-
at
Weissenburg, where he preached
the gospel with blessed results, but here too he was followed
by the dangers of approaching war, and of the threatened ban, so that he betook himself as a fugitive to Strasburg,
simultaneously with Capito, towards the end of
deep poverty.
arriving there, like him, in
May
1523,
His learned friend
Gerbel had already invited him to Strasburg two years before,
and
in
that city his father,
who had
established
himself there in 1508, had acquired the rights of citizenship.
When
the post-runner,
Weissenburg on business
Simon
Scheidt,
who had been
for the Council,
at
brought to the
master-cooper Butzer a letter from his son, and the news that he
had been
laid
under the ban by the Bishop of Spires,
and (being thereby forced arrive at his parents' wife, great
home
to leave Weissenburg),
the following day with his
would
young
indeed was the perplexity and consternation of
the worthy old couple.
The
father hastened to seek out his
The Ministers of the Word,
156 son's friend
and patron, Nicholas Gerbel.
Gerbel went to
the proper official under the Bishop to obtain leave for
Bucer to take up
position
his
This
episcopal jurisdiction.
under
Strasburg,
at
his
however, declined to
official,
receive him, and insisted strongly on stern discipline in con-
The
sequence of Bucer's marriage.
home to
sorely troubled,
and
his wife
Master Matthew to entreat
Matthew
old father returned
straightway hurried off
his counsel
and
aid.
Zell listened with sympathy, saying a few
of comfort, and reminding her of the Lord's words,
one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or
name's sake, everlasting
Every
sisters,
Dame
(Matt. xix. 29).
life'
all
that
.
.
but
.
.
.
or
my
shall inherit
Butzer replied,
and the good
.'
burst into a flood of tears.
But
.
.
.'
interposed
your husband
is
commodation
in
not
an hundredfold, and
shall receive
'she fully believed
'
words
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for
father,
Dame
'
her friend,
old, his earnings are
your house
know how you can
fugitives,
— that
'
is it, is it
is
offer
not,
sighed out the anxious inquiry,
times
small,
are
evil,
and the
ac-
limited enough, so you hospitality
my good
After drawing a deep breath
the
to
Mistress?'
and nodding '
do
your poor
she
assent,
And who can
give
him
defence and protection against the episcopal ban?'
'That must be done by some honourable Member of Council,' answered Zell.
'And
as for all the rest, allow
me, with God's help, to provide.
And now go home
peace, dear friend, for the Lord never forsakes His
Go,
in passing, to
Maiden Katherine
Schiitz,
and say
in
own
!
that I
The Ministers of the Word. beg her as a favour your good
man
to
to
come
to see
me
be calm and keep
157
here directly.
his
mind easy;
Tell
I shall
consult this very day with our friend Gerbel, and with the
Dean, and afterwards
Thanking him
Dame
let
you know how you ought
and
heartily,
feeling
greatly
to act' relieved,
Butzer withdrew from the excellent pastor, leaving
room with long
him, however, to pace up and
down
strides in great perplexity, until
he was interrupted by the
He met
Maiden Kate.
arrival of
wanted by frankly
me
again to help related to her
stating,
'
his
her inquiry as to what he
To-day already, you are wanted
as a friend in need, dear
how
Kate
He
!'
then
the young preacher of the gospel, Martin
Bucer, had been laid under the ban and driven to flight for the gospel's sake, and was coming to Strasburg with wife,
them
how
was
poor parents to receive
in their small dwelling, while,
on the other hand, here
was he
it
living in this spacious Cathedral-parsonage
Mey-Babeli was strange and crotchety,
many
so
his
for his
impossible
about,
!
But then
and had always
obstacles to propound, and misfortunes to grumble
if
he wished to be hospitable, or to receive the
homeless, and offer them a place of refuge, that he shrunk
from encountering
And
*
so then I
her,
am
and began
I
am
be quite bewildered.
young wife
receive Martin Bucer Avith his
and
to
to tell Mey-Babeli that
you wish to
into your house,
to prepare everything for the reception of the
fugitives?' calmly rejoined Katherine. '
Ah
!
yes, dear
Kate,
God
bless you,
you can hardly
conceive what a heavy load you have taken from ray heart
The
conflict
is
waxing
hotter,
and the breach
in the
I
Church
The Ministers of
IS8 is
In these hard and troublous times,
inevitable.
me
seriously to consider
minister of the
But when
Word.
the
it
my
is
Word and champion
have a
I
what
little
it
behoves
duty to do as a
of Christian liberty.
Mey-Babeli, and
dispute with
then have to care for matters myself, to see that food
provided for the hungry, and a refuge for the
my
that disturbs
therefore that
God
mind, and unfits
the
me
Lord has sent you
you must continue
be
to
sojourner in this world
:
for
my
And
work.
as a dear help,
now,
—you
consent,
and
am
for ever, as long as I
— there
is
fugitives, all
a
— eh
!
dear Kate V
Katherine straightway put her hand to the work, but she
had
on the part of Mey-
to encounter strong opposition
Babeli,
who maintained
any room, because each one
;
one
for
it
she could not possibly clear out
was positively necessaiy
hemp, another
for fruit,
to
occupy
a third for
drying lentiles, pease and beans and seeds, a fourth for storing clothes
had *
safely
and shoes
buried
all
for her master, while in a fifth she
the
treasures
inherited
from the
blessed Mistress,' the Doctor's wife of Freiburg
;
therein
she had deposited tables and chairs, and a chest about the size of
Noah's
ark, filled with linen,
— she
had piled up a
towering mountain of feather-beds, had preserved in a trunk the
blessed Mistress's
damask wedding-dress, jewels and
other articles of state apparel, with
all
and sundry other
valuables
And Maiden Kate had
already banished hemp, lentiles,
pease and beans and seeds, to the stone floor below, and to the cellar,
when Mey-Babeli,
still
fruit
standing in an attitude
The Ministers of the Word.
159
of defence, guarding her treasure-chamber, pathetically be-
sought that
might be spared
at least
it
But
!
all
was un-
avaihng
:
before sunset the inexorable Kate had, with the
help of
'
Strudel-Hans,' got the 'blessed Mistress Doctor's'
up
large bedstead put
had caused
all
had sought out
it,
feather-beds,
all
—
that
be carried into
furniture to
was required even among the
which Mey-Babeli could not brook with-
all
out keen vexation, as
his
one of the newly cleared chambers,
bedroom
and extricated the necessary linens from the
ark-like chest,
sacrilege.
in
needful
When
great joy,
it
was
in her eyes sheer
plunder and
Master Matthew came home he found, to
not only a bed-chamber for his expected
guests, but a suitable study fully fitted
up
for the
young
preacher.
The poor faith
fugitive,
and unwearied
Martin Bucer, who, by his steadfast
activity,
soon became the soul of the
Reformation in Strasburg and in
all
Upper Germany,
tered, the very next day, into possession of the
pared
for
him by
home
enpre-
that liberal hospitality which, gratefully
and with a heart deeply moved, he accepted from Matthias Zell.
Master Matthew soon
warm
affection,
felt
drawn towards him
in
took a brotherly interest in him, and per-
mitted him to deliver lectures in Scripture,
first
in the
grew too numerous
Soon afterwards a to the Magistrates,
warned
German on books of Holy Parsonage, and, when the audience
for that, in the
Chapel of
requisition was addressed '
St.
Lawrence.
by the Bishop
that the married priest Butzer might be
to quit the city, that
he might be dealt with as one
under the ban, and punished accordingly.'
Bucer hereupon
The Ministers of the Word.
i6o handed
to an honourable Councillor his written reply, in
which he
says,
'
how
greatly he rejoices in this opportunity
of rendering an account of his doctrines and of his
how ready he was
go even unto death,
to
if it
found that he was teaching anything not contained Scripture,
life
should be
anything that tended not to increase
in
Holy to
faith,
kindle love, to implant principles of peace, obedience and
He had
submission.
never, to the best of his knowledge,
caused offence by his conduct, and now, as a
and a refugee ful
son
the Council for protection and for the rights of citizen-
His marriage, which the Bishop brought against him
ship.
as his chief crime, he
Word
;
was prepared
he thereby forfeited an
ecclesiastic
mitted in
all
;
all
them
he
God's
which
to all
is
was indeed aware that and
demanded
to
rights
be per-
and
to
as a layman, as concerned bodily
He
required
and demanded no
God, who feeds the very sparrows, would supply
his temporal necessities.
common
He
for that
benefices, emoluments,
therefore
and property.
tithes.
light.
it,
points to acknowledge the authorities,
yield obedience to service
to justify from
he never intended to conceal
righteous never shuns the
as
citizen's
Christian, he appealed to the right worship-
all
But he did hope that the liberty
men, namely, that of serving
his
neighbour
with the learning he had been enabled to acquire, and seeking to earn his living thereby, would not be denied
him by
the worshipful the Council.'
The Council granted
his
request.
received as citizen under the
Martin Bucer was
municipal protection, and
henceforth permitted to preach in the Cathedral alternately
The Ministers of the Word. with Matthew
obhged
'Hot-headed Hans' was, to be
Zell.
up the wooden
to put
i6i sure,
pulpit again for him, because
the Cathedral Clergy obstinately refused to grant the use of
the Doctor's pulpit, which, in the end of January of that
same
on the application of the Council,
year, they had,
opened for the use of
re-
Zell.
The engaging little Dame Elizabeth, with her meditative won all hearts by her quiet sweet ways. Even
blue eyes, had
Mey-Babeli forgave for her sake what she had long borne a grudge against Maiden Kate
these two
human
the irruption into
for, to wit,
her treasure-chamber, and began
to
be of opinion that
life
The all
of
there
all
had been
excellent Capito
is
quite the reverse.
Things
rest
in
in the
Parsonage
life.'
and quietness above
to find
them
there.
in this life,
He
met with
general were in a state of
Some, awakened under
defended him and
to the old faith,
had sought
new
too often the case
violent fermentation. ing,
quite a
and had hoped
else at Strasburg,
had, however, as
truly
beings lived together like the angels in
Heaven, and since they had been dwelling the
'
his doctrine
;
Zell's
preach-
others, anxious to cling
wished to drive away the preacher.
Parties
stood over against one another in hostile array, and mutual recrimination was fulminated against those opinion.
The populace indeed was
so
who
differed in
excited
that a
general rising against the ecclesiastics was apprehended at
any moment
;
restraining the
the magistrates having hitherto succeeded in
movement only by
paternal discipline. universally,
In the higher
even from those who,
L
wise moderation and circles,
like himself,
Capito heard
were heartily
1
The Ministers of the Word.
62
devoted to the cause of the Reformation, but who, unlike him, were anxious to avoid a separation from the mother
Church, the expression of such sentiments as the following
—
'
It
was highly to be desired,
come
peace, that Zell should
own
Strasburg of his
the cause of the
free will,
leave
to the resolution to
his sermons being manifestly
excitement, while
remove him by order of the
:
for the sake of the public
was impossible to
it
authorities without rousing the
indignation of the people, and stirring them up to tumult on
behalf of their favourite.'
He
of peace.
— and
Capito was, above
a
all else,
man
determined to seek out his quondam pupil,
himself,
in
most urgent manner,
the
With
matter upon his heart.
this
to lay this
purpose in view, he
re-
paired one beautiful Saturday to Zell's parsonage.
As he
and Bucer were
entered, Zell
sitting together at
supper, refreshing themselves, after the burden and heat of
the day, with confidential conversation, and with a feast of strawberries which
fragrant in
Mey-Babeli had
just
brought
Dame
from the garden, while the bright and genial
Elizabeth
was
acting
butler
in
supplpng
with his cool drink of beer fresh from the
her
Martin Zell's
cellar.
joyous and hearty welcome was
a true
tender-spirited Capito
himself so attracted by
Bucer's modest
and
;
he also
felt
dignified bearing,
calling that of the only family circle he
his
nearly
own mother's
in
overcame him.
breathed
felt
his
the
to
and so touched by
the picture of quiet, peaceful domestic
—
cordial
life,
suddenly
re-
had ever known,
childhood, that his emotion
The pure atmosphere he
here
so genial and home-like that he would fain
The Ministers of the Word.
163
have lingered and taken his ease, forgetful of the object
Yet he was bound
which he had come.
at
however against the grain
his commission,
once to
for
fulfil
in his present
After talking for an hour with the two ministers of
mood.
him an interview
the word, he asked Zell to give
There he seriously represented to him
study.
discourses were causing increased discord
and how
far better
it
would be
if
among
'
in his
how
his
the citizens,
he would remove from
Strasburg, rather than give occasion for
him that he had brought confusion
^
being said of
its
among
all
classes of the
community, the most worshipful the Council, the reverend ecclesiastics,
and the devout body of the
Zell listened amiably, then coolly '
Dear Provost, you
talk of these matters as
they he very near his heart, and
feel that
faithful at large.'
and firmly
who
holds the
Scriptures to be a matter of professional study, gift
the
To me
of God.
and therefore
I
manner of
God
to rule.
Bishops, and
—
it
is
the very word of
dare not treat courtiers.
As
it
monks and
Holy
and not a
God
in truth,
with indifference, or after
I believe, so I
That by the preaching of the all
replied,
one who does not
speak, leaving gospel. Pope,
made
priests are
to
wax
less
me not my commission is, that Christ alone shall wax great IN the hearts of believers. My parishioners hear me gladly I cannot grudge them that, but no man can say that God wills that I have excited them against the clergy. and
less,
all
that I care httle about,
it
concerns
;
I
should stay here for the use and advantage of the flock
which ^
is
so
much
desiring
His
word,
and so eagerly
See Rohrich's History of the Refor77iation in ALace,
i.
153-5.
The Ministers of the Word.
164 receiving
And
it.
stay
I
am prepared
shall, although I
to
expect nothing but an evil name, shame, mockery, and at
last,
be sent forth from
this
if
no rougher usage should occur,
land with loss of this
hour
dignities
I ;
all
my
to
too
to
have attained neither Provostships nor any other
I
have never indeed sought any, and can therefore
my own
never be accused of having sought
To
Up
possessions and patrimony.
interests.'
the reproach next brought against him, that he preached
much
in the spirit of Luther, that
and pugnaciously,
Zell replied,
—
'
You
other hand say, you have not heard in the pulpit
;
be Lutheran.
now
but I
is
me
... I on the much of Luther
so.
say
forsooth the whole Bible
I
:
have, however,
diligently read his works, as indeed I I find
not because such
is
them
true, I
still
is
my
have never proved the truth of
from Luther's writings
and wherever
to say, too violently
say
held to
doctrine
faithfully
and
do read them,
have preached the same,
the doctrine of Luther, but because
it
THE TRUTH AND THE DOCTRINE OF GOD. I haVC bccn led into the understanding of the Holy Scriptures by Luther's is
writings, all this
and
this insight I
would not give up
in
exchange
for
world's goods, even though he be a heretic a thousand
times over.
Therefore, once for
that Luther's doctrine
cannot do
that,
doctrine, forbid
we it
is
all,
show to me and
contrary to God's word
you
will, God permitting, maintain the said who may, even though God's enemies
should rage themselves to death in fury against
Deeply struck by
;
to others
for, if
this
heroism of
faith,
it.'
Capito stood trans-
fixed before the friend of his youth,
whom
believed possessed of such boldness.
Ashamed
he had never of his
own
The Ministers of the Word,
165
lukewarmness, and of the considerations of self-interest which
had hitherto withheld him from a truth,
he held out
his
hand
solemnly vowing before
Lord Jesus before men,
free
confession of the
to Zell in token of brotherhood,
God and that
He
before
him
to confess the
might confess him in
also
The very next Sunday he mounted the pulpit of his Abbey Church, to the great surprise of the people, unaccustomed to see a distinguished prelate demean the great day.
himself by undertaking the despised office of a preacher.
He
exhorted them to concord, and stated that his chief
object
in
preaching was to
the
silence
calumny which
accused him of being ashamed of the gospel.
Symphorian Pollio (his real name was Althiesser), known among the common people as Master Zymprian,' '
appointed, by the Grand Chapter, Cathedral-preacher, for the sake of opposing his influence to that of Zell, was at this very juncture enlightened with the light
and he
also stepped forward at
of the gospel,
once as a witness for the
The Canons deprived him of his office, and bestowed it upon Caspar Hedio. Hedio was then residing truth.
at
Mayence, was a Doctor of Divinity, and had entered, by
means of the study of Christianity in
the
;
the Bible, into the true spirit of
but although he had openly declared himself
favour of the Reformation, call,
hoping that
his gentle
would exercise a salutary
still
the Chapter gave
him
and peace-loving disposition
influence.
It
was
also fixed as a
condition that he was not to ''dare to be guilty of Lutheran preaching.'
To
this
he pledged himself; and repeatedly
from the pulpit he declared that he was resolved to preach
1
The Ministers of the Word.
66
not at
and
all
purity,
the doctrines of Luther, but only, with clearness,
Word
the
Thus did Bucer, Zell,
of God.
Capito, Althiesser
work together
to
and Hedio, along with
promote the triumph of pure Bible
Soon others too were associated with them, so
truth.
Master Matthew was enabled joyfully to exclaim, prophesy that ere long
Behold indeed
am no
this
that I
not
labourers
?
sent forth others, so that I
longer obliged to work alone in His vineyard
From wont
God would send forth more
The Lord has
!
— Did !'
time forward the Evangelical preachers were
to style themselves,
'
The Ministers of the Word.'
Capito gained great influence by his frank avowal of the truth,
on
and by
this
his solid,
pregnant discourses
;
but he was
account so hated by the dignified clergy, that he
was obliged,
like Bucer, to claim the rights of citizenship,
and
to have recourse to the protection of the city.
lost
all
his lucrative income,
and a year
later
we
find
He him
'The gospel has made a clean sweep of all my and pensions and I trust, if the Lord will, there is
writing, tithes little
;
enough danger of those
making me too
rich
in
whom
to
I
He
parish priest of St. Peter's the Less.
any stipend, and drew only three support of his assistant and
now
He
worldly goods.'
minister
was then
refused to receive
florins weekly, for the
sacristan.
The
magistrates
could not induce the other preachers to allow them to be-
stow a richer income on them.
As
the Strasburg Reformers
have been reproached with having separated themselves from the old Church from interested motives, with a view to earthly gain,
we may quote
Bucer's reply
:
'Three
florins
The Ministers of the Word. a week, wherewith to maintain
wife
self,
167
and
child,
— such
are our riches.'
Meantime, the quiet folk
Cathedral-Parsonage were
in the
leading together a happy and harmonious stillness
and
simplicity, the
life,
maintaining, in
Dame
even tenor of their way.
Elizabeth was ever and anon so friendly and cheerful, so expert in
all
feminine handiwork, so neat and orderly in
her arrangements, that influence.
all
around her
felt
her beneficent
She and Katherine, who was often
at the Par-
sonage, soon learned to understand and love one another
and
in
home, weary
when
Zell
and Bucer had returned
after their labours,
and often discouraged by
the evening,
the conflicts they had to sustain and the contempt they
had
to endure, they
mind and
spirit
were strengthened, and their tone of
was elevated, by converse with the noble
Katherine, or calmed and
hearted
On
elasticity.
cheered by Elizabeth's
the fine
summer evenings
Hedio, and the Dean often joined the
circle.
light-
Capito,
On
these
occasions Elizabeth brought out her guitar, and struck up
one of Luther's choice hymns '
A
'
Out
safe stronghold our
God
is still,'
or of the depths I cry to Thee,'
or that glorious lyric *
by Speratus
Now
is
salvation
come
to us,'
Katherine and their male friends chimed fully thrilling
along the narrow Briiderhof's-Gasse,' '
by
its
in,
and wonder-
was the sound of the beautiful chorale borne
— opening many a heart
softening influence to the sanctifying
power of the
1
The Ministers of the Word.
6S Yes
gospel.
hymns of
the
short time
it
truly,
was the might of these
great
first
German Church of the Reformation, that in a became the established usage for the people
to assemble in
—
— so
numbers every evening before the Parsonage,
at first only to listen to these chorales, but afterwards to
learn
them by In
selves.
heart,
and
be trained to sing them them-
to
this instruction
Katherine acted schoolmistress,
hymn
over again, the latter sang
needed to insure
its
when
the former
had
to all present over
and
Elizabeth teacher of singing; and
repeated the words of the
with them as often as was
it
resounding, under the free and expan-
sive vault of the evening sky, as a
song of praise from one
heart and one mouth, filling with deep and holy joy the faithful pastors of these sheep.^
On
a cold
November day
of that same year 1523,
Katherine Schiitz repaired to the Cathedral, serious
and meditative mood
in
Maiden a more
than she had been seen in for
a long time, and bent on having an interview with Count
He
Sigismund of Hohenlohe. affection as usual,
and asked
received her with fatherly
in a friendly
way what had why
led her so earnestly to implore a secret interview, and
she looked so grave and solemn
For a 1
little
%
while the maiden stood embarrassed, blushing
Wolfgang Dachstein,
Matthis Gergeter, a musician, were the
and
Organist and Vicar of
monk and
first
Thomas's, and
an excellent compose German church-hymns, Capito, Althiesser, and Heinrich soon afterwards composed a variety
in Strasburg to
to adapt psalms for singing. Vogthorn, a citizen of the place,
of beautiful hymns.
St.
chorister in the Cathedral,
The Ministers of the Word.
169
crimson, after which she regained her composure and repUed,
calm and self-possessed tone,
in her usual
noble Count, what
is
'
I
wish to know,
your opinion on the subject of the
marriage of the clergy?'
And how dost thou come to ask this question,
'
Katherine
?
Count Sigismund.
replied
'Well, the
approve of
aged and venerable Wimpheling does not
He
it.
is
so
things in general, that he
much is,
as
dissatisfied with the state of
you must probably be aware,
leaving Strasburg and returning to his sister at Schlettstadt.
He with
his friend Geiler, ever
aimed
united within herself, purged from
And now
formed.
having one Church,
at
all
abuses and truly re-
he sees before him a Church torn
He
asunder, divided into two hostile camps.
by
conflict
hoped
strife,
above
soul, for,
my
gone to all
surrounded
and
heart.
The noble The marriage of
love.
old man's the clergy
repugnant to him, wounding his inmost
else
even
is
hatred and discord, where he had
for peace, concord,
grief has is
and
were certain that
if it
in the primitive Church,
it
was
originally allowed
he holds that priests and members
of any religious fraternity in our days are
still
bound by
their
vows.'
'The holy
of matrimony
state
is
forbidden of
God
to
none, Katherine, but by the Fathers of the Church alone, with a good purpose doubtless, to priests and fraternities.
But as matters said in
my
at present stand, I
Little
Book of
can but repeat what
of the Cathedral establishment, " It
is
better to transgress
the
commandments of men by matrimony than
Uw
by unchastity."
'
I
the Cross, to all the ecclesiastics
the Divine
The Ministers of the Word.
1^0
Oh
'
replied Katherine, blushing, 'that
!'
in question new, but
ground, and
—
and she
'
said with
not the point
is
cast her eyes down, to the
a voice trembling with emotion,
'Master Matthias Zell yesterday formally applied to
my
father to ask
Well,
'
.
answered
then
.
I
am
sure your heart has already softly
in the affirmative,' replied the
Oh, may
'
I
.
Count, with a smile.
be broken a thousand times rather than that
it
should act against the will of God,
Matthew should be bound by
No vow can
'
ought, as
his
vow
.
if
indeed Master
.' .
bind against God's law, Katherine; a bishop
we read
in St. Paul's Epistle to
Timothy
(i
2-7), to be " blameless, the husband of one wife
iii.
thus also
we
see that the brothers of the
Peter were married
apostle
celibacy
is
my
hand.'
(i
Cor.
ix.
Tim.
;"
and
Lord and the
The law
5).
one of those " voluntary humilities
"
(Col.
of ii.
18-23) which have proved a snare to the poor children of
men, and which have
gro\ATi
now require
and taken root
as a cancer in
The question now is, to maintain the word of God against the traditions and for this reason the priest who is a lover of of men
the Church, and
to
be eradicated.
;
chastity should enter into the holy estate of matrimony, that
the incontinent offences '
That
day.
may
follow his
example, and that thus
and scandals may have an is
what
But as he
friend Martin is
end.'
Bucer also said to
himself married, I did
me
to-
not venture
unconditionally to acquiesce in his opinion.' '
And
that
yet you might easily have recognised in the blessing
has so manifestly rested on Bucer's happy married
The Ministers of tJie Word. the evidence of
life,
God
will.
man
not good that the
thee
:
It is
being according to God's mind and
Lord spake these words (Gen.
the
an help-meet
its
should be alone
And
for him."
ought to have a help-meet,
otherwise he will break
'
Then you and
too,
make him now say unto
I will
;
manner
I
my
who might be
him
ever beside him,
and enduring
in labouring
down beneath
;
his burdens.'
most noble Count, would give your sanc-
1'
blessing
With
of our
18), " It is
not for the excellent Zell to stand alone in his
a dear helper, to assist
'
in like
ii.
post and amid the storms of our times, and he
difficult
tion
171
whole
Katherine
heart,
;
and that
in the
Holy Triune God, who created you both
name
for
one
who so wondrously brought you together and What God joins let not man put asunder !'
another, and led you.
Katherine's tears flowed
deep emotion whispered, your blessing in
The Count intrusts
Wilt thou
laid
to
fulfil
fast,
Oh
his
it
right
in a
!
she knelt down, and with
me
then, I entreat you, give
most venerable lord
this matter,
nounced these words
Lord
'
!
hand on her head, and pro-
solemn tone,
—
'
Katherine,
the
you a noble but an arduous vocation. with self-abnegation, in
faith,
love,
and
humility?' '
'
And may
I will.
weakness
God's strength be made perfect in
my
!'
Katherine,
most of your
God
sex.
has endowed you with
gifts
Will you not presume and
reason of the grace vouchsafed to you
%
far
above
be uplifted
by
Will you be, not
only a faithful helper to your husband in his office and his
The Ministers of the Word.
172
household, but also obedient and submissive to him, as
Godf me poor
it
behoves a Christian wife to be before Oh, Lord Jesus, make
I will.
'
devout before Thee *
We
Lord
and ominous
live in evil
foretold to
in our day,
in
spirit
and
!
His
times, Katherine
disciples, so
it is
;
and as the
about to come to pass
and has already begun, that " whosoever killeth"
or persecuteth " us will think that he doeth
God
service."
Will you act as a mother to the young and struggling
Church
?
Will you offer an asylum to the exiles, seek out
and
persecuted
the
and
unfortunate,
the
comfort
and
strengthen them in the faith V '
my
I will give
possessions, day ness, to the
Strasburg, '
my
strength,
my
night, with great joy
community of
believers
yourself
sacrifice
and not the brethren
honour and
and
and to
and lay them as a footstool
But you must
others,
body,
and
thee,
my
at thy feet for,
my
willing earnest-
beloved
!
and minister
to,
in the faith alone, Katherine.
Will you then perform to the
glory of Christ, works of
mercy towards those who are otherwise minded,
yea, even
unto foes and persecutors V '
and and
I will.
creed.
I
am But
to render
not bound to agree with every man's faith I
am bound
service to
to
all.
Master and Exemplar, Jesus
show love and compassion, That
I
am
taught by
my
Christ.'
After this had passed between them, the Count solemnly
blessed Katherine Schiitz, and set her apart as Zell's faithful helper,
and a deaconess devoted
service of the
to minister as such in the
Evangelical Church.
And
Katherine kept
The Ministers of the Word.
God
her prom'se, and by the grace of
173
she remained faithful
to the end.
On
December
the 3d of
was once more
filled
following, in 1523, the Cathedral
to overflowing.
And
amid the
there,
thousand prayers and blessings of the throng of specta-
Master Matthew Zell led
tors.
hymenaeal
and
his
beloved Katherine to the
Bucer performed the marriage
altar.
service,
holy bond of wedlock had with God's blessing
after the
been solemnly
tied, the
happy
pair together partook of the
holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper in both kinds.
The
brethren united in fellowship with them according to
'
communion
of
saints,'
riage in a quiet
the
attended the celebration of the mar-
and devout
spirit,
and
after
a festive
it,
gathering in the house of Master Schiitz drew together the
more immediate family
circle,
with a few choice friends to
greet the newly-wedded couple.
Not a
more radiant on
creature assuredly was
sion than old Mey-Babeli
\
for,
had unanimously petitioned the Council be appointed
this occa-
as the Guild of Gardeners
to their parish church
of
that Martin Bucer St.
Aurelian's, as
preacher with the cure of souls, she, poor soul, had been looking forward with dread to the
moment when he and
his
bright hearty Elizabeth must leave the Cathedral Parsonage,
and she and her master must be
them
as
it
were
hfeless
Babeli had always *
Maiden
became sonage
Kate.'
my full
'
felt
and
left
alone, with
extinct.
And
all
around
then Mey-
such a peculiar affection for the
For,' as she
master's treasurer
was wont
to say,
'
we have always had
since she
the Par-
of guests, and have never run short of
nor lacked anything needful.'
money
The Ministers of the Word.
174
Mey-Babeli herself was by degrees illuminated and warmed
by the
light of the glorious gospel, so that she learned to
believe
and
to discern
which,' as she
many
things
unknown
was accustomed to remark,
to those beautiful
Whenever she repeated
one of them, she was more edified by it
it
'
all
or sang
than by the sermon,
God
often did, for which sin of hers might
And now, Matthew
dear reader,
Mat of blessed memory
Geiler
'
if
thou hast recognised in Master
Little
'
pleasure to hear that,
consecrated, as
if
the
see
the
pious
whom it
friend
Johannes
were, in his god-
will doubtless give thee
it
Lord
future occasion to have another to
Word, our old
of Kaisersberg,
mother's barn for his holy calling,
there
graciously grant
!'
the faithful minister of the
dear
will,
we may hope on a
peep into the old Parsonage,
minister
Katherine, leading a Christian
death
;
never put her to sleep, which unfortunately the sermon
her forgiveness
the
before
might be traced
hymns which Maiden Kate and Dame
Elizabeth had taught her.
for
'
Zell,
life
with his beloved
and dying a blessed
!
The
eventful year
drawing to
its
close.
season
1523, that
On
the ist of
of conflict, was
December
the most
worshipful the Council of Strasburg had passed a able edict in the following terms
:
— 'All
memor-
who devote them-
selves to preaching shall in future preach nothing else save
the
Holy Gospel, unmixed wdth human fables, and shall God and all that tends to promote
proclaim the doctrine of
The Ministers of the Word. love to
God and man,
Thus was a
and openly,
freely
175 to the people.'
decisive victory obtained for the Evangelical
cause.
In August 1524,
and Althiesser
Hedio,
Capito,
also
entered into the holy state of matrimony.
As after
regards the
manner
in
which the Evangelical pastors,
having begun by preaching Apostolic doctrine to the
people from God's holy word, proceeded to remodel the worship of God,
according to the
also
document yet
ing description in an old
themselves
German
:
—
'
extant,
for
tongue, and thus ordered
mercy
fession in the
simple
the follow-
drawn up by
Divine Worship shall be performed -.^first,
exhort the congregation to confess their
God
original
we have
fashion of the early Christian Church,
;
in the
the preacher shall
sins,
and
to entreat
then he shall pronounce the general con-
name
of
all,
beseech the All-Merciful for
mercy, and declare to believers the forgiveness of their sins
through the blood of Jesus Christ. shall offer
by an
of the Apostles, accompanied
another
After a short
hymn sung by
exposition.
the congregation shall
sing
Articles of the Apostles'
Creed
After the sermon
the metrical version ;^
up a prayer
for the authorities,
shall pray to
God
for
the memorial-feast of Jesus' in
rhyme, and
set to
of the
the minister shall then offer
and
an increase of
the congregation of His people
Arranged
After
the congregation there shall follow
the sermon upon a text in the Gospels.
*
hymn he
up a prayer, and read a passage from the writings
for all faith
may be
mankind
and of
;
he
love, that
enabled to celebrate
death with profit;
he
shall
music by Wolfgang Dachstein.
The Ministers of
lyG
the
exhort the communicants that they
munion of the Lord's Supper
Word,
may enjoy
the holy com-
in faith, in order that they
may be strengthened thereby, that they may die unto sin, may willingly bear their cross, and grow in love to their words of
neighbour; thereafter he
shall read the
and
bread and the wine of the Lord,
shall distribute the
taking part in
the holy feast himself also.
institution,
A
hymn
of
praise from the congregation, a short prayer of thanksgiving,
and the benediction,
shall close the service.'
Besides this principal service of Divine 'worship on the
summer began
Lord's day, which in
at
seven o'clock, in
winter at eight, and besides the noon-day sermon in the Cathedral, service was performed in the various churches early in the
morning
morning and
service, called
in five churches.
'
late
in the
Morning
We may assume
weekly were delivered in the
city,
evening
an early
;
Prayers,' being held daily
that at least
and
fifty
sermons
were so regularly
all
may easily be formed of the earnestness and zeal with which citizens and common people sought spiritual food and the 'one thing needful!' Ah! how lukewarm, how indifferent are we in comparison of our attended that some idea
fathers
!
unbelief!'
Dear Lord
!
*
increase our faith
'
and
'
help our
THEFUGITIVES. '
In
all
2 Cor.
things approving
ourselves
as
of God.'
the ministers
vi. 4.
* For v/hosoever shall give you a cup of cold water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not
lose his reward.'
Mark
In Kenzingen, a Austria,
situated
ix.
41.
little
in
the
town subject
dominion of
to the
South-Rhenish province of the
Breisgau, a preacher, Master Jacob Other
by name, a native
of Spires, had for some time drawn the people towards him-
warm
self in
holy
life
attachment, attracting them no less by his
Bishop of Constance had on
him before bled
them
all
The
than by the free preaching of the gospel.
his tribunal.
The
the citizens of the
account repeatedly called
this
local magistrate then assem-
little
that this affair of Master
place,
and represented
to
Jacob was one that very
Honourable Council of the town,
closely concerned the
which had never received from him anything but love
That
and kindness. town to
authorities
put
had
it
was a hitherto
down blasphemy and
that since
fact patent to all
other
that the
endeavoured
ineffectually
flagrant
vices
Master Jacob had been preaching God's
among them
all
these evils
had been held
M
in
but
;
Word
check
;
for
The Fugitives.
178
which reason the Council had resolved that they would receive the
Word
God
of
according to the gospel
thus held forth by Master Jacob
;
and rather than abandon
this
they would see their town wall destroyed, so that not
truth,
The
one stone should remain upon another.
burgesses
unanimously agreed they would hold with body and soul to the doctrine
Minister of the Word, and were
of the
ready to lay down their
The noble
under King Ferdinand, promised the
fief
citizens to leave
them
their preacher
him three
also promise
it.
Wolfgang von Hirnheim, who held
knight,
Kenzingen as a
would
lives for
things, viz., not to partake
Holy Sacrament under both
of the
they on their side
if
kinds,
and never
have either baptism administered or mass celebrated
German leave
tongue.
As regarded
them undisturbed, and
other matters,
in
comply with Master Jacob's own
to
in the
he would
case of need, he would request,
and
assist
him
to
answer honourably before the tribunal where he had to
By this compromise the knight hoped to preserve peace among the citizens, and to avoid encountering the appear.
wrath of his liege
But scarcely had he returned to
lord.
the Court of Ferdinand
(it
was
in the year 1524)
when a
peremptory order arrived, enjoining the preacher to leave the town without delay, because his doctrine was seen to
produce only a wicked and malicious tion
and conspiracy.
mourning and consternation. parted, a
hundred and
beloved fugitive as
spirit
of insubordina-
The whole town was fifty
When burgesses
filled
with
Master Jacob de-
accompanied the
far as the nearest village.
Meantime,
The Fugitives.
1
79
however, the town was occupied by Austrian troops, the gates were closed,
and the
escort the minister were not
citizens
The
to seek refuge in Strasburg.
whom
they had
left
who had gone forth to They were forced
re- admitted.
females of their families,
behind, were
All Bibles
ill-treated.
and Lutheran books of which possession could be obtained were burned
and on the
;
sessions a to kneel
New
On
of
pos-
Testament had been found, was compelled
his
the right
left
among whose
town-clerk,
down, and then and
and children,
was
pile of ashes, all that
consumed books, 'the
the
there, in presence of his wife
head was chopped
bank of the Rhine,
^
off.'
at the ferry, not far
from
Kehl, sat the aged Andrew, in front of his clay-built hut, busily engaged in
day,
and the
mending a
earth,
every living creature on ing rain from heaven.
of
fish,
It
was a
sultry
its
to-day had a
good take
his net
had
While repairing the damage he repeatedly
wiped the perspiration from first
summer
face, to languish for the refresh-
Andrew had
and had caught so large a salmon that
given way.
look,
net.
parched and burnt up, seemed, with
his face,
to the heavy thunder-clouds
and
cast a wistful
which were gathering
with threatening aspect on the horizon, then to the beautiful
slender spire of the Cathedral of Strasburg, which
rose up over against
heavens as a '
^
Andrew, From
silent is
the
him across the Rhine, pointing
to the
reminder of the things that are above. lad at the ferry V cried out our old
a narrative written by a Kenzingen fugitive.
History of the Reforniaticn, part
i.
pp. 405-407.
See Rohrich's
8o
TJie Fii^^itivcs. t>
acquaintance, the post-runner, Simon Scheidt,
who had run
hastily along the footpath beside the river. '
God
Simon
bless thee,
rejoined Andrew.
!
'
*
I
know
not where the lad and Frank have put themselves now
Unluckily they are for the most part wherever they
again.
ought not to be, and their heads are brimful of nothing but
Bwidschiih conspiracies and such
silly
What
follies.
wretched point matters have reached with our young these our days '
!'
But you must
must be
hail
some one
also will require to
'
I
!
And
from Kenzingen.
they
their reach-
were any delay the Austrian troops
at their heels.'
the news then
Is
Andrew
be taken over instantly on
for if there
this,
might be
else instantly,
across without delay, to announce in the
ferried
city the arrival of the fugitives
ing
a
fry in
true that
Frank brought early
this
morning from Kehll' '
Alas
!
but too
true,
And
Andrew.
it
is
no wonder
if
our youngsters find their stock of patience run short under
such inhuman tyranny, and schiih
But hark
league.
they are already
And
!
if .
.
they do swear to the Bund.
.
yes,
sure enough, there
!
in truth, while
he was speaking, there might be seen
approaching up the Rhine the long procession of
fugitives,
who, on beholding before them the guardian walls of the hospitable refuge city of Strasburg, where they hoped to
and an asylum, struck up
find protection
Hymn,
in chorus Luther's
so calculated to strengthen faith under trial '
A
safe stron":hold
our
God
is still.
The Fugitives. Simon and old Andrew and went forward
to
1
8
reverently took off their caps,
meet the hundred and
fifty
men, who,
braced by the singing, though wearied and footsore, had
now reached
But when the leader of the choir,
the ferry.
an old blind man,
whom
Master Jacob Other was himself
leading and supporting with his arm, sang out those words in the last verse
And though they take our life, Goods, honour, children, wife,'
*
then, indeed, these homeless refugees, driven
homes, wives, children, heart.
in
cast
all,
Many sobbed
a glance
—broke down
from their
alike in voice
and
aloud, others sank exhausted, or
of agony and despair upward to heaven.
Master Jacob and the bhnd old singer alone continued with firm,
clear voice the
inspired originally '
by the Holy Ghost himself:^ Yet is their profit small These things shall vanish
The
The young
melody of those consolatory words,
city of
Arbogast, where they had
St.
succeeded in selling the large salmon
were
fully
the large
sum
The ^
much
one,
Carlyle.
and
inherited from his
widowed, and died soon
early
whom
of self-denial, care, and, above
— founded
on
after-
he had educated to mature
Heiner, was short and thick-set
Luther's Chorale
Thomas
Andrew had
obtained.
who was
wards, two grandchildren, years with
at a high price,
on surprising the old grandfather with
intent
only daughter,
all.
remaineth,'
fishermen, Frank and Heiner, were return-
from the convent of
ing
God
Psalm
xlvi.,
and
;
all,
prayer.
the other, translated
by
1
82
TJic Fugitives, i>
Jacobea, a gentle, blue-eyed riage
had been given
girl,
by Andrew a few years ago
had become a most serviceable occupation, and, as
the
to
man
old
Frank
assistant to
often
mar-
in
Hiigelin,
him
in his
expressed
who own it
to
Jacobea, *was just in every business he had to do with;'
but
who
nevertheless had latterly
by
his violent
many an anxious
hot-headedness caused him
temper and
At
thought.
the sight of the unfortunate fugitives from Kenzingen the
two young
made
men were
moved
deeply
;
and while Heiner
instant preparation for ferrying the post-runner with the
magistrate and Master Jacob across the Rhine, Frank drew aside old Andrew, and said, pointing to the money,
What
'
say you, grandfather, did not the Lord send us that great
salmon to-day, and surely
men, driven out of this heat, '
for nothing
1
These
their homes, must languish and suffer in
—and the money
Has been
was not
it
. .
.
.
given us by the Lord expressly that
we may
have the privilege of refreshing the poor with a welcome
quenching of
His name,' quickly chimed
their thirst in
his grandfather.
'And
so,'
added
as your legs can carry you,
money
he, 'run, Frank, as fast
and fetch the worth of
this
in beer.'
Frank was
off in a twinkling,
half an hour with pots of beer,
from Kehl. litde
in
He
and returned
in less
than
mugs and a supply of bread
was escorted by several
citizens
of that
town, anxious to contribute their mite towards the
good work of
charity.
of the Rhine, and old
The exiles bivouacked on the banks Andrew felt his thoughts turn to the
feeding of the thousands of Israel, as
he saw his kind
The Fugitives.
183
neighbours breaking the loaves for the weary men, and the
foaming tankards passing from hand to hand.
Jacobea had
washed the burning
feet of
many
water from the Rhine, while her
The worthy
hand.
not failed to lend a helping
She had
a poor fugitive with fresh
little
Hansli, just two years
old,
dearer to his great-grandfather than the apple of his
eye,
had unwittingly drawn a smile from some of these
rowful ones by his droll ways, at the
same
forcing hot tears into the eyes of others,
of the cherished
little
one
home,
at
were doomed never more to
sor-
time, however,
by reminding them
whom
perhaps they
Meantime the
embrace.
threatening thunder-clouds had gathered so rapidly over-
head that any moment a violent storm might burst upon them, so that
and
it
was necessary
to bring all the refugees,
safety, to a
if
to use all possible despatch,
so
it
might be, to a place of
roof over their heads, before
should begin.
it
Frank and Heiner exerted themselves nobly that the
rolling peal
first
found
all
at the ferry, so
the Kenzingen fugitives
before the gate of Strasburg, which was charitably thrown
open
to
them
at once.
Strasburg, the great
and renowned imperial
city,
where the
gospel was freely preached, where peace and concord dwelt,
and a wise magistracy provided with paternal care citizens' welfare,
versal tempests all
among
stood like an island-refuge,
the uni-
and crying oppressions of those times. There
the sufferers who, despised
sake, sought shelter
welcomed
for all the
and persecuted
and defence within her
for conscience'
walls,
were ever
in the spirit of Christian love.
The news
of
all
that
had taken place
at
Kenzingen had
1
The Fugitives.
84
reached the
when
city
even before the
arrival of the
runner
the justice of the peace, with Master Jacob,
;
and
made
appearance before the chief magistrate, to implore an
his
asylum
and
for the minister
his fellow-exiles, they
a friendly reception and a willing
met with
The burgomaster
ear.
indeed invited both to his own house, and immediately took the measures requisite for insuring
other fugitives. free
It was,
accommodation
for the
however, no easy task to provide a
and hospitable asylum
for
150
men
at a
moment's warn-
For which reason the burgomaster, Jacob Sturm von
ing.
Sturmeck, began by sending the post-runner to request the
prompt attendance of
Widows In
Dame
Katherine Zell and the two
Kraft.
full
harmony with the sentiments of her
excellent hus-
band, Dame Katherine Zell had repeatedly declared, 'All believe in
of
and confess the Lord Jesus Christ as the
God and
pitable
the alone Saviour of
welcome under our
of our table, as
we
roof,
all
men,
shall
true
common
Christ and of the heavenly inheritance.'
noble Christian matron had
Son
have a hos-
and share the common
are partakers, in
who
fare
with them, of
Acting
in this spirit,
no
less
than
thirty fugitives at her table during the first year of her
mar-
this
ried
life
;
so
much
so, that
fed, full oft,
Mey-Babeli had grumbled not a
was
really too bad,
— their
little,
maintaining stoutly that
home
must henceforth be called not the Cathedral Parson-
'
it
Asylum or Inn.' All the more was when Simon Scheldt came to summon
age, but the Cathedral
she in consternation
her mistress, and related to her the sad tale of the misfortunes of the Kenzingen folk.
But then, these were her own
The Fugitives. compatriots
many
who had met
185
with this cruel treatment, and
a Kenzingen woman had she known
familiarly
on the market-place of Freiburg
this thought,
she followed
Dame
!
Spurred on by
Katherine to the open
Town House,
square, in which, in front of the fugitives
full
in days of yore
the poor
were assembled in mournful groups.
A violent
thunderstorm was gathering, as we have already
mentioned, and after the chief magistrate, the evangelical
members of the Council, and the resident
many
a guest each, and
Hedio, moreover,
of
nobility,
had taken
them two, Bucer, Capito and
fulfilling their
part of the duty, there yet
remained eighty poor refugees, standing without shelter on the open
square, exposed to the
flashing
and
lightning
The
appalled by the thunder rolling louder and yet louder.
two Dames Kraft were urging
this counsel
here and there trying to devise
and
that,
some new quarter
running
in
they might entreat hospitality for these unfortunates Mistress Zell calmly said, of you, in God's name.
goodwill
we
shall find
So
of you.'
'Come home in the
Babeli and the ;
at the
left
Parsonage
for
right hearty
one and
the rest to follow
:
all
Mey-
two Dames Kraft hastened forward
in
door of the Parsonage they were met by
Master Matthew, who held out ing
but
saying, she took the blind leader of their choir
by the hand, led him on and advance
;
with me, every one
With His help and with
room
which
his
hand
to
each approach-
guest in token of friendly welcome, and as
the last
crossed the threshold of the hospitable dwelling, peal after peal crashed immediately above them, and torrents of rain
began to pour as
if
the very heavens were opened.
1
S6
TJic Fu^ritivcs
A
good example
mon.
edifying
and
practical than any ser-
Like wildfire did the news spread through the
Dame
*
fortunately often infectious, and often
is
more
supplies a lesson
Zell has taken eighty of the
into the Parsonage
imperial city
and
On
!'
his
hearing
it,
city,
poor Kenzingen folk
many
a burgher of the
dame, who before had been moved by
avarice or love of ease to quiet his conscience with the reflection,
to
any
'
impossible for us to give house-room
It is quite
had
refugee,'
'struck
on
and been con-
his breast
strained with the publican in the Gospel to cry,
be merciful to exhausted
me
itself,
a sinner
!
'
good wife
Babeli remarked,
baskets
full
'
as in
an
ant-hill.'
of bread, the butchers
brewers beer, the gardeners
Quite,' as
And
The bakers hams and
Mey-
sent whole
sausages, the
and vegetables, and,
last
Count Sigismund of Hohenlohe, was
the Dean,
least,
fruit
'
had
assist the
in entertaining their guests.
each did contribute in some way,
truly
God be
the thunderstorm
every one of them was anxious to
minister and his
not
When
'
Many
there also,
and certainly not empty-handed.
zen's wife
brought bedding and linen, while several put
their
a
citi-
hands to the work and helped the notable Dames
Kraft to prepare beds in chambers, halls and barns, and
on every
Devout women
floor.
to lay the tables
Dame
and
to assist
readily ofl"ered themselves
Mey-Babeli
in the kitchen.
Katherine was herself the soul of every arrange-
ment, and yet she found time withal to raise the crushed spirit
of
many
a mourner by strong words of Divine con-
solation.
Master Matthew,
after
having sundry affectionate con-
The Fugitives.
187
versations privately with individuals of the party, addressed his
assembled guests
22,
23, then offered
at their
evening devotions on Luke
Lord
blessing and consolation of the
and on the dear ones
had
fugitives
left
gone to
all
descend on them
to
After the poor wearied
behind.
and darkness and
rest,
reigned in the vast Cathedral Parsonage, while
hearted mistress with her
engaged
Matthew
many
willing helpers
no
less
worn out than
was twenty years older than
in
fell
vision once
more
poor
Fridli,
home
in his paternal
was again transported
re-
into a
deep slumber,
found himself in
in Kaisersberg,
on
—he
and saw
to his godmother's barn,
as he lay of old,
Master
—and he spouse, — while
He
which he had a remarkable dream.
large-
was yet busily
his guests,
his thrifty
posing in an easy chair in his study,
silence
its
in setting things in order for the next day,
himself,
vi.
up an earnest prayer, imploring the
his straw couch, yet not
indeed with closed, but with bright, merry, sparkling eyes,
and heard him opened
my
say,
eyes
!'
'
Only
The
think,
little
Mat, the Lord has
learned doctor, his cousin, was also
there,
and taking
come
with him, for he would take him to his dear
mother
at his
beautiful
Fridli
by the hand,
own home, where
abode
And
for them.
the roof of the barn was
them there was a stood
little
Geiler
;
Simson
told
the all
him
to rise
old
Lord had prepared a in a
moment he found
no longer overhead, but above
glorious brilliant evening sky Hiller,
up and
little
hand
in
;
and there
hand with the great Doctor
and Sebastian Brandt, the good, kind godmother,
and poor
Fridli
looked down complacently on Zell from
heaven, and chanted their old song of thanksgiving,
'We
The Fugitives
88
'd>
praise Thee,
O God
and looked up
!'
—Whereupon Master Matthew awoke,
amazement
in
at
— the
familiar face of his
beloved Katherine, bending gently over him to find out
whether he was asleep or not.
however, his dream
Still
ended, he continued to hear the singing eyes and inquired,
dreaming, or do
'You
How
'
is
hear the Te
I really
Deum
because he
the parlour,
in
and pain
inflammation in the lungs, excitement of fever, but
am
is
I still
V
It is
whom
the blind
made up a
I
from
suffering
fever
may be labouring under and may be singing only in the he
I fear
in his side.
he rubbed his
laudainus
are not dreaming, dear husband.
leader of the choir from Kenzingen, for
bed
;
now, dear Kate,
it
it is
so beautiful that
quite ele-
it
vates one's soul.' '
That blind choir-leader with the face so marked by small-
pox,
whom
dream
!'
be poor
I felt
so sure I
exclaimed
Zell.
Fridli himself!'
and hastened
had seen before, 'That must,
As he
to the parlour,
—and
then
said this, he rose abruptly
where the younger
Dame
moment
self-possessed
the
Master
hinder him,
whose hand he
close to the patient,
seized, saying with a voice trembling with emotion, Fridli, is '
it
To be
than
little
'
Why,
you V
sure,
Mat
it is !'
none other
;
and you can be none other
replied the blind
man, holding
with deep feeling between his two hands. first
that
him a cooling draught, and before
Katherine could
Matthew was standing
Kraft
At
was watching beside the sick-bed of the blind man. she was giving
my
yes, assuredly must
welcomed us
here,
'
Zell's
hand
Even when you
and more especially
at
evening
The Fugitives. prayers, your very voice
of Matthew Zell
went
reminded me
my
to
189
that
dear to me, and in particular of my beloved friend in
need
And
at Kaisersberg.
Then
heart.
much
of so
the
name
was good and
little
Mat, my kind
as I lay here, hospi-
tably received and tenderly nursed, even as I was then in
good old godmother's bam, the learned Doctor and the
the
Master of Arts from Basle, and the maiden Ursula, and Conrad, and you, and Simson Hiller,
stood, life-like,
all
before me, and I could not resist the impulse to sing, out
of a '
the
full heart,
Yes, Lord
hymn
of praise
In Thee there
!
here below and up yonder!'
is
a
we sang together then communion of saints, both !'
ejaculated Master Matthew,
touched and solemnized.
Had
not the two female friends enjoined silence, because
Fridli in his fever so
much needed
might perchance have been passed countings.
One
—What
the whole night
man
had become of
could allow him to all
Zell mournfully replied,
their '
re-
and heavenly home
'
They have
;
retire,
the dear people whose
images were so vividly present before his mind's eye
lasting
and
question Master Matthew was constrained
to answer before the blind to wit,
rest,
in catechisings
all
gone
%
to their ever-
they rest from their labours, and
works do follow them.'
And
'-He
Simson, that pleasant, fresh young branch V
was
Kaisersberg,
appointed
pastor
of the
town
minister of the
at
faithful
Word, and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ
he preached the pure gospel diligently and parishioners.
church
and was, by the grace of God, a
Accordingly, just
faithfully to his
a year ago, the Council
1
The Fugitives.
90
ordered him to appear in the Town-house immediately on his
coming down from the
short suit against
Herod
him
pulpit
for heresy,
John the
dealt with
;
forthwith to be secretly
there they prosecuted a .
.
and then ... as
.
Baptist, so they caused
beheaded on the
him
and
spot,
his
The Bishop
remains to be buried in a secluded place.
of
Basle did indeed, in consequence of this inhuman and out-
rageous deed, lay Kaisersberg under the ban, nevertheless, at the entreaty of the Ensisheim
Hiller
was only a
heretic, the
Three days since we
Government,^ and because
ban was speedily removed.
in this place
commemorated
the anni-
May
versary of his death in love, praise, and prayer.
his
blood, nice that of the Christian martyrs of the primitive days, prove the seed of the
Good-night, Fridli
Lord they ever
all
Amen
!
Fridli
was
Church
in our
They have gone
!
yet live,
poor native town
and are united with us
indeed
very
ill.
On
the
itself
and
following
which he was unable
by Master Jacob
All the history
to relate,
Other as follows
:
day
too clearly, the
result of his over-fatigue during the flight. life,
for ever
!
inflammation of the lungs declared
of his
!
before us, but in the
was supplied
— Through
Sebastian
Brandt's and Geiler's influence Fridli was admitted into a
convent 1
at Freiburg, in
which he received
his education,
Ensisheim was the seat of Government in the exterior provinces
of the Austrian Empire, to which the Sundgau and the Breisgau per-
—
tained. It was of A contemporary author says of this Government a despicable nature, cruel and bloodthirsty \ in a short time, 600 men were executed by its orders on account of their faith.' Jacob von Morsperg :
was
at that time Imperial
Landsvogt.
'
The Fugitives. and was trained
For the sake of
as a chorister.
named
voice and musical talent he was
ful
1
to the
9
his beautifirst
place
church choir at Kenzingen, which enabled him to
in the
take his
'
dear
old mother
little
peace and contentment with
'
home, and
to his
live in
Soon, however, she was
her.
snatched from him by death, and from the time of her departure he became, as he was
as
wont
to say, blind for the
So long as she had been beside him he had,
second time.
were, seen everything through her faithful and loving
it
and so now, amid the dark shades that surrounded
eyes,
Then indeed did
doubly solitary and forsaken.
him, he
felt
Doctor
Geiler's
words recur to
God, that
for the love of
is
his
the
mind,
way
to
'
To suffer
heaven
!'
willingly
But how-
ever deeply in earnest poor Fridli was, however painful were his efforts,
still
he could never manage to love God, because
he knew not the right way. last
shown
Other,
to
him
who was
the
That one right way was at Holy Gospel by Master Jacob means of leading him to Jesus Christ
in the
came down from heaven we might be saved and inherit
the Saviour, who, from love to us,
and died on the everlasting
cross, that
Now
life.
love kindles love in return, and as
soon as Fridli was enabled really to believe that the Lord Jesus loved him, so truly and tenderly, even as his mother
had done, yea, and whole
heart,
peace in his
far
Him
beyond, he also loved
and since then there had always been soul,
and he now knew how
it
is
with his
light
that
'
and
Faith
JUSTIFIES A MAN.' Fridli never rose again
He
died
on the
third
from that sick-bed in
day of
his illness.
He
Zell's parlour.
was lovingly
TJic Fugitives.
192
nursed, was strengthened in
many
prayers
;
faith,
and had the support of
he had also the privilege of partaking of the
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper with Master Matthew and from Kenzingen.
his friends
The Lord
led
him home
gently and blessedly, without a struggle, and his last word
was a cry of joy and thanksgiving, Saviour Jesus Christ
by
all
At
!'
—
'
Light
his funeral,
the Kenzingen fugitives,
!
light
Oh my
!
!
which was attended
and many Strasburg
citizens,
Master Matthew delivered an earnest exhortation to
them
sent, urging fight
ing
in these
pre-
all
solemn and troublous times
to
manfully to the end, and to win the crown of everlast-
life.
'
If a
man
also strive for masteries, yet
crowned, except he
strive
Tim.
lawfully' (2
is
xi.
he not In
5).
her letters to the citizens of Strasburg, printed on the 30th of
December
things that, fifty
'
1557, Mistress Zell mentions
burghers of the
little
town of Kenzingen
driven to flight from their home.
and on that same night house, and during fifty
among
other
In the year 1524, on one day a hundred and
I
were
in Breisgau
They came
to Strasburg,
received eighty of them into our
many weeks never fed at table fewer than many devout gentlemen and citizens
or sixty of them,
of the place having contributed towards the supplies, or
helped to entertain them.' '
elect lady
'
herself
of the guests.
During these four weeks the
became much more
intimate with
She wrote a consolatory
letter to the
many wives
of the Kenzingen exiles, which at a later period appeared in print.
By
the help of God,
and through the exertions of
good men, these refugees were by degrees provided
for,
and
they obtained the means of supporting themselves, some at
The Fugitives. Strasburg, faith
;
some
many
at other
193
towns which held to the evangehcal
of them, moreover, had the favour granted
them of being
re-united to their wives
and
children.
On
the recommendation of the ministers of the gospel at Strasburg, Master Jacob Other
was
appointed incumbent of
first
the parish of Neckar-Steinbach, then assistant to the Bernese
Reformer, Berthold Haller, and in 1532 he was moved to the parish of Esslingen, where he remained
Among
till
his death.
the rural population of Alsace, and
among
the
highlands of the Black Forest, the flame of insurrection had for a long time
intolerable
been glowing beneath the
services of tenure
and oppressions of
And
oppressive feeling of spiritual slavery.
Peasant League,' known
which
it
sorts,
lay,
the
were the
Soon, however, was superadded the more
primary cause.
*
all
The
ashes.^
burden of taxes under which the poor
was distinguished
thus arose the
consequence of the badge by
(in
— a peasant's
shoe buckled after
the fashion of those days) as the Binidschuh^ or 'League
of the Shoe.'
With giant
strides this insurrection spread in
Suabia, the Palatinate, Thuringia, etc. the fearful Peasants'
bourhood.
The
^
;
and
at Easter 1525,
out in our town and neigh-
peasantry assembled in force, exercised
their rights of justice sors,
War broke by
terrible
vengeance on their oppres-
plundered, committed murder and burnt, in relentless
The
first
of these peasant revolts in Alsace
as Whitsuntide 1493, in the villages
had originated
round Schlettstadt.
so early
The members
of the League were resolved to be free like their neighbours the Swiss, and the saying was current among them If the League and the Swiss are united, what need have we to care for Pope or Emperor?' :
N
'
TJic Fugitives.
194
convents and castles and strongholds.
fury,
the cruel Anthony,
Duke
a large army, to suppress the revolt.
and a second
at Zabern,
blood
Schlettstadt,
Thereupon
of Lorraine, entered Alsace with
A
fearful deluge of
at Scherweiler,
not far from
ended the desperate struggle which had
two months, and cost our
fair
lasted
Alsace above 36,000 indus-
men.
trious
During the raging of the short but murderous war, and after the scenes of
carnage at Zabern and Scherweiler, the
unfortunate peasants, dreading the open plain, sought safe refuge for their wives and children, and
all
their
goods and
chattels, in the two evangelical towns, Strasburg and Miihl-
hausen.
'
In the
ancient chronicle,
upon the
villages,
district '
the
of the Upper Rhine,' says the
noblemen
in the course of the
war
fell
attacked and burnt Lautersbach, Pfaffstadt,
Riedisheim, and several other places, in consequence of
which the country-folk brought hausen
for protection, in
the houses
filled,
impassable.
in their possessions to Miil-
such quantities that not only were
but the streets blocked up and rendered
The noble-minded
town-clerk,
Oswald von
Gamsharst, gave these unfortunate creatures a welcome
full
of Christian love, on which account a complaint was laid against
him before the Emperor by the Ensisheim Govern-
ment.'
In the evangelically disposed city of Strasburg
like-
wise manifestations were not wanting of the peace-bringing spirit
folk
'
of pure
gospel doctrine.
Thousands of the
^
poor
{armefi Liit), as the peasants were then called, found
protection and a kind reception within her walls, and the city
was
filled to
overflowing with fugitives.
Then, again,
Tiie Ftigitives. as
before
about the
necessary that
'full
Kenzingen,
from
refugees
many
195
should contribute and help to entertain them.' ever the blessed
is
Faith, trates
Love
is
fruit
made
was
it
a devout citizen and gentleman
of the gospel
active in
;
But such
by the power of
The
good works.
undertook to mediate between the contending
magisparties,
exhorting the nobles and gentry to mild and conciliatory
measures, the subjects to obedience and patience. ingly, the
Accord-
burgomaster, Jacob Sturm, ^ and the Deputies of
the Council, Bernard
Wurmser and Eckhardt von Rothweil,
succeeded, across the Rhine, at Lahr, Offenburg, Cappel
and Ettenheim,
in prevailing
upon the masses of assembled
peasants to retire peacefully to their homes, and in persuad-
Not
ing the Margrave to grant them pardon.
where the
poor."
deluded
rioters
so in Alsace,
turned off the deputies from
Strasburg with impudence and contempt, and remained deaf to all warnings
human Duke
On
Easter
and exhortations,
until the
sword of the
in-
of Lorraine gave them the death-blow.
Day
1525,
when
the sun was waxing low, old
Andrew, with the post-runner, Simon Scheldt, the weeping Jacobea and the
Heiner awaited larly '
little
Hansli, approached the ferry, where
their arrival with folded
arms and a singu-
downcast appearance.
May God
guide thee, grandfather
! '
said Jacobea, as she
held out her hand to bid him farewell amid Little 1
HansH climbed up on
Jacob Sturm was summoned even as
peasants.
many
sobs.
the old man's lap, threw his far as
Ulm
to
quiet
the
1
The Fugitives.
96
arms round
you
father,
neck, and coaxingly asked, 'Now, grand-
his
bring father back to us
will
Andrew embraced
—won't you
'
%
the Httle fellow heartily, laid his
hand
soothingly on Jacobea's head, and said, in a serious tone, to
Heiner,
— True repentance means '
stay at
home
again.
Protect the child and his mother
till
I
at thy
work
meet the common
let
;
till
mankind
old
Andrew
ferry.
my
return, or
!
Heiner gave the required promise, and then
shore,
!
not the devil entice thee
fate of all
father and Simon across the
Heiner
acting better.
set his grand-
On reaching the
opposite
knelt down, his head reverently un-
covered, and offered prayer to his heavenly Father.
which he instantly strode forward,
staff in
After
hand, in spite of
the eighty winters that weighed on his hoary head, as vigor-
ous and rapid as his companion, towards the city of Strasburg.
For a long time past old
man had warned
—unfortunately his
vain
all in
—the pious
grandsons against insurrection,
solemnly reminding them of the obedience due to the
powers that be, which are ordained of God. his remonstrances,
members of
the
broke
out, they
war.
When,
'
In spite of
all
Frank and Heiner had become sworn
Bundschuh
'
League
;
and when the
were forced to join the
after laying siege to
peasants had, at Jacob
fatal
Lahr and
revolt
and accursed
Ofifenburg, the
Sturm's solemn entreaty, retired
the wild groups had dispersed, and
turned out had gone to their homes,
all
those
—
when who had
peaceably, the Margrave promising them forgiveness,
—then Heiner too had
betaken himself once more to the fisherman's hut beside the ferry on the Rhine.
But the
violent, excitable
Frank
TJie Fugitives.
had imagined himself
still
bound by
197 by
the portentous oath
which he had sworn to maintain the twelve Articles of the League, believing his part to
it
abandon
would be cowardly and despicable on his brethren
and
allies,
the insurgent
when Duke Anthony
peasants of Alsace, at this juncture,
was marching upon them with so imposing a
force,
and
to
Alsace accordingly he had gone.
Embrace
'
had said
for
me my good wife and my old grandfather,' he
them from me they If I
home
to Heiner, as the latter set off for
fall in
shall
never see
me
fill
and
except as a free
the rightful contest for freedom
you, Heiner, must
'
;
and
a father's place to
justice,
my
poor
tell
man I then little
Hansh!' This
said,
he had hastened
off,
anxious to hide from Heiner
From
the tears he could no longer restrain. this
the shock of
message and the sight of Jacobea's grief old Andrew
was indeed bowed down beneath a load of sorrow, which he could only lay before the Lord his crying and tears. to
him
When, soon
afterwards,
him and
them
with strong
that the assembled peasantry at Dorlisheim
spatched a courier to Master Matthew to
God
Simon announced
his
Zell,
brethren in the ministry to
to Altorf, to preach the gospel
;
and
had de-
with a petition
come
that,
out to
on Easter
Monday, with the consent of the worshipful the Council, Master Matthew, Martin Bucer and Capito were to go to the peasants'
camp
to submission rest,
at Altorf, there to exhort the multitudes
and peace, poor old Andrew could
find
no
but must needs take up his pilgrim's staff and go to
Strasburg with the post-runner, to implore the ministers to
TJic Fugitives.
198 allow him to
among
accompany them, and
Frank
to seek out his
the insurgents.
How
it
came
to pass that he, the
aged fisherman Andrew,
should ever have bestowed his tenderly cherished grandchild
Jacobea
in
as follows
marriage on Frank Hiigelin, was a tale recounted
by himself
that Easter Day.
on the evening of
to the post-runner
He, Andrew, had as a
years old been received,
as
little
boy of ten
an inmate of her
family,
Weiler,
a native
of Nuremberg,
who kept
by
Anna
an aged and respectable tradeswoman in Strasburg,
a warehouse
Nuremberg goods, and proposed training him to act as a hawker in that line. In her house he received instruction
for
from a Hussite missionary,^ Frederick Reiser; and through
him he learned
to
know and love the gospel. SixtyAnna Weiler and Missionary
seven years ago, a.d. 1458,
Reiser were arrested, imprisoned, and burned alive in the ''Heretics' Fit;'
outside the town.
was close beside the gallows.) quiet
(This ''Heretics' Fit"
The remembrance
the countenance
with joy with
radiant
Anna Weiler ascended
the scaffold,
protect
life,
their hallowed
it
at a later
his faith.
were the se^d of the Church
memories had been blessed
The Waldenses, and
as a
and helped to
him against temptation and strengthen
Their ashes had been as
'
which the aged
had followed him
vision of guardian angels through a long
1
of the
peace with which his teacher met death, and of
to knit closer
period the Hussite missionaries, had,
unitedly and secretly, through the insti-umentality of the Bible, paved
the
way among
which we
call the
gelical History.
the lower classes for that great religious
Reformation,'
— Rohrich's Contributions
revolution
tcnvaj-ds
Evan-
The Fugitives. together the hidden
many days,
members of
the
and
little flock,
hearts to receive God's word.
Andrew
199
And,
to
open
more recent
in
had, in his wanderings as a pedlar, accom-
panied one and another Hussite missionary in his
visits to
the scattered communities of believers, thus penetrating even to Switzerland
and Miihlhausen,
in
which town he became
acquainted with a precious, holy soul, one
whom
Letty,' with
affection
known
as
'French
he formed a strong mutual bond of
and esteem.
After the decease of his daughter's
husband, the owner of the cottage on the Rhine,
Andrew
could no longer get on comfortably with his hawking, and therefore undertook his son-in-law's business,
ferryman at the Kehl
and became
the sake of educating his
ferry, for
He
grandchildren and training them in the fear of God. had, however, by
means of the
teachers, always kept
up
friendly
itinerating missionaries
and
communication with 'French
Letty;' and, shortly before her death, he visited her at Miihlhausen, and was constrained by her to give a solemn pledge, on the
charge of her to call Frank. later,
'
Holy
Bible, that
After Idelette had gone home, and, a
the worthy miller's wife
had
was no longer any resting-place Lane.
He soul,
for
little
also passed away, there
Frank
in the Blaiiwlatten
then came to old Andrew, and, according to his
grandmother's wish, became
good
he would take a fatherly
dear hot-headed youth,' as she was ever wont
a
first-rate
had evidently been of opinion
blessing rests on that calling,
by reason
fisherman.
She,
that a very peculiar
of the Lord having
chosen His special followers from among poor fishermen. the midst of the fishing business, the two
young
folk,
In
Frank
The Fugitives.
200
and Jacobea, grew more and more
intimate,
with one another, and were desirous
fell
in love
of being married,
He
whereto Andrew gladly responded yea and amen. never for a long time had occasion to repent of
having always proved a good son to him, and a
husband and father
to his wife
and
Only
child.
taken idea, this wild vagary about liberty, had his head, so that
unfortunate
'
he had been caught
Bundschuh
this hour, in exile
would
On
'
Frank
this,
faithful
this mis-
now
turned
in the snares of that
League, and kept thereby, up to
from his home, although, as old Andrew
fain hope, not necessarily for ever lost arriving,
on Easter Day,
at Strasburg, the old
man met
with a most friendly reception from Master Matthew, and received
much comfort from him a night's ;
freely granted
to
accompany
peasants'
camp
him
quarters were also
in the Cathedral-Parsonage, with leave
the ministers the following morning to the
What he heard
at Altorf.
Mey-Babeli, and from sundry fugitives of good Matthew Zell's kind hospitality
from
in the kitchen
— — was, however, nowise objects, like himself,
him or to relieve his anxiety regarding The two members of Council, Wurmser and Herrlin, who had been appointed to make overtures of peace at Hagenau (in consequence of the negotiations of Burgomaster calculated to soothe
Frank.
Sturm across the Rhine having proved so told,
successful),
on requesting an audience of the peasant
these gentlemen were better
sit
at
dinner
;
the city
on the wooden block and wait
leaders,
were '
that
deputies had
their leisure,'
— a huge
trunk of a tree having been felled in front of the house in
which the insurgent
chiefs took their meals.
On
repeated
The Fugitives. and urgent entreaties they were
201
at length admitted
they were compelled to deliver their message
;
but
standing,
while the leaders of the peasant force enjoyed iheir repast at their ease.
Nothing daunted by
gentlemen from the exhortation, saying,
began
city
—
'
It
at
this
impertinence, the
once to deliver a serious
was high time
for the 'peasants to
remember
consider their wives and children, and
danger they were exposing them
:
could never prosper, nor have a happy end, for pleasing to
God
if
:
this affair, the latter
what
to
such an insurrection it
was
dis-
they would trust the Strasburghers in
would put
it
within their power to be
freed from their burdens, and to return
the peasants across the Rhine.'
home
in peace, like
However, without
deli-
berating long, the leaders returned the following impudent
and
defiant reply:
peasants
;
—
now, we
'
We will
have been long enough treated as see whether
selves from taxes, services,
and
than they of Strasburg what
home
at once,
is
all
we cannot
burdens
;
another answer.'
we know better
incumbent upon
you deputies, otherwise we
free our-
us.
Return
shall give
you
^
This rude dismissal of the city councillors caused indignation and dismay rural population,
among
much
the better disposed of the
and especially among the peasants on
the Strasburg territory.^
Many
property into the town.
In the Cathedral-Parsonage some
newly-arrived 1
2
fugitives
told
fled with their families
the
tale
of
the
and
evangelical
Rohrich's History of the Reformation in Alsace, vol. i. pp. 2S8, 289. district of Strasburg then included Wasselnheim, Herrenstein,
The
Dorlisheim, Marlenheim, Illkirch, Schiltigheim,
etc.
202
TJie Fuzitives.
parson of Dorlisheim, Andrew Preunlin, revolt began,
had never ceased exhorting
who,
since the
his people to sub-
mission and peace, and who, on this Easter morn, had said, in the course of a very impressive sermon,
contrary to the gospel
by means of guns,
;
and the
true faith
—
'
Rebellion
is
propagated, not
is
halberts and spears, but of prayer and
On account of these sentiments the tumultuous mob sought to throw him down from the pulpit,
obedience.'
and angry
and hang him on the great lime-tree before the church door. All this furnished a shocking spectacle during divine service
and the
sacristan, with a
greatest difficulty in rescuing the minister from the
On
raging foes.
of the
with their husbands, to be then
alarmed
to entreat her
Capito,
many
tears,
were
tender Agnes ^ began
beloved Capito, and no
Elizabeth her Martin, with
who happened,
in the Parsonage,
The
no ordinary degree.
in
hands
hearing this narrative, the two
Dames Bucer and
ministers' wives.
;
few of the older peasants, had the
less
the amiable
not to venture out to
the peasants' camp, after having thus heard what was to be
expected there by any
husbands however
where duty blood
!
'
fortified
as
—
'
for peace.
The
certainly go, for
not lawful to confer with flesh and the
noble-minded
Katherine had
her trembling friends by her strong, rejoicing, and
courageous
Lord
calls, it is
As soon
who came to treat They must
replied,
faith,
to grant
and they had
all
united in beseeching the
His protection and blessing, Mistress EHza-
beth sang, not without deep though elevated emotion ^
Agnes, Capito's wife, was a daughter of the
Ulrich.
'
Lord of
Fifteen,'
Hans
The Fugitives. '
Hope meeldy
203
waits for the right hour
God's holy will hath
set
That come,— He will put forth His power, With joy, and none shall let What 's best, and when, full well He knows, In utmost need His care He shows
—
:
With '
our hearts
all
we '11
Though He may seem Still trust
Faith y^^/j-
Him
yet
!
to stand aloof.
be not afraid
!
Him
trust
near by
!
many
a proof,
—
Though hid in clouds array'd. His word 's more sure than vision bright, Thy heart may whisper, " Nought goes
—
Yet
trust
!
right
He'll save thee e'en from fright
;"
!'
Early on the following morning, old Andrew, with the peasant-courier Jorg von Geudertheim, had set out on the
journey to Altorf, and not long afterwards
When
Capito rode out on the same road. peasants'
camp beside
the
Abbey
Zell,
Bucer, and
they reached the
of Altorf, which had been
stormed and plundered, the three ministers were received
by the insurgents with great round them priests
'that
were
;
set in the middle,
now both
and
The
in the right.'
consent, saying,
of those to
wide ring was formed
Abbot of Altorf and
'
and the demand was made,
whom
they
let
the peasants decide which
ministers, however, refused their
they had
submission and peace.
come
owed
there to execute the orders
allegiance,
Moreover,
this
assembly, but a gathering opposed to
Who
several
parties should dispute concerning the con-
tested points of doctrine,
was
A
joy.
the imprisoned
and
to exhort to
was not a Christian
God and His
had bestowed on the peasants power
word.
to force others to
204
T^^^ Fugitives.
give an account of their faith
Rather ought they to leave
1
monasteries, abbots, and convents undisturbed, and themselves to
obey the
pect no prosperity.
authorities, without
If only they
which they could ex-
would quietly return home,
then assuredly the Government would take their case into consideration in a Christian way.'
After delivering these and
other similar counsels, the servants of ful,
however,
how soon words
in the village of
God
rode
off.
Mind-
die away, they dismounted
Entzheim, and wrote a document, strongly
and pointedly expressed,
which they once more sought
in
to induce the peasants to lay to heart the sinful nature of their doings, appealing
solemnly to them, reminding them
of approaching judgment, and concluding with the words, *
Body and goods we owe
to the
enemies, wilUng service to soul's sake, the
all
obedience of
;
powers that be, patience to but to
faith,
God
alone, for our
according to His holy
word, in which revolt, even against an unjust government, is
expressly forbidden.'
During the course of
all
had been perambulating
these transactions old
all
and inquiring about him
in every direction, but, alas
succeeded
in
ascertaining
amounted
Easter morning, Frank had been seen
church
at
said
to
this
among
:
in
—yesterday,
others in the
Dorlisheim, and had immediately disappeared.
he had gone to Zabern, there to procure
for the
minister, Preunlin, a written safeguard from the chief
surgent leader. tively
!
All that the peasant-courier, Jorg von Geudertheim,
vain.
Some
Andrew
the camp, seeking his Frank,
in-
Others, on the contrary, maintained posi-
he had been despatched by the originators of the
The
Fugitives.
men
attempt at murder, to go to the
205 of Hagenau, the most
furious of all the rebels, to bring reinforcements
hanging the parson might
in order that the plot for
carried
and
out,
turncoats
These reports
destroyed.
and he
heart,
all
set off for
sters for a line of
from them
fell
be
still
might be cut down and heavily on the old man's
Entzheim, there to ask the mini-
recommendation to the parson of Dorli-
sheim, as he was desirous of going to him and awaiting
beside him the course of events, watching as to what he
might have to hope or to fear for
handed
sters
up,
to
and commissioned him
sheim to insure of the rebel
its
camp
himself, during the
where Zell
city,
his lost son.
him the document which they had
The
mini-
just
drawn
to request the parson of Dorli-
being read aloud in the various sections at the
;
same time they desired Preunlin
immediate danger, to seek refuge offered
him a hearty welcome
in the in
his
home.
Andrew faithful
old
Preunlin (commonly
known
as ^Fnmuliis'), the
under-shepherd of the parish of Dorlisheim, received
Andrew with warm sympathy, and
the
document from
his three brethren with great joy; but to quit his post
go do.
to Strasburg, that
Had
begun
by
and
he would on no consideration agree to
not the united peasants of the Strasburg territory
to retreat quietly
on the strength of the promise given
the three preachers of the gospel,
of Dorlisheim,
in particular, in
peace, and should he now forsake ing the tumult as far as in
him
and were not the men
the act of returning
home
his flock, instead of
lay,
in
still-
being ready lovingly to
receive the penitent, to encourage the desponding, to guide
2o6
TJie Fus:itives
the misled into the right way, and, with God's help, to bring
back
all
had
to the path of duty
willingly offered
up
and of obedience
No
%
!
save the poor deluded peasants from destruction, and old
Andrew
him
in his
He
his life as a sacrifice to the Lord, to
by
faithfully stood
his side
arduous task, secretly and
own private grief and The Altorf camp was
his
now
and manfully aided trustfully
committing
anxiety to his God. greatly diminished,
owing to the
retreat of the insurgents belonging to the Strasburg territory,
and amid
Preunlin,
furious threats fulminated against Parson
who from
the very
resisted the insurrection, the fell
mus
beginning had vigorously
remnant of the
back on Zabern, where the
Avild
masses
insurgent leader,
Eras-
Gerber, occupied the episcopal residence (the Bishop
being absent), and the mountain passes with a force of 20,000 men, in consequence of having received intelligence that
Duke Anthony was
preparing to
fall
upon them with
At Dorlisheim the peasants had
an overpowering army.
but just returned home, and were on the point of beginning,
urged on by the entreaties of their minister and old Andrew, to cultivate the' fallow ground, to eat their bread in
peace in their cottages with their
on the Saturday
after Easter, the
body of Hagenau
rebels,
with
families,
when
suddenly,
news reached them that a a few stragglers from the
Altorf camp, was approaching Dorlisheim, fully resolved to
do summary execution on the minister and on
and
to
burn down the
village.
seized the poor inhabitants
;
On
hearing
all
turncoats,
this,
no persuasions could
to hinder their fleeing from the
a panic prevail
homes of which they had
The Fugitives.
and hastening with wives and
just taken possession anew,
children to the
and
hills
207
few only of the very old
forests, a
folk remaining in the Parsonage with old Andrew and the
Vainly did these
sacristan.
especially the venerable
last,
ferryman, urge the minister to take refuge at Strasburg or
among I
the mountains
;
he was immovable, saying,
—
'
If only
can lead even one of these wandering sheep to the Good
Shepherd, gladly will
Andrew, whether thus gain
A
it
added
!'
I risk
may
my
for
life
And
it.
not be your Frank
he, with a
Avho knows,
whom
I
may
melancholy smile.
death-like silence reigned that evening in the desolate
village
:
the watch-fires of the approaching masses of
armed
peasantry gleamed in the distance, and the prayer-bell pealed
solemnly and
on
thrillingly,
high, in the pure,
sounding
still
like a
warning voice from
On
the bench in front
night-air.
of the Parsonage, sat hand in hand Parson Preunlin and the
aged Andrew, each mutely contemplating the parting sun. Andrew,' began the minister, 'there are inward revelations
'
Not long
which do not deceive.
me
in a
dream by what death
I
ago, the
am
not thought indeed that the poor folk' ^
sacrifice
me
as a victim
come from
to
will
be mine
Andrew,
till
;
rather
had
words
come, and
And
so
it
would
but now,
God's flock,
the storm has passed.
shall
to
had
let
To-morrow,
!
{ar?He?i Lilt)
I
Remain with my poor misguided
word of God, and strengthen them
my
Him.
expected the stroke
I
a very different quarter !
Lord revealed
to glorify
be
came
at
;
Instruct
at this hour,
home
to pass.
I
with the Lord
On
them
in the faith.
the
shall
in the
Think of have over-
!'
Sunday morning the
2o8
TJic Fucrltives. i>
insurgents, in wild
and tumultuous
to Dorlisheim, surrounded the
turned
serted,
to
whom
in
to
approach,
and, finding
de-
it
vent their whole rage on the parson, they attributed the withdrawal of
particular
the Dorlisheim
stormed their way
force,
village,
men from
in his clerical
He
the League.
Andrew had
of the parish, in the church, whither old
accompanied him.
awaited their
surrounded by the elders
attire,
There he made one
but
last
also
fruitless
attempt to open the eyes of these unhappy men, and to
draw them back from the edge of the not deceived,' he cried aloud,
and what a man sows, sown
'a
—the
revolt,
awful
terrible
end
will
many
hand.
at
is
be too late
it
all
'
'
;
Oh
!
otherwise a
Awe-struck on
too soon, alas
!
fulfilled,
and to give heed to the warning designed to snatch
them from
ruin.
The
infuriated
upon the minister
oaths dragged ing
Ye have
of the better disposed were ready to strike on their
breasts
fell
Be
murder, incendiarism and
overtake you
hearing these prophetic words,
*
not be mocked,
will
retribution
repent and be converted before
speedy and
precipice.
that also shall he reap.
bloody seed of
deadly deeds^
God
'
him on
several of
him
men
of Hagenau, however,
like savage beasts,
and amid horrid
outside the church door, bent on hang-
On
the great lime-tree.
them were
reaching the spot, while
getting ready to
fulfil
the office of
hangman, they demanded that old Andrew should
first
pre-
pare the parson for his death, and offer up with him the '
execution prayer.'
Andrew
tated, uttered these words,
knelt down, and greatly agi'
Your Reverence,
heaven opened above you, and
I
I
see
the
implore your blessing ere
The Fugitives. you depart hence
on the
The
!'
hand gently
minister laid his
patriarch, looked with
head of the
silvery
209
scribable expression of peace
and yet of sadness
murderers, then up towards heaven, and called loud, clear voice,
'
Lord Jesus
Lay not
not what they do.
mercy receive
At
my
spirit
moment
that
forswear of the
'
Stop
down before the my own life I
Incensed
bold
intruder,
when
You
!
men
not
In
!
and
truth
the
!
I
slaves
and
for
exasperated
avenge themselves of the
man
the
him
protect
are tools
words,
these
at
minister with the
fighting for
raised their hatchets to
rebels
charge
Amen.'
!
with
!
executioner,
rights!'
just
unhappy men know
this sin to their
your reckless plots
all
his
out in a
young man rushed through the peasant
a
crowd, and threw himself exclamation,
these
!
an inde-
first at
of
God, bending
in
an
attitude of defence over the youth, received on his
own
head the furious blows of the weapons, and sank,
life-
Thus, as he had foretold, he had
on the ground.
less,
saved his friend Andrew's long-lost Frank grandfather,
forgetful
in his arms, pressed
hot tears
fell
his
head
laid
like
an
infant.
down on
he hung
him
all
close
of the wild
and long
his furrowed
to his heart, while
cheeks.
Frank himself, sobbed aloud
Meantime, the peasants had fastened the
bough of the
there, the faithful
mouth
The aged
!
around, seized the wanderer
his grandfather's shoulder,
pastor's corpse to a
his
of
for ever closed,
;
but,
when
preacher of the everlasting gospel, then by degrees the surging roar
mob was hushed
on old Andrew or on
fine old tree
;
not one ventured to lay hands
his rescued Frank, and,
o
pursued by
2
1
The Fugitives.
o
body of
the sting of an evil conscience, the whole set out for '
The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
much' (James
v.
Earnestly had old
i6).
God's mercy for his Frank
went
He
man
Andrew
availeth
entreated
and so the Good Shepherd
;
wandering sheep, and
after the
found
insurgents
Zabern, forthwith leaving Dorlisheim altogether.
sought
faithfully
till
In the desolating confusion and tumult of the
it.
insurgent camp, and at the storm and plundering of the
Abbey of Altorf, Frank had begun doings around.
to feel
ill
at ease,
and
in-
and deeper into the godless
creasingly so as he saw deeper
Memories of the years of
his
childhood and
youth had been awakened within, and the image of his dear pious grandmother presented
guardian angel to warn him. fully detected the
eyes,
and with
before his mind's eye as a
When, on Easter morning, he
murderous plot against the holy pastor
Preunlin, then indeed
Satan's snares,
itself
terror
it
was as though
scales
fell
he confessed that he had
and had begun
to tread his paths.
from his
fallen into
So, hasten-
ing to Zabern, he instantly implored from the rebel com-
mander a safe-conduct had
other, and, as
attend
to,
go
But Erasmus Gerber
he reckoned, more important matters to
than to trouble himself about the
village pastor
and
for the pastor.
!
life
For long he refused an audience
at last only half
heard him
;
of a poor to Frank,
and he asked him rather
to
to Strasburg as his courier, with a petition to the magis-
trate to
send ammunition for the peasants
at
Zabern, and on
the Martersberg, and help towards the defence against
Duke
Anthony of Lorraine, who was marching down on them. Disgusted and indignant, Frank left him and returned as we
The Fugitives.
21
have seen to Dorlisheim, resolved to shield the
life
of the
pastor at the risk of his own.
The martyrdom of the faithful Preunlin was not in vain. By the grace of God it was the means of saving many a soul from everlasting perdition, and many a life from
Many
the fearful carnage at Zabern. revolt,
and returned home penitent.
was the sorrow of all
the
own
hills,
Kenzingen
the day of his funeral
down
to their village
or crept out from their hiding-places.
German New Testament
from the
On
flock.
people of Dorlisheim came
from the a
his
forsook the path of
Great and affecting
fugitive
— old
—a
From
keepsake given him by a
Andrew,
at the
open grave, read
7 th chapter of Acts the history of the death of St.
Stephen, adding a few deeply impressive words and a
vent prayer
;
amid many
tears,
after
fer-
which the whole assembly knelt and sang, Luther's metrical version or paraphrase of
the 67th Psalm: *
May God be merciful to us and bless, May He our every sin forgive May the clear radiance of His face !
Lighten us on, for aye to •
May God May God
live
!
the Father and the Son,
the Holy Ghost upon Our heads His choicest blessings pour Our Triune God whom saints adore Worship in godly fear, all men,
!
—
And
let
Andrew remained
each heart respond at
minister to the
!
Dorlisheim as evangelist until the
honourable Council found to
Amen
flock.
it
possible to send a
He
preached
fit
pastor
faithfully, in
all
The Fugitives.
212 simplicity
ancient
and humility, as we
chronicle,
and other necessary of
God and
no means
;
recorded
it
God's word,
things which have to
the salvation
idle
find
concerning
'
Frank too was by
of souls.'
he acted as runner,
peace and the magistrates, thus
to
keep up com-
errands, he
On
home
efficiently assisting the
authorities of Strasburg to re-establish order at Dorlisheim.
love
do with the glory
munication between the peasants who had returned in
and
tranquillity
one occasion, while out on one of these
met with the agreeable
surprise of finding in the
Cathedral-Parsonage his beloved Jacobea and his Hansli,
whom Dame
the town.
That was
to be described!
our
in
faith,
had caused
Zell
to
—a joy not
truly a wonderful reunion
When, on
little
be brought into
the 17th of
May
following
(1525), 18,000 peasants had fallen at the Martersberg ('hill
of the Martyrs
')
and
at
at Scherweiler, not far
Zabem,
—and three days
later
from Schlettstadt, and
dreary and desolate in our once
fertile
all
12,000
seemed
and smiling
plains,
the very villages deserted and death-like, then Frank tra-
versed the land far and wide in the Lord's service, like a
good Samaritan, leading the
orphans to Strasburg, where charity and
and
widows and
helpless woe-begone
self-sacrificing love
pity flourished as the beauteous fruits of the Spirit,
and
the results of pure gospel preaching,
—where the Lord had
taught His regenerated Church that
none of us should
unto himself, but each for
how
all
to attain to this grace.'
'
the rest, and had ^
Dame
Zell
live
shown them
also mentions
in her aforementioned letter to the citizens of Strasburg, ^
Bucer's Instructions, published in 1523.
The Fugitives, *
213
After the cause of the poor peasants had received
its
death-
Lux
blow, I was enabled, with the assistance of Master
Hackfurth,
the
public
honourable widows, tion, in
many
almoner, ^
Dames
of the two
as well as
accommoda-
Kraft, to provide
the vacant convent of the barefooted
friars,
for
of the miserable, panic-stricken people
who were then
I organized a plan
by which many
flocking in to Strasburg.
respectable persons,
men and women, undertook
to serve
them, and large alms and supplies were contributed towards their support'
In the autumn of the same year, old Andrew, with Frank
and Jacobea and
removed
to Miihlhausen,
his old friend
and patron, the
their little Hansli,
where Frank obtained from
Knight-Commander George von Andlau, the steward in the 'German Court'
connected with
—
German House,' the seat of Government), and there, the Lord will, we may hope soon again to meet with him
the if
(or farm
situation of
'
and
his sister Theresa.
man
in
wife an excellent
—
Heiner, however, remained as ferry-
the hut beside the Rhine,
and took
and devout maiden, a native of Dorlisheim
his venerable grandfather helping
for
life,
to himself as
and bestowing
him
in his settlement
upon him.
his parental benediction
In the year 1527 the Dean of the Strasburg Cathedral,
Count Sigismund von Hohenlohe, was
by
the Pope, and deprived of
all
laid
under the ban
his dignities
and
prefer-
ments, 'because,' as was stated, 'he had adopted no ^
Formerly chaplain
of the city of Strasburg.
at
Oberehnheim, and the
first
strin-
public almoner
The Fugitives,
214 gent measures
Cathedral
;
check the heretical preaching
to
the
in
because he held the opinion that the banished
ministers were
by no means
be avoided
to
—he even
culti-
vated daily intercourse with them, and invited them to be his guests
;
because he not only tolerated the evangelical
preachers in the rural parishes within his jurisdiction, but
even in 1525 issued an order to its
all
the ecclesiastics within
bounds to preach the word of
also he
had resolved
married, and in the
who
German
of these things the
Cf'oss,
God only
because
who had
administered the sacrament of baptism
tongue, were not to be assailed on account
and
;
lastly,
because, in his Little Book of
he had defended
the
heretical
doctrines
Luther, and had spoken of them as "good."' laid
;
that the priests in the country
He
under an interdict by the Emperor, on account of
having carried on
of
was his
a confidential correspondence with the
French Princess, Margaret of Valois, and was accused of having favoured the levying of recruits
King of France. for
protection,
Huguenots
in
Alsace for the
appealed to the city of Strasburg
and soon afterwards entered the military
service of France.
the
He
When, however,
in that country
the persecution against
waxed
hotter and hotter,
he withdrew to Augsburg, and there continued his evangelical belief
till
death.
He
faithful to
died on the 8th of
August 1534, deeply lamented by his Strasburg friends. The Reformation had cause for unbounded gratitude to his
memory
;
and the image of
this
noble man, who, placed in
God's providence on so high a pinnacle, willingly gave up dignities,
honour and wealth
for his
faith,
could not be
The Ftig itives. the ranks of those who, in such solemn
among
omitted
2
1
and
troublous times, suffered so much, fought so valiantly, and
sake of re-establishing the word of
for the
sacrificed
all,
God and
faith in Jesus Christ the crucified
basis of our Evangelical Church.
by Count Sigismund
that
the
It
was
Saviour as the
in all probability
Huguenot
who
refugees,
sought shelter at Strasburg, were introduced to Pastor Zell,
and
to
them too were extended the
Christian
Even
hospitality
and kindly
welcome of the ever open Cathedral-Parsonage.
as early as the year 1524, Francis Lambert, a Fran-
ciscan from Avignon,
German
had come
frontier-city as a centre,
to Strasburg,
had
actively
and from that
promoted the
triumph of the gospel cause in France.
He
high in public esteem, and was commonly
known
At a
French Doctor.'
later period, Farel
stood very as
and Calvin
'
the
also
sought refuge at Strasburg, where Calvin (a.d. 1538) became pastor of the French congregation of Huguenots, to
he ministered hour of
upon '
he was recalled to Geneva, where, to the
until
his death,
whom
he bore his beloved Church of Strasburg
his heart.
At the repeated urgent entreaty of
Word and
the Ministers of the
of the citizens, the Council of Strasburg at length
resolved to take the decisive step, and abrogate the Mass,
which since the beginning of the measures
had been read and
in
German.
for
church-reform
In vain did the Bishop warn
threaten, in vain did the Imperial
Government send
three deputies from Spires, to endeavour to deter the Council
from such a
step,
by representing the displeasure of the
Emperor and of King Ferdinand
as sure to be thereby
2
The Fugitives.
1
The
incurred.
magistrate replied
' :
As the matter was one man, they
that concerned the conscience of every right to lay
it
before the
felt
it
Grand Council/ and leave them
to
'On Saturday, the 20th of February 1529, about seven o'clock, the Council and the xxi. met an hour earlier decide.'
In the course of that hour a
than the three hundred.
letter
arrived from the Imperial Government, pressing for an im-
mediate answer, on which
must
let
the letter
and leave
it
God's hands.
all in
was resolved,
pealed to the three hundred
;
It
after
mutual explanations
was
it
freely put to the
was then declared that 184 were of opinion that
Mass should be abrogated and dispensed
the
Council
Thereafter the Council ap-
and
and representations of the matter, vote.
— the
quietly carry the matter through,
lie,
could be proved to be according to God's
votes were recorded in favour of standing the
Mass remain
was
for neither
other time.
to the
with, until
it
Ninety-four
will. still
and
letting
One single vote Mass now nor at any
end of the Diet.
doing away with the
Twenty-one members of the Council were not
present.' '
On
that
same day
was announced by
this decision of the
Grand Council
writing to the Imperial Government,
with the statement appended to the despatch, "
that,
accord-
ing to the laws of the city, the Council could
now
take no
steps in a contrary direction 1
The
fifteen *
*
Grand
city
was divided
Schoffen''
Council.'
or
therefore
it
was best
each guild had to elect ; These three hundred constituted the
important occasions the Magistrate called
and the decision of these three hundred 'Schoffen' of the citizens was always final.
together,
to accept
into twenty guilds
Sheriffs.
On
;
in the
it
name
The Fugitives. the decision favourably, since in
was
different Chapters
The
passed by the Grand Council.
was appended
letter,
and
by members
:
—
"
following intimation
Their revenues were to remain undimi-
but as concerned the present ordering of Divine
worship, on
that
point
several
matters with the magistrate. (Reminiscere),
the
decree was publicly the
city-
same day,
that
deputed for the purpose, with the resolution
of Council
j
On
was made acquainted by a
Canons of the four
nished
other matters the
Emperor's disposal."
entirely at the
likewise, the Bishop
the
all
21
Roman
21st
of
of them
On
should
discuss
the following
Sunday
February,
made known, and
the
above-named
so the abolition of
Catholic worship in Strasburg and
its
territory
was solemnly carried through, and the Reformation had so far gained its immediate object.'" ^ 1
370.
See Rohrich's History of the Reformation in Alsace,
vol.
i.
pp. 369,
TZ
S PI
I.
SOMETHING FURTHER FROM THE OLD CHRONICLE OF MiiHLHAUSEN.
God remembered
'
Three men,
Gen.
Noah.'
viii.
i.
Oswald von
the old and venerable town-clerk
Gamsharst, Father Bernard Romer, and the pastor Johannes Hofer, were
sitting,
one
fine
front of the Augustinian
summer
Convent,
regarding the great questions and
place,
the
sat
pastor's
little
deep
in
conversation
momentous events of
Near them, under the great
time.
evening, on a bench in
lime-tree
the
on the market-
daughter Idelette, then two
years old, no less engrossed with the enjoyment of her
Beside the
supper.
dog of the
'
spitz
'
little
one lay crouched a
breed, whose appearance told of days of
dearth, for, as the proverb says, his eyes tail
that
;'
it
fell,
*
hunger stared
looked up so lovingly
so beseechingly, that
Little Letty,
it
lean, black
at
at the child,
you from
wagged
its
and so eagerly devoured every crumb
would have melted a very heart of stone.
however,
who had never suffered hunger, and dumb language of the poor beast,
could not understand the
pushed away the nose of determined
effort to
this intrusive beggar,
and
in
her
snub him, dropped her piece of bread.
219
Spitzi.
The dog caught ^
Spitzi,
it
and
ate
ravenously,
it
upon which the
juraped up angrily and began to cry, exclaiming,
little girl
you naughty
!
Spitzi
stamping with her
'
little feet,
and striking the creature's black, rough, matted back with her clenched
The
fist.
dog, however, never stirred, but
continued imperturbable in the enjoyment of '
Why
poor
are you crying so,
Spitzi
little
issued from the
German
The
at that
moment
Court, bringing a basket of straw-
and
his aunt Theresa, fresh
where he had gathered them
forest of the Hart,
with his father.
repast.
its
and what harm has
done you?' asked Hansli, who
berries for his uncle the pastor
from the
Letty,
screams had also attracted
child's
the said pastor and his spouse in hot haste.
But now a rough, screeching voice was heard calling from Finninger the wheelwright's workshop, across the road, '
Spitzi, Spitzi,
come
thou devilish beast, or
hither,
.'
.
.
here followed a vile oath. 'Alas and alack-a-day
exclaimed Hans, 'that
!'
wicked Mike Finninger; he to death
up
!'
in her
The boy ran
will certainly
to Theresa,
arms and was endeavouring
however, cowered
down
terrified,
A
behind the minister, as stripling,
tall
some
if
beat poor Spitzi
who had taken Letty to soothe her.
dropped the
out of his mouth, and crept trembling, his legs,
years
Spitzi,
bit of
tail
old,
and
manner, to
%
'
'
He
What
his lips,
and asked,
his aid.
now came
forward under the old lime-tree, with a thick rope
hand and an oath on
bread
between
to implore protection
sixteen
the
is
in his
in a rude, coarse
corner the black vermin had crawled away
caught the whining creature, kicked
it
along,
and
220
SpitzL
threw the rope round
ears to take
its
butchers for execution,
because of
it,
as
he
said, to the
being mad,
its
and
having, that very morning, bitten his sister Agnes.
Yes,
*
it
— because,
here under this lime-tree, she pricked
in the ears with a large needle
saw
it
myself, for I
dread of the
spiteful lad
the blood flowed
till
was present
!
I
stormed out Hans, his
!'
overcome by
dumb
his pity for the
victim of his persecutions. *
That dog is not mad,'
as he spoke, a
holding
it
Hofer
said Pastor
seriously, taking,
cup of water which stood on the bench, and
The
to the trembling animal.
creature eyed
it
eagerly, licked his hand, and then obediently emptied the
cup
to
its last
that there
pastor.
"
Now, you
*
are yourself witness, Mike,
nothing he looks less Hke than being mad,
is
when he has '
drop.
down
so gladly gulped
The
righteous
are told in God's holy
man
word
;
is
that water
!'
said the
merciful to his beast,"
we
but you and your brothers and
constantly plaguing poor Spitzi after a most un-
sisters are
godly fashion, so that often before
now
I
have
felt
boiling
with indignation, and almost called on to use the
well-
merited rod of correction.'
Michael grew crimson with rage, and impudently retorted, *
The dog belongs
with
it'
He
to
me, and
straightway
Lutheran heretics and
meddhng
I
am
free to
do
as I choose
to indulging in abuse of the
their preachers,
'who were always
with matters that did not concern them, and
ought, one at the
fell
and
same
all,
to
be burnt on the
time, the rope he
had fastened round
neck, and preparing to drag off
who
scaffold,' tightening,
Spitzi's
the poor animal, when
221
Spitzi.
Oswald von Gamsharst rose from
his seat
and barred the
way, asking him in a stern tone, as he pointed to the order of the authorities that was stuck up on the church-door, '
Michael Finninger, canst thou read V
On
meeting the glance of the severe town-clerk,
good honoured and the
evil
whom
the
dreaded, the bold and worth-
youth turned pale, drew back rebuked, and muttered
less
between
his teeth
clerk continued,
have
'
some reply inaudible
to
The town-
all.
In this mandate the Christian authorities
strictly prohibited,
under pain of severe punishment,
the abuse of preacliers of the everlasting gospel by dubbing
them
" Lutheran heretics," as well as the uttering of blas-
phemous oaths and
guilty in both points,
ing,
and with
just
whom
who
to your father,
is
been
penalty,
responsible
I shall settle the matter.'
So
say-
he took the much disconcerted Michael by the hand,
and led him
Meantime poor
you have
as
and have thus incurred the
you must come with me for you,
Now,
curses.
to Finninger's house, across the road.
the rest of the party took compassion
ill-used dog.
on the
Pastor Hofer loosed the string round
neck, and kindly stroked
its
piece of bread, with which
Hans
fed
it
its
Theresa fetched a
lean back.
little
;
Letty, who,
with the happy inconsistency of childhood,
had speedily
forgotten both anger and fright, caressed
tenderly,
while she was repeating her
call, 'Spitzi,
Father Bernard gravely exclaimed,
poor animal
free
from
'
it
and
poor, poor Spitzi
If only
we could
!'
set the
the clutches of those Finningers
!
After what has occurred, they will vent their fury on Spitzi,
and
treat
it
more
cruelly than ever
!'
222
Spitzi.
At length Oswald von Gamsharst a look of annoyance, that ality
is
What
is
They
the wind with a
full
Master John,
for I
self-will
and defiance
are both assuredly sowing to
hand, and soon they must reap the
was driven
I
and sensu-
idleness, pride,
sowing the seeds of
in his children's hearts.
whirlwind.
returned, saying with
a houseful of unruly children
The mother promotes
!
the father
;
'
poaching on your preserves,
to
preached a sermon to them contain-
ing a sharp rebuke, such as they will never either forget or forgive
!
Besides which, instead of demanding payment of
the fine due by Mike, I required that the poor dog should
be it
set at liberty, for otherwise
Hansli is
Take
death.
to
— there
faithful,
it
and a
will
they Avould have tormented
with you
it
be out of
capital watch,
Hans was to follow
the
sight of
and
render good service to your father the Hart and the surrounding
to
its
German Farm, tormentors
in these evil
in his
;
it
may
days
wanderings through
district.'
overjoyed, and coaxed the dog most caressingly
him
at once.
Spitzi,
however, always slipped
through his fingers when apparently caught, lay down at Pastor John's
him is
feet,
fawning on him, and attaching
most decided manner, as
in the
whom I wish my life long
the master
faithful all
to repel the
And
!
'
to serve, '
Who
if it
would
and to
whom
*
This
I will
be
could have had the heart
poor beast?' as Theresa afterwards remarked.
in the quiet family circle into
whose home
which
it
Pastor
was welcomed,
was then in the Augustinian Convent, Spitzi
did from that time right honourably earn
When
itself to
say,
John Hofer, who,
its
daily bread.
as senior chaplain of St.
223
Spitzi.
Stephen's church at Obersteinbrunn, had to go there to con-
duct service and to preach, took up his pilgrim's staff in the fulfilment of his pastoral duties, Spitzi, to the great reHef
and consolation of the devoted Theresa, never In the convent and before
accompany him.
failed to
door,
its
Spitzi
was Letty's playmate, and took tender care of
When
Father Bernard,
who
her.
lived with his adopted children
John and Theresa, happened to fall asleep in his easychair, Spitzi kept watch before the door, and when the dog was seen stranger
to lie
appeared,
were wont to
Bernard
still
is
now
Meantime continued
say,
far
there and not to bark or growl
the '
familiars
of the
home
minister's
Hush, hush, make no
any
if
noise, for Father
taking his noon-day nap.'
the relations with the family of the Finningers
from amicable
open
:
hostilities
they did not
indeed venture upon towards the inhabitants of the convent,
because the town-clerk and
all
the worshipful magistrates
were ever ready to back the pastor and his family.
Spitzi
likewise they were forced to leave unmolested, for
if
wicked Finninger boys
showed
them
its
^
approached
sharp,
white teeth,
moreover, barking violently when
often,
distance, so that even Pastor John,
nod
it
impHcitly
Nevertheless, bad
^
too near,
obeyed,
had
it
growling it
angrily,
saw them
whose
difficulty in
least
the
once
at
at a
beck or
pacifying
it.
neighbours these Finningers ever continued
There were three
Matthew, and Jacob, who in later to the two insolent ; Elsie the old Swiss proverb was too applicable,
sons, Michael,
years brought untold misery on their native town
and voluptuous sisters is as bad as Agnes.'
—
*
224
Spitzi.
to be
ingenious in devising spiteful bits of mischief, calum-
;
and cunning
nies,
tricks, all
which were unavailing to break
the public peace, because the inmates of the convent bore
with patience and Christian love.
all
For
in our
republic, as elsewhere, the gospel had borne blessed
and many a home, besides witnessed tranquil lives service.
In
St.
that of the Augustinian convent,
of piety, devoted to the Lord's
Stephen's Church, Augustine
old friend of the
St.
—
Jacob Augsburger,
little
fruit,
Kramer
(our
Stephen's Tower), Otto Binder, and in
the
Church of the Augustinians,
Father Bernard and John Hofer alternately expounded
God's holy word, and when, in the evening, these astical leaders
ecclesi-
assembled under the great lime-tree, the
burghers likewise gathered in the square of the Augustinians,
and
and listened devoutly to the beautiful
to the unctional prayer which, at
curfew-bell,
spiritual songs,
the tolling of the
one of the clergy was wont to
offer
up before
they dispersed.
'The Archduke, now King Ferdinand, was a zealous " Evangelicals
persecutor of the
reformed
faith)
counsellors
when
in
all
his
"
(or
like-minded with himself. of Miihlhausen gave
the people
adherents of the
dominions, and had moreover
to the gospel cause, the Ensisheim
For
this
in their
reason,
adhesion
Government sought
to
plague and persecute them in every way, both from old hereditary
we
hatred
and from the change of
read in Peter's Chronicle of the
book
vi. p.
291.
creed.'
So
Town of Miihlhausen^
Accordingly, within a short time a chaplain
Spitzi, in the to^vn,
who had preached
225
the gospel in Brunnstatt, and
Link, minister of Illzach, Johannes Hofer's most intimate friend, were surreptitiously
taken prisoners and executed sum-
marily at Ensisheim, which excited great terror,
ill-will
and
distress in the town.
Theresa
beloved John, and
powerless to quell the gloomy forebod-
felt
in particular
trembled for her
ing within her that he too would meet a similar death. she told her complaint and as she
prayer,
had learned
him back from
do of old from her pious
to
duty,
to
unman
and
xiv. 7, 8),
her husband, nor
know
well did she
full
that 'none of us liveth unto himself,'
Lord' (Rom.
But
her fears to the Lord in silent
She did not wish
grandmother. to hold
all
.
.
.
but 'unto the
every one of His people living and
dying for His service, that
is
for his brethren's
good.
In those days, however, a sultry oppressive atmosphere
overhung our poor tyrant-ridden town. citizens,
for
Almost
even Burgomaster and Council, had
lost
all
her
courage
not only were they surrounded and persecuted by a
powerful Austrian Government, but also the dear Confederates of Switzerland, to this extremity,
hoping
for protection
had taken part against Zurich,
had refused
whom men had
us,
and with the
to mediate
naturally turned in
and succour from them, solitary exception of
on our behalf
The
twelve
cantons sent four deputies, from Uri, Unterwalden, Freiburg
and Solothurn, that,
'
heresy,
in case
to Miihlhausen, with the express
command new
Miihlhausen consented to recant the
they were to spare neither
expense nor pains to
obtain justice for the tov/n at the hands of Austria, even
though they might
peril their lives thereby.
p
On
the other
226
Spitzi.
hand, in case the
refused to depart from the opinions
to^^-n
of Luther and Zwingle, the ambassadors were instructed
home
forthwith to ride
again, leaving Miihlhausen to her
fate.'
This message, as already remarked, spread great consternation and anxiet}- both ties,
among
and the
the citizens
and the majority were disposed
authori-
But
to yield.
in this
storm, as in'former ones, the venerable town-clerk, Gamsharst,
stood firm as a rock amid the surging billows
:
supported by
the devout ministers, he succeeded, with God's help, in raising the crushed spirits and re-animating the faith and courage of our forefathers. cil,
After long and stormy debates in Coun-
the following answer was communicated to the Con-
federate ambassadors, both verbally
and
in writing
*
:
The
people of Miihlhausen had abrogated nothing essentially
They had only done away
Christian in Divine worship.
with unchristian abuses. in the
Almighty
Their hope and comfort were only
God and His
everlasting
Son Jesus
Christ,
our alone Saviour and Mediator, whose holy word, according to both Testaments, they caused to be preached
them without any human
additions.
And
They were
w'ERE RESOLVED TO PERSEVERE.
among they
in all this
willing to
com-
ply with the wishes of their well-beloved allies and lords in all
things possible
glor}^
of
God and
;
this
matter,
they could by no means change tian reply.' '
however, concerned the
the salvation of their souls
;
wherefore
anything in this their Chris-
^
Peter's Chronicle of the Towti of Miihlhausen, vol.
Peter here remarks that
'
\\.
pp. 296-301.
he gives the instructions of the Confederate
227
Spitzi.
When on and
the following day, after the feast of
St.
who had been
Paul, the four ambassadors,
St.
Peter enter-
tained in the best style and loaded with marks of honour,
rode off homewards, their countenances gloomy and
sinister-
then indeed our devout forefathers realized that
looking, '
here vve walk by
'
through
much
(2 Cor. V. 7
;
not by
faith,
sight,'
tribulation enter into the
Acts
and that we must
kingdom of God
xiv. 22).
Weary and unstrung did Pastor John return home on same evening with Father Bernard. The negotiations had been long and stormy, and only after a sharp contest that
had the
victory,
by God's
grace,
And now,
been nobly won.
the pastor was, early next morning, to go to Oberstein-
brunn, and there, as his duty required, to conduct Divine
being the Lord's day.
worship,
it
Theresa
for the
first
'
Oh
!
do not go
!'
pleaded
time, and pouring out her whole soul,
she added as her reason for this unwonted entreaty, the
assurance that
knew
to
truly she
trembled for his
what danger he exposed
proclaim the gospel on Austrian territory.
him St.
that,
life,
himself, if
and well
he dared to
She reminded
during the negotiations in the Town-house and in
Stephen's Church, the youngsters of the Finninger family
and
their
Square,
comrades' had been rioting about
St.
Augustine's
throwing stones at the convent, launching forth
threats against the pastor,
and singing
in derision
ambassadors, and the reply of the town, Tcrbatifn, that the gospel simplicity and steadfastness of our pious ancestors, the anxiety, persecutions
and
distress thereby entailed
on them, and notwithstanding all may be the more clearly
these, their continued marvellous perseverance,
seen and traced to their origin.'
228
Spitzi. '
Oh woe woe !
woe
!
Hofer must now To the gallows go
!
!
While, since the departure of the ambassadors, they had, in
common
with
By way Bible
;
and
the evil-disposed, indulged in loud
all
triumphant rejoicings
at the
oppressed state of the town.
of answer the pastor silently opened Idelette's
with clasped hands he uttered a short prayer, and
then slowly and devoutly he read these words
:
'
He
saith
unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
me %
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third
time, Lovest thou
knowest saith
thee,
all
me
things
;
And he
%
thou knowest that
my
unto him, Feed
sheep.
I
love thee.
Verily, verily, I
when thou wast young, thou
walkedst whither thou wouldest old,
said unto him, Lord, thou
:
but
girdedst
Jesus
say unto
and
thyself,
when thou
shalt
be
thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall
gird thee,
and carry thee whither thou wouldest
not.
This
spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.
And when he had spoken me' (John
this,
he
saith
Follow
xxi. 17-19).
Thereupon the man of God, folding said,
unto him,
deeply
moved
the death of
St.
—
'
An
his wife in his arms,
ancient legend relates concerning
Peter, that,
guided by the brethren, he
escaped from Rome, because the Emperor had that he should be put to death.
commanded
After the brethren had
him, and the apostle was going on his
way
left
alOne, a light
suddenly appeared around him, and he saw the Lord pass by.
" Lord, whither goest thou ?" cried Peter,
and he
fell
229
Spitzi.
upon
Then the Lord turned go unto Rome, there to be
his knees.
and said — "
I
low THOU ME
!"
Dear Theresa, Peter
a beloved and cherished wife
;
also
Lord
the '
Dost thou now wish that
—should not feed His sheep
No oh no, John !
Theresa with
tears,
!
and she
down
and
hands on
at his
I
Rome
he suffered
should not follow
?'
!
'
exclaimed
head on her husband's
bitterly.
After that both knelt
and Father Bernard, who
heads and blessed them in the name of
following morning, in the stillness of the Sabbath
and children
to
his heart,
commended
his wife
himself and them
mercy and protection of God, and then, with
as his faithful
him
that he too
fulfil
his duties, although
not.
this life long, dark,
in
an inner voice
would soon be girded by another man
and led whither he would There are
Spitzi
companion, he started on the road to Ober-
steinbrunn, there to told
God
Holy Ghost.
dawn. Pastor John rose from his couch, pressed
to the
Fol-
home
silent witness of this affecting scene, laid his
their
the Father, the Son, and the
The
had
laid her
to pray together in silence,
had been a
disciple,
crucified.
the Lord's will be mine
let
shoulder, and wept long
His
and yet he turned round on
the spot and followed his Lord, and in
martyrdom.
to
dreary days, in which a
black cloud hangs lowering over our heads, and an indescribable anxiety weighs
of Alp on Alp
:
down
the spirit as with the burden
time creeps on heavily
;
everything around
us seems pervaded with an element of leaden weight.
Such
a long and heavy day did that Sunday prove to our friend Theresa.
After she had set
all in
order at home, had wept
SpitzL
230
out her pent-up flood of tears in the church, and had be-
sought the Lord to grant help and comfort, she went to the
German Farm, where her brother Frank, his Jacobea, and old Andrew received her warmly, and closed round her in a They too, however, were restless, and full circle of love. While Theresa sought to
of uneasiness and apprehension.
hush the
risings of her troubled heart
aged Andrew, Frank
by converse with the
to the Augustinian Convent, to see whether Pastor
When at length
had not yet returned. deepened into
night,
then
silently crept out, first to the gate,
John had
evening's shades
and the long-expected one had not yet
became
arrived, the uneasiness
general,
—messengers
were
despatched to inquire, and the most conflicting rumours
were spread abroad.
The
night was
singularly dark
and soon a violent storm
;
the sky was overcast,
Wind and
arose.
rain raged furi-
ously against the round panes of the Augustinian Convent, in
whose ancient refectory for united prayer.
and
harst,
all
the waiting ones
were perpetually coming and going.
his scouts
Suddenly Hansli, who
had stood without
— threw open the door, with these words, but without
my
had assembled
In that circle was Oswald von Gams-
uncle
! '
Instantly the
'
dog dashed
men by
Too place
to
be up and doing, to
into the
It
rushed
their trousers,
then hurried back to the door, as though
mon them
a watch,
Spitzi has arrived,
room, dripping, foaming, howling and wailing.
from one to another, pulled the
as
it
meant
to
and
sum-
sally forth to the rescue.
evidently the dreaded misfortune had actually taken j
but
how and where
?
On
these points truly poor
Spitzi. Spitzi could give
no
231
At
intelligence.
this
moment
of sus-
pense the malicious face of Michael Finninger was seen peeping round the edge of the open door, like an
evil spirit,
chuckling with diabolical glee, he cried out,
They have
as,
him
He
!
'
'
then vanished as swiftly as he had come, pur-
sued by the enraged difficulty
—
succeeded
Spitzi,
whom Frank
with the greatest
in catching.
But now came back the mounted town-messenger sent out by Herr von Gamsharst to Obersteinbrunn, bringing the following intelligence
:
— Pastor
John had,
ducted morning service, and preached, visits
among
his
round of
the sick and from house to house, and then,
accompanied by the old his
as usual, con-
made
way homeward
forester Vincent,
he had gone on
on the road he had been seized by
:
Austrian soldiers, and taken captive to the safe stronghold, of Brunnstatt.
the Castle
The whole
village
of Ober-
steinbrunn was roused to the utmost pitch of excitement
and consternation
indeed,
;
the
enemy could not have
hazarded taking the parson prisoner place
itself,
which would
infallibly
in the
midst of the
have provoked the rising
of the peasantry, Pastor John being universally beloved and revered, not only
on account of
his present preaching
care of the spiritual interests of the flock, but also
and
by reason
of the benefits conferred by him on his parishioners during the Peasants' War,
during which
all
found
in
coimsel and consolation, in every case where
him
help,
human
aid
could be afforded. '
If
cannot
he set
is
imprisoned in the Castle of Brunnstatt we
him
free
!
'
exclaimed Oswald von Gamsharst with
232
Spitzi.
a deep sigh, 'for long before
we could penetrate
thither
and
to present our complaints in the right quarter,
to set
agoing negotiations, they would already have executed him
We know
Government makes of the ters '
trial
of our Evangelical minis-
!
He
not in the Castle of Brunnstatt
is
the forester,
who had
yet,'
chair.
'
They want
Ensisheim through bypaths, to avoid the
therefore, ye
men, up and hasten with a
quickly as possible
They must
!
with God's help you
may
how he had
to take
villages.
flag to the
and
him
Up
Hart as
pass through the forest, and
succeed in liberating the good
pastor from the grasp of his executioners to relate
said Vincent
just entered, thoroughly drenched,
had sunk exhausted on a to
!
by experience what short work the Ensisheim
!'
He
proceeded
escorted Pastor John, they too avail-
ing themselves of bypaths which he had formerly pointed
out to him for safety's sake, but which unfortunately Michael
Finninger had spied, he having that day followed the of
God
afar
off,
man
and thus gained the power of leading the
Austrians to form an ambuscade, from which they rushed
out to seize the pastor, bind him with his face downwards
on a horse, and then hasten Spitzi,
whom
death, took to his master,
and
off with their victim. ^
the soldiery were flight,
after vainly
seeking also to put to
endeavouring to defend
he, Vincent, concealed himself in the thicket,
'Johannes Hofer, senior chaplain of the town, and incumbent of the parish of Obersteinbrunn, they waylaid while engaged in fulfilling his duty as a minister appointed to proclaim God's word ; they seized him forcibly, threw a noose round him, and bound him on horseback to ^
carry
him away
prisoner.'
— Peter's Chronicle,
vol. vi. p. 295.
Spitzi.
and there overheard
233
their decision regarding the
which they should carry away
road by
their prisoner.
With the circumspection and quiet presence of mind for which he was so remarkable, Oswald von Gamsharst immediately took
all
the steps necessary for hasting to the rescue
of the captive minister.
To
drive off silently with his
woodman's cart
escape
Frank was to
notice,
all
to the forest of the
Herr von Gamsharst and several armed men were
Hart.
him
to ride with
in
the cart
;
armed and
several others,
forming no inconsiderable force, were to ride out after them
by separate paths
:
they were to effect a junction at the
forester's hut in the Hart,
self
was
to direct the
from whence the town-clerk himIn the town mean-
whole expedition.
while the walls were to be garrisoned, a strong guard was to
be
set to
watch the house of the Finningers and other
sus-
picious parties, and the sentries at the gates were to be strictly
enjoined not to allow any one to pass in or out
was not provided with the pass-word, so,'
—
'
God for
us.'
'
who
And
exclaimed Herr von Gamsharst with enthusiasm, as he
grasped Theresa's hand for a paternal farewell,
'
and so
let
us go forth in God's name, with His almighty aid, and in
His strength only Theresa,
!'
who had
sat there motionless
and deadly pale
like a marble statue, since the dreadful tidings
had been
brought, rose quickly as he uttered these words, and said, '
Take
Spitzi with you,
noble friend
!
He
can,
than any guide, lead you to his master's track
Lord guide and protect you '
Well said
!
and
I
too
all
;
more
safely
and may the
!'
may go
with you
! '
cried Hansli,
234
Spitzi.
as, suiting
single
the action to the word, he leapt with the dog at a
bound, into the
cart,
which had already stood some
Oswald von Gams-
time waiting before the convent gate. harst was inclined to refuse the
boy admission, but Frank
urged him to take him, pleading that he was acquainted with every
and
path and track in the
little
and that he
forest,
perhaps render the most effectual service
Spitzi could
by spying out the road along which the prisoner was carried through the Hart.
mounted
forester
solemn
the cart also,
lightning and
flashing
pouring
silence, yet strong
to
be
Father Bernard and Vincent the
and amid
rolling thunder,
they
rain,
all
and of good courage,
started
in
trusting in
who is mighty to help and to deliver. men were off, and Theresa remained refector}^ she sank down on her knees, with
the Lord
When the
the
alone in
clasped
hands, words failing her altogether, and tears refusing to flow for the assuaging of her grief
knows how
But the Lord, who well
His children, sent
to
poor Theresa an angel of consolation to strengthen her
in
to interpret the silence of
this the Gethsemane season of her soul. sister to the
Margaret Blaurer,
Reformer of Constance, Ambrose Blaurer, was
passing through Miihlhausen on her journey to intimate friend Bucer hart's hospitable
\
had spent a few days
visit
in
her most
Von Gams-
home, and was enjoying the prospect of
bearing to the Christians of Strasburg the tidings of the
and Christian courage of their Miihlhausen Having heard what had occurred, and watched
steadfastness
brethren.
the departure of the men, she betook her to the refectory,
and there
softly
and
quietly, like a
messenger from heaven,
Spitzi.
she advanced towards Theresa,
whom
235 Like the Lord and Master
she served, Margaret Blaurer had
made
it
the object
of her hfe^ to comfort the suffering, to nurse the sick, and to pray beside the dying.
Her
hearty, loving
sympathy
proved unspeakably soothing to Theresa, and when the bell of the Augustinian Convent tolled to call people to united
prayer on behalf of Pastor John, even Theresa was able, leaning on Margaret's arm, to go up to the house of God.
Pastor Otto Binder was already in the pulpit, and as he
saw the two
women
enter,
he was involuntarily led to begin,
with tones of deep emotion, Luther's beautiful
on the 130th Psalm '
hymn founded
:
From depths of woe I raise The voice of lamentation
to thee ;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me,
And
hear
my
supplication
!
which the whole congregation forthwith most heartily
in
joined.
The
silence,
broken only by poor Theresa's sobs.
singingof the
first
verse was succeeded by a deep
make no
Otto Binder
also wept,
and had
command
himself sufficiently to speak to the people, for
to
to
small effort before he could
him Pastor John was inexpressibly
interval
of recollectedness,
dear.
During that
Margaret Blaurer sang with
her clear, silvery voice, which sounded like a note of comfort
wafted straight from heaven and vibrating in every
heart During the awful ravages of the plague at Constance, Margaret among the sick, and succoured many in their dying struggles. She was accordingly regarded by the people as a guardian angel, and beloved and venerated to the utmost. ^
Blaurer was continually
236
Spitzi,
What though I wait the livelong Until the dawn appeareth,
'
My heart It
still
When
;
the Israelite in heart,
let
Bom And
his eye
trusteth in His might,
doubteth not nor feareth
So
night
of the Spirit, do his part,
wait
God
till
appeareth.'
Otto Binder opened the Bible, these words met
—
And God remembered Noah'
'
(Gen.
viii. i).
'The Lord remembers
touched his heart.
They
likewise our
imprisoned Pastor John, and our poor oppressed town, which,
on the face of the great Flood, help-
like the solitary ark less
and surrounded by powerful and threatening enemies,
floats
on
in
danger and
distress,'
—thus
God
this faithful servant of
church of
St.
and
also address the mournful
company gathered on
trembling
whispered an inner In similar tones did
voice in tones of sweet consolation.
that eventful night in the
And when
Augustine.
in
conclusion
all
united in prayer, and intercessions for the prisoner of the
Lord arose from every up, the
heart, the skies
had already cleared
ominous thunderclouds had passed away, and the
down
morning-star looked
windows In the
clear
and bright through the
in the lofty vaulted roof of the little church. forester's
hut in the depths of the wood, the
had meantime awaited storm, and streaks of
when
at
in anxious suspense the last
its
fury
dawn were beginning
to
men
end of the
had subsided, and the redden the eastern sky,
they sought earnestly to devise the most successful plans for the liberation of the pastor.
by the name of the
'
High
The
Hart, then
known
also
Forest,' extended at that time
Spitzi.
beyond the town lands heim
to very near the village of
several paths led through
;
237 Moden-
Ensisheim road,
to the
it
a few through the Miihlhausen territory, others through that
No
belonging to Austria, towards Sauersheim. ever, could
convey
know by which of these
their prisoner.
roads the soldiers would
was therefore resolved that the
It
armed townsmen should
one, how-
lie
in
ambush
detachments
in
through the thicket, while Vincent the forester, Frank and Hansli, traversed the forest in a different direction, taking Spitzi
them, in the hope that he would with the
with
greatest security lead
and behold, on
them
their looking
round
covered, to the consternation of
all,
for the dog,
that
it
and no one knew what had become of our part
name of our God, and The Lord can lead you
the
let us, in !
without the dog
and
said
!'
spirit well fitted to
But
to his master's track. it
was
lo
dis-
had disappeared, it
' !
Well
!
then
with good courage, do to the right path
even
Oswald von Gamsharst with a tone
And
cheer them on.
so they parted,
hastening each to his appointed post.
Let us now turn from them to the poor captive pastor,
whom '
'
Austrian troopers,'
the
violently
bound on a
as
the
Chronicle has
horse, his face downwards,
it,
and led
War the
Miihlhausen men, and
Pastor John in particular, had been
uncommonly beloved
away.'
among
As
since the Peasants'
the country-folk, the troopers had received instruc-
tions to
convey
their prisoner through the
deep recesses
of the wood, avoiding the villages, lest any rising should take place
made
among
to set
him
the inhabitants, free.
At
nightfall,
and any attempt be however, they were
Spitzi.
238
overtaken by the storm, and obliged to seek shelter from the wind and rain in a charcoal-burner's hut, being unable to pursue their
way
gathered round the
bound
They
men were
learned to
know
shall gird thee,
God
and being
;
in those days
wont
be
to
treatment of prisoners, they abandoned him to the
Then indeed
fury of the elements.
not.'
on which the
the horse
left
outside, fastened to a tree
rough and inhuman, as in their
soldiers
which the mistress of the hovel had
kindled on her hearth. prisoner was
The
in the thick darkness.
fire
He
was
and
uprightly
;
but he
unhappy victim
;
'
shall carry thee whither
truly a
in all things
the
the force of these words,
Another
thou wouldest
devout man, resigned to the
he loved
felt at
his Saviour with his
the
same time
man
that he
of
will
whole heart
had a human,
a sinful heart within, that trembled at the thought of death as the penalty of sin.
moment
of death, entreating
and
Then, from the very depth,
in his
of extremity, did he cry to his Lord, the Conqueror
for grace to
Him
for increased faith, for consolation,
overcome the
fear of death,
and
that he
might be enabled, amid the pains of martyrdom that awaited
And
him, to praise the Lord even to his latest breath. as he lay thus
bound, the thunders rolled and crashed over-
head, the lightnings enveloped him in a glare of
light,
torrents of rain
poured upon him.
an
shrinking at the voice of the Lord, as
instinctive
Then, awe-struck, he
and felt if
a
foreboding of the terrors of judgment seized him, and in his
inward conflict with fear and faint-heartedness he could only ejaculate with a sigh, 'Lord, have
the intercessory prayers,
then
mercy upon me
rising
in
!'
But
the Augustinian
Spitzi.
239
church on his behalf from the hearts of Theresa and the
The
brethren, were not in vain.
wind and
rain ceased,
thunder were hushed, and in the tempest-darkened heart of
man
the
of
God
All grew
the day-star arose.
sprung up in his soul, he breathed more relieved, as if
of anguish. It
was
The
!
as
and caress
it
felt
among the
faithful Spitzi leapt out
and, as the old Chronicle relates, lick
light
an angel had taken from him the deadly load
Presently he heard a stirring
Spitzi
—
and
still,
freely,
'
How much
of the thicket,
immediately began to
master's face, hanging
its
stood below.'
bushes.
down towards
it
good did these love-tokens
of the faithful animal do to the suffering pastor
!
my good
moistened
Spitzi
said he tenderly, the tears that
!'
him
his eyes at this glad surprise bringing
relief,
canine friend quickly responding by ardent after his
own
fashion, to inspire
to the threshold,
in the
and the
endeavours,
him, and repeatedly
to
licking either his face or his fast-bound hands.
who
Spitzi,
him with hope and comfort,
never wearying of springing up
coal-burner's wife,
'
The
char-
glimmering dawn had stepped
saw the black creature hovering round the
captive pastor, and instantly retreating within the hut, crossing herself, she terror,
*
May God
came
to the soldiers
have mercy on us
shape of a black monster,
is
that parson prisoner of yours '
his
It
!
!'
said
in
the Evil One, in the
performing his pranks about !'
must be that black beast that always follows him
shadow
and
and exclaimed
one of the troopers.
like
'Gladly would I
yesterday have earned the reward which Finninger's youngster
Mike promised me
if
I could strike the accursed
animal
240
Spitzi.
But
death-blow.
its
and assuredly
fiend incarnate, for
my
Let us see
*
now
me
in the calf of the leg,
at
it,
a
very-
and
tore
devil,
!'
if
said another.
!'
never could contrive to get
bit
it
trousers besides
reward
I
must be possessed of the
it
we cannot massacre it and earn the When, however, they issued forth
from the hovel, Spitzi had slipped away, darted
like light-
ning into the thicket and vanished, leaving not a trace behind.
It
*
must have been the Evil One himself!' said
the charcoal-burner's wife, again
moved
soldiers
off with
black dog having shown
unwelcome news good grounds, struck off folk
to those
men,
for they feared, not without
that tidings of the road
men
victim yet
The
their being
leader gave the word of
command
to
case of a surprise
once
'
;
for,'
added
bring him alive to Ensisheim, they
he, will
'
even
be
if
satis-
know we have stopped
his mouth for ever from As Pastor John heard these words, he comsoul in faith to his God and Saviour.
fied if they
mitted his
in
tightly,
on which he
unable to hold their ground, they should
his death-blow at
preaching.'
to set their
more
in the centre of the troop the horse
lay strapped.
we cannot
Hart
resolved to exercise the
:
him
by which they had
into the
They consequently they bound the caution
the soldiers surrounding him, that,
give
the
had reached the town, and that the Miihlhausen
and placed
and of
The
as
fact of this
once more was truly most
free.
greatest
herself,
itself
might have sent armed
pastor
crossing
their captive.
Resplendent and victorious over night with horrors did the sun
now
rise in the clear
all
her dark
azure sky.
The
241
Spitzi.
storm had purified the
wondrous beauty. trees
and the morning burst
air,
The
birds on
httle
forth with
the bright green
were busily shaking and trimming their plumage
the rain, singing their
greeting to one another
on the
the crystal drops were glistening
;
leaves, the forest flowers
diamonds
in
and the tender mosses,
wafted up to heaven from the monarchs of the freshed after the tempest,
— sweet
forest, re-
as the savour of praise
and thanksgiving ascending from a devout heart
after
For some time the long convoy rnoved forward
in the
In some places, however, the rains
had flooded the paths and made them impassable. were obliged to
soldiers
strike
ought to
lofty
to
unknown
they halted to confer, the matter of chief
turn,
boy
diligently
bushes. is
to set foot
When
the town.
'
to
which side they
importance for them being to remain on Austrian
and never
their
open
in a free,
beeches, and
As they were ignorant
before.
The
into bypaths with
and suddenly found themselves
overshadowed by
space,
them
has
it
in silent prayer.
best possible order.
prisoner,
like
and a balmy fragrance was
the sunbeams,
been exercised
after
morning hymn, or chirping a friendly
on ground subject to the jurisdiction of
they looked around they observed a small
engaged
Hey
!
territory,
in gathering strawberries
among
youngster,' the soldiers cried to him,
'
the
which
the road to Sauersheim V '
I
have always heard,' replied he,
thither lies through '
tell
way
that the best
Modenheim.'
But we do not wish
you not
'
to pass through
Modenheim.
us where the Miihlhausen territory begins
Q
Can ?'
242 *
Spitzi.
At the boundary-stones
'
And where may
'
There,
—
there,
for yourselves
That the
good
[Baimsteineti).
these be
— over
you are
;
'
soldiers
V
You must am
there.
!'
had already entered the town-lands, a
quarter of a mile from the
headed Hansli knew
Bannsteinen,' sly long-
'
And when
full well.
drawn
up, the soldiers having
was broken
seek them out
than I
all taller
the long cortege off to the side to
which he had pointed, and the horse on which the prisoner
was bound being no longer surrounded by the murderous band, he sprang forward like lightning to the pastor, and whispered, set
Be of good
'
you free!
faithful
See,
cheer, uncle
there
;
they are coming to
already!'
Spitzi
is
dog rushed foaming out of the
thicket,
and
as the
and wdth one
bound darted forward and was up on horseback, prepared to defend his master, Hansli ran in among the bushes, and cried with
all
God for
/'
*
that
us
his might,
^
resounded on
the forest
Here, here,
all
echoed with the
advanced, and the
fight
bravely in the combat
for
as,
tis
T
and so earnestly
The armed men
cry.
But now
began. ;
and God for
sides so loud
Spitzi too joined
on perceiving the armed
troop from Miihlhausen, one of the Austrian soldiers hast-
ened towards the captive, to execute putting
him
to death with a single stroke
Spitzi sprang at
him
furiously,
and
severely that his \veapon dropped
God was
for
his leader's behest
our forefathers
;
bit
him
forester's
hut,
in the
on the ground.
hand so
And
so
they gained the victory, drove
the Austrians to retreat, and led off Pastor to the
by
of the javelin,
John
in
triumph
where Oswald von Gamsharst and
Spitzi.
243
•
Father Bernard received him with hearty love, and with
warm gratitude to God. And now,' exclaimed
Frank, as soon as he had folded
'
his liberated brother in his
honour
all
arms with overflowing
to Spitzi for ever
have succeeded
But
!
finding thee
in
for
joy,
now
At daybreak, when we
!
fancied he had run away, he suddenly came back
us
'
him we should hardly to fetch
he ran on ahead, returning to us again to point out the
;
way, until he led us to the open space, where by God's gracious help
we found
thee,
and
Let no
set thee free.
one ever say again that dogs have no heart or understanding
;
Spitzi at
any
rate
is
cleverer
and more
faithful
than
many a proud human being And I, father, I too helped and was of use, for I was the first who saw my uncle, and cried " God for us," added 1'
'
'
Hansli, as he climbed up on the pastor his
be
arms round still,
His
his neck.
father,
however, bade him
reminding him of the proverb,
Pastor John could not say his limbs
were
the rope
;
stiff
much in
reply
knee and threw
s
'
;
Self-praise stinks'
he was exhausted,
and swollen owing to the hard knots of
and the blood had been driven
to the
head
to
such a degree that he could only with dif^culty stand erect.
He
was immediately
lifted into the cart, in
straw was prepared in
haste
;
which a couch of
Spitzi took
up
his position
Hansli sat beside his head, and refreshed
at his feet, while
him with
all
fragrant
and delicious strawberries, gathered
forest glades before the sun
was up.
Von
in the
Gamsharst, also,
and Father Bernard, mounted once more
into the cart,
which Frank had decorated with oaken boughs.
The men-
SpiizL
244
#
at-arms likewise adorned their hats with green branches,
and waved verdant trophies high on
Stephen's
St.
Tower
But when the watchman
descried the wreath-encircled cart,
and the hats and boughs carried hoisted a
below through
man
every
his horn,
to the citizens
his speaking-trumpet at the higliest pitch of
The
his voice.
he blew
aloft,
and shouted the glad news
flag,
as the joyous
in the air,
procession approached the town.
tidings ran like wild-fire through the i)lace,
hastened to the walls, and when at
last the
pro-
cession arrived, and the gates were thrown open, then our
pious ancestors, gathered on the ramparts, united in the
hymn
of faith of the early Church of the Reformation '
A
safe stronghold
our
God
He,'
is
and those returning replied from without with gladsome confidence '
the bells of
vating
A
trusty shield
all
anthem of
cortege went
and weapon
the churches
first
praise to
;
accompanying the
with
their
the Church of
festive St.
soul-ele-
The
peal.
Pastor
Stephen.
John led the van, supported by Oswald von Gamsharst and
He
Frank.
was received with a joyous and cordial welcome
by the burgomaster and
his brother magistrates,
and
forth-
with sank, deeply affected, on his knees before the
altar.
Otto Binder addressed the assembled multitude with
much
feeling
from the words,
-^
And
it
shall
bring a cloud over the earth, that the the cloud '
the
ance
'
(Gen.
ix.
14).
Lord has brought
He
'
come
bow
Over our
clouds, but in
to pass, shall
city,'
when
I
be seen in
he remarked,
mercy and forbear-
has suffered them to pass away.'
The audience
spitz i.
245
were inspired" with the same strong emotion that animated the orator, and
it
seemed
to
one and
as though at that
all
solemn moment they beheld the seven-hiied bow of grace extending
glorious
its
helped, had confirmed
The Lord had
arch.
own work
of His saints, and by His goodness His
Church was thenceforward carried on
When
arms of
beloved Theresa, Margaret Blaurer
his
stood beside them like a guardian angel. with those that wept, and could that rejoiced, thanking pair,
now
Pastor John's
first
wedded
The
ningers.
God
to receive,
The man
out of a
She had wept
rejoice v/ith those
full heart,
along with
visit
was
to
the
home
of the Fin-
old wheelwright, Hans, received
him with
the reproaches he expected
and the announcement of a well-merited penalty.
of God, however, held out his hand in a friendly
manner, and
said,
—
Your son
'
an injury, neighbour, but ;
now
so happily re-united.
much embarrassment, dreading
evil
in our
steadfastly.
Pastor John returned home, and threw himself
into the
the
graciously
revived hope, raised the courage
faith,
God
IMichael thought to
do me
has brought good out of
therefore let us live in peace with one another,
forgive
and
Lord may
forget injuries mutually, as
forgive
us
our trespasses.'
we wish
and
that the
After which
he
solemnly and lovingly spoke to the heart of the father, exhorting him earnestly to consider the matter of the salvation of his children's souls.
and even impressed in
;
token of reconciliation.
as soon as the old
Hans Finninger seemed touched
he willingly gave the pastor his hand Hostilities ceased
wheelwright died,
his
;
wife
but alas
and
!
five
246
Spitzi.
children
went post-haste down the broad road leading to
all
destruction, so that their
bloody track
And lips
of all
;
page of our
in the
Spitzi, the
names
are indelibly city's history.
hero of the day, whose praises were on the
—we must not forget
something also con-
to record
Did not Theresa,
cerning him.
marked by a
as soon as he leapt
down
from the cart, catch him in her arms, and press him to her heart as tenderly as she had done her dear
Beak of old
And
!
'
God
does not the old autumn
hymn
say
His tender kindness sends
in
Dumb
Crooked-
little
teachers to instruct His friends.'
may we then learn from our good friend believe we may learn a precious lesson of Love
AVhat lesson Spitzi
%
I
Are we
and Humility. in
as faithful to our
heaven as Spitzi was to
Lord and Master
his earthly master
And
%
after
having saved him, on his return home, he lay down quietly
and the next day never
in his corner, fell asleep in peace,
thought he had done anything extraordinary.
him
in this
%
or have
we not
all
Are we
pious bard, Paul Gerhard, '
I rest
upon the ground
Of Jesus and His For
'tis
through
blood.
Him
that I have found
The True Eternal Good. Nought have I of mine own, Nought in the life I lead,
What Is
Christ hath given me,
— that alone
worth
?
all
like
reason to confess with our
love indeed
'
GOING HOME.
When
the unfortunate battle of Miihlberg (April 24th,
1547) had broken up the confederation of Protestant potentates
and
known
cities
as the
'
Schmalkaldische Bimd,' or
League of Schmalkald, when the Elector of Saxony was taken prisoner, and the Landgrave of Hesse had also fallen into the hands of the Emperor,
who now made no
his design of putting a violent end, with
divisions in the Church, religion in the
all
and stamping out the evangelical
whole German Empire,
tidings of terror
land, anxiety
secret of
one blow, to
— then,
while these
and woe were being spread through the
and sorrow prevailed
also in the city of Stras-
burg.
At the very acting
in
first
outbreak of the war, the magistrates,
concert with
the
preachers
of the word,
had
ordained that every fourth Tuesday should be observed as 'the
great
day of
prayer,'
to
be sanctified
like the
Lord's Day, with solemn confession and exercises of Divine worship.
Since the unhappy close of the war, this addi-
Going Home.
248
was promulgated
tional ordinance
when
ended, a
is
be rung, the which whosoever hears
may
be, forthwith
upon
fall
his
shall,
knees and
^
was
in the year
1548, on Sunday the 6th of January,
the Cathedral-Parsonage of Strasburg, so familiar
that in to us
to
is
wherever he
It
that every morning,
the eight o'clock service {Achferpredigt)
special bell
pray.'
'
;
after
all,
the eight o'clock morning preaching,
all
the inmates of the house, assembled in the parlour, knelt
down
at
silence.
the sound of this bell,
old friends
and prayed together
in
we once more meet with our Master Matthew Zell and his Katherine. They
In
this
devout
circle
have both grown old and grey, especially the excellent
Master Matthew, who, sank
this
day on
his
feeble,
worn
out,
knees with a
and weary of
sigh,
saying,
'
too have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ
beloved helpmeet too *
Kdther (Kate)
rests first
is
life,
Ah
!'
!
I
His
no longer the youthful energetic
of former days.
Grave and anxious, her eye
on the bent form and trembling head of her vener-
able husband, then on the pale face of her son, the child of
her old age, who, owing to his weakness, mental and bodily,
was indeed a child of sorrow
who formed assistant, shall find
to her.
Among
the others
the interesting group, comprising also Zell's
Johannes Angelius, one with
whom
and many Huguenots, we
in particular
we must soon become
intimate, Marcelline the Waldensian.
known
Marcelline, abbreviation, ^
'
in the
Parsonage by the convenient
LinaJ was a native of the
village of
Rohricli, Histojy of the Reformation in Alsace, vol.
ii.
Merindol
pp.
1
82 -3.
Going Home.
249
In the days of Peter Waldo, Waldensians,
in Provence.
from the valleys of Piedmont, had settled on the banks of the Durance, had there cultivated land that was lying fallow,
and had, by dint of perseverance and
industry,
founded
twenty-two flourishing villages with a population of 18,000.
Among
colonies
were Merindol and
these Waldensians
of Provence heard
the chief of these
When
Cabrieres.
which
that the pure gospel, faithfully
from the primitive, apostolic Church downwards, in
the midst of persecutions, was in
now once more proclaimed
Germany, they sent deputies
lands. at Basle
had preserved
their ancestors
They were
to the churches in these
received at Berne by Berchtold Haller,
by CEcolampadius, and
by
at Strasburg
and Capito, with the same brotherly
love,
Zell,
with joy to their native villages, strengthened in the instructed
by the Reformers, and well provided with
ous publications. peasants were
had gone
forth
whom
those concerning
and children were
slain
on account of
their faith.
cast alive into the flames,
cold, or
bloodshed by
this
were driven to seek refuge
So
it
came
father Etienne le Marroul, little
flight
Their
— old men, women
—the men were
massacred, or bound and sent off to the galleys.
of Germany.
the decree
from the King of France, that they should
were surrounded and burnt down,
who escaped
faith, religi-
But even these devout and peaceable
among
be persecuted and villages
Bucer
and returned
Thousands
died of hunger or
in the evangelical States
to pass that Marcelline, with her
who had been
community of Merindol, came
(Stephen) died a few days after their
at the
head of the
to Strasburg. arrival,
Etienne
and Marcelline
Going Home.
250 was, like so
many
welcomed and comforted with
others,
tender love in the Cathedral-Parsonage.
In receiving her, Zell and his wife had entertained, not
indeed an angel unawares, but a pure and noble
one refined
in the furnace of affliction,
She was so
blessing with her.
work, so industrious and
soul,
who brought
and
a rich
skilled in all feminine handi-
thrifty, that in
a short time she
became Dame Katherine's right-hand woman, and
in the
manifold and stirring activities of the large household, her
seemed indispensable.
assistance
with the
German
about the house, a disembodied
soft
spirit
and
Dame
still,
with her sad pale face like
and her large
;
of tears in their deep sion on
Before she grew familiar
language, she was wont silently to glide
fountains,
Zell, that,
eyes, with such a weight
made such an
impres-
not being able to converse with
commended
her to the tender care of the
French pastor, Jean Gamier. ^
In her intercourse with this
her, she specially
faithful servant of his
and peace
for her
Lord, Marcelline found truly comfort
wounded
spirit.
tion from father, mother, brothers
she had seen
fall
The sorrows and
murdered or dying around
home-sickness which
made her
of separa-
sisters, all
of
her,
whom
and the
pine for the mild air and
bright skies of her southern fatherland, gradually
became
transformed into holy longings for her everlasting home.
The
fearful picture,
burning
villages,
ever present before her mind's eye, of
and beloved ones
cruelly slaughtered,
— the
groans and lamentations of the dying, which, in sleeping or ^ Jean Garnier Avas pastor of the church founded by Calvin French refuijees of Strasburg-,
for the
Going Home. seemed
in waking,
to
251
be ever sounding
in her ears, ceased
have that dire hold on a soul shaken by
to
The Lord gave her His own
horrors.
abode of the
had passed out of sure was above, in heaven,
saints, into
her eye on
fix
which her beloved ones
And
their great tribulation.
and her heart
and
peace, and enabled
her with calm resignation and strong faith to that eternal
griefs
as her trea-
too, so her conversation
and with fervent love and
was
rare self-denial she
served her Lord in the service rendered to the homeless exiles with
whom
Strasburg was then crowded.
For the
aged Zell in particular, Marcelline's quiet gentle disposition
and manner were quite a ster of the
and
fear
word was
blessing.
filled,
as
When
the veteran mini-
he too often was, with anxiety
from the danger which threatened his beloved
Church, then
Marcelline, grasping
hand with tender
his
kindness, would say in her broken German, eternity
is
far
longer than this poor
and Emperor cannot
bum
life
on
the faith, cannot
'
Dear
earth, kill
father,
and King
the soul in
heaven.'
On
that Sunday,
when every one saw with dread and with
a heavy heart the approach of the day on which, in Stras-
burg as elsewhere, the Emperor, by his law of
was
to re-establish
the
worship of the
'
Roman
Interim^
1
Catholic
Church, and to drive away the evangelical preachers, the heart of this aged believer,
Matthew
Zell,
did seem well-
^ The such was the title of that imperial edict by IiiUrim which the Emperor strove to put an end to religious disputes in the Empire, and to bring in again the Catholic worship in all his lands. The cause of the gospel was then, by reason of this law, placed in '•
:''
greater peril than ever.
Going Home.
252
nigh broken, in prospect of
Dame
and when
the misery he anticipated
all
Katherine saw him
of prayer, tremblingly and with
with his head
difficulty,
;
from the attitude
rise
bowed
down, and supported by Marcelline, the thought took possession of her,
Soon he
'
'
Father,' she said to him, as
hands,
'
you are not well
weather, suffer
you and go home
will leave
Lord,' and as a two-edged sword
;
to his
pierced her inmost soul.
it
she held his cold shivering
you must
Rabus or Angelius
this once, in this bitter
you in the
to preach for
Cathedral!' '
No, no, dear Kate
still,
not
much
longer shall
for " friend
dear Kate
Death
!
When
"
has knocked at I
I
'
allow
my
me
to
to preach
speak with
my beloved
;
flock,
But cheer up,
door.
should not be able to speak to you,'
his usual pleasant
know how much
;
be able to address
I
Though
added he with
replied Zell
!'
Lord leaves me any voice
so long as the
love you
manner,
'
yet you will ever
all.'
he went to his study to
rest in his easy-chair,
and
to collect his thoughts before delivering his sermon, Marcelline entered
softly after
him, bringing her cordial in the
shape of strong soup, and said timidly,
May
'
I venture to
ask something, dear father?' '
'
so
my
Assuredly,
Here, in
much on
child
this city
spoke with
of yours, people discuss and dispute
the subject of the Lord's Supper
to believe regarding
Hereupon
!'
Zell all
Lord's Supper
is
it
:
what
am
I
V
took her hand with
lively
the animation of youth
:
'
emotion, and
Dear Lina, the
a sacrament of the Lord, wherein, with the
Going Home.
He
visible sign, little
word, "
bestows on us His invisible grace
this
is,''
it
and blood of our Lord, which He faith, so that we are in Him and He through
Him by
Amen.^
Stand
let
and the
;
points us indeed to the bread and wine,
but to the believing heart and mind
do not
253
also points to the
communicates in us,
is
and that we
His holy, blessed, everlasting Hfe
fast,
therefore, dear child,
yourself be led astray
by
on
words which the devil himself has brought from
by
live
in us.
this truth,
the disputes, or
all
body
to us
and
by the
hell,
but
simply believe thou the simple words of Christ which
He
Himself spoke.' Marcelline pondered these words in her heart, deeply
moved, and with soul did she,
rich blessing
and solemn prostration of
on that Sunday morning, receive the holy
communion from
Zell's
He
hands.
of the Lord with the words, eat this passoverwith you'
'
advanced to the table
with desire I have desired to
(Luke
xxii.
15).
In the sermon
he had alluded to his own approaching death, and taken leave of his beloved Hock with the words of
St.
Paul, invok-
'And now,
ing the Divine blessing as he did (Acts xx. 32), brethren, I
which
grace,
inheritance
ber that to
commend you
'
is
to
God, and
(ver. 31)
all
them which
are sanctified.'
'by the space of
congregation
left
thirty years I
the house of
and moved, and the melancholy their
word of His
able to build you up, and to give you an
among
warn every one night and day with
The
to the
dear pastor for the ^
last
'
Remem-
ceased not
tears.'
God
deeply impressed
feeling that they
time added to
ZelFs Catechism.
had beheld this.
Zell,
Going Home.
2 54
however, after the service was over, appeared revived, and attended the afternoon preaching in the Cathedral, and that
evening he insisted on going to
As
Gerbel.
old friend Nicholas
visit his
the weather was cold and stormy, he willingly
yielded to his
careful
and allowed
Katherine's entreaty,
Marcelline to accompany him. '
as
The Lord sends you to comfort me !' exclaimed Gerbel he entered. One after another, our fellow-soldiers are '
being called away, since Father Luther has gone home.
Three days ago our dear
Take
apoplexy.
faithful
this letter
Glaser died suddenly of
and read the account
have
I
just received.'
For a
little
slowly rolled letter,
while Zell stood as
down
if
stunned, and large tears
his venerable face
and having read
it,
he
said, with
manliness to control his feelings,
lament and be sad, graciously taken
then he took the
;
an
Ah
effort
dear Gerbel?
!
away our beloved Glaser
world before the miseries of
this
from
^
Elijah carried
up
this evil
Interim have overtaken us,
and tenderly fetched him home without long
the
of Christian
why should we Has not the Lord
'
in a chariot of fire
Would
%
same favour might be vouchsafed
to
me
might, without struggle, be suffered to lay
sickness, like
God
to
also, that I
down
this
body, as one puts off a worn-out garment before lying to sleep
Two
that
too
weary
down
!
full
hours Zell passed with Gerbel, and these two old
friends, constant in their faith
had stood many a ^
test,
and
in the
mutual love which
comforted and strengthened one
Caspar Glaser, Superintendent
at Zvveibriicken.
Going Home.
255
When
another by lookmg to the blessed hereafter. leaning on
Parsonage, he was repeatedly obliged to stand breath,
and he said
to her,
'
Now, dear
lay
me
still
Lina, I
Look now,
indeed, weary even unto death.
Lord may
Zell,
returned to the Cathedral-
Marcelline's arm,
'
to get
am weary
— perhaps
the
too very soon thus gently to sleep, to
awake up blessedly
in
His everlasting kingdom
!'
During that night and the two following days weaker and weaker
;
he suffered no pain
;
grew
Zell
only his breath-
ing grew shorter and shorter, so that ere long he was unable to
move from
his easy-chair.
During Tuesday night
Katherine and Marcelline watched beside him. helper'
had read by Kate
to consecrate
whereupon
Church, now threatened with so
He
also
begged her
to say to his
called
'
upon
2d
Zell earnestly en-
Christ, and to gather, not
many dangers on
all sides.
deacons and assistants that
to leave the Baptists
of different creeds from their
rose, feeling the
dear
what remained of her energies
cal
now
'
poor and persecuted, and of the Evangeli-
to the service of the
they were
His
his desire the 5th chapter of the
Epistle to the Corinthians, treated his
Dame
own
and
in peace, only to
to scatter.
His sheep.'
all
those
preach
He
then
approach of the angel of death, knelt down
and prayed aloud,
O
his strength raised with the last flickering
me once more to commend They have loved me. Love them, Thou good Lord, and let them not be rudely driven spark of
life
:
*
Lord
!
suffer
unto Thee Thine own people.
asunder,
lest
Thyself be ruined
Here
building which
the !
Be Thou ever
his voice failed, his clasped
I
have founded upon
their
hands
Chief Shepherd fell
apart,
and
!'
his
Going Home.
256 head sank down on
his breast.
Tenderly his own Kate and
MarcelHne Ufted the dying man from the
her friend
and replaced him
looked again with unspeakable affection then
softly,
floor,
in his easy-chair; he opened his eyes, at
Katherine, and
without struggle, according to his prayer, he
fell
asleep in the Lord, on the 6th of January 1548, at 2 a.m.,
aged seventy years, three months and eighteen days. He had been thirty years pastor at Strasburg, and had preached the gospel in the Cathedral for six-and-twenty.
And
they had indeed loved him.
At the news of
his
death the mourning was so deep and universal that it seemed as though in every house there lay one dead and ;
thousands streamed to his
Dame
the precious remains.
time
felt
home
to bid a last farewell to
Katherine Zell at that sad
herself so strengthened
and elevated by her hus-
band's blessed departure, that she was enabled to stand tearless, coffin,
by
and almost with a joyous countenance, beside the
which circumstance was misunderstood by many, and
woman's enemies was so
that noble-minded
misrepresented, that
it
spitefully
was even declared that at his funeral,
standing on the bier, she delivered an address to the people. '
Rather would
gnaws the
I
see our
mother weep much,
heart,' said Marcelline,
for tearless grief
who mourned
with child-
like tenderness the loss of her fatherly benefactor. It
was 'swearing-day^'^ when the earthly tenement of
faithful minister of the
1
laid to rest in
its
this
kindred
Never had Strasburg witnessed such obsequies
dust.
On
to the
word was
:
this day the assembled citizens tendered the oath of allegiance newly elected magistrates.
Going Home. 5000 men followed
and the
257
solemn cortege the simple
in
coffin,
were the only, as they
tears glistening in every eye
were the most beautiful, tribute of honour to him who
He
in Jesus.
was buried
of St. Urban's {Kiirbaii)
but
row
in the last
no tomb-stone marked
;
self the
monument
foundation of a perennial
his grave,
he had laid
in the hearts of his parishioners
slept
churchyard
in the
for
for time
him-
and
Bucer gave the funeral discourse, in which he
eternity.
addressed a consolatory exhortation to the poor Huguenots
who had
hitherto found an asylum
churches
one poetic lament on
in
;
asserted that
He
and a loving welcome
His death was lamented
home.
Zell's
'
God was
in
his
was taking away such men as ZelL' Christian,
Again,
flock.'
light shining
He
^
course, he is
laid
among
had kept the
fight
'
by
;
;
was
Master
his holy
and a pattern
the people
had fought a good
it
therefore
a messenger of
peace, and a valiant champion for the gospel
walk a
Protestant
all
removal,
punishing the people,
Matthew has been an upright
in
for his
he had finished his
For him also doubtless there
faith.
up a crown of righteousness
(2
Tim.
iv.
7, 8).
widow was in every who had been such a
After Zell's decease the position of his
way more circumscribed; and cheerful giver, learn,
as regarded
to walk
The
and so blessed
by
city,
chastised
faith
her care
and not by
exhausted
she,
in her giving,
for
the
sight.
It
had now
to
poor and helpless,
was a trying time.
by the expenses of the war, and
by the Emperor's imposition of a heavy pecuni-
ary fine, was 1
no longer able
as before to provide for the
Evangelical Records, vol.
R
iii.
pp. 153, 154.
Going Home.
258 numerous refugees
had formerly so
and the
;
and
rich lords
liberally aided
Dame
citizens,
who
Zell in her benefi-
cence, were likewise constrained considerably to restrict their
generous contributions. still
Yet the Parsonage was overflowing
with fugitive Huguenots, for
whom now
another refuge
and some means of earning a maintenance must needs be provided, which was by no means an easy matter, nor to be
Then
accomplished in a day. distress,
Dame
heavy the burden of
Zell
was sorely tempted
helped her through,
ance on a great see, but little
—not
scale,
by
truly great
was the need and
care, so that
more than once But the Lord
to despond.
indeed quickly, nor by a deliver-
such as Katherine had been wont to
litde,
slowly and gradually
and not one
;
of her French guests was she obliged to turn out without
an asylum, not one *
to send
hungry
to
bed under her roof
Dear mother,' Marcelline was often heard to say, in a you must be broken of the habit of strain,
comforting
'
always having also with a
And by
her
much
little,
thrifty
to devise sources
to give
away
;
but our Lord can help
as with the five loaves for the thousands.'
ways and ingenious
plans, ever
industrious expert hands, ready to turn every
great account,
prompt
whence help could be obtained, by her
Dame
Zell
little
to such
was often reminded of the Lord's
miraculous providing of food, and thus strengthened
in
her
faith.
Yet heavier there
trials
still
awaited the good Dame,
was a prospect of being forced
to
when
leave her be-
loved Parsonage, in which she had lived so
many happy
years and exerted so blessed an influence, and to occupy
Going Home. a small dwelling beside the After long hesitation and trate
was
at length
to bring in the
Roman
'
Moor
259
Inn, at the Jews' Gate.
fruitless negotiation, the magis-
compelled to consent, even
at Strasburg,
Interim,' to restore the Cathedral to the
Catholic w^orship, and to hand over the Cathedral-
Parsonage to a priest of
Rome
;
the
latter,
however, only in
All this change was painful in the
the course of two years.
extreme to Katherine, a zealous Protestant. ever, leaving the
beloved abode,
it
once more to exercise towards Bucer, on burg, the
wonted
Before,
was granted
how-
to her yet
his arrival at Stras-
hospitality of the Cathedral-Parsonage.
Capito had entered into rest with his Lord in the year 1
He
54 1.
In
was snatched away by a malignant epidemic.
charge he was followed by Fagius
his
of Rheinzabern,
—a
young, pious and
laboured and preached in the same
mated Capito. was about
to
When,
— Paul
Biichlin
learned man,
spirit
who
which had ani-
early in the year 1549, the Interim
be enforced, the ministers of the word de-
clared themselves loudly against
it,
and could by no means
be induced either to adopt a compliant course regarding it,
or even to maintain silence.
Then
that party in
the
Council which had for a long time borne a grudge against
Bucer and Fagius, on account of the more discipline
which these
last
strict
church
sought to introduce, became for
a time triumphant, and Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck was forced, assuredly with a that,
'
heavy heart, to announce to them
by the express demand of the Emperor and the
Bishop, the worshipful the Council had resolved to give to both ministers, Bucer
and Fagius, notice to
leave, dis-
Going Home.
26o
missing them with friendly words and for their
own
benefit,
allowing them aliment and providing a pension for them, until
go
such time as
God
and that
better,
Whereupon Bucer and long foreseen
He
awaited him.
of His grace
may be
it
may
grant that affairs
possible
replied with great suavity, that
so
it
would
recall them.'
to
be,
*
He
and
had well
that
exile
had always preached that which he
believed to be for profit to his people, and in accordance
with God's word.
moderation,
it
If
he had transgressed the bounds of
had occurred only through human
Nowhere would he more
He
than at Strasburg.
perceived,
would not now any longer
however,
tolerate his
would therefore withdraw, ready,
if
men
that
He
preaching.
so be that
God
should
any future time so order matters, to return to minister
at
to this church again.'
Both accepted the
had
Fagius answered in a similar
invitation of
some time past longed
for
VI.,
strain.
Archbishop Cranmer, who to
have them in England,
where, under the government of the youthful King
Edward
The
the Reformation was flourishing so vigorously.
wrench of tearing himself from
his
beloved church, which
he had founded with so much of prayer, labour,
was peculiarly trying
most welcome of
frailty.
gladly have continued to sojourn
Dame
Who
now
conflict
elderly Bucer
to him, as also to Fagius,
Zell, that
journey, pass once
sonage.
to the
;
and
and
was the proposal
they should, before starting on their long
more a
little
time in the Cathedral-Par-
could describe the feelings with which Bucer
must have trod again the home-like rooms of that old house in which, as a young refugee minister, he had been
Hojne. GoiJisr *c> so affectionately
welcomed by
261
and where, beside
Zell,
his
Elizabeth, he had passed the sweetest days of his stormy
and toilsome
had long
life
had
Bucer
period
Capito's widow,
padius,
;
and a few years before a second
contracted
—whose
Mother element
faithful
Zell
first
now found
provided
for,
to
whose orphan children
she had
inn,' as
as to his own.
herself again in her
accustomed
Huguenots had by God's help been
the spacious Parsonage.
people in the
this
marriage with
husband had been QEcolam-
and loving a father
for since the
;
single-hearted EHzabeth
loving,
—Wibrandis Rosenblatt,
he was as
all
The
!
gone home
since
felt
quite desolate
Now
and
solitary in
she had once more
*
much
she was wont to say, and, moreover,
a thousand memories of the dear old times
;
and instead of
being obliged, as in days of yore, to do battle with MeyBabeli's foolish fancies, she to assist
and
how
they
felt
Marcelline beside her,
to render such true-hearted
that repeatedly
vice,
now had
and devoted
maiden she possessed a
that in that dear
treasure, a genuine pearl, a support for her old age.
these quiet days of friendly
and Fagius
in the
Katherine's
life.
ser-
Bucer and Fagius expressed to her real
Truly
communion spent by Bucer
Parsonage were the
last
bright spot in
Nevertheless, there was even in this dear home, inasmuch as
it
was the habitation, not of angels, but of poor human
beings,
many
a harsh note of discord.
had studied under his house,
Zell's
Louis Rabus,
guidance, had lived
and been treated by
Dame
and kindness, so that Marcelline
many
who
years in
Zell with special love
in fact ventured to opine
262
Home,
Goirnc 0>
he had been pampered, never could from the the French
woman.
must confess
we must needs
If
tell
tolerate
first
the truth,
we
that in the depths of her secret soul Marcelline
thoroughly reciprocated this feeling, although she did violence to herself to restrain every expression of repugnance.
*
He
has no heart for our mother, and he loves only himself,' said she one day to Wibrandis,
who had questioned her as to But when Rabus was
the cause of this misunderstanding.
named by
the magistrate as Zell's successor, he then ex-
such self-importance in his bearing towards his
hibited
quondam
nursing-mother, that he could not but
feelings thereby,
Dame
so that
Rabus
left
allotted
to
and give
Zell
and Marcelline
wound her
manner of painful
rise to all
felt it
a true relief
rubs,
when
the house to take possession of the Parsonage
He
him by the Council.
took leave of his
motherly friend without any expression of thankfulness, and so lofty was his bearing that she was core, for tenderly
wounded
had she loved him of old.
to her heart's
Bucer,
always recognised Katherine's merits and done to her Christian benevolence, but
with
others, sarcastically
termed her
and reproached her because was responsible
for his
who had
'
'
who had
full
also, in
justice
common
Doctor Katherine,'
she ruled her husband, and
having abstained from taking any
part in the unfortunate Sacramentarian controversies,
having
left
to
him and Capito the whole
difficult
and
task of
dealing alone with Luther and his Saxon Reformers,' treated
her indeed, since Zell's death, and since he had accepted
her hospitality, with unfeigned esteem and hearty gratitude.
Yet there was also a something in
his
demeanour which Dame
Going Hone.
263
Zell could not well define to herself,
but which gave her a
and
feeling of oppression
On
him.
this
in her tender
constraint in her intercourse with
occasion once more did Marcelline warn her
way
pared to brook
—
*
this
Dear mother, you have been
when surrounded by
many devout men now you have humility from God himself.'^ ;
At the beginning of
to
be
pre-
homage of
still
and learn
Bucer and Fagius
April,
ill
the
left
their
beloved Strasburg, after living for about four weeks with Dame
and
setting in order their domestic affairs.
Wibrandis
had gone with her children and Fagius's family
to Basle, her
Zell,
former home, from whence she was afterwards to follow the
two
In England the preachers from Strasburg were
exiles.
welcomed
in
a most friendly manner by Cranmer as well as
by the King, and loaded with marks of honour. however, incapable of forgetting their
and well-beloved
city of Strasburg,
in their fatherland ever
Both were,
own oppressed church
and the
flock of Christ
continued to be to them a subject
of tender solicitude, and doubtless of earnest intercession.
Bucer was appointed Professor bridge, with a
A
handsome
in
the University of
Cam-
salary.
few hours after their departure, Marcelline brought to
Dame
Zell a letter
room Bucer had
which she had found on the table inhabited.
It
was a warm expression of
thanks from the two ministers to their dear
Dame
in the
'
church-mother^
had corresponded with Luther, had entertained the Swiss Reformers CEcolampadius and Zwinglius in her home, had travelled with her husband to visit the brothers Blaurer at Constance, and, at a later period, Luther at Wittemberg, and had everywhere been received with love, and treated with distinguished attention. ^
Zell
Got Jig Home.
264 as they called coins,
Dame
Katherine
which they prayed
means, to accept as a
her,
trifling
Zell,
enclosing two golden
well
knowing her limited
mark of
their gratitude.
those days two golden pieces were a large
Katherine,
who had
hitherto always
than to receive, and had herself
felt
now
first
been wont rather
*
!
to give
liberally,
wounded and humbled, and
impulse of the moment, she expressed
openly, and indeed rather keenly, to Marcelline.
and
In
money
of
her power to give
in
extraordinarily
on the
this feeling,
it
sum
This wise
faithful friend, well accjuainted with the character
of her
nursing-mother,' and sure that she would shortly think better
of the matter, said
hold
went
affairs,
little
to the
in reply,
but after ordering
French church
to hear
farewell discourse, for he too had found
it
all
house-
Jean Garnier's impossible to
approve of the law of the Interim, and had therefore,
like
Bucer and Fagius, been obliged to leave Strasburg.
When,
after the
sermon, Marcelline reached the Cathedral
Square, she perceived Rabus under the portico, and heard his loud wrangling voice.
Her first impulse was
instantly to
turn round for the sake of avoiding him, for after what had
passed she dreaded meeting him figure in
shabby garments, but
:
full
but she saw a
tall
female
of queenly dignity, stand-
ing there, holding a small boy by the hand, before the excited preacher, *
I tell you,
and
at this sight she involuntarily
again straightway,' cried *
We
drew
Rabus keenly
to the female stranger.
have enough of foreign rabble thrown upon us
hard times
;
near.
you cannot do better than leave Strasburg
and your
devilish sect has
mischief in our church, that
I shall
in these
wrought so much
as a matter of conscience,
Going Home, call
you before the
therefore, while
you
fall
may be-
!
Are you
'
Go
^''Baptist-lords''^ {Tciufer-Jicrren).
yet time, or something worse
is
it
265
really filling the place
of the devout Master
Matthew?' asked the woman. '
Yes, certainly
'Elijah
left his
he prayed,
—
;
but what
mantle,
to Elisha
;
— that
woman.
So
is
you
'
%
to say, the spirit for
which
but Master Matthew's successor has
inherited his office only,
who seemed
that to
is
and not
replied the
his spirit,'
back on Rabus,
saying, she proudly turned her
disposed to follow her in a rage, but his eye
meeting Marcelline's penetrating glance, and observing at the same instant
how
sympathizingly she took the stranger
by the hand, he turned quickly round and entered the Cathedral.
In reply to Marcelline's friendly and well-meant queries,
woman
the
related her history as follows
:
— Sabina was a
native of Liege, a relative of the Anabaptist
who had been converted Strasburg,
new
to the
faith
John Storder,
under Calvin
at
and had died there of the plague, and whose
widow, Idelette von Buren, had been married to Calvin. Sabina's husband had been at the head of the Anabaptists
and during a time of persecution there he was
in Liege,
taken prisoner and beheaded. winter
among
coreligionists
in
Sabina had passed the a
country
village,
but
anxious not to be a burden to them any longer, and induced
by a ^
letter
These
'
from Idelette, to Baptist-lords
'
whom
she had applied, and
were appointed by the Council
to
who
watch over
the Anabaptists, and set a check on their unruly proceedings.
Going Home.
266
wrote that she had better go to Geneva, where
it
would be
easy to find a situation for her as lady's-maid or housekeeper in
some
on
great household, she
had
foot with the scanty pittance
needlework
in her village
on her back.
which she had earned by
home, and carrying her
little
Tony
Soon, however, her small savings were ex-
hausted, and after begging her
had
in the early spring started
at length, stripped of
way
few days, she
for the last
almost everything and well-nigh
dead from weariness, reached Strasburg, where she hoped
some help from
receive
from
and
Idelette,
Zell,
met
to his successor,
How
in the portico of the Cathedral.
we have already
her application help
me
!'
seen.
'
'
for I
she
Now may God
can seek no other
accompany her
invited her to
where she could
Dame
money
whom
he responded to
But Marcelline spoke words of tender
the
her further
added the unhappy Sabina, clasping her emaci-
ated hands in despair,
where
for
to
much
In Strasburg she learned the
and turned
Zell's death,
she had heard
be supplied with means
to
journey to Geneva by him.
news of
whom
of
rest
Zell
for
and
!'
recruit herself for a few days,
would assuredly
exclaimed
and
to the Cathedral-Parsonage,
find
her journey to Geneva.
has money too
help.'
comfort,
means
and
to provide
'And our mother
Marcelline joyfully, as the
thought of Bucer's and Fagius's two golden coins suddenly crossed her mind. It
was indeed a hard and troublous
time, of
which we,
in
these our easy-going days of Sybarite Inxwry, can scarcely
form an adequate idea. shed in torrents,
and
The blood
of the persecuted was
thousands wandered,
exiled
and
Going Home.
267
homeless, exposed to hunger and cold, and a prey to the
While Marcelline was
utmost misery.
was
Square to the
listening in the Cathedral
and
in the church, tale of
poor
Sabina, a minister driven from Zabern, on account of the Interim, had presented himself at the Cathedral-Parsonage
Dame
before five
the
young
Zell,
having arrived there with his wife and
means of continuing
he hoped
faith,
Now
to find a situation as preacher or as schoolmaster.
indeed, there was once more, as in days of yore,
Zell's
'
much
and moreover many starving and
destitute.
purse and resources were exhausted.
With a
folk in the inn,'
Dame
for
their journey to Switzerland, where,
cantons attached to the evangelical
in the
and
children, imploring her for hospitality
deep sigh she gave Marcelline one of the gold pieces which she had so nearly resolved to send back to the donors, that she might get
expend
it
But when
it
changed
at the
money-changer's, and then
on procuring provisions
Dame
Zell
for the
unexpected guests.
had thus once more so much
to cause
her anxiety and to claim her ingenuity in devising resources for feeding, clothing,
and comforting the unfortunate, when
again the numerous
little
hunger were
made
stilled,
their uproarious
soul
felt
Her
heart
service.
and
rose
gracious Lord, who, as to lay her
the old Parsonage re-echo with
then indeed the dear kind-hearted
glee,
herself cheered
vigour.
ones, as soon as the cravings of
down to rest, Her guests too
it
refreshed,
in
now
joyful
and
full
of youthful
thanksgiving
to
the
appeared, did not yet wish
to allow her to retire felt their
from active
inmost souls revived, and
the days they passed in the quiet, peaceful house
seemed a
268
Goino;
Home.
time of holiday festival and of sweet repose for body and soul.
Marcelline came
home
with a heavily laden basket.
had brought some confectionary surrounded her, treasures.
'
the
for
children,
of eager curiosity to pry into her
full
You must
not chide me, dear mother,' pleaded
among
Marcelline, as she distributed the spiced cakes
shouting
little
ones.
'
We
are rich, rich folk
Herr Sturm von Sturmeck sends tives
your poor
this for
popped two golden coins
into
Dame
received them from the noble Stettmeister,
fugi-
haste, she
She had
hand.
Zell's
the
See here
!
With these words, and with triumphant
!'
She
who
who had met
her at the money-changer's.
Dame was not '
Zell,
to
who
retained her strong
mind and
be moved from her resolve.
firm will,
She calmly
replied,
Well now, dear Lina, with the gold piece which has been
changed we can clothe our poor for full ten days
;
friends,
and feed them
as to the three other pieces,
one remains
here for the poor of Strasburg, the second shall be expended for the supplies
family,
the
Accordingly,
needed
third
shall
I
after
for
the
Sabina and the poor minister's return
fugitives
to
Bucer and Fagius.'
had departed from the
hospitable Parsonage, their hearts overflowing with thankfulness,
Katherine Zell penned the following epistle ad-
dressed to the two ministers in England '
you
You caused me secretly left for
least,
of
my
:
the utmost grief by that
me
in the letter.
blushing shame,
I
To
money which
get rid, in part at
wished to place your two
pieces of gold in this letter to restore
them
to you, as
Going Home. Joseph did to
269
Just then, however, a preacher,
his brethren.
on account of the Interim, came to
exiled
and
children,
also the wife of a
beheaded before with me.
one piece of gold
not however as on
all these,
with five
She remained ten days
his wife's eyes.
laid out
I
maintain
me
poor Baptist, who had been
my
in provisions to
account, but on
The other coin I return to you herewith, that you may make use of it yourselves, and not again indulge in such liberality, for indeed you will have many necessities, and so yours.
will
your kindred,
commend you from
all
God
to preserve all
you and
Katherine
few weeks later Marcelline received a
with severe
illness,
Little
and
his
Tony had been
assisted
Zell.
Tony was now
by the kind
gifts
for ever
Zell.'
letter
from
seized there
mother had been obliged to
money given her
in the care of her sick child all the
by Dame
I
you
to shield
His and your enemies
!
Sabina from Basle.
spend
they are to join you in England.
harm, and from
and ever
A
to
if
convalescent, and Sabina,
of the charitable, was trying to
earn by needlework a sufficiency to proceed on the journey to Geneva, in
which place, however, according to the
tidings from Idelette,
found
for her.
no
suitable situation
She was meantime
living in a very
way, and feeling oppressed and crushed,
last
had as yet been
all
the
more
poor that
she was conscious of being looked at with a somewhat evil
eye by her landlady and her benefactors, as a Baptist. letter
ended with a thousand prayers
for every blessing,
The and
hearty thanks for that loving welcome in the Parsonage,
Going Home.
2/0
which Sabina could never
forget,
and the memory of which
she must ever treasure in her grateful heart as a foretaste of
heaven.
Little
Mother
Zell
Tony
and
his
also sent his
beloved
warmest salutations to
Marcelline,
and was
daily
asking whether he could not soon go back to them.
About
this
time an efficient helper was sought
the
for, for
superannuated wife of Lucas Hackfurth, the guardian of the poor,
who had
the charge of the poor's-house in the edifice
which had formerly been the Monastery of
Mark, and
St.
to
which new claimants for charitable aid were then flocking daily. The Stettmeister, and also Master Lux' (as Lucas '
Hackfurth was generally Marcelline,
and
had bethought them
called),
applied
respecting
Katherine, however, replied that
it
her to
Dame
was impossible
of
Zell.
for her
to dispense with Marcelline, both on account of her desire to carry on, as far as lay in her power, her
and
ever-increasing burden. celline,
and
On
a
full
charity,
understanding with Mar-
however, she recommended Sabina to
after
fill
the post
Calvin had been written to on the subject, Sabina
was called back
matron
works of
by reason of her sick son, the care of whom was an
also
in
St.
to
Strasburg in the capacity of assistant
Mark's Institution, where she
duties to the entire satisfaction of
Dame
fulfilled
the aged guardian, with strict fidelity and tender love.
and Marcelline and into one heart
Dame
and one
great joy, suffered to live
enough
to
She
Katherine grew more and more
soul,
and
little
Tony
with Mother Zell
be received into the
Wilhelmerstift.
her
Hackfurth, and of
till
was, to his
he was old
foundation known
as the
Going Home.
27
But Louis Rabus, who had inherited Ehjah,' as he
deemed
it,
a keen and bitter
spirit,
garly Anabaptist,
who had
was
'
the mantle of
with a vengeance, in the shape of
flamed up on hearing that the beg-
wounded
so grievously
his pride,
a situation in one of the public institutions of
filling
Strasburg,
In concert with the young minister of Church, Dr. Marbach, a
man
St.
Nicholas'
of as ambitious and intolerant
a spirit as his own, he began to take measures most violently against nians,
sectaries,
all
and above
all
the
'Schwenkfeldians, the Hoflman-
others the Baptists,' and to appeal to
the magistrates to drive them, one and
He
out of the town.
all,
specially urged that Sabina ought to be
removed from
the poor's-house, and a native of Strasburg, of the orthodox faith,
appointed in her stead.
want of
all
Dame
Zell,
indignant at this
regard for his former benefactress, and deeply
grieved at the persecuting
which even
spirit
days was beginning to manifest
itself
in
these early
so strongly in the
Evangelical Church, took up once more that pen which she
had been wont letter, '
who,' as she said,
the
and so
to use so freely
well,
and wrote a
aftenvards printed, to the young and proud zealots,
altar,'
in which,
lowing expressions
'These poor
common
yourselves that
had begun prematurely
among
to minister at
other things, she uses the
fol-
:
Baptists, against
bitter virulence, to
Christ in
'
irritate
whom" you
with ourselves
we by our
seek, with such
the authorities, do yet confess !
doctrine,
Rather take blame to
and by our walk and
conversation, are the cause of their withdrawing from us.
Going Home.
2/2
He who
doeth
evil,
him the powers
against
ordained for vengeance (Rom.
xiii.
3, 4),
that
be are
but they have no
business to force men's belief, as you would have them do.
Faith belongs to the heart and conscience, not to the out-
Read
ward man.
all
and those who have among ourselves, our dear
the ancient doctors,
revived the teaching of the gospel
Luther and Brenzen, and read also that which was written (after the
by
death at the stake at Geneva of poor Servetus)
that devout
men
man
Martin
Bellius, that
you may see how
ought to deal with those erring ones If the magistrates
heretics.
whom you
call
were to follow your counsels,
they would soon set up such a tyrannical government that the city and the villages would be deserted.
Strasburg yet
stands as an example to the whole land of Germany,"^ of charity, tress
;
of sympathy, of hospitality towards those in dis-
and, thank
There
well-doing.
her walls
many
is
!
she has not yet grown weary in
yet to be found within the asylum of
a poor Christian
whom
So would not old Matthew
drive forth.
tegether
God
the sheep
Never did he consent
of the
flock,
you would gladly
Zell.
He gathered
never scattered them.
to such doings
:
on the contrary, on
one occasion, when the learned men were
in like
manner
seeking to instigate the authorities to these courses, he went
pubhcly, with a sad heart indeed, and with deep solemnity, into the pulpit,
and declared
in the preachers' convent,
" I
take God, and heaven and earth to witness this day that I
am
resolved to be guiltless of the cross and exile of these
poor
folk."
1
'
^
Evangelical Records^ vol.
iii.
pp. 165, 166.
Going Home. Fortunately for poor
Sabina,
the
273 burgomaster,
Jacob
Sturm, was her well-wisher and protector; and in conse-
quence of the excellent testimony borne to her
and pious
services to
whom
decided office.'
by
life
'
Master Lux,' the
Master Louis Rabus had preferred
faithful
Tduferhei'i-en
his complaint,
that Sabina might with advantage be retained in
'
Rabus, however, was hereby greatly exasperated,
especially
on the subject of Katherine's
and as he
letter;
bore a grudge of old standing against her, because,
when
he was preparing to publish the biography of her husband,
Dame
Zell
had refused
to
supply him with the requisite
information and manuscripts, his
With
no bounds.
all
wounded
pride
now knew
the violence of his nature, he followe*d
the excellent lady with coarse invective and wicked, malicious slanders,
heart of her
and
relentlessly
vexed and wounded the
who had bestowed on him
much
so
of warm,
motherly love. '
yet
Our Lord had
likewise a Judas
He commanded us,
curse you, do
good
to
"
among His
Love your enemies,
them
that hate you,
v.
is
and
them
that
and pray for them
which despitefully use you and persecute you
be the children of your Father which
disciples,
bless
in
;
that ye
may
heaven" (Matt,
44, 45), said Marcelline, in a soothing tone, endeavouring
comfort her injured friend,
to
broken by
Two
after long delays
the Interim was at last to
By
well-nigh
heart-
years after Zell's death, at Candlemas, the 2d of
February 1550,
1
who was
this ungrateful treatment.
the Interim the three
and
become law
fruitless negotiations,
at Strasburg.i
Abbey Churches S
Great
(the Cathedral, Greater
Going Home.
274
was the popular excitement about the worship thus
Catholic clergy, protect
whom
the Council could with difficulty
against the exasperated
citizens, so
Bishop wrote to the magistrate, tical
'
by no means sure of
city,
as the
that,
they were, in this heretheir
Marcelline
lives.'
Would
could not understand these bold, defiant Germans. that her
own
co-religionists in
France had only had three
churches taken from them, while for the free exercise of their
six others
own
persecuting or casting them out the poor Huguenots had
vio-
Roman
Equally great the terror of the
lently enforced.
were
left
them
worship, no one slaying,
Oh,
!
if
in her fatherland
met with the same
toleration,
how
would they have thanked God and loved and honoured
King
their
When
!
Marcelline thought of the fearful mas-
sacres of her brethren,
of the cruel conflagrations of her
beloved W^aldensian villages conceive the
in
Provence, she could nowise
Dame
deep lamentation of
over the
Zell
Interim. It
had, however, as even
to confess, effected latter
Mother
some good.
The
citizens,
days had been so lukewarm in their
in their attendance at church,
deep penitence
:
was forced
Zell herself
smote
who
faith,
in these
so remiss
their breasts
now
earnestness in religion, true spiritual
in
life,
were revived, the sermons were well attended, and the and Lesser ship.
The
St. Peter's)
were handed over
six other parish
churches
Nicholas's, St. Aurelian's, St. Andrew's,
had managed
to the
and
to the Evangelicals,
St.
Catholic wor-
Thomas's,
St. Stephen's) the
to retain for evangelical worship.
ditions of the religious contract of Passau,
were restored
Roman
(St. Martin's,
St.
Council
According to the con-
the three Abbey- churches
Going Home. house of
God everywhere even
275
overcrowded, so that the
magistrate found himself compelled to allow a service to be
held in the
Church of the Convent of Preaching
'
Friars' (in
known as the New Church), which had previously stood empty. The aged Hedio was placed in it as preacher,
later
days
and there the from his
who,
lips
after
citizens
hstened to the word of the gospel
The
Bishop,
Fagius,
wished
with special love and reverence.
removal
the
and
of Bucer
greatly to win the affections of the Strasburgers,
had offered
the situation of Cathedral preacher to the gentle, peace-
loving Hedio, with the one condition only, that he must
preach in the surplice and must never preach against the Interim.
and in
at
But Hedio replied,
Mayence
'
He
had indeed
often preached in his surplice,
Strasburg also
innocent.
—
;
he held the thing to be
B^le
at
and formerly
in
itself
quite
But he would certainly not give offence to any
of his parishioners, nor give occasion, by the use of the surplice, to
any to suspect him of having departed from
the evangelical
faith.'
On
the Bishop persisting in his re-
quirement, Hedio had refused the preferment as Cathedral preacher.
But now the dreaded day
arrived,
which
Dame
Zell
had
so long foreseen, on which she must vacate her beloved old
Roman
Parsonage to make way
for a
must take possession of
that small dwelling already
tioned, close to the Jews' gate.
exodus, Katherine Zell saw in tion from those beautiful
thoughts of which
still
it
Catholic priest, and
Above
all
else
menthis
the total and final separa-
and blessed days of
awoke a
in
yore, the
longing, a sort of
home-
Going Home.
2/6
sickness in her mind, which external circumstances only
For
tended to increase.^
was now evening, and one here
it
and another there was being In November
1549,
called to his everlasting
home.
shortly after his arrival in England,
Fagius, whose
constitution could not adapt itself to the
British climate,
and who was consumed by home-sickness,
fell
Bucer
asleep in the Lord.
high places, on hearing
how
too,
he
who was
set in
such
the evil genius of discord and
the domineering spirit of the proud young ministers were
devastating his beloved church in Strasburg, and
one consent
the
all
earnestly wishing afl his
men
of the better sort
him back, was on
dignities in
how
there
with
were
_the point of resigning
England, and returning to his old and
never-forgotten home,
when he
also,
on the 28th of Decem-
ber 155 1, was suddenly called to enter the eternal mansions.
His death, universally lamented in Strasburg, peculiarly heavy blow on
Dame
Zell
Hedio, as they had hoped everything
a
future
of
now withdrew more and more from much conflict, and in his latter days there
infirmities,
the arena of so
was no one he so delighted beloved
for the
as
friend
Hedio, sensible of his
the church from Bucer's return.
growing
fell
and her old
Dame
Zell.
having near him as his
in
She herself
Hedio, when dying, would have
relates,
me
'
Dear Doctor
about him by way of
we find the own hand: 'O Lord Jesus, what hast Thou given us of holy doctrine, holy men and holy books O Lord Christ, make me more Have mercy also on our posterity devout in Thee, that my heart may never fall away from such doc^
In a contemporary MS. of the days of the Interim,
following words written by
Dame
Zell's
—
!
!
trine
!
Going Home, his
only minister, and
many
277 he entreat
me
abide with him during his
last
a time did
never to leave him.'
She did indeed
and
faithfully
The aged
struggle.
minister of the
blessedly, while she
was
who had
fell
asleep gently
in the act of praying beside
He
him, on the 17th October 1552.
heroes of the faith
word
was the
of those
last
fought so faithfully and valiantly
for the gospel in Strasburg.
One- year
on the 30th of October 1553, the noble Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck, also died, in the
later,
Stettmeister,
sixty-third year of his age, after
being the guardian angel,
the herald of peace and the greatest ornament of his native city.
At
his death,
it
though
in future
home, await her
seemed
though
she must, alone and a stranger in her old last
hour
in
The Lord had granted privilege of witnessing the
God's good time.
Dame
to
When
Zell in her youth the
triumph of
and of taking an active share born church.
to Katherine Zell as
good cause were broken and gone, as
the last prop of the
light over darkness,
work
in Christian
she was old, and
in the
new-
when such manifold
dangers from within and without were threatening the cause of the gospel, she had yet to learn that, as
Hubmor
so
beautifully
said
in
may
immortal, and although she prisoned,
scourged,
crowned,
1524,
third
day,
and reign
be im-
and then
laid in
crucified
in
rise
again victorious
triumph to
Katherine Zell grew more and more felt
is
suffer herself to
her grave, yet will she, nevertheless,
on the
Balthasar
'Divine truth
silent,
and
all
eternity.'
if
she often
very solitary, and thought with melancholy tenderness
Home.
Going-
2/8
of the beloved ones in glory, at these
moments Marcelline
would, as a faithful friend, take her by the hand and say with her soothing gentleness,
mother
He
!
not Himself
The
Not so melancholy,
'
Those who are with the Lord are not said, " All live
We
Has
unto Him"?'
date of the decease of our beloved
recorded by her friends.
dearest
lost".
know
only
Dame
Zell
is
not
that in 1562 she
sent a message to her friend Louis Lavater, at Zurich, to
the effect that for
'
through long
illness she
months she had been unable
soon
after this she
and Saviour.
may have
We, however,
real life in olden times
to use her
before
whom
bliss
now
as though,
;'
probably
these scenes from
have been passing
have learnt to know the battles
it is
pen
entered into the rest of her Lord
in review,
our ancestors had
for the blessed gospel of the grace of
that
was half dead, and
who
to fight
God, may well
feel
from the everlasting mansions of
and peace, they were cr)dng
to our evangelical churches
with a voice of warning, '
Hold
that fast wliich thou hast, that
crown' (Rev.
God
iii.
grant that
11). it
may be even
so
no man take thy
MASTER NICHOLAS. '
to
And
fishers of
as a
little child,
Mark
men.'
Verily I say unto you,
'
God
Come
Jesus said unto them,
become
he
Whosoever
In the year 1642 God had
I will
make you
17.
kingdom of
shall not receive the
shall not enter therein.'
with a plentiful supply of
more
ye after me, and
i.
Mark
x.
15.
richly blessed our dear Alsace
all
the fruits of the earth,
In the
especially with that of the vine.
little
and
town of
Rappoltsweiler (now Ribeauville) at the foot of the beautiful
Vosges,
all
the inhabitants were most diligently
in cleaning out
presses
and
all
their cellars,
that they
the approaching vintage.
and preparing
needed
to
have in readiness for
Old wine-vats were being bound
new hoops, and well burnt out, to and make them as good as new, while
cleanse them inside
with
Nicholas the master-cooper, a to
bestow that rich
glad
the
heart of
gift
occasionally, as with
new one was
of God, the
man' (Psalm
'
civ.
ordered, therein
wine which maketh 15).
On
afternoon, late in September of the said year,
being carried on right shop.
employed
casks, wine-
lustily in the
a sultry
work was
master-cooper's work-
With busy hands and cheerful
zest the apprentices
were hammering on the new hoops, to gird the old barrels, while Master Nicholas, with his leather apron and his snow-
Master Nicholas.
28o
white sleeves, stood on the scaffolding of the huge monster
abbot of Gemar.
tun, destined for the cellar of the lordly
was the masterpiece of
It
by him unaided,
win
to
his oldest apprentice, achieved his
and the aged
mastership,
Nicholas, while he struck a proof-blow of his shining hoop,
its '
up
lifted
Right well hast thou done
help hast
become a
voice in
my
hammer on
friendly tones
I
!
trade to thee with a
and pass the remainder of
:
Frank, and with God's
this,
capital master-cooper
Easter-tide, give over
science,
his
my
can now, at
good con-
days in repose.
Now
only remains for thee to look about for a virtuous and
it
who may keep
honourable spouse,
and piously
as
my Martha
If thou findest such
thy house as faithfully
has done mine.
her with God's blessing
;
my good
findeth a wife findeth a
good
thing,
it
her, take
wishes thou hast before-
God's holy word says (Pro v.
hand.
See well to
an one, or hast already found
xviii.
22),
'Whoso
and obtaineth favour of
the Lord.'
During
this
appeal to him, Frank stood immovable,
as a post, his arms hanging straight
down
master's speech was ended, he respectfully
and
stiff
and when
;
bowed
his
his head,
then, without uttering a syllable, returned to his work.
At
that
moment, Jobely Spener,^ a charming boy of some
seven years old, came running merrily into the workshop, ^
For
reader
further information
may be
referred to
about Philip Jacob Spener, the English Charles Knight's English Cydopcsdia, or
—
Qh.^vc^tx^ % EncydopcEdia. The German biography, Philipp Jakob Spener und seine Zeit eine kirchliche Darstellung. Von Wilhelm Hossbach, D.D., etc., herausgegeben von Gustav Schweder, Berlin,' contains an interesting history of the great religious revival at and near
—
'
Master Nicholas. *
281
Father sends you his best salutations, Master Nicholas,'
said he,
'
and says you must
tices to his cellar, to
spoke to you
and ...
;
evening with you, '
rogue
Little
draw
!'
if
you
off
this
have got leave to spend the whole
I
me
have
will
Dame
said
evening send the appren-
and bottle the wine of which he
to stay for supper.'
Martha,
who had
brought the apprentices their evening meal
just then
trow thou
I
'
;
hast got scent of the plum-tart that I baked to-day.' *
Plum-tart
exclaimed Jobely, as he sprang nimbly into
!'
the good, motherly dame's open arms.
Master Nicholas took said to his
men
:
—
'
hie off to Councillor Spener's cellar
workshop
right
Moreover, a
barrels. us,
and
earthly
it
to-day
for
tidily,
me
quietly, ;
but
to
and afterwards
you cannot is
my
clear out
first
thunder-storm
fierce
goes against
by the hand and
his little favourite
Eat your supper
finish the
hanging over
be thumping away with our
hammers, while the Lord our God
is
speaking to us
by His thunders from heaven.' *
How
tices,
'
now, master,' rejoined one of the younger appren-
let
good Lord
us nevertheless finish the barrels this day. will
although we
may thump
ever so loudly
;
and we can go
to Councillor Spener's cellar early to-morrow *
To-morrow
Our
not be thereby hindered in His thundering,
will
in a serious tone, knitting his Frankfurt-on-the-Maine,
!'
be Sunday, Joseph,' replied the master
brow
known by
his
as he added,
'
" Six days
name and connected with
his
Born, January 13, 1635, ^t Rappoltsweiler, in Upper Alsace, where his father was a councillor of the reigning Count Rap-
instrumentality.
polstein,
he went
to Frankfurt in 1666, thence to
thence to Berlin in 1691, where he died in 1705.
Dresden
in 1686,
and
Master Nicholas.
282
and do
shalt thou labour is
the Sabbath of the
any work,"
for " the
the Sabbath-day
now been
"
work
all tliy
Lord thy God
but the seventh day
;
in
:
thou shalt not do
it
Lord thy God commanded thee
(Deut.
12-15).
v,
keep
to
Joseph, thou hast
^^'^'^y^
nearly two months with me, and hast never set foot
and although thou
in the church,
not of our creed
art
.
.
.'
But, master, but hold,' interrupted Joseph, with a signi-
*
ficant wink,
'
I
am
even as you are
I
:
believe nothing
!'
At these words Master Nicholas, with a stormy frown, struck so violent a blow of his hammer, that the whole workshop re-echoed, and
Dame
sense does the fellow prate '
Ivlartha
and Jobely started
Boiling over with rage, he exclaimed,
in terror.
Yes, master,
truly,'
!
interposed Frank
been the galling point with
'
me
likewise
;
'
when
;
the tip of his tongue to say, "
as
And
!"
you are so well versed
He
like
is
for
V
often has this
there to the convent at Gemar, every rascal has
believes nothing
What non-
what does he take us
I it
go over ready on
you Protestants, he
often I have longed to beg of you,
you would
in the Scriptures, that
mouths of the Catholics on
once
for all stop the
idea,
and show them you know
as
much
as they
this
absurd
and beheve
more.'
But suddenly Master Nicholas had grown quite
now
said gently, with a
humbled tone and mien,
already once more suffered the evil
come added,
thee, old Nicholas V still
even allow
"How
in a
subdued tone
this to
so,
He ' :
be said to us
spirit
then, I
'11
tell
'
still.
He
Hast thou
of rage to over-
turning to Frank,
you what, we
I'
master?' asked Frank, petrified.
will
Master Nicholas.
28
'how does
*Jobely,' continued the master,
that passage
run in the holy book, which thou wast learning to repeat only yesterday
The slowly,
'
Ye
did our Saviour say concerning salt
wherewith shall
instant,
under foot of men' (Matt. 'See then here, Evangelicals
who
it
v.
%
and
continued the
the salt have
if
it is
thenceforth
to
be trodden
master,
— 'we we
possess this precious word of God,
But
we do not keep
if
V
and then said
13).
Frank,'
are to be the salt of the earth.
we
but
:
be salted
be cast out,
for nothing, but to
—
an
for
reflected
are the salt of the earth
lost its savour,
good
What
?
boy
little
its
live
even as the heathen, without the fear of
God, without
faith,
without honesty, chastity and obedience,
then the
has
sayings,
if
salt
become
worthless,
and we are only
be cast out and trodden under foot of men, that Wherefore, once again
us receive the
let
word
is,
fit
to
despised.
as addressed
to ourselves,
" Let your light so shine before men, that they
may
good works, and
see your
heaven" (Matt.
in
best
way of stopping
Felix,
and the
you what,
may to
their
mouths
Master,' merrily burst in
'
!'
I
And
ass,
may
your Father which
on the
off,
meet the approaching
like
is
is
the
!
Jobely,
'
here comes Father
and Brother Kilian
ride
he shot
glorify
Believe me, Frank, this
16).
v.
!
Now,
I
'11
ass to Baldwin's stable,
tell
—
an arrow, from the workshop
party.
Father Felix had been sent several years before, by the
Chapter of Murbach, to reform the monastery at Gemar, aged and wrong-headed abbot
which under the
rule of
had
sad state of disorder.
fallen into a
its
With a firm hand
Master Nicholas.
284
he had seized the reins of government, and soon he sucin restoring order in its
ceeded
Not
embarrassed finances.
so smoothly, however, did matters proceed in the restoration
of spiritual discipline, for he met with manifold and tough resistance
among
who
Father Ruffinus,
The
among
The Father
Erfurt of old,
*
man
live
'
in
good
a
and would,
He
pious.'
all
and
soul, to
Father
Luther at
Brother Martin
had, like
taken the matter of the salvation of souls
seriously to heart,'
every
who bore by no means
opposite party, consisting of the well-disposed
the brethren, was devoted, heart
Felix.
opposite
At the head of one stood
had, before the advent of Felix, ruled
the whole monastery, and
name.
Two
the brethren of the order.
were soon formed.
factions
holiness,
like him, gladly
have
*
made
diligently exhorted the brethren to
peace and good disciphne.'
And
although he had never read the writings of Luther, nay, even held him to be the greatest of heretics, yet he life
and work
in the
fulfilled in his
Convent of Gemar those
fine
words of
Luther's which he wrote in 15 16, as the Vicar-General of
the Augustinian order, to one of
then thou hast a firm and living
its
younger brethren
faith, as
thou
have, then bear patiently with erring brethren their sins as thine
art ;
*
:
bound
If to
look upon
own, and upon thy good deeds as theirs.
... If thou art a lily and a rose in the garden of Christ, know thou that thy path must needs lie amongst thorns, and only see well to
it
that thou
do not
thyself,
tience, high-mindedness or secret pride, '
He
Father
through impa-
become a thorn
!'
takes things as seriously about gaining heaven as Felix,'
became a proverb among the peasants of
Master Nicholas. both creeds. period
And
Father Fehx, Hke Luther
in truth
when he had not
285
and
his very earnestness sour
own
consumed,
masses and other labours,
his constitution
He
righteousness.
too martyrized himself with castigations, confessions, fasts, prayers,
one
For he too thought
austere.
himself called to win heaven by his
at
became by
yet found his Saviour,
till
vigils,
his strength
was
gave way, and hectic fever rapidly
brought him to the verge of the grave. When, mounted on his
he arrived at Master Nicholas's workshop, he appeared
ass,
so wasted and so pale that Jobely Spener asked him whether
he had had a severe
to
illness.
Master Nicholas, who with
his
meet the Father, no
shocked with
less
goodwife had also hastened his appearance,
exclaimed, as he respectfully held out his hand to salute
him,
'
Ah, most reverend Father,
I call this
wanton
to undertake so long a ride with your sick body,
black thunder-clouds are threatening
caught '
I
in the
cruelty,
when
these
You might have been
!
storm and have suffered severely enough
had to receive the confession of a
!'
sick person half a
league hence, and so I thought I could easily trot
on
my little
has gilded our ripening grapes, the vintage
few days, and much remains
for
you to do. Master Nicholas,
to enable us safely to preserve God's I
have
manage to The hot sun may begin in a
ass as far as to Rappoltsweiler.
now come
to give
good
gifts
;
wherefore
you sundry commissions.'
'These could have been as Brother Kilian or one of
my
well
through
delivered
apprentices. Father, without
your over-exerting yourself!' '
When
a word passes by
many
tongues then
it
seldom
Master Nicholas.
286 arrives
right
all
;
something
added or taken away.
is
Therefore, Master Nicholas, I hold
it
to
be better to speak
or to hear myself rather than by proxy.'
May
'
the blessing of
God
rest
on you.
look as mild and serene as the evening
my
Jobely,
I
Dame
You,' added he,
his salutation to the mistress.
was
star
Martha,' '
always
And
!
thou,
have not forgotten thee, but unluckily,' con-
tinued the Father, with a look of regret, after having vainly
fumbled through
which
meant
I
all
his pockets,
to bring
to
'
I
thee,
have
left
the
box,
little
my
on
lying
table at
home.' '
A
'
Something
and
box
little
for
me
beautiful, Jobely
which the angler may of their
to
it '
O
—
it ?'
red, blue, golden
rod,
by means of
Nay, they spring up to
catch them.
own accord and remain hanging
what a pity you forgot
Never
for the
he
Fish
!
in
as
if
glued
!'
sorrow dimming '
and what may there be
and therewith a wondrous
silver,
it
!
fear,
first
'
said the child, a shade of
the glance of his bright eyes.
my
little
fellow,
you
shall
not be the loser,
time Brother Kilian comes to Rappoltsweiler
shall bring the fish
!'
soon consoled, Jobely turned merrily to Brother
Thus Kilian,
!
it
who
lifted
him and placed him on the donkey,
while Father Felix followed his hospitable friends into their parlour.
When
one enters a parlour, one can almost always
with certainty what child she
is,
is
the spirit of the mistress of
it,
tell
whose
whether pious or worldly-minded, thoughtful or
Master Nicholas.
287 Accordingly,
vain, tidy or disorderly, industrious or lazy.
Dame
Martha's serious and devout
her whole housekeeping and
in
spirit
more
manifested
especially
itself
in
her
There, everything was so clean, so neat and taste-
parlour.
fully arranged, that
it
it.
Such
sat
around
did one's heart good to see
was the impression now made on her
guests,
who
the shining, mirror-like, round oaken table, with a sense of
repose and of enjoyment.
deep leather
Master's
Father Felix took his rest in the easy-chair,
in
thorough
comfort.
Beside him the Master sat drinking his glass of wine, while
Jobely and Brother Kilian regaled themselves, on the bench
round the
stove, with that delicious plum-tart in
Dame Martha
mistress gloried.
ing for
all
and watching
lest
Opposite the patriarchal
which the
glided softly about, provid-
any comfort should be lacking. easy-chair hung,
on the oak-
panelled wall, the picture of Dr. Martin Luther, a copper-
engraving
plate
Lucas
after
Somehow
Cranach.
picture appeared to produce a painful impression
Felix
he fixed
;
his eye
on
dark cloud overspread his
At '
this
end
is
drawing near apace. Master Nicholas, and
probably the
To
friendly way.
last
time
'
my good
friend
With
my
all
limited power.'
we may
thus
a dying man, and to one
an affection for you, you eh,
in his
:
My is
with a sombre gaze, and a
pallid, sharply-chiselled features.
he thus gave utterance to the feelings working
last
mind
it
this
on Father
will surely grant
sit
together in a
who a
last
has so true request
V
heart, reverend Father, if
it
lie
within
my
Master Nicholas.
288 Put
*
far
from you that picture and the pernicious heresies
monk, and return
of that schismatical renegade
bosom
Church which
eternal bliss can be gained, the villain, for
the sake of pandering to his
so grievously tore asunder
lust,
to the
of the one Mother Church, within whose pale alone
Hereupon the Master,
that reckless
wanton and carnal
!
angrily knitting his bushy eye-
brows, prepared to thump, as was his wont, violently on the table,
when Jobely quickly caught and held back
raised hand,
and
dear Master
so,
you did before
little
smile,
'
the up-
Nay, not
you must not again thump so violently as
in the
workshop with your hammer,
Dame Martha
will frighten
A
;
an imploring
said, with
and Father Felix
you
for
too.'
Master
interval of silence followed this appeal.
Nicholas fixed his eyes on the ground with a grave look not
unmingled with shame, then, laying curly head, he said feelingly,
kingdom of heaven'" (Matt. *
Never
before,' continued
the burst of temper,
'have
'
last
— " of such
I
I
touched
my
heart.
this chord, heavily
But now,
urgently entreat
it
his Satanic arrogance, arrayed himself against
*
You
this
in
amiss
you to abjure the
heresies, the poisonous doctrines of this apostate,
the saints
the
Father Felix, without noticing
meeting on earth, you must not take
once again
is
xix. 14).
though the matter pressed on our
hand on Jobely's
his
Yes, truly,
if
false
who, in
God and
all
!'
call
by evil and
our great Luther an apostate, a rebel instigated
fleshly lusts
!'
exclaimed the Master with a voice
subdued, yet quivering with inward and suppressed emotion.
Master Nicholas.
289
'But do you know, Reverend Father, what his purposes really were,
Do
*
I
what he
accomplished
really
Show me the faithful serwho does not know What honest
know, Master Nicholas
vant of Mother Church Christian can
fail
!
!
to shed tears of blood over the union of
Christendom rent asunder by him us
wounded and lacerated
all,
devil's tool
on
'
%
He
earth.
— over
Ah
!
!
that
the
Mother of
monk was
the
put to death faith and obedience,
and preached presumption and wanton unbridled
lawless-
ness!'
'You
are a learned gentleman, Father Felix,
only a homely artisan.
and
Nevertheless, even the least
am
I
among
Christians ought to be able to give a reason of the faith that
is
seem
Will you therefore allow
in him.
in a few to
me
to state to
you
words the work of Luther, concerning which you
be under so extraordinary a delusion
words Master Nicholas doffed
his leather
With these
*?
'
cap and cast an
upward glance of deep veneration towards Martin Luther's picture. '
Speak on, dear Master, speak
in your heart
me
:
freely
gladly will I listen.
and say
all
that
is
Only you must grant
leave to reply to your statements, to oppose your prin-
ciples.'
'As
to
my
principles.
Reverend Father,
stand against you on that ground. the word of God, " a shield and
me.
I
could never
Rather would
weapon
I
have
true," to argue for
Jobely, bring us the holy Bible to this table here.
So, youngster.
Now
then,
open
it
at the holy Gospels,
and
Master Nicholas,
290
seek out the second chapter of Mark, the
Read
2 2(3 verse.
slowly and distinctly.'
Jobely read thus
:
—
is
spilled,
And no man
new wine doth
old bottles, else the the wine
'
and the
putteth
into
burst the bottles, and
bottles will be
wine must be put into new
new wine
marred
but new
;
bottles.'
Father Felix involuntarily smiled. Yes,
'
Reverend
Father,' continued
undoubtedly thinking,
Each
*'
Master cannot get away from although
rate,
it
may
for
it
holy Gospels v. 2,^,
las, I
own
you are
trade,
and the
handicraft."
At any
his
that
my
application
may
lips
of everlasting wisdom.
we have it three times in the Matt, ix, 17, Mark ii. 22, and Luke
in vain that
—
to wit,
etc'
With
'
own
*
assuredly no hitch in the parable
is
proceeds from the
cannot be
It
his
happen
well
not hold good, there itself,
to
Nicholas,
all
possible respect to your parable, Master Nicho-
cannot see what
'That
I
it
has to do with Martin Luther.'
can easily show you, Reverend Father,
me
a minute's patient hearing.
will
but grant
that
when our Lord God
holy word written,
He
first
gave to Moses
did not cause
Egyptian tongue, or any other spoken
Hebrew,
in the
Saviour's
did they
New
Testament
if
you
not true
at Sinai
His
to be written in the
in those days, Israel,
but in
whose were later,
the
Holy Ghost, wrote
the
—the
glad
of the
tidings
coming and of the forgiveness of
make
it
But when, 1500 years
blessed Apostles, inspired by the
books of the
it
language of His people
the law and the promises?
Is
—
why Hebrew
sins,
use of the Greek, instead of the
Master Nicholas.
29
tongue, although, with the exception of Luke, they were
Jews?'
all '
'
Without a doubt
Jews, but to
for this reason,' replied
was
that the gospel
to
nations of the world
all
Father Felix,
be proclaimed not alone to the ;
Greek
thus, as the
language was at that time dominant, almost universal '
The new wine
Hebrew
vessels of the
old
tongue, lest
the
—
should burst and the fine wine be spilled, lost,
to
instead of turning to the salvation of so
whom Hebrew
wine
in the
was a dead
new bottles,
the savour of
unto
life
letter,
to wit the
life' (2
old
that
'
;
many
whom
but to
Greek language,
Cor.
reading except
this
v/as to
I
am
in this
man was
raised
of God, by translating
Most
true,
Jerome,
informed.
holy book
Yes
;
but,
up it
my good
who
in his cell at '
be
of
drift
on him with a
fixed his large eyes
Father,
is little
—
for
enough,
empire through which the Gospel spread.
St.
new
16).
ii.
—
my own after the
Greek, the Latin tongue prevailed in the ancient
*
to say
thousands,
but he went on
Moreover, as
devout
.
bottles
is
Father Felix, struck dumb, suddenly divining the his friend's remarks,
deep gaze
.' .
of the gospel was not to be put into the
to
make
a
new
And
Roman
then another
vessel for the
word
into Latin.'
friend
!
It
was that man of God,
in the fourth century
made
that translation
Bethlehem.'
from what
I
have been
told,
it
seems as though
new cask had been unsound in their fastenings, and much of the fine spirit of this new wine had About that same period, there came thus escaped. sundry hoops in this
.
.
r
292
Master Nicholas.
>
know
but you
far better
about
wild,
all this
than
I do,
— something
from the East and from the West,
like a raging water-flood,
numerous hordes overflowing the Western Empire, and
turning everything topsy-turvy, burning cities and villages, slaying the inhabitants,
the
Roman
and
at last settling
themselves in
which they founded the various king-
lands, in
doms which still exist. They were called, if I mistake not let me remember The Goths. These Gothic barbarians nearly all spoke
—
.'
.
.
*
German, and the violent convulsions, the destruction and revolutionizing of the Western Empire, the irruption of the barbarians
— the
is
usually
known
as
migration of the bar-
baric hordes.' '
Well
what
!
I
was about to say was, that by
irruption or migration, as you. Father, call
existence.
Men
French, in
Germany German.
Spain to talk Spanish, in France
in
At
that time the
the gospel ought to have been again poured into
But
sels.
common yet
it
alas
1
wine of
new
ves-
was not done, and although the
people no longer understood the Latin tongue,
was retained
theless
this
very
this
the ancient
and the modern sprang into
languages became extinct
began
it,
it
in the public
worship of God.
Never-
stands clearly written in the ist Epistle to the
Corinthians, xiv. ii, on the subject of the
proper use of
divers tongues, " Therefore
if I
know not
the voice, I shall be unto
him
that speaketh a barbarian,
and he is it
that speaketh shall
to say, I
be a barbarian unto me."
cannot understand him.
was given
at
first
the meaning of
to preach
to
To
That
the blessed apostles
every
man
in his
own
M<^ster Nicholas. tongue wherein they were born (Acts
ii.
293 During nearly
4-1 2).
a thousand years was this monstrous evil of the Latin tongue tolerated,
and
it
happened even
— " the
new wine doth
spilled,
and the
Felix, if I
it
easily
all
for a
ingly, to the best of their
And
U.
this
the poor
they did accord-
power, and they jumbled up one
kind of Christianity with another, and bound although not a syllable of
is
So the great
— take not amiss, Father give —could too
X
foretold
and the wine
be marred."
thus speak out freely,
ignorant people an
Lord had
burst the bottles,
bottles will
lords of the Church,
as the
all
that
it all
was new
together,
of
in this sort
teaching can be found in God's word.'
Father Felix cast his eyes to the ground, with a serious
and thoughtful look. Master Nicholas, however, waxing keener and keener, thus continued,
— 'Then
indeed
darkness, dimness
15),
and soon
.
.
.
it
"Behold trouble and
and they were driven
The light was put
(Isa. viii. 22).
looked gloomy
matters
enough throughout Christendom. "
to darkness"
under a bushel" (Matt.
might have been extinguished,
if
the
v.
Lord
had not had compassion on His Church and on the people of Germany,
and raised up a worthy master-cooper
His vineyard
in
well-built
Doctor Martin Luther.
for
constructed a
two-measure cask, wherein the ever new wine of
the gospel was contained in the
now once more
all
can,
good German tongue, and
by the grace of God,
water out of the wells of salvation is,"
He
''with joy
" (Isa. xii. 3).
"
And
draw this
says Luther's friend Matthesius, " one of the greatest
of miracles, which our
God
brought to pass by Dr. Martin
Master Nicholas.
294
Luther before the end of the
Germans our
world,
giving to
us
German Bible, to explain to us, in German words, what is His Divine nature
beautiful
good, intelligible
from everlasting and His gracious Father, this
—the
will."
See then. Reverend
what Martin Luther planned and purposed,
is
and moreover what he accomplished by the power of God
and His merciful help
And how has *
least, '
this it
German
Amen.'
!
Bible of which you are so proud,
not been desecrated, and, by the multitude at
misunderstood
!'
Misunderstood, Reverend Father
By your
!
me remind you
of what you
doubt whether
would not have been better
it
when
said
" If a
a to
me your commands through a You answered me by quoting the true proverb,
word passes from one
seldom reaches
taken from tell
you
rather to send
eifort,
messenger.
it
for
making such
spare yourself as an invalid, and, instead of
an
leave, let
expressed
I
all
You
it."
right,
to another
by many tongues,
but something
added, "
I
therefore
is
added
deem
it
to or
better to
or to hear a matter myself rather than by proxy."
And
what you so shrewdly remarked about the words of poor erring
man, how much more does
word of the
living
God
!
it
hold true regarding the
The Lord
of heaven and earth
has Himself spoken to His children of mankind
;
not His children themselves give ear, that
to say,
suffered themselves to read
to say to
them %
arisen because
what
their
is
and
shall
be
Heavenly Father has
No, Father, the misunderstandings have
men would put
and thus they wasted the
the
fine,
new wine
into old vessels,
pure, strong liquor, passing
Master Nicholas.
many
God's holy word down to us by so
meddling and making so much about could ^
tell
It
smile,
sarcastic
it,
tongues,
that at last
what the Lord God actually did say singular,
is
295 and
no one
!'
however,' rejoined Father Felix with a
'that in your
new church
the misunder-
standings should have arisen precisely through the reading
of the
Bible
and that the Lutherans, the Reformed and
;
the Calvinists,
all will
understand and interpret
Have you not heard how
it
each in
his
own way.
in
North Germany, the fatherland of your much praised
in these last times,
and the Reformed have been
Bible-man, the Lutherans
mutually hating and persecuting each other, and what scandals have
been going on concerning the doctrine of the
Sacrament V '
An enemy
hath done
this,
Father
The enemy who
!
here, as elsewhere, ever builds his chapel close beside the living
church of those born again of the word, of water and
of the Spirit (James all
i.
18
;
John
iii.
;Meanwhile, since
5).
main
evangelical Confessions are one on the
are founded on the firm rock of God's word,
—
point,
all
—
all
acknow-
ledge Jesus Christ as the only Mediator and Saviour, and
adore
Him
as the true
God
forgiveness of sins through
shedding,
— and
His mercy
;
;
all
believe they can obtain the
Him alone,
—
that
is,
by His blood-
salvation, everlasting blessedness,
through
therefore I hold that the sad dispute regard-
ing the doctrine of the Lord's Supper
is
assuredly one of
those tares sown by the devil, which the Lord at the time of the har\-est will (Matt. reapers, gather, bind
xiii.
and burn.
30),
by the hands of His
Let no one conclude that
Master Nicholas.
296 the reading of
Holy
Scripture
is
to
blame
for
such
and
evils
misunderstandings.' '
Truly,
Granted.
work
Satan's
my
friend,
it
not God's word but
is
Church asunder.
has torn the
that
It
is
Luther, that bold, impudent monk, puffed up with conceit,
who became minds
the devil's tool,
astray,
Christendom
who by
his heresies led
men's
and lighted the torch of discord and hatred :
and
all
this for
in
the sake of the unbridled
indulgence of his wicked passions.'
Master Nicholas was on the point of starting up
asked, as though
making a sudden
now. Reverend Father, how did
of reforming the monastery at
As
it
but
it
'Tell
digression,
come
me
to pass that you,
your feeble health, undertook the laborious task
in spite of
'
;
himself instantly, and after a moment's pause
restrained
Gemar
was a task imposed on
I belong, in the
name
!
me by
of the Church,
I
the order to which
could not yield to
any personal consideration, but was constrained, however difficult
it
might seem to be, to submit myself unreservedly
to a higher '
will.'
But what would you
fraternity, with a
raise
say, if the hostile
everywhere a cry to the effect that you had only
the Cathedral Chapter of
your
members of
life
at
the
view to blackening your character, were to
Gemar
Murbach
for the sake of
in luxury, revelling
and
all
left
spending
manner of
licentiousness?'
For a while Father Felix gazed fixedly his large piercing eyes
choly
smile,
;
at the
Master with
then he answered with a melan-
'This poor wasted body, sacrificed in the
Master Nicholas.
may
service of the convent,
well serve as the best refuta-
tion of such calumnies, which for
297
will,
moreover, be set at rest
ever before many days have passed over, by
my
early
grave.' '
Yes
—and we,
all
of us
and honoured you both
church and
v/alk,
and your
we
in private,
But
consecrated to the Lord.
life
do how
you know so much better than I " the dead they shall not live, and the deceased they not rise"
who
xxvi.
(Isa.
14,
German
version)
;
all
to your pure
good conscience, bear witness
could, with a
and holy
who have known you and loved
in the
true
that
is
it
shall
and so we
too,
love you so heartily, and assuredly would rise up to
avenge with indignation, but solemnly and emphatically, every malicious slander, for our life "
is
soon cut
Soon Friend Death slanderers '•
Why
may
will
—we
and we
off,
soon have passed away, fly
away"
(Psal. xc. 10).
have shut our mouths, and then the
vilify at their pleasure.'
beat about the bush,
full well Father
shall
Rufhnus and
to endure his calumnies
my good
know
friend, since I
his evil tongue,
more composedly than
and
I
ought
have
I fear I
done V '
You
purest
see
by your own example,
then,
against evil-speaking
— one more
man
of those points of resem-
blance between you and the great Luther, of frankly confess that you,
once reminded '
that even the
walk and conversation cannot guarantee a
me
whom
must
I
Reverend Father, have more than
!'
Against such an idea
I
claimed the Father, shocked,
must solemnly protest if
not incensed.
!
'
ex-
Master Nicholas.
298
A little while hence, when, —up yonder, where " the Lamb
'
(Rev.
vii.
17) shall feed"
His own, "and
unto living fountains of waters tears
all
faith,
from their eyes,"
— you
them
wipe away
shall
meet that champion of the
Martin Luther, give him, as a brother, the right hand
God
of fellowship, and before the throne of with him that chorus of praise of V.
shall lead
and God
;
12),
"Worthy
is
Lamb
the
was
that
sing in unison
redeemed (Rev.
the
all
slain,"
— then
you
will think of old Master Nicholas, and assuredly you will
confess that you and Luther are kindred spirits
But what
'
world can
in all the
common
have in
I
monk?' asked Father
that apostate
!'
with
an involuntary
Felix,
tear nevertheless standing in his eye.
Nearly everything, Reverend Father
'
you everything
before, with
is,
as
!
—
only, as I said
appears to me, on a
it
smaller scale.' '
set
Look
here, Father
!
in I
You
xvi. 30).
;
good
earnest,
do
be saved?"
traditions
for the Saviour
is
Erfurt, " a terrible Judge, before
you doubtless :
feel as
to
and
which have hid Christ to
you
Luther more than a hundred years ago,
fasting,
repeat, utterly
have, both of you, been brought up
amid men's sayings and from your eyes
described
I
you and Doctor Luther have both
"What must
(Acts
by
is,
about seeking your soul's salvation
have honestly inquired,
to
that
friend,
!'
impossible '
my good
But indeed,
he then
" the more pains
what
in his
He
was
convent
Avhom you tremble
did, I
still
;"
at
and
and which he has himself
took to pacify
watching and praying, the
my conscience
less did
I
experience
Master
NicJiolas.
299
of rest and peace, for the true light was withdrawn from
But the Lord graciously'gave him
eyes."
by causing him,
that
among
in the said convent, to find
and dusty volumes that precious book the Holy if
mistake not,
I
a
Latin
translation.
my
True Light,
From
the
old
Bible, in,
that time
Luther made himself so familiar with the Sacred Scriptures, that he found
no pleasure
a single text lay
imbedded
And
him comfort.
any other study, and sometimes
in
in his
mind a whole day and gave
human
as each
of God, and at the same time a
soul should be a temple
little
church, that
to say,
is
a living stone of the grand invisible church of Christ, which
be manifested
will
— so
this earth,
in her glory only
the Lord,
inner sanctuary, Luther's
when He
by His word,
own
and leading him
reformed His
first
soul, freeing
it
from human
traditions
and
errors,
that " our
own
righteousness cannot stand before
secondly^
" that
Christ, that
is,
and
by the forgiveness of ;"
and grace of God clearly
once as
if
— that
is,
is
ii.
4
'
;
the Bible."
born again, as though
man can be Rom, 17 i.
itself to
my
Ver.,
I
When
relates, " I
seemed
soul."
and
Jesus
proper
all this first
then
felt at
had found a door
That a
'
in
through His blood,
'
man
lives
by
into
faith,'
God only by faith (Hab. The just shall live by faith '),
justified before
— Eng.
the knowledge of this
heaven
faith
y^/'j"/,
;"
the holy gospel of the glory
upon him, he himself
Paradise thrown wide open. that
sins
God
thirdly^ " that the
and
true treasure of the church
dawned
to acknowledge,
we must be saved only by
and by His righteousness
returns to
to
open up holy
'
scripture
and
Dear and honoured Father, your
honest strivings and strugglings for your soul's salvation
Maste?' NicJiolas.
300 form your
first
open heaven to you
will
Do
point of likeness to Luther.
" search the Scriptures
also,
"
(John
" find rest unto your soul " (Matt.
'You can hardly
v.
xi.
and then
39),
and you
also,
then,
30).
contrive, however,
to find
any other ecclesi-
with a forced smile, and a painful effort to conceal
deep inward '
faith
like Luther,
will,
resemblance between Luther and me,' rejoined the astic,
you
Yet,
.
.
agitation.' .
themselves
;
yet.
Reverend Father, the other points follow of
For, you perceive, to
case.
on a smaller
only, as I remarked,
scale in your
you was committed the
httle
reformation in the convent at Gemar, to Luther the greater in the
church in Germany.
and pure morals
As you had
to restore discipline
into subjection to the rules of your order,
intrusted to Luther the task of setting stick of the
—
so our
doctrine
and the
authority, as held
up anew the candle-
rules
and practised
all
things once
established in the
filed,
the Scripture says that
separate
heavens terday,
"
from sinners,
(Heb.
and
vii.
to-day,
26),
and
He
days of the apostles,
High
Priest of
" holy, harmless, unde-
and made higher than the (Heb.
for ever."
life
as
wearisome and arduous work also Father Luther, as
to the
even " Jesus Christ, the same yes-
own
with true self-denial yielded your
and offered up your
is
more
on the highest
those doctrines and rules established by that
whom
Lord God
Divine Word, which had been long hidden in
the fallen Church, and bringing
pure
once more
in the monaster)^, to bring all
xiii. 8).
will to
You have
a higher
will,
a sacrifice, undertaking the in a spirit of obedience.
he writes
:
"
God
constrains
me
So to
Master Nicholas. go forward
;
30
have yielded myself up and sacrificed myself
I
in the
name
when
called to appear before the Diet of
Lord
of the
;
His
will
be done
And
!"
again,
Worms, and
re-
quired to recant his doctrines, he exclaimed, " Lord God, this is
not
my
affair,
I
interest I
have nothing to do with these
great lords of this world here.
But the cause
Come, Lord,
just and holy one.
my own
For
but Thine.
have nothing to seek, and
am
I
ready
!
Thine, a
is
I will not
Thy
myself be separated everlastingly from Thee and
let
my body on
word, even should
My
soul
eternity.
is
that account be torn to pieces.
Thine, and shall ever remain with Thee to
Amen
!"
But as you, Father,
so Luther in his greater sphere, met
in
your smaller
all
circle,
among opponents
with
not open hostility alone, but calumny and bitter condemnation,
and malicious misrepresentations, which pictured him and been the slave of
vile,
webs of falsehood spreading
like
as having led an unchaste hfe,
carnal lusts, these evil
many even after his grave And this might
poisonous rankling weeds, ensnaring
day has passed, and he easily '
happen
in
There lacks but
must make me, '
rests in his
your case
also,
this to
like Luther,
!
Reverend Father
!'
complete the likeness, that you
marry a runaway nun
!'
Catherine von Bora was an honourable and virtuous
maiden, who, after the abolition of her convent, according to
an order pronounced by Divine as well as human
was united
to
Doctor Martin Luther as
in
and
whom, before God and men, he holy and blessed wedlock. Your Church had,
beloved married lived
right,
his rightful
wife, with
with her law of celibacy, thrown a wicked rope round his
Master Nicholas.
302 neck.
This was one of those traditions and ordinances of
men, against which Dr. Luther only by word but deed.
Timothy, chap,
to
Spirit
the
in
iv.,
As you
faith,
insist,
.
.
with him
whether
How could
!
Gemar,
if I
on the flaming
the Church '
to protest, not
and 3d
ist
I will or not,
me
"The
verses,
I
on comparing me
leave to contrast myself
ever have reformed the monastery
I
had divided where
demolished where oil
bound
written in the ist Epistle
forbidding to marry."
.
with Luther, you must also give
at
felt
it is
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the *
For
I
should have united, and
should have built up, or
fire
And
%
that
if I
had cast
was what Luther did
in
!'
That he did not
do, Father, for
when
in the first out-
burst of their zeal the Evangelical party stormed the images in the Churches,
and began such scandals
restrained them,
and with
"
his
in various ways,
mighty voice he cried
The Word, by which heaven and
he
out,
earth were created, that
must do the work, and not we poor sinners
See then,
!"
Father, not in presumptuous self-confidence, as you imagine (for that
him),
would, as
but right and natural, soon have failed
is
but by firm faith
Jesus Christ
in
our Lord and
Saviour, did Luther accomplish his great work.
He
was
endued with strength from on high, and thus he stood firm before the
Emperor and
hair s-breadth from the
declared
me
!
:
"
Amen
Here !
"
I
the Diet.
word of the
stand
And
the
;
I
He
departed not one
living
God, but boldly
cannot otherwise
;
God
Lord has helped wondrously.
help It
was not the poor despised monk, under the ban of Pope
Master Nicholas.
303
and Emperor, who reformed the Church, but the word of
God and
alone which gained the victory over
traditions
(Acts xvi. 31), " Believe on
It is written
superstitions.
human
the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." i.
whom we
" In
7),
according to the riches of His
forgiveness of sins,
the
He
grace."
who had
then
drawn out of the
believed,
and by
good works.
*'
Call
no man your
Father, which
Pope's
infallibility,
is
it
with
written (Matt,
upon the
father
for
is
it
"There
10),
iii.
it
earth, for
But, moreover,
it
is
money
xxiii.
one
holiness
also written (Psalm xiv. 3,
none righteous,
is
9),
your
is
There was an end then of
supremacy, ditto as to his so-called
the
and
Rom.
Again,
in heaven."
is
had
faith
His grace, he had the forgive-
fulness of
ness OF SINS, and had no need to purchase or with
(Eph.
have redemption through His blood,
written (i Tim.
ii.
5),
no,
and
not one."
"There
one
is
God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man
Thus then
Christ Jesus."
as guardian angels,
Once more
"Thou
it
is
intercessors, mediators
written
Him
.
.
.
Thou
their altars.
our Lord, in
v.
8),
vi.
it is
God my
written
Saviour."
and Matt.
Then
serve."
And
13,
iv.
10,
Luke
Lord thy God and serve Him.
shalt fear the
only shalt thou
all
such
such-like.
(Exod. xx. 4 and Deut.
saints descended, without being
from
and
make unto thee any graven image, or any Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them;" and (Deut. iv.
for ever all saints,
shalt not
likeness.
8), "
away
fell
the images of the
stormed by any iconoclasts,
concerning Mary the mother of
(Luke
How
i.
47), "
My spirit
hath rejoiced
did the quiet and modest ser-
Master Nicholas.
304
vant of the Lord, by that one Httle word "
from her
put
far
her
name
for
And
!
wind" (Acts
ii.
ever
in like
Saviour^'
the idolatry carried on in
all
manner, by the " rushing mighty
Holy Ghost, which
the outpouring of the
2),
i7iy
blows from God's word so loud a
blast, all the
other wares
of their trade, purgatory, masses, pilgrimages, penances and castigations, relics
and so
as spray before the
wind
At
and
conversation was interrupted by a violent
this point the
The storm had
peal of thunder.
and wildly did
were shivered and scattered
forth,
!'
it
rage.
over them,
Thunderbolt followed thunderbolt,
poured as
torrents of rain
at length burst
the heavens were coming
if
down.
who had
Brother Kilian,
fallen,
during the controversy,
into a gentle slumber, rose from his bench beside the stove,
and crossed himself been playing
at
in terror
hoop
in the
and awe.
Jobely,
who had
workshop, returned to the par-
lour in hot haste, to take refuge under the motherly wings
of his dear
'
Dame
visibly excited
also
by the
Master- Cooperess^
and moved by the dialogue, and affected
sultry,
thunder-laden
Dame Martha was
air,
quite uneasy.
cabinet and offered to the sick '
man
Let alone your drugs, Martha
know him!'
But Father Felix,
became so unwell
a few refreshing drops. !'
said the Master,
all
we
'
I
will
pray for
present folded their hands.
Master
a better arcanum for our dear guest
Hereupon
that
She gently opened her
:
Nicholas uncovered his head, and he, after a short silent supplication, repeated solemnly the following
the 29th Psalm
:
—
words from
Master Nicholas, *
305
The God of glory thundereth The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The Lord sitteth upon the flood Yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. The Lord will give strength unto His people The Lord will bless His people with peace ;
;
;
.
.
.
.
.
;
;
'And now,' he proceeded, Met us
yet further refresh our
dear and honoured invalid with a spiritual song
Dame
accompanied by
!'
the Master sang with his powerful bass the glorious the church of old, '
By
hymn
of
composed by Martin Luther—
Out of the depths
I cry to
Thee.
degrees Brother Kilian chimed in also, and in the last
verse even Father Felix struck in with
tones
Then,
Martha's and Jobely's silvery voices,
almost whispered
soft,
:
*
Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord God, O hear my prayer
!
Incline a gracious ear to me.
And If
bid
me
not despair
:
Thou rememberest each misdeed,
If each should have
Lord,
who
its
meed.
rightful
shall stand before
Thy love alone we The pardon of our sin The strictest life is but in vain, Our works can nothing win
'Tis through
Thee
?
gain
;
:
That none should boast himself of aught. But own in fear Thy grace hath wrought
What
in
Him
seemeth righteous.
U
Master Nicholas.
3o6
Wherefore my hope is in the Lord, My works I count but dust, I build not there, but on His word, And in His goodness trust. Up to His care myself I yield,
He is my tower, my rock, my And for His help I tarry.
shield,
And though it linger till the night, And round again to morn,
My
heart shall ne'er mistrust
Nor count
O
Do
thus,
Ye
of the Spirit born indeed.
Wait
for
Thy
might.
itself forlorn.
ye of Israel's seed,
your God's appearing
Though
great our sins and sore our wounds, deep and dark our fall, His helping mercy hath no bounds, His love surpasseth all. Our trusty loving Shepherd He,
And
Who
shall at last set Israel free.
From
The storm was now his return
home.
all their sin
over,
The
and sorrow.' ^
and Father Felix prepared
careful
for
and considerate housewife,
the motherly Martha, opened her chest and drew forth the
Master's fur coat, which she had laid by, well wrapped in
white linen with plenty of pepper and lavender, to preserve it
from the moths.
in a friendly
warm
coat.
grow
chilly.
and
*
Permit me, Reverend Father,' she said
respectful tone, 'to send with
The storm has cooled the air You have a long ride before ;
so easily suffer from any exposure
—
you
this
the evening will
you, and might
!
^ Luther, 1524. The above translation is extracted from Catherine Winkworth's admirable volume, Lyra Germanica, in which, with its text. Psalm cxxx. i, 3, it is given for the Fifth Sunday in Lent.
Master *
Oh
evening grace
Oh
!
!
'
out here in the fresh air
come quickly
Master Nicholas
!'
quite a festival
it is
bow
the beautiful
to see
G?tadenboge?i) in the sky
(
307
Dame Martha and
Father FeUx,
!
shouted Jobely,
NicJiolas.
of
!
Father Felix looked at hira with astonishment. '
He means
the rainbow,' interposed the Master's wife with
some embarrassment. *
No bow of grace
Have you not
emphatically reiterated
!
!
*
'
"
our gracious God, when
He
Noah
but rather
men
in
And the
truly
it
was a
and
shining
heaven.
to mani-
saying, the httle
out to the
as
Between
above the distant range of the Black
though
it
Flowers and
evening carol
were one of the golden gates of foliage,
;
in
lifting
up
their
Redemption, travaileth,'
radiant for
the heavy
heads as
if in
joyously singing their breathing more freely,
solemn. Sabbath-like
the mild shining of the
groaneth and
bowed down under
The little birds were men and beasts were
Nature lay
sign of that
!
setting sun, over the
was stretched the seven-hued bow of grace,
hills,
thanksgiving.
all
was going
So
Dame Martha
and the
drops during the storm, were
and
thought not of the
evening out there
festival
plain, not far
Forest
He
because
in the clouds to
door near the workshop.
black thunder-clouds
broad
which
our dear Saviour]'
fellow dragged the Father front of the
bow
after the deluge, assuredly
floods of rain, but of the grace fest to all
^^bo7ii ofg7'ace^'
set the
Jobely.
how we
yourself explained to me, mistress,
ought not to say " rainbow
comfort
little
arch,
which
'the earnest
'
stillness,
under
the unchangeable the whole creation
expectation of the
3o8
j\ Taster
Xic/iolas.
God
creature waiting for the manifestation of the sons of
(Rom.
viii.
For a
19-23).
balmy breath of
Httle while all stood in silence, the
evening wafting the fragrance of the
towards them,
fields
while that of their secret prayers arose towards heaven.
Then Master Nicholas once more Spener's head as '
Look
if
hand on Jobely of blessing him, and said
in the act
laid his
:
here now, Reverend Father, this
God's Holy
has
Spirit visibly rests,
to
—these
tents of the
two
Holy
at
Bible.
That
away from God and
so loved the world " (John
is,
by
sin
we have
into everlasting perdition iii.
His bloody atoning death,
through the cross, — and
God's word teaches and
added
to this, or taken
human
invention,
no strength
saved by free grace, might
All that your
testifies.
from
and can
it,
is
mere vain deceit and
afford to the soul
for sanctification
All this
Church has
no comfort
and no peace
perhaps in a few days, a cross
the '
will stand
in
in death.'
Father Felix replied in a low and mournful tone
Oh
but
16) that in Jesus Christ
be reconciled with His everlasting righteousness.
life,
;
all
from His high heaven to us poor sinners,
that we, being saved through that
to say,
is
"
He came down
of Grace in
once picture forth the whole con-
fallen
God
have been
I
explain clearly in a long conversation.
The Cross upon earth and the Bow HEAVEN,
on the
hit the right nail
head, and expressed in a few words what trying in vain
whom
one, on
little
upon
' :
my
Soon, grave.
may then through grace be enabled to enter eternal home by yonder beautiful gate of heaven
into
He
was
that I
'
!
It
is
written over the cross
(Isa.
liii.
5),
"
Master Nicholas. wounded
He
our transgressions,
for
iniquities
309 was bruised
and with His
we
stripes
And by
are healed."
mouth The mountains
and the
hills
10), "
liv.
be removed
but
;
my
this
this
we
will
saith the
hold
fast,
Lord
that hath
Father
;
on
we
;
of
shall not
kindness
my
mercy on thee
this
bow
shall depart,
depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of
be removed,
Him
of the Lord
the everlasting covenant of grace, the
speaks to us (Isa.
for our
upon
the chastisement of our peace was
:
peace
and
will live
By
!"
die
;
then shall our falling asleep be peaceful, and our awakening
up yonder
right blessed
workshop with the
ass
;
carefully spread
before,
saddle
!
now come round
Brother Kilian had
;
all
was ready
Dame Martha
had, a good while fur coat
me
to take
over the
Father Felix lingered.
still
length he began in a somewhat hesitating tone
allow
door of the
her husband's but
;
to the
At
Will you
'
:
me
for
and turned
his
your Bible with me, and lend
it
to
a few days. Master Nicholas V
The Master stood leather cap round to
there, quite astounded,
and round on
his head, as
he was wont
do when he heard anything that struck him
as very un-
expected.
With joy would he have given the good old
Father
his heirlooms
all
what they may, Bible rarer
!
—but
And be
and more
more valued
it
—
precious things, be they
all his
his Bible
and dearly-loved
his holy
!
remarked, a Bible was in those days far
costly than now, perhaps
than, alas
!
by many
it
now
on that account
is.
But Jobely, who heard Father Felix present his sprang forward with
the
Bible
in
his
hand,
petition,
and gave
3
Master Nicholas.
o
1
to the Master, saying,
it
'
Pray do lend your Bible to the
Reverend Father, dear Master, and lend you mine.
will
the
in
You know which
meantime
mean, the
I
large one, so beautifully bound, with gilt leaves
my
clasp,
christening present
my
from
me
to '
for you, for she
Has not
knows you
that child put
me
to
will give
will take care of
shame again
Master Nicholas, as he put the Bible under arm, adding, with a half-suppressed sigh,
silver
godmother, the
Mother
gracious lady Countess of Rappolstein. it
and
I
fine
'
1'
!'
it
murmured
his old friend's
There
—take
it.
Reverend Father, and may the Lord grant you His blessing !'
with
It
it
was the
first
Sunday
Master Nicholas was
Advent.
in
resting in his easy-chair beside the stove,
from
his
window by
noon-day nap.
newly awakened
Dame Martha was
;
for a surprise to his
heart,
mother on the Christmas
Luther's beautiful Christmas hymn,
festival,
sitting at the
before her stood Jobely Spener, intent on learning
earth I come.'
high, to
But the
little
'
From heaven
fellow, usually so
apt a scholar, was to-day putting the mistress's patience to
a severe place,
test,
and
reiterated
ance.
repeating everything incorrectly and out of
forgetting altogether
what
his
more than twenty times with
Incessantly did his
little
head
kind teacher had unrivalled forbear-
turn, either
towards
the clock, or towards the freshly-baked pastry which the mistress
had promised him
for supper,
and
in
which he
specially delighted.
At
last the
Master began to grow impatient with the too-
Master Nicholas,
He
enduring patience of his wife.
Martha, thou
art careful
but one thing
Thou
ence.
is,
a veritable Mother Eli for that
art
me
Here, Jobely, come to
to boldly dare
no
how does
Jobely,
In manger
'*
'
The
continued Jobely,
go on
it
laid, in
made still
all
Really
!
all, all,
Yes
j
's
quite distracted
Only
sly,
round
think.
Father Felix
and
"
fixing his large
roguish expression.
—
it is
his
little
in
His
good
jumped up
urchin
neck and said gravely
Master Nicholas,
I
dreamt
let
us hear
!
long enough since he has
apprentices
his being very
me back my *
*
:
well
The
news of
who
but, quick as lightning, the
and coaxingly
of him.
stable-home,
Lord of
into his lap, put his arms
'
then
?'
was on the point of being angry
stern teacher
last night of
Now
!
worlds, upholds them
eyes on the Master with a
;
first
—no supper
!
child you'll find
Who
earnest
Master Nicholas
is
half to win
is
pastry,
!
From heaven high, to earth I come, To bring you news, glad tidings all."
**
!
my name
as sure as
desire
you have said the
Till
!
;
little fellow,
to his heart's
four verses properly you shall have all,
" Martha,
to teach children obedi-
and leading him astray according
Eh
' :
and troubled about many things
needful," that
is
1
gave a loud rap on the
and called out with a warning voice
table,
at
3
ill,
who come from Gemar but
still
bring
he ought to have sent
Bible.'
and he ought
to
have sent
me my
little
fishes.
3
Master Nicholas.
1
But he has not forgotten them
Only think,— in
and
the workshop,
;
last
am
that I
were
was a bow of grace,
autumn,
—and Father Felix
was not standing among us down on the
up
me
the httle rod of which he spoke,
now
Jobely, take
A knock
was heard
said,
" There,
fishes."
Brother Kilian entered,
Master Nicholas's Bible on the table
at
after
which he placed
once
at the door.
and he
;
and the Lord Jesus
the wonderful rod,
and
laid
in the little boy's
on which was inscribed
make
and
His own good time Himself give you the
will in
but
grass-plot,
under the beautiful arch
in the clouds, just
gave
sure of now.
standing in front of
all
in the skies there
than that one
finer
far, far
my dream we
ornamental characters,
in
thee a fisher of men' (Matt.
;
hand a small box, '
I will
iv. 19).
'Brother Kilian, what about Father Felix?' exclaimed the three with one mouth.
all
To-morrow
'
All were silent
ward up
he
at ten o'clock
will
be laid
monk, with suppressed voice and
replied the
to the
—
window
Dame Martha
petrified.
to
wipe away her
for-
when he saw
the
shed tears too, his own began to flow down his rosy
cheeks, '
;
stepped
Jobely gazed
tears.
into Brother Kilian's face, awe-struck
monk
in his grave,' tearful eyes.
all
unconsciously.
I trust his soul has
found mercy
in Christ
!'
ejaculated
the Master, after a long pause. '
Our Reverend Father
most hearty thanks last
night
sent you his best salutations
for the
made me promise
as possible after his death.'
book you I
lent him,
would restore
and
which he
to you, as
soon
Master Nicholas. ^
Did he
suffer
much towards
his
313
end V asked the tender-
hearted Martha.
Not so far as I know, Dame Martha. He gradually became weaker and more silent. He, who was wont to '
be the
first
his
left
and always liked to
on doing everything himself,
insist
and the
he
in everything,
last
never
latterly
Moreover, he was not able to speak, and
cell.
was forbidden by the doctor
to try.
But he always looked
peaceful and cheerful, so that the sight of his heavenly
patience
made
one's heart well-nigh break
I
!
when lamp
I
went
still
was
in to look after him, there
found him
This morning
almost constantly poring over that big book.
his little night-
burning, and he was sitting, not undressed, his head
sunk down on
his folded hands, over his
For long
book.
I
did not venture to disturb him, believing him to be engaged in prayer.
But when
I
did softly step close up to him,
perceived that death had overtaken him,
Father Felix had passed away from
presumptuous wish
— that our beloved
among
gladly would I have gone with him,
if
From henceforward
!
soon
I
us
!
Ah
that were it
will
!
how
not a
be no easy
nor pleasant thing to dwell in our convent, when Father RufiEinus
more
closed eyes, and
fell
"
They
that
good monk's
slowly into the cup of wine which
Martha had brought '
And once
resumes the reins of government.'
the large tear-drops escaped from the
sow
Dame
to revive him. in tears shall
reap in joy.
He
that
goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him'" (Psalm cxxvi.
5,
6),
deep emotion, he held out
said Master Nicholas, as, with
his
hand
to Brother Kilian.
Master Nicholas.
314
My best
*
Mistress
thanks to you, Master
May God
!
reward you,
dare not linger longer with you, for
I
!
I
have
various commissions to execute connected with to-morrow's
and
funeral,
I
Scarcely had the
uncovered
!'
at
now
at length restored,
and value most sacred
interest
hands over the
his venerable head, folded his
precious volume
hearts,
Gemar again before night monk disappeared when the Master
must be
—and
his lips
Jobely however, nature,
had already
shining
little fish
moved
to their
— with
an added
warm and honest
gently in secret prayer.
who,
according to
risen
above
children's
When
into the Mistress's lap.
happy
shook out
his sorrow,
his
she raised
her finger and pointed gravely to her husband engaged in enjoining silence,
prayer, thus
he only looked up
at her
with his bright eyes radiant with joy, each time that a
was hanging
When '
safely
by the
little
fish
rod.
the Master ceased praying, his wife said to him,
Father, the child's
dream must have come from heaven.
The wonder-working rod
signifies the
word of God, and
the promise which Father Felix, with his dying hand, wrote
on the box
for his litde favourite,
is
found
thou must become a minister of the word
;
in
it.
it is
Jobely,
the will of
God!' '
What
child,
is
the meaning of " a fisher of
men " V
inquired the
holding out his box to show the words to Master
Nicholas. '
It
means
to
go
like the blessed apostles to all places,
even unto the ends of the earth, with strong confidence, proclaiming the gospel, that
faith all
and joyous
men may be
N idtolas.
Master drawn
'
And
Him,
1
Him and
and may hang upon
to the dear Saviour,
cleave to
3
as these httle fishes to the magnet.'
did the Lord Jesus send to
me
tell
this last night
by Father Felix?' *
Possibly indeed,' replied Master Nicholas
'
Most assuredly
!'
Thereupon Jobely folded simplicity of a
little
'
;
and
.' .
.
interposed his wife.
child
:
—
his '
hands and prayed with the
Now
then, dear Saviour, I pro-
a pastor. Only do Thou make me right godly, that I may with the wonder-working rod of Thy word be able to fish many, many souls for
mise Thee
become
I will certainly
Thee!'
*Amen, Jobely, amen! that
may be even
it
he turned towards
so
!'
The Lord
give His blessing
exclaimed the Master.
Martin
Luther's
picture
So saying,
and added
Thou didst speak the truth, venerable Father Thy word they shall let stand." The holy word of God has still preserved its Divine power, and now once more an anxious and distressed soul has found salvation and peace in it Now, at last, good Father Felix, thou true and upright soul, now thou hast solemnly,
'
:
"
!
gone over and
Thou
of thorns,
'
art saying,
The
(i Pet.
i.
Now, up yonder,
even as
grass withereth
but the word
of the
24, 25,
own
!
self-woven crown
precious blood of our Lord and
but by the
Saviour Jesus Christ.
thou
reached the other side before us
safely
hast found grace, not by thine
I
here below in
in thy bright glory,
my
weakness
:
and the flower thereof falleth away
Lord endureth
and Psalm
ciii.
17.)
for
ever.'
Amen
;
!
THE FOREST-HOUSE. *
Unto them were committed the
At a
Rom.
oracles of God,'
2.
iii.
the distance of about a league from the Schauenberg, the Vosges to which pilgrims resort, and at the foot
hill in
of which
lies
the small
town of Ruffach, stands the Forest-
House, where, somewhere about the eighties of lived the Anabaptist
Biedermann, with
his
last century,
two grandchildren
Hans and Vreneli. Whether this Httle farm still exists I know not, but a pleasanter abode than the Forest-House then was could not be found anywhere.
and fragrant
pine-forests encircling
green meadows, cows,
—
it
to call to
But
far
lofty
open space of
fine,
— the pasture of Biedermann's stately herd of
met the eye with so bright and tempting a mien
mind
the words,
more than
situation,
Surrounded by its
did
the
'
It is
charm of
good
its
for us to
beautiful
be
here.'
and salubrious
every new-comer feel the beneficial
ence exercised by
its
patriarchal custom, old
inhabitants.
According to
Biedermann was
house, and not that alone, but
among
as
influ-
pristine
priest in his
all his
own
brethren and
co-religionists scattered over the surrounding hills.
Regu-
The Forest-House, Sunday they assembled
larly every
where he held Divine
in his simple way.
tion,
when
And
the churches were closed, their bells silent,
day, then the Forest-House
solemnized, week
after
many a
proving to
week,
'
decadis
'
many
many an
on the mountain-top
peaceful, holy Sabbath,
its
scene of consolation and of blessing.
the Jew,
The
—welcomed
whom
he afterwards concealed
in safety across the frontier.
who was
said
In
these
all
ever ready to go hand in hand Avith him.
Simeon dwelt
in his
as a lad of fourteen, he
As an
a pedlar.
own
house, at Sulzmatt.
had begun
to ply his trade as
old man, therefore, throughout the whole
region around, he was well
was scarcely a house
known
pack on
his
There
as Simele the Jew.
in the valley or
on the mountains
which he was not the familiar newsmonger. his
guil-
in the forest
matters his chief help was his old friend Simeon P.,
difficult
Even
innocent victim,
a noble or ecclesiastic,
and conveyed
and
for the
During the Reign of Terror, Biedermann deprived the lotine of
to
in the storms of the Revolu-
the people taught to substitute heathenish
Lord's
1
the Forest-House,
expounding Holy Scripture
service,
them
in
3
in
When, with
shoulders and his measuring-staff in his
hand, he was seen tramping through any town or
village,
then doors and windows flew open at once, for every one
must buy something of him, or give a commission or transact
some business
universally
in the
way
admitted that his were
of exchange. the
ribbons, the best stuffs and handkerchiefs, that he really
most
It
was
beautiful
and moreover
was an honest Jew, never yet known
to
have
deceived or over-reached any one, which was saying a great
3
TJie Forest- House.
1
Simeon had one mark by which
deal.
way
recognised him from a long
which he seemed for
one
to
all
the people
to wit, a hectic cough,
off,
have brought into the world with him,
he had always coughed, and as he passed along a
woman
often cried to another,
Simele the Jew
is
When,
during
Cravalles''
broke
coming;
Do
and
street,
you want anything ?
have heard
Revolution,
the out,
I
'
his cough.'
the
so-called
''^
Jews
in our villages the houses of all
the poor Israelites were unroofed, their doors and windows stove
in,
and
homesteads consigned to the
finally their
flames, then old
Simeon
goods and chattels to
fled with his
the Forest-House, where he was hospitably received, and
mutual friendship between him and
From
apace. '
Simele,' panting
wards
after
his host
his
and weary, wended
soon grew
drew on, poor
that time forward, as evening
his solitary
way home-
long wanderings, and on coming within
sight of the tall pines
round the Forest-House, within hear-
ing of the melodious bells of the
he seemed to
cattle,
feel
almost as though a bracing home-breeze from Zion were wafting refreshment towards him, and his prayer might be that of the 126th Psalm, captivity of Zion,
In the German version 7'edeem the captives of tivity,
O
'When
we were it
like
stands thus
Zion
Lord turned again the
the
them
that '
:
')...' Turn
Lord, as the streams in the south
of the 137th would rush upon his mind
Babylon, there we sat down, yea,
membered
Zion.'
delight, ran to
Often,
dream
When
when
meet him with a
we
:
the
{^N.B.
'
again our cap-
!'
Or
'By the
the words rivers of
wept, v/hen
his little
glass of
—
Lord shall
we
re-
Leah, his heart's
new
milk,
and he
The Forest-House.
319
clasped her in his arms, his dull eye would suddenly grow bright
and
his
mournful look vanish, as he raised a calm and
thankful glance towards heaven.
But before proceeding
further,
ance with the said Leah, or she was always called
granddaughter,
in
'
little
acquaint-
" {Jiidle),
Jewess
as
She was Simeon's
Sulzmatt.
—the only one of
Lord had spared
we must make
the
all his
children
whom
the
After death had deprived him also
to him.
of Deborah his beloved wife, and Leah remained his sole treasure, she his
very
became more and more
life.
Nevertheless she
his idol, his all-in-all,
still
continued a poor
neglected orphan, for as Simeon was absent
and often several days
at a time,
day long,
all
he had boarded Leah with
a Jewish family, but paid for her eating only, being anxious that she should live at time, to
done.
learn, in the course
which
Israelitish children
education of
growing up
this
like wild
could be admitted, and
poor child was utterly neglected;
hemp, she was fed sparingly enough
by those who were enriching themselves by nothing for
her.
As Leah
her,
but cared
inherited her grandfather's sensi-
dreamy and unpractical
nature,
and was apt
everything by contraries in household
matters, her
tive,
of
Deborah had
his notable
Schools there were none in those days in our
villages to
the
home and
keep house as well as
to
do
home
looked dirty and untidy, and she herself was usually unwashed, her hair uncombed and her dress in solitary bright point existed in Leah's sad
joy of her grandfather's return. waiting for
him
at the wayside,
tatters.
life,
—
it
One
was the
For hours she would
sit
and only when she heard
The
320 his distant
Fo7'cst-Hoiisc.
cough did she
start up, as if
from an
electric
shock, to run forward quickly and joyously towards him.
And hill
so
it
happened
that one day, having
gone up the
from her town home to meet him, she was thus
on the root of an old House, so deep
in her reveries as neither to see It
mountain was
with fragrance.
farm-servants were
cart.
air
on the
Vreneli and the female
pleasantly busied with raking the cut
grass into heaps, while
laden hay
nor hear any-
was the hay-making and the
thing around her. filled
sitting
tree beside the path, near the Forest-
Hans came
Biedermann was
up, driving a heavily
sitting
on a bench before
the house, quietly enjoying the sight of so
much
stir
and
merriment, when, as he cast his eyes round the whole scene, they rested on the
by the wayside.
silent,
grave and solitary Leah, sitting
'Poor child!' he exclaimed, 'or rather
poor nation, by whose poverty we have become rich
do we always Jews, that
we
forget, again
and
again, that salvation
are indeed your debtors'?'
words with deep
He
said in a friendly tone
little :
'
girl
Come
Why of the
spoke these
then rose, and,
feeling, as if soliloquizing,
going forw^ard, took the
!
is
gently by the
with me,
hand and
Leah, to join
meadows and share our supper.' Now, poor dirty little Leah was an unsightly object indeed
Vreneli in the
but she had singularly
fine, large,
black eyes, which seemed
as though a world of something well worth searching into lay
deep hidden expression,
there.
With these
said large eyes, so full of
she gazed shyly in astonishment at the kind-
hearted Anabaptist, as she answ^ered abruptly, eat
!'
in his
It cost
Biedermann no
little
—
'
I
dare not
trouble to persuade her,
most winning way, to accompany him
to the
meadows.
The Forest-House.
When
there, Vreneli rather
upon her
this strange,
321
owed him a grudge
uncouth, monosyllabic
for thrusting
little
Jewess, so
resolved not to accept anything from her, and so proud and exclusive as to draw from
Hans
the remark,
Jewish child, with her matted hair and her herself as haughtily as
royal princesses
'
Simeon had once, outlines of
filthy
demeans
she were one of the vile brood of
if
And
!
That
*
tatters,
truly
he was not
far
wrong.
in former times, learned the leading
Old Testament history from a brother of his
Deborah's, a Rabbi of the Grand-Duchy of Posen,
came
He
to visit her.
several Psalms in the
brethren, he
had
German
also
who
committed to memory
version, for, like
most of
his
was ignorant of the Hebrew tongue, and could
not therefore understand the Psalms and Prophets as read in the
synagogue every Sabbath and repeated by him, as
best he could, by
way of a
prayer.
That Polish Rabbi,
happening to spend the season of Purim with
his sister
and
her husband, had, moreover, related to them the history of
Queen
Esther, explaining
how
she and Mordecai the
had established the custom of keeping the
feast of
Jew
Purim, as
a memorial of that marvellous deliverance of the people of Israel,
and had ordained that
in every city
and
in all lands,
from generation to generation, old and young should observe it
for ever.
bath-days,
In the long winter evenings and on the Sab-
Simeon now delighted
little Leah when the Lord had and blessed them above all nations
to recount to his
the history of Israel in the days of old,
made His people on the
great
face of the earth.
He would
expatiate on the glory of
Jerusalem, the wondrous magnificence of
its
ancient temple
;
TJie Forest-House.
322
and, last not least, on what was Leah's favourite subject, which
she had called for hundreds of times, the story of Queen Esther, her wise guardian
of her
own
Never did Leah weary of hearing her
people.
grandfather describe
Mordecai and her deliverance
how King Ahasuerus caused Mordecai,
arrayed in royal robes and with a golden crown on his head, to be set
Susa
on
own
his
by Haman
horse and led round the great city of
the mortal
enemy of
king raised Mordecai to be the
first
these historic threads were soon into a
gay and motley
tastic
dream.
offered her
Not
the Jews,
woven
a fan-
any bribe that could have been
for
would she have tasted food
Christian, because she
many
All
head
in Leah's little
rich material for
tissue,
and how the
subject in the land.
had an idea
in the
house of a
fixed in her
mind
that
her refusal would be rewarded as meritorious obedience, similar to that of the youthful Daniel at the court of Babylon.
And when
she was sitting at
home
or at the wayside
so quiet and motionless, she was generally in imagination
not Leah the despised child, schoolmaster called the
'
little
other than Esther the Queen,
means Simeon be led
whom
the wicked
village
Jewish vagabond,' but none
— and
her grandfather by no
the pedlar but Mordecai the Jew, about to
in triumph, not
by
Haman
but by that same school-
master, through the golden streets of Jerusalem.
When,
however, she was suddenly, as on this occasion in front of the Forest-House, recalled from the magic world of vivid
fancy to that of sober
reality,
and found
herself not
Queen
Esther with the purple apparel, lace veil and pearl orna-
ments seen
in
her dreams, but the poor outcast Jewish
TJie Forest-Honsc.
323
child in her filthy tattered frock, then in truth she looked
Hans
as
father
thoroughly as some hated princess might
said,
have done in
Of
her pride.
all
had no conception
;
all this
the
good old grand-
and who can say how
visions of pride might have led poor Leah,
much
forced
longer to drag on her weary, idle
life, if,
good Lord had not taken compassion on
short, the
orphan child of
On
far these
she had been
if
Israel
in
poor
this
!
evening when the thought of our debt
that very
towards Israel had fastened
itself
on the mind and heart
of the excellent Biedermann, he at once broke the
ice,
and
when Simeon came up the path, weary and exhausted, he called him in a friendly way and offered him refreshment in
the shape of bread and cheese with milk, taking the
opportunity to remonstrate, kindly but urgently, on the evil of which he was guilty in letting
and without education. would
To
in the course of time
Simeon
replied that
'
Leah grow up
in idleness
what
his well-meant question,
become of
the poor child
%
old
she was a dear, good child, and in
a few years, when she had grown older and more reasonable, all
would come
earnestly
do not
As
right of itself
and beseechingly,
all
come
the twig
is
— 'No,
right while
we
Biedermann rejoined
no, Simele
bent, so the tree grows.
These things
!
are asleep, as
you imagine.
Idleness
is
the
beginning of destruction, and the habits learned in youth are practised in old age
old
man
hawking
House
!'
Hereupon he broached
his proposal, that, while his goods,
for the
he was going
Leah should be received
to the
his rounds,
in the Forest-
whole day, and should there be instructed by
The Forest-House.
324 Vrenell in
the duties of a housewife, besides learning to
all
Simeon could hardly beHeve
read, knit
and sew.
for never
had any one
before, even
among
that
his
He
spoken to him with as hearty good-will.
his ears,
own
people,
assuredly
felt
Biedermann was right,— that Leah was growing
wilder,
and
that
to herself.
it
would never do
to leave her
he could not make up
Still,
his child to Christians, for
his
visibly
much
mind
longer
to intrust
he would rather have seen her in
her grave than departing from the faith of her forefathers. Nevertheless when, as has been already mentioned, the persecutions against the Jews broke out in our villages,
and Biedermann offered Simeon a place of refuge in the Forest-House, where he cleared out a little dwelling for him, and prepared
for
him a
'
menage,' such as
Leah could look
after under Vreneli's superintendence, then, in the natural
course of things,
it
did
come At
Vreneli for instruction. heavily, for roe,
to pass that the child first
Leah was already wild and coy
and Vreneli had no
her or breaking her yielded nor flagged
daughter that
:
after
Gradually she began
day did he pray with
to
warm
to be
drawn
rays of the sun. at all
And
is
in
it
was given
and
the closed rosebud
Almost as soon
as she
began
towards her friend and instructress, she
attached herself to her with passionate love.
was clumsy
his grand-
be quite fond of Leah,
soon Leah's heart too was opened, as to the
young
give her a heart to care for this
neglected child of Israel's outcast race. her.
like a
Biedermann, however, neither
in.
day
tc
occupation of taming
taste for the
God would
came
indeed the teaching went
handiwork and slow
And
if
she
in acquiring habits of
TJie Forcst-Hotise. cleanliness
and
325
on the other hand she learned read-
order,
ing so quickly, ^nd committed to
memory
so
much and
so
from the German Psalter which Biedermann had pre-
easily
sented to her, that very soon on the latter point she out-
On
shone her teacher.
the Friday evenings,
when Simeon would
regularly returned to the Forest-House at sunset, she
run joyously to meet him with his glass of milk, straightway, in the small, neat
and where she had
room
in
which
lighted his Sabbath
lamp
his
bed
and
stood,
in the seven-
branched candlestick, she would repeat to him the psalm she had been learning through the week. with so
much devout
and expressive pression
it
and with such a melodious
voice, that Simeon, penetrated
made on
and forwards
feeling
This she did
by the im-
him, would rock his head backwards
after the fashion of his
own
people, and would
often with cheerful confidence repeat the words
God
is
It
good
was
to Israel'
(Psalm
certainly only after
Forest-House that the old
became devout and occasion, with
Ixxiii.
for
him and
with Vreneli, to
Truly
i).
man and
apology, told the Anabaptist that,
home
'
his grandchild really
When
Simeon, on one
polite attempts at circumlocution
gratitude he owed, for
all
deeply as he
felt
and the
the kindness which had
made a
and loaded them with
benefits,
his child
he yet could not but
—
they went to dwell in the
believing Jews.
many
:
fear that Leah, in her daily intercourse
whom
she was heart and soul devoted,
might insensibly be led to waver in her adherence to her ancestral faith, might in fact be on the highway to perversion,
—Biedermann, looking
fixedly at
him with
his
calm smile,
The Forcst-Honsc.
326
replied good-humouredly
up here
Christians
' :
If
you only knew
we
Simele,
it,
Forest-House are more truly be-
in the
Jews than you are yourselves, more familiar with
lieving
those glorious promises which the Lord has given to His
chosen people *
!
Gladly would
Biedermann,
—but
for
I believe
it
;
it
my
would do
heart good,
you are a pious man and learned
to boot,
.' .
.
that I am certainly not but my God I am acquainted with His holy word, which is " a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path " (Psalm cxix. 105), as He himself so beautifully tells us.' '
Learned
!
Simele,
no,
;
through the grace of
'
Is that really in
*
Really, Simele.
His word, Biedermann?'
That and a great deal besides, about
the power and value of to
Holy
Scripture,
be the consolation of your people
to the heavenly Canaan.
you are carrying
that
which was also given
in exile
Often does
it
and
hidden as
this treasure,
their guide
me
grieve
it
to think
were from
your own eyes, through the wilderness, without knowing
what
it is
worth, or understanding
am
but listen to what
I
now
autumn, and
you
far
to
on
in the
its
Now, do
meaning.
about to propose to you.
go to establish yourselves abroad and raging
it
We
are
would be imprudent of
at Sulzmatt, for the
demon
you were
to
build up your house to-day, to-morrow they would pull
it
of rebellion
down.
is
in the land.
If
Therefore stay and pass the winter with us in the
Forest-House, and in the long evenings
you and the children
in the
I will
read aloud to
books of the Old Testament,
and, with God's help, will explain
it
to
you
as well as in
my
The Forest-House. weakness of us
am
I
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who
is
our faith in the
my God
Simeon could not but acquiesce, and and
rejoicing
J
able to do, which will be for the edification
for the strengthening of
all,
'^2
full
and
God
of
Saviour.'
of contentment
was he as the plan was carried out;
for in the
depth of winter, while Jack Frost ruled with his rod of iron in the outer world, the
home
scene in the Forest-House was
was bright and harmonious.
a picture of
all
members of
the pleasant group were at their ease with one
that
All the
another as they gathered by the light of the lamp around the busy table,
merry ing,
his
hiss,
Hans stiff,
—Vreneli
plying her spinning-wheel with
Leah her needle
plaiting straw for bee-hives,
weary limbs
at the
its
that she might improve in sew-
and Simeon warming
bench beside the
devoutly listening to Biedermann,
who was
stove, while
reading regularly
through the historical books of the Old Testament, expounding as he went, and never beginning without having
first
prayed with his household, which was doubtless the secret of the blessing granted to these winter evenings for the hearts of
all.
During that winter many another
fugitive
took refuge in
the Forest-House, and was, after being provided with a false
beard, convoyed by Biedermann and his or, in
Hans
to Breifach,
the character of a Jewish pedlar, by Simeon, across
the frontier.
This united
effort in leading the
persecuted to
a place of safety, and saving the unfortunate, was a bond
which linked these two men, Jew, — more and
more
— the
Anabaptist and the old
closely together, strengthening their
mutual love and confidence.
The
328 For Leah
Forcst-Hoiise.
her growing acquaintance with the
also, with
new
sacred story of her nation, a
appear to
her,
new world sprang
a
hfe,
Wonderful and glorious
existence.
into
— even
more
truly did
it all
beautiful than the history of
Queen Esther Abraham and Sarah
in the
:
land of promise,
Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, and her name-sake
Leah, and above
Joseph revealing himself to
all
brethren in Egypt,
—
these appeared
all
Then came Moses, whom
mind's eye.
life-like
his guilty
before her
the princess saved
from the waters of the Nile, and educated in Pharaoh's palace, to
whom
Lord spoke
the
Horeb, who, with Aaron
in the
burning bush at
his brother, stood boldly before the
king and called for the ten plagues to descend upon Egypt.
Last not
drowned.
wondrous
the
least,
through the
Red Sea
in
When Biedermann read
children of Israel
:
'
I will sing
triumphed gloriously. song,
tale of the
and he
is
.
.
become
Leah sprang up
as
if
whom He
So that
it
came
my salvation'
inspired, fell
wrought
all
Simeon and Leah
is
my
(Exod.
strength
xv.
first
it
i,
2),
and then
on Vreneli's neck and
—
'
was
It
these glorious wonders
to pass that truly
were
unto the Lord, for he hath
The Lord
.
his host
the song of praise of the
exclaimed with triumphant joyousness, for
passage of Israel
which Pharaoh and
was
my
people
!
in the Christian's
learned to
know
the
home
Lord God
of their fathers, and to comprehend the foundations of their o^vn faith.
We read in
Isaiah (xxxii. 15), 'Until the Spirit
be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a in
fruitful
field.'
These
Leah's experience.
words seemed
to
be
fulfilled
Those who had seen her before
The
Fo7'est-HoiLse.
would hardly have recognised maiden, neat in her the formerly shy,
in
329
the pretty and pleasing
and well-ordered
attire
awkward and
in all she did,
dirty Httle Jewess.
The snow was falling in thick flakes, and had covered meadows and forest paths to a great depth. Balthasar, the aged farm-servant, had been vainly striving to make house,
a clear path from the Forest-House to the stable and barnScarcely had he proceeded from one door to the
yard.
other
when he had
to begin his
Hans and Simeon had
work again
at the other end,
more and more.
as the drifts were gathering
Biedermann,
gone, each on a difl'erent path, to
convoy refugee nobles and a
priest across the
mountains
towards the Rhine, so that Vreneli and Leah had remained alone together in the Forest-House, under the guardianship
Leah was standing musing at the window
of old Balthasar.
after gazing anxiously at the thick, blinding
out in a sort of despair
deep snow on
all
branches of the
Our
tall
never get safely
home fruit,
wade and
to
will lose
home
decorate
gilded nuts
the approaching
'
But
if
at the
reaches up to the
seem buried
in
it
force a path through
their way,
and surely they
will
the
use of the leisure afternoon at
little
.
fir-tree
and small wax Christmas,
even in the deepest snow right path
it
!'
who was making
Vreneli,
Oh, Vreneli, only look
—see how
pines, so that they
friends will have to
deep snow, they
'
:
the paths,
;
snow, she cried
with
apples,
dried
tapers, in preparation for
replied calmly,
God can
'
Ah, Leah
cause them to find the
!
He
should be angry, Vreneli,
He
would
let
them
The Forest-House.
330 freeze out there
meet them *
Oh, do
!
That would be of no
side they
go out with Balthasar
to
may
He
we do not know on which
avail, for
Only be calm and composed,
return.
gone out on a service of
are on God's highway,
assuredly
me
let
!'
will preserve
— they
love,
and
them and bring them back
gra-
ciously to us here.'
Leah was said gently, that I '
That
may be I really
'
'
Oh
yes
Well
'
you.'
God r much
but not so
—but why
as I ought
is it
" Fear before Him,
all
one then love Him,
and might'
said in the " Thilim^' which I have
The
"The Lord most High
terrible that
answered the transparent
but we will ask grandfather, and
tell
learned (Psalm xxix. 4), " ful ;"
I
Him V
you,'
tell ;
be able to
love !
cannot
What must
so afraid of God.
able to love
honesty
all
will surely
'Do you
am
Vreneli, I
*
Vreneli, in
he
gazed again earnestly and anxiously out
;
window, then, covering her face with both hands, she
at the
do
silent
voice of the Lord
is
(Psalm
terrible"
the earth" (Psalm xcvi. 9). if
He
whosoever sees
so
is
Him
much
must die
to
is
power-
xlvii.
2;)
How can
be feared
— so
?"
Vreneli paused and considered for a moment, then an-
swered joyously
:
'
But, you know,
—the
Him in Christ Who is the '
storm
is
raging
!
we can only
see
infant
—The
Christ
snow
is
?
— But
oh
!
look
how
the
whirling high up in the air
Vreneli, Vreneli, surely our people never can get safety!'
and love
infant Christ of Christmas.'
home
!
in
The
'We
will
voice, read
:
*
Then Leah, with
it'
I will
my
whence cometh
moved
He
:
My
He
earth.
her childlike
from
hills,
help cometh from the Lord, will
not suffer thy foot
that keepeth thee will not slumber.'
Here Leah paused, drew a long in
Take your
her fine expressive
up mine eyes unto the
lift
help.
which made heaven and to be
331
pray the 121st Psalm for them.
and read
Psalter
Forcst-Hoiisc.
way
'
:
breath,
and then asked
Will he certainly not, Vreneli
?
Cer-
tainly?' '
"
Most
He
certainly,
Leah
;
for,
!
only read on
'
He
says
:
that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
Assuredly
He
will
know how
to protect
and preser/e our
dear ones.' It
was beginning to grow dark, and Balthasar, who had
also
been watching the storm with uneasiness, now told
Vreneli he was going with a lantern, accompanied by a servant from the neighbouring farm, to meet the three men,
and would take Sultan the watch-dog with him
He
track from afar.
ascent of the Schauenberg on their
Leah wanted
fach.
to insist
girls therefore
House fear
;
;
Leah
in
a state
the lamp, stirred the
When
all
of excitement,
calm and
fire
in
;
The
in the Forest-
trembling with
She lighted
collected.
the stove and prepared the
was ready, she was about to
at her spinning-wheel,
but VreneH
yield that point.
remained alone together
Vreneli, as usual,
supper.
way home from Ruf-
on going too
and Balthasar would by no means two
to scent their
believed they must have begun the
when Leah drew her
seat herself
to the
bench
beside the stove, and kneeling before her, laid her head
The Forest-HoiLse.
332
bosom, and said
in her
do now, I it
as
we
must know so *
it,
coaxing manner,
in a tender,
are alone,
*
Oh
!
me who the infant Christ is. my grandfather would not have
tell
even though
!
He
is
the Saviour, God's only begotten Son,
who came
to this world in the form of man.' '
'
And how did He come ?' Oh wait a moment, for
saying,
Luke
that I
so beautifully told in
all
is
it
!
the Gospel of St.
must read
Vreneli put out her hand
it
cried out in agitation, as
with horror,
*
No, no, Vreneli
tell
me
New
shelf.
But
deprecating such a thing
if
that holy
in
;
not read, nor even hear any of
book
I
dare
read aloud, for I was
it
my grandfather.
forced to promise that to
so
the
down
Testament, which lay beside the Old upon the
Leah
And
to you.'
to take
the story yourself instead, perhaps
pass away or be kept quiet, or they might
But
my
if
you could
anxiety might
come home mean-
time.'
Then
Vreneli began, and in her
the tale of Mary, a devout
own
maiden of
simple words told
Israel, living in the
town of Nazareth, and being the betrothed bride of a penter
named Joseph
and announcing
her,
shadow be
'
her,
and
that
Immanuel,' that
to call
'
Jesus,' that
at first at the angel's
'What manner of
Holy Ghost would overshe should bear a son, who should that
'
is, is,
car-
of the angel Gabriel appearing to
;
'
the
God
with
Saviour
;'
us,'
of
and
respectful salutation,
salutation
is
this?'
whom
Mary being
she was troubled
and thinking,
then afterwards bow-
ing her head meekly, and saying to the angel,
*
Behold the
The handmaid of
the
Lord
Forest-Hotise.
be
;
it
unto
333
me
according to thy
word.' *
And
'
my
people
Yes indeed,
exclaimed Leah, her eyes
!'
for she
Mary and Joseph going
ancestors, to be inscribed
Roman
flashing.
and Joseph too were of the seed of
David,' replied Vreneli, reassuring her
of
was a Jewess, a
this devout, highly-favoured virgin
daughter of
Emperor's decree
by continuing
to Bethlehem, the
on the
home
according to the
roll there,
of both being poor, so that they
;
could find a resting-place only in the stable, where
brought forth her Divine Son, wrapped clothes,
how,
and
laid
Him
in a
memorable
in that
to tell
of their
manger.
Him
Mary
in swaddling
She proceeded to
night, the
tell
heaven opened above
Bethlehem's plains, and an angel appeared to the shepherds
announce the
in the fields, to
Messiah praised
;
birth of the long-promised
and then the multitude of the heavenly host
God
'Glory to
in that song,
God
and on earth peace, good-will toward men *
Oh, Vreneli
!'
exclaimed Leah,
the words as they
in
and lovely story that never .
.
.
fell is
from her I
!
must
will believe at all that the
But hark
!
Sultan
is
!'
up and hastened There,
Wrapped
And
lips,
tell it
'
eagerly drunk
what a wondrous
to grandfather,
Messiah
is
Oh,
who
already come.
actually, our
with these words both
at the
people are
girls
jumped
to the door, Vreneli carrying the lamp.
however, in
who had
whining and scratching
door, and I hear Hans's voice.
coming home
in the highest,
!'
Leah's
joyous cry was
soon
silent.
Biedermann's woollen mantle, laid on pine
branches carefully fastened together, and tenderly borne
^/^^ Forest-House.
334
by Balthasar and Hans,
lay poor old Simeon, whether
they could not at
or fainting
and exhaustion, he had sunk forth to search
went his
in
dangerous
its
companion arrived
first
at the very
deep snow, when Sultan drifts,
and Balthasar with
moment when
their help
Simeon had thus been drawn out and
was needed.
and now
to the Forest-House,
with snow, and to lay him in
it
seriously
and,
when
many
for
able to
carried
remained to rub him well
his
well-warmed bed, where,
after a long waiting, his consciousness returned. ill
dead
with cold
Stiff
tell.
He
lay
weeks, suffering from a violent cough,
he
rise,
which he was never again
still
had a strange hoarseness of
quit.
Nevertheless, in spite of her old grandfather's illness, the
Christmas
festivities
were such to poor Leah as to mark
that blessed day as the brightest ever yet less
life.
On
known
in her joy-
Christmas Day, when, in the evening, old and
young from the surrounding farms assembled at the ForestHouse, and Biedermann conducted their worship in his
way
simple time),
(the
and they
little
all
Jewess being present
sang Arndt's beautiful Christmas
He's come,
*
for
the
Holy
the
first
hymn
Christ!
God's well-beloved Son 'Mid hosts around the Highest !
The
joyful tidings run.
Ye sons of men, rejoice Add all your praise to theirs Praise,
But
then
it
seemed
;
— not alone with voice,
heart's
deep love and prayers
as though
poured out on Leah.
!
the Spirit from on high were
She could hardly herself give an
TJie Forest-House.
how
account of
came
it
335
to pass, but so
was, that
it
when
the Christmas tree was Hghted up, and Biedermann stepped
forward in front of
Lord Jesus
to the
and pronounced the words,
it
Christ,'
uttered the response,
After this the
then she also
and
for ever
'
gifts
little
bowed
company, and out of a
like all the rest of the
'
Praise
reverently, full
heart
Amen.'
ever.
were freely dispensed, and the
children indulged in glee and merriment over their golden nuts,
and regaled themselves with apples and sweetmeats.
And Leah
too had not been
beautiful
and
Simeon.
It
Bible,
was reserved
was neither more nor
bound
in
black morocco, with
less
than a
gilt leaves,
philanthropist, Pfeffel of Colmar,
good blind
the old Anabaptist for his Jewish friend.
dermann
But the most
forgotten.
really costly present
in very high esteem.
for old
German
which the
had given
to
Pfeffel held Bie-
For many years he had been
supplied with butter from the Forest-House, and regularly
every
summer he and was
as Pfeffel
also interested in active efforts to save
victims of persecution, he directed fugitive to
With our good
general,
the
more than one such
betake themselves to the Forest-House, and thus
was frequently brought
reality.
And
his pupils paid a visit there.
He
into contact with Simele the Jew.
loved
Lord Jesus
the
and old Simeon
by means of
in particular,
proof of his hearty good-will.
they which
testify of
'
;
living,
therefore
heart
Israel
in
were dear to him, and
he was desirous of giving Simele a
this Bible
his secretary to write,
was a
Christianity
Pfeffel
On
the fly-leaf he had caused
Search the Scriptures,
me
'
(John
v. 39).
On
.
.
.
they are
the other side
The Forest-House.
33^
was inscribed Simeon's name and the
and
date, in letters
That so distinguished, so learned and
figures of gold.
pious a gentleman as Pfeffel should have presented any
handsome and valuable
so
was indeed the greatest joy and honour with in his whole
he received
it
life,
on
that
and he was moved
his sick-bed.
Simeon had met by
to tears
ing to
Leah
He
Bible.
felt
against ever reading
his illness,
New
for
;
as
it
constrained to renew his warnit.
As, however, the read-
ing aloud in the family circle was interrupted
quence of
it
Only the books of the
Testament were to him a source of some anxiety
was a whole
gift
to a poor Jewish pedlar, that
conse-
in
he listened with pleasure to the long
passages in the Prophets or the Psalms which his
little
granddaughter read to him privately, and never failed to
remark what a great honour good Herr ferred
on him, and what
true joy he
One day when Leah had Isaiah
a sign
and
(vii. ;
14),
had con-
had given him.
read the words in the prophet
— Therefore the Lord Himself *
shall give
you
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
shall call his
up and cried out
name Immanuel,'
in joyful
must be the Infant that
Pfeffel
was born and
on the
field
with a
full
recited to
amazement
Christ, the holy
laid in the
she suddenly '
:
Grandfather
!
that
Babe of Bethlehem,
manger, when the shepherds
heard the angels' song of
She then,
praise.'
heart and ardent enthusiasm, as
him the
jumped
if
inspired,
story of the Saviour's birth, as related to
her by Vreneli, and as Biedermann had read and explained it
on Christmas evening from the Gospel of St Luke.
Simeon grew
pale, said not a word, but
from that moment
"
The Forest-House. he seemed transformed
became
reserved,
stiff,
who
friends
and
altered
mien merely
hosts,
no longer open and
hearty,
and suspicious towards
his
;
at
who
for
When,
some time past had been
bounding about the house
bright,
a pet squirrel, grew
all
at
he
kind
regarded his gloomy and
first
as a result of his physical state.
however, Leah too,
merry and
337
in glee like
once melancholy, and took to
creeping about with bent head and downcast eyes, and
when
Vreneli,
on finding her
weeping in the comer,
at last
and asking with tender sympathy what was the matter, was answered by Leah throwing
and whispering, crush
—
my heart,'
I
'
it
you about
tell
on her neck it,
but
it
does
then Biedermann began to notice the state of
things with anxiety.
out of
herself, sobbing,
dare not
All at once he went to his chest, took
a leather girdle, and went to Simeon's sick-room.
Now, by this leather girdle there hung a tale. On that night when the old pedlar was carried back to the Forest-House stiff when those around were forced to undress rubbing him all over with snow, Bieder-
and
insensible,
him
for the sake of
mann found shirt all
a leather girdle, which he always wore under his
next to his skin, and perceiving as he unfastened
it
that
the worldly goods of his poor Jewish friend were secured
there,
he took
it
and locked
it
up
in his chest.
It
was
heavy, and had actually worn the poor waist into a sore
and when Biedermann opened that
it
it
contained a considerable sum.
him pain stricken
;
for as
This discovery gave
Simeon had always appeared so poverty-
and niggardly, so unable
education of his
;
he found to his surprise
little
girl,
to
do anything
for the
he was driven to conclude that
Y
The Forest-House.
33S
avarice must have been at the bottom of to himself with a sigh,
has got possession of thee
when
the opportunity,
ously a word of his to wait
till
it,
Poor old Simele
'
He
!'
was
!
so that he said
mammon
vile
fully resolved to take
restoring the girdle, to give
mind on
the subject
him
seri-
only he wished
;
the invalid was convalescent, and as mutual
regard and hearty confidence had prevailed, as seen, in the litde circle,
he never deemed
it.
we have
necessary to
say to Simeon that he had taken charge of the precious believing that to be an understood thing between
girdle,
When, however, Simeon became
them.
estranged, and even the innocent
and
sad,
little
so
morose and
Leah
so disturbed
Biedermann naturally attributed
to anxiety con-
it
cerning the fate of the girdle, and hastened to give
window, basking first
it
up.
the sick man's room, he was sitting at the
As he entered
in the rays of the bright sun,
time after a long winter was shining,
which
for the
warm and
clear,
in an azure sky.
Biedermann laid the girdle on Simeon's lap, and what abruptly,
'
There, Simele,
I
said,
some-
bring you back your
mam-
mon, about which you have been having such
You may rest in peace As one wakening out
not one farthing
;
and then said with
voice, often interrupted with coughing,
Easter, I
till
Leah '
\.o
To
'
beg of you,
Jerusalem
!
!'
his hoarse
My money
hands with you, Biedermann
JeriishaletJi
wanting
of a dream, Simeon gazed with utter
indifference at the girdle,
kept, in safe
is
misgivings.
!
for after the feast I
f Are you mad, Simele V
is
well
Only keep
it
must go with
TJic Forest-House. '
No, no, Biedermann
339
From my youth up my warmest
!
desire has been to die in Jerusalem, and to be buried with
my fathers money
I
sparing
in the Valley of
it
laid by, for
not longer delay, else with
me
my good
Jehoshaphat.
many a from my victuals. Now,
have
wife
feast of the
will
it
the bones of
my
year, it is
be too
late
Deborah,
Look
here
little
by
—
high time,
I
promised that to after the
must be on our way
Biedermann could hardly believe posed to think the sick
his ears.
man might be
by
must
I
Also, I will take
!
for I
upon her deathbed, and immediately
Passover Leah and
This
!
little,
He
!'
was
dis-
talking in the delirium
of fever, and he grasped his hand to feel his pulse.
Soon,
however, he was obliged to come to the conclusion that
Simeon had that
it
firmly resolved to carry his plan into execution
was one which, with
his innate
;
and peculiar perse-
verance, he had been long thinking over and working out in his
own mind.
He
as far as Marseilles,
had determined
and there
hawk
to
his
wares
to take ship for the land of
promise, intending to wander on after landing as a pilgrim,
with Leah and with Deborah's bones, to Jerusalem.
In vain
did his kind host try to represent to him the unreasonableness of his proposal, urging that he was far too sickly to stand
such a journey
;
—
that,
as he
weak and was quite
ignorant of the French language, he would be in danger,
long before he could reach Marseilles, of falling into the
hands of the furious Jacobins, by
whom
he might,
if
suspected of being a spy, be hurried off at once to the
He
his conscience to consider
how
miserable and desolate he would then leave his poor
little
guillotine.
laid
it
on
The Forest-House.
340
But to each remonstrance
Leah, deserted in a foreign land.
Simeon had a ready answer: certainly prove beneficial to
no
— 'The southern climate would
him
;
had
as to the Jacobins, he
and was indeed more
fear of them,
himself than they
sly
he had already helped many a person across the
;
and
frontier,
assuredly he was likely to be able to get safely across him-
and then he could not doubt that God would keep him
self,
from '
and bring him to Jerusalem,' and so
all evil
Well now, Simele,
suppose a case
I shall
forth.
Taking
:
for
it
granted that you were to reach Jerusalem alive and well (which,
you
set
nevertheless,
I
think most doubtful), what would
about under the Turkish Government in Palestine,
where the Jews are yet more miserable and oppressed than they are here in our land?' '
Set about
Why,
!
would weep with
I
my exiled brethren,
because we are strangers in the land of our fathers
To
!
weep and pray on the holy mount where once our glorious temple stood, and where now the Turk has built a place for would be what
his false worship, that
And when
I
had wept out
my
full,
would
I
set
about
Biedermann, then
would die and be buried with Deborah's bones
I
in
the
very sake of Leah that I must be
off,
Valley of Jehoshaphat
!
*And Leahr '
It is for the
Rather would
Biedermann.
I
see
wretched among our own people, than '
Become a
now, Simele forth
:
the .
.
child .'
Christian in the Forest-House it is
this fear,
and
poor and
!
Confess
this alone, that drives
it
you
from among us to seek the distant land of promise.'
The Forest-House. Well, yes
'
The not
child
is
resist
You have guessed
!
You
it.
are right enough.
She can-
too happy here in the Forest-House.
has
It
!
341
come
to pass as I at
first
You
feared.
are an honourable man, Biedermann, a devout man, and surely
you
will
agree with
me
religion of one's forefathers,
that
one ought not to quit the
and
that every
man
ought to
continue in that in which he was bom.'
Hem
'
!
.
.
then,
.
if I
were replying to any Christian
who might have propounded such ought
all
to
be heathens,
to you, a Jew, I
called to
and
go out from
'
become
from his
the founder of a
Yes indeed, but then there Granted, Simele.
But
was not Abraham father's
house
he was to forsake the
is
faith
new religion ?'
a vast difference between
a bhnd heathen and a son of Israel '
even cannibals.
inquiry,
his fatherland,
just because
of his fathers and to
we
idolaters, or
would put the
all his friends,
a view, I might say,
!'
But do you know what
is
the differ-
ence between a Jew and a Christian?'
For the '
first
I shall try,'
pause,
'
to
time Simeon was at a loss for an answer.
continued his friend, after an embarrassing
make
it
clear to
you as best
I can.
Did not the
Tabernacle in the wilderness, of which the Lord our himself showed Moses the pattern in the
Mount
and afterwards the Temple of Jehovah, which Solomon on Mount Moriah, both '
Yes, yes, certainly.
plained
all
that to me.
court, the holy place, '
And
God
at Sinai,
built
consist of three separate divisions
My
brother-in-law the
There was
in
and the holy of
Rabbi
f
ex-
them both the outer holies.'
the people were only permitted to worship in the
The Forest-House.
342
outer court, the priests in the holy place, and the high priest
alone was ever to enter the most holy place, and that only
on the great day of atonement, when he was
make
with prayer and to
to confess sin
expiation with blood.'
What a pious and learned man you ally know all that far better than I do *
— why, you actu-
are
!
'
Now,
— observe,
Simele
would reach everlasting
We
!
bliss,
Christians must,
worship and
with you in the outer court.
That
is
offer
to say,
if
we
thanksgiving
we must take
your holy books, the writings of the Old Testament, as the foundation of our
In one word,
faith.
what every devout Jew
we must
with you as brethren in the court, and so
him the holy place
within the veil
thus heaven
continued,
'
open, and the holy of holies
is
This
opened.
Simeon looked down,
mann
you and we
wherein stands the mercy-seat, and
also,
itself is
far
But the Christian may go beyond,
are thoroughly alike. for to
believe
and therefore we stand
believes,
The
silent
is
the difference
and perplexed
;
!
so Bieder-
sanctuary of old was evidently a t}^e
of the Christian Church, into which one cannot enter save
through the outer court
;
for salvation
is
of the Jews,
comes to us from them, from your people, to committed His to
His promise
be blessed
'
revelation, to
(Gen.
and through whom, according
Abraham, xii. 3).
'
all
And
likewise the daily burnt-offering
the altar in the court,
—
it
whom God
families of the earth shall
as the paschal lamb,
and the other
t}TDified Christ's
— and
sacrifices
on
bloody offering and
atoning death, so did the shewbread on the golden table in the holy place foreshadow as a sign our salvation by Christ's
The Forest-House. body broken and His blood shed
And
343
for us, our life in
Him.
the seven-branched candlestick represents to us light
and wisdom which Christ has brought
The
holy
oil
the
is
our souls, and keeps
Holy it
The incense on
in us.
Spirit,
shining,
from heaven.
to us
who kindles the light in who creates the new life
the altar of incense
prayer,
is
ascends to heaven from a humble and thankful
which
heart,
a
sweet savour, acceptable unto the Lord.'
A violent
fit
moment
of coughing, and at the same
the
entrance of Vreneli bearing her glass of new milk, interrupted the conversation, so that
When
ing.
free breath
Simeon was prevented from
paroxysm was
reply-
over, however, with his first
he eagerly informed Leah that she was now to
Vreneli that
tell
on
the
'
in future
their friends, as they
they would no longer be a burden
were about to set
off after Easter
for Jerushalein .'
Leah
burst into tears, and sobbed out in an under-tone,
clinging tenderly to her friend
:
'
Oh, Vreneli
you and from the Forest-House, where
happy '
—
For
fear
more
bitter than
death to
yourselves, dear children,
said
spirit!' '
it is
Calm
Biedermann
me
I
different journey
rather I
mean
for a
that evening to the
—but
will in the spring set out
from that which he
that I
to part from
!'
and seek
do not know —I may be mistaken
poor old Simele
!
have been so
I
is
contented
two
girls.
I greatly
on a very
contemplating
hope he may go not
;
or
to the earthly
but the heavenly Jerusalem.'
Biedermann, well versed herbs,
in the healing
powers of various
and understanding a good deal of medicine,
ac-
Forest-House.
^-^^^
344 customed moreover
to receive
many
patients from
become convinced
the surromiding poor, had
monary consumption from which Simeon had his youth
had now reached an advanced
among
that the pul-
suffered since
stage, that his
days must be numbered, and that he never could leave the
Forest-House except in his
He
coffin.
therefore never
thwarted nor contradicted him, as he watched his eager
and
approaching
feverish impatience in preparing for his
He
journey to Jerusalem.
among
sleep in the stable
ordered him, nevertheless, to
and
the cows,
to take
warm new
milk as his chief nourishment.
But when spring came the aged invalid appeared to
Once more he strapped up
revive.
began
again to ply in
Moreover, he discovered
trade as a pedlar.
Jewish family, with
pack
his
and
as of old,
the immediate neighbourhood
whom
his
Ruffach a
in
he could keep the passover, Leah
of course also joining the party, and afterwards he and she
would settled,
start for Marseilles.
and the day
fixed
Everything was ordered and
on which they were to bid
well to the Forest-House for ever.
nounced
his verdict, 'This
Still
improvement is only the brightened
light of a flickering flame just before
He
shook his
head
sadly,
little
Leah.
must certainly happen,
the road, what could
to
become of her
stormy days, without a word of French In
this
it
is
extinguished
and could not conceal
anxiety as to the fate of poor as he foresaw
fare-
Biedermann pro-
If
his
Simeon were,
fall ill
in these
and
die
on
bloody and
?
emergency the pious Anabaptist betook him
help and comfort to his worthy friend
!'
deep
Pfefifel.
for
But he too
The
Forcst-HoiLsc.
Simeon remained stubborn
could only preach to deaf ears.
and immovable,
345
stoutly persisting that
'
on such or such a
day he would leave the Forest-House, go keep the passover, and then
set out with
So nothing now remained
salem.'
to
Ruffach to
Leah
for Jeru-
for his Christian friends
but to pray for him and commit the whole matter to God.
The season '
Matza-cakes
thing was
'
now drawing
of Lent was
houses of the Israelites
all
to a close.
In the
was washed and scrubbed,
(unleavened bread) were baked, and every-
in readiness for eating the
supper of the passover.
In so-called Christendom, however, and not the least in our
own dear
Alsace, things at that time looked sad and dreary
enough.
The churches
were, as
we have already mentioned,
No public worship was held
closed; the church-bells silent.
new Calendar Easter was not named. Thus there were full many who did not commemorate the death or resurrection of our Saviour, who heard not the sound Around the Forest-House, on the conof Easter rejoicing. anywhere, and in the
trary, the
vegetation
mild breezes of spring, quickening the germs of into
a sort of resurrection-verdure,
speak of the Lord's salutation, grave and mournful as all
all
'
seemed
Peace be unto you
!'
to
and
things seemed, yet here, amid
these changes, there was a suppressed tone of festive
joy.
It
was Palm Sunday.
Leah was
sitting
with a heavy
heart before the house, her hand clasped in Vreneli's, gaz-
ing with tearful eyes at the setting sun.
evening they were to pass there.
Simeon's pack of goods, barn.
all
Their
It little
was the
last
property and
stood ready for departure in the
That morning her grandfather had gone
to Sulzmatt
The Forest-House.
34^
and the
to fetch Deborah's bones
already purchased,
ass,
which he was to take as beast of burden with them as
far
as Marseilles. *
Oh, Vreneli
Jerusalem
!
why can
Why
?
do
I
I
not rejoice at the thoughts of
so dread leaving you, and shrink
from going forth into the wide world alone with
my
sick
old grandfather?' said Leah, as she laid her head, weeping
on Vreneli's shoulder.
bitterly, '
Poor Leah
forted *
!
I
Surely the
!
too tremble for you.
Lord
will
Is that the " Metatron" as
who led
to
—be
my
Yes, Leah.
It is
com%'
grandfather calls him,
the children of Israel in the pillar of cloud
through the wilderness and the '
Only,
send His angel before you
and
fire
Red Sea V
the very same,
— our Lord Jesus
whom be all praise for ever and ever He will not go before us, Vreneli !'
*
Christ,
!
answered Leah
sor-
rowfully.
'Why *
Leah?'
not,
Because they crucified Him, when
after
He
was
bom
—read that story
I did,
in this world,
Grandfather did
as the infant Christ.
indeed forbid me, but nevertheless it,
He was
—
I
could not help
your holy book which Herr
in
Pfefi'el
know why my people are exiled and gave him. I have read how He wept over under the ban of Heaven. Jerusalem, and how they cried, " His blood be on us and
And now
on our children
me
!
I
am
!"
I
Oh, Vreneli
only a poor
little
!
He
cannot care about
Jewess, the daughter of His
enemies?' '
But those were also Jewish children
whom He
took up
The
Forest-Hotise.
347
His arms, to draw them one by one close to His heart
in
when He Mary and
And His
blessed them.
Lazarus, were
solatory tone.
who
believe in
melancholy as she whispered
:
'
heard His name pronounced, or as I have if I
done
Oh
!
I
!
could but have done
cross at the wayside, *
now you do
But
my
Him
and
I
I
can
are pecuharly
an
air
so.'
of deep
They never spat when they when they passed a cross,
have hated it,
'
grandfather say
steadfastly at her friend with
Leah looked
Martha and.
Leah,' added she,
it,
have always heard
I
disciples,
Jews,' replied Vreneli in a con-
Only believe
'
assure you those Jews
dear to Him.
all
Him and
all
of you
would have torn down every
set fire to every Christian
church
!'
V Leah impressed a
not hate us any longer
Instead of answering this question,
tender kiss on Vreneli's cheek. '
the '
And are you name of our Grieved
!
Yes,
remembrance of forgive
grieved
now
Saviour,
it
—with
!
to think of having
and spat
my
at
blasphemed
His cross f
whole heart
I
But do you think that
mourn
He
at the
can ever
me f
Of such as you He did They know not what they do." It was because He loved you that He died for you upon the cross, that you '
He
once
has already forgiven you.
say, "
might be with
Oh Him '
!'
rising,
!
Him
in Paradise.'
knew He loved me, how I should love exclaimed Leah enthusiastically. Then hurriedly if I
she went briskly forward, as her custom was, to meet
her grandfather.
She had been gone about an hour when
she saw, from a distance, the ass with the box containing
TJic Forest-House,
348
Deborah's bones, suddenly turning round and going slow pace
can
my
down
the road back towards Sulzmatt.
grandfather have been
With winged
steps she rushed
left
'
the steep
Just as he had ascended the
expense of his
hill,
and, lying
towards
and
Most
home.
Hans happened
to
its
freedom, hastened back
restore
him
come up on
same road, when the
that
to raise the old
man
She greeted them as
consciousness.
to
Biedermann and
fortunately
Leah was vainly endeavouring
terrified
acchvity at the
unconscious to the ground,
fell
the ass, rejoicing in old
its
difficult
in his
remaining strength, he was suddenly
little
attacked by haemorrhage and
upon which
a
V she anxiously inquired.
down
on the roadside, she found poor old Simeon weltering blood.
at
Where
guardian angels, and soon they raised Simeon and once more carried
him back
placed
among
to the Forest-House, where, after
and Vreneli, he soon opened
then took his hand and said,
held thee
the road to it
to
as
fast,
Damascus
!
He
Simele, Simele
to cry out like Saul
do
?"
And
Poor old Simele
:
He
!
thou
has cast thee
once did Saul of Tarsus on
hard to kick against the pricks
now
*
away from the Lord, and
didst wish to run
down and
and looked around
his eyes
With deep and solemn emotion Bieder-
with astonishment.
mann
he was
the cows under the tender care of Biedermann
" Lord,
as Saul then arose
!
thou too wilt find
Therefore
!
what
I entreat
wilt thou
thee
have
up as Paul, so thou
me too,
Simeon, finding mercy with the Lord, shalt be able before thy death to say
'' :
part in peace, for
found
my
Saviour
Lord,
now
lettest
thou thy servant de-
mine eyes have seen thy salvation !'"
!
I
have
The we
But, as deceitful
are told
above
all
Forest-Hoiisc.
by Jeremiah
things,
349
(xvii.
'The heart
9),
and desperately wicked
:
is
who can
know it %' Who indeed % Assuredly we ourselves least of all. The only fitting answer is (ver. 10), 'I, the Lord, search the heart.' And so it proved in Simeon's case. With the yearning after the promised land which lingers in every Israelitish heart, as lost Paradise,
it
were a dim shadowy memory of the
he had sought thoroughly, and as he believed
honestly, to persuade himself that he wished to go to Jerusa-
lem to die there and
to
be buried
phat, while, in truth, at the secret
longer, suggested
Jehosha-
schemes lay a
his
that the climate of the
beneficial for
pulmonary
Now,
thither.
as
life
by the circumstance of
brother-in-law, the Rabbi, having,
go
all
hope of recovery and of being able to enjoy
good while
him
in the valley of
bottom of
many
a
his
years before, told
promised land was peculiarly
patients,
and advised him
to try to
he lay there prostrate, unable to
rally
or to gather up the last sparks of strength, feeling himself
touched by the icy hand of death {Freimd Hein), and hearing as Simele,
it
were the summons sounding
it is
thy turn.
in his ear
Thine hour has come
a deadly anguish seized his very soul.
!'
Now,
'
:
— now indeed
At
first
he was
stunned, and the petrified gaze of his large sad eyes betrayed this as
he lay speechless.
But soon he burst forth
in
loud
lamentations, called for Biedermann, and conjured him, on his conscience, to tell
recovery.
When
his
him
if
there was
friend gravely
now no hope
shook
his
left
of
head, the
old invalid wept bitterly and clasped his hands in agony, exclaiming,
'
Oh, Death
!
thou dread enemy
!'
Forest-House.
TJic
350
After a long and painful pause, Biedermann resumed the
conversation by apparently giving
mar
yesterday," said he,
hearty greeting
when tary,
young Herr
bed, wishing I
must sing
it
ver)-
ill
calm the struggles of your
Without waiting
for
all
commonly
thy ways'
('
me
sends you
God
mind
and
softly
glad hour
Sa\-iour, calls
Welcome, thou
Thy
I
Since I
silent,
two
lines at a time,
'
Leave God
come
is
me home
!
I
peaceful grave, I
death has sweeten'd mine.
— Lord God my Life — am Thine I
!
Lord, I would spring to Thy As mountain roe as joyous bride
—
Not Death's dark gate can me detain, FreeM by the Paschal Lamb once slain. Thy death has sweeten'd mine, Jesus I
I— Lord God my
Oh Thou whose
Life
I
—am Thine.
blood was shed for me, To Thee from sin
Cleansing from guilt
—
!
to order
Idsst walte?i')^ :
dear side,
Since
and
sweetly, the well-known
Refuge from every stormy wave Jesus
it
may be
Simeon's answer, he called the two
The
I
my
it
view of death.
Wer nur den lieben Gott hymn as follows
Hosaima
verses of
Perhaps
into your tried spirit,
in
linked with the words,
Jesus,
his secre-
hymn which
the
Some
at his funeral.
thus gave forth Pfeffel's '
in Col-
for his o\\ti death-
stable, and, repeating
from the cows'
he struck up with them, tune
was
I
Pfeffel
you with the children.
blessed to bring the peace of
girls
'
you were, he desired
had composed
friend,
be sung
to
to
Hen
and good
R,, to vsTite out for
good
he, our dear
a turn.
it
he made particular inquiry about you, and
;
him how
I told
'
and
TJie Forcst-Housc.
35
I cling, in worship bow. Redeemer, Kinsman, Judge art Thou. Jesus Thy death has sweeten' d mine, am Thine Since I Lord God my Life
In love
!
—
—
!
!
Thy rod, know whom I 've believed Thy staff, Thy voice I know, my God
I
!
!
That voice which this vile dust shall hear, And, glorious raised, with Thee appear. My dying look in faith meets Thine With Christ my Life, ev'n Death is mine !
!
During the singing, the melody of which was so lovely
and soul-elevating
as to
be
Christian triumph which
come he
fell
his
expressed, the invalid had be-
manifestly soothed and peaceful, and as
Leah,
into a sweet sleep.
him
bed, looked at
down
unison with the sentiments of
in
it
her cheeks.
'
pered Biedermann,
Pray *
in
who was and
silence,
for
it
died away
standing beside
large tears rolled
your grandfather,'
softly whis-
God would
grant thee
and ask
that
yet to be permitted to read to
him from the Gospels the
story of our Saviour's passion.'
Leah nodded
when her
to their work, she
and
;
remained long on her knees beside the
sick-bed, imploring with clasped
God had
assent
old friend and his young granddaughter had gone
hands the blessing which
taught her so fervently to desire.
During Passion
Week Biedermann had
and, as the weather was
warm and
his fellow-worshippers in the
open
a daily service,
bright, air,
window beside which Simeon's bed was
he assembled
close to the
placed.
little
Under
the
pretext of wishing to admit the precious sunshine, Vreneli,
morning
after
morning, opened
this
window, so that Simeon
The
352 could
distinctly
Forcst-Hoicse.
hear the whole
The
service.
striking
hymns sung '
Ah, wounded Head must Thou Endure such shame and scorn !
!
or '
Oh
world
*
Go
thou,
see here thy Life
!
!
or
and other
similar ones,
my
soul, to
seemed
Golgotha
!'
daily to exercise a whole-
some, calming influence on the mind of the patient.
He
devout attention to the reading, from
also listened with
the four EvangeHsts in
succession, of the history of our
Lord's sufferings and death, to which Biedermann added the 2 2d Psalm and the 53d of Isaiah, with a few simple and forcible
words of comment.
asked him
Herr
' :
.Pfeffel's
When
in the
evening Leah
Grandfather, shall I read to you from good
holy book another Psalm, and then the story
of the crucifixion
he did not refuse
?'
he seemed daily to
like
it
better,
and
;
on the contrary,
to listen with
appearance of being really edified and moved. as to Leah, the
more him,
and death of our Lord and Saviour
life
Jesus Christ had at entirely new,
To
first
all
the freshness of something
and the gospel of the grace of God came as
a thing unheard of before.
And when
the
young
girl,
deeply impressed by the realizing of that love and compassion which went forward willingly even unto the death for us,
was
silent for
a while, held in her breath with solemn
recoUectedness, and then exclaimed joyously, it is
to
'How glorious
belong to that nation through which salvation came
The Forest-House. into the world
and
like
!'
353
then the old grandfather shared her ardour,
her wept tears of gratitude and loye.
But who can trace or describe the work of grace in Simeon's soul, or said,
to
tell
Let there be
'
know
the
word of God
was
;
Old Testament, and now^
in the
with death in view, was learning to Christ
who conquered
sense of the word, truly to seek
Him
is
is
step, when God there how he had first learned
how, step by
light,' light
death. to love
to find
know
the Saviour Jesus
To know Him, in the true Him as in the same way ;
Him.
Simeon now,
to adopt
Biedermann's significant language, advanced from the outer court into the sanctuary Priest
who
itself,
High
there to find the Great
had, even for him too, rent the veil of separation
from the holy of
and through His precious blood
holies,
procured the forgiveness of sins and the seal and earnest of everlasting redemption.
Leah had entered with such
intense feeling into all the
passion and death of our Lord, that she had fought through
On
'
was
still
her
it
really
and
silent, as
in the
Lord
is
it
was touching to
'
Much
;
about
women of observe how
'
she saluted
To-day the
Biedermann was much moved, and de-
had never seen such soul-absorbing,
he thought,
Friday, she
how
house with the jubilant greeting,
risen!'
clared he
Good
joy seemed to illuminate her coun-
tenance and transform her whole being all
as if
must have been the holy
Easter morning,
heart-felt, childlike
seemed
and triumphed with Him.
the Great Sabbath,' the day after
On
old.
all
it
the
same
state
as
little
living faith.
Leah's
must,'
'have been that of Mary Magdalene, when
354
Forcst-Hoiise.
-^/^^
the
before her
Saviour stood
risen
and
her by
called
name.'
He
In Simeon's soul too there was peace.
had not
in-
deed many words, but he was calm, and yet more calm, and
became
perfectly resigned to the will of
weeks yet
several all
full
the books of the trust
New
our outward
man
day by day'
(2
peaceful.
Testament, and to experience the
'
apostle
was
richly fulfilled
man
perish, yet the inward
Cor.
16).
iv.
my
Leah,
of death fluttering
in
unto thee. lips
O
thee,
To
he
child,' said he, as
its
the
wings above him,
words of Luke
To-day
shalt
xxiii.
thou be with
'
43,
me
feebly uttered the words,
Lord!'
He
smiled
carried
renewed
is
felt
by the angels
and into
the angel
what were the
'
When Leah Verily,
I
say
in paradise,' his
To-day
'
a blessed,
folded his hands, closed his eyes,
away and was
Though
*
:
His death was gentle and
Saviour's words to the thief on the cross?'
dying
lived
and comfort with which they refreshed him.
him the word of the
replied
He
God.
long enough to become acquainted with
;
.
.
.
with
heavenly smile, his
spirit
passed
Abraham's bosom.
They dug his grave under an old oak close to the ForestHans honoured it by placing over it a simple
House.
wooden
cross,
strewed every
which Leah, so long as she lived up yonder,
summer with
Concerning Leah we
shall at present say only
She devoted her whole
more.
Lord
wild flowers of the forest.
;
life
one word
to the service of her
she bore Israel on her heart before Him, and prayed
for her people's salvation
even to her dying breath.
died with the firm conviction that the
She
Lord had heard her
The Forest-House. and would
prayer,
in his
own good time
355 yet lead her be-
loved Israel into the holy sanctuary. '
Fear not, thou
worm
Jacob, and ye
men
of Israel
:
I
will help thee, saith the
Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy
One
14).
'
of Israel' (Isa.
For
make,
as the
shall
xli.
new heavens, and
the
new
earth,
which
remain before me, saith the Lord, so
seed and your
name remain'
(Isa. Ixvi. 22).
shall
Amen.
I will
your
THE FUR COAT. '
Be ye transfomied by the renewing of your mind.'
'
Blessed are the merciful.'
'
Matt. v. 7. Let your moderation be known unto all men. —Phil. iv. 5.
— RoM.
The Lord
xii.
is
2.
at hand.
Brumath, on the Sunday after St. NicJwlas's Day, the ()th of December 1525, by vie, Georgiiis Wickenhaner, Minister of the Word, and formerly Pastor in the village of Honau.
JVrittcn at
It was on the holy
festival of St.
Andrew's Day that
I
returned from the magistrate's office with a heavy heart, the magistrate having informed
me
and cutting words
in stern
that our gracious lord, the Bishop,
had decided
of Ultimate Appeal that within three days
1
church and parsonage, and make way for a priest, leaving
Yes
my
!
this
Honau and my beloved
was indeed a severe sentence.
?
nodded assent
I
Catholic
Without stood
:
'Is
it
They true,
at
your
Must you forsake us and depart from Honau V in silence
speak was impossible, since then
Roman
poor parishioners, anxiously expecting me.
Reverence
Court
flock for ever.
once surrounded me, asking eagerly
I
in the
must vacate the
hastened home.
and pressed
my
their hands, for to
tears well-nigh
Christina, with our
choked
little
me
;
son in her
The Fur arms,
357
came towards me pale and trembling.
my
dear, faithful, loving soul to
said she understood
heart,
I
clasped the
and without a word
all.
'
We
*
Yes, in three days.'
must go, Jerg?'
'And '
Coat.
whither?'
That
know
I
not
;
but be of good cheer, the Lord
will
provide '
Oh
!'
she exclaimed with bitter
and homeless this fierce
to
'
go
forth
poor
into the wide world, with the tender infant, in
wintry weather
saying, she slipped out of I offered
grief,
up a
.
.
.
Jerg, that
silent prayer, after
shedding a flood of
hard
is
my embrace and
And
!'
so
wept passionately.
which
I
wept with
her,
tears.
Yes, truly, on that eventful day I did stand in need of
on High,
strength from
for I
brace up for exertion, not
men
my
was called
my
and
to
poor Christina alone, but
all
to comfort
who crowded
into the parsonage,
there to pour forth their lamentations.
These dear people
those
of
flock
could not understand nor imagine
how
it
could
come
to
pass that the word of God, so precious to them, should be
withdrawn, and for a
I,
their pastor, obliged to forsake them,
warm mutual attachment had
long existed between
us.
However, neither lamentations nor complaints could be of any
avail,
and
the words of
had cried out
in
'What mean ye
to
after I, well-nigh in despair,
St.
Paul (Acts
xxi. 13, 14),
weep, and to break mine heart?' we
all
knelt together,
clasped each other's hands, and then were enabled in
humihty to
say,
'
The
will
of the Lord be done
!
all
The Fur
JD'
The
us, for the
whither should
we be
peace and the elders of the church
justice of the
remained with
we
sake of solving the great problem,
and how
go,
to which
not, in the
we could
in this severe frost should
For we were
able to proceed.
and had
Coat.
in
extreme penur)',
whole wide world, any place of refuge
turn.
Most gladly would
the justice have
entertained us hospitably in his house through the winter,
but that was magistrate.
my
strictly *
and
wife
child
While we were
and
by the Bishop and the
prohibited
Within three days ;'
I
must leave Honau with
such was the express command.
in consultation, turning over this expedient
that without
having
hit
on anything
My
messenger arrived from Lampertheim. in the ministry,
Dean
Hans
Seitz,
practicable,
who had been
as preacher of the gospel at
a
beloved brother placed by the
Lampertheim,
at the
same time at which I was instituted in my parish at Honau, wrote to me in substance as follows. He had also been, by order of the Bishop, deprived of his charge and banished
from Lampertheim their child
;
he was about to conduct his wife with
to her father's
home
at
Brumath, who was As, how-
wealthy and thoroughly evangelical in his views. ever,
my
relatives
Christina was an orphan and cast out by her
on account of her
faith,
he invited
me
to
own
go with
her and the infant to Brumath, where Christina would be sure to find an asylum for the winter under his father-in-
Then,
law's roof. little
ones,
petitions
after
having provided for the
we two men could go
of our parishioners (who were
their claims to
women and
to Strasburg to present the
earnestly urging
have a gospel ministry restored among them),
The Fur and
Coat.
359
honourable Council, with
to entreat the
all
due defer-
ence, to place us both in other spheres in the Lord's vine-
This was a ray of light in the darkness, and the old
yard. saying,
God
Man's extremity
'
Himself,
(2 Cor.
'
xii. 9),
My
is
God's opportunity,' the words of
strength
were
is
fulfilled in
made
perfect in weakness
the experience of us, His
poorest and weakest children.
My
extremity was, however, to be yet greater, and aggra-
vated indeed in a quarter from which
expected
least
how
came
this
tina's
father,
battue^
once
— to
by Christina
wit,
to pass, I
must make a
who had been a slain
which valiant
it
could have been
To
herself.
little
sturdy forester,
the magistrate
young 'man of noble
Chris-
had, on a
a grizzly bear, to recompense
exploit,
explain
digression.
him
of Wasselnheim,
family, Squire {Junker)
for
a
Fabian von
Eschenau, had caused a splendid fur coat to be made for
him of the
This coat was treasured up as a
bear's skin.
family heir-loom, and looked upon as almost equivalent to
a patent of nobility. left to
my
It
was, moreover, the only inheritance
Christina after the death of her parents, the only
fortune which she brought to as
proud of
lon.
I
it
as
me on
must confess the
fur coat
had a
appearance, well worthy of a prelate
some But
;
it
She was
his great
rich
Baby-
and imposing
might have graced
lordly abbot, mitred bishop, or illustrious nobleman.
for
me, the least among the servants of our gracious
Lord (who, man),
our marriage.
Nebuchadnezzar of old of
it
for our sakes,
came
into this world as a poor
was indeed very much too grand.
My
dear
parishioners might easily have been scandalized and offended
The Fiw
360 at the sight of
standing
all
had
it,
Coat.
I displayed
it
on
which Christina had not
during the whole winter, to appear in
and
it
my
person, notwith-
me
urge
failed to
on Sundays
at least
gala-days.
During the
had much moths.
first
summer of our married keep
to
''ado
Christina
life,
precious treasure from the
this
In the course of the winter, however, immediately
following, she almost forgot
was she with our
little
existence,
its
—so
new-born Sigismund.
me
she quite ceased to plague
engrossed
Assuredly
about wearing
it.
the said winter, at a time of most piercing cold, friend, the
came
venerable pastor of Sank-Pilt
He
to visit us.
Sank-Pilt,
and
old
Hippolyte's)
(St.
had preached the word of God
in
re-established Divine service in a primitive
Duke Anthony
form, as in the apostolic age.
incensed at
During
my
this,
extermination by
had threatened the
To ward
and sword.
fire
of Lorraine,
heretical
town with
off so dire a
calamity and to justify his doctrine. Pastor Schuch jour-
neyed to Nanzig (Nancy) tribulation awaited his
way
him
thither, to see
in the faith.
;
but foreseeing that bonds and
there,
me
he came from Strasburg, on
once again, and to strengthen
The beloved man
and exhausted, so poorly clad
of
too,
God looked
and the winter was so
extremely severe, that our hearts misgave just
to
been confined
my it
I
therefore, as she
us.
Christina
had
was
laid up,
gave
dear friend, on parting from him, the precious fur
coat to protect
send
;
me
so sickly
back
to
him from
me
frost
and snow, enjoining him ta
from Nancy.
Hardly, however, had he
reached that city when he was cast into prison, tortured
TJic several times,
Fur
Coat.
361
and on the 20th June
he
thereafter, 1525,
went, with courage and even holy joy, to the stake, repeating loudly the words of the 51st Psalm
O
me,
:
^
Have mercy upon
God, according to Thy loving-kindness
unto the multitude of
Thy
gressions,' until his voice
and the angels carried
according
;
my trans-
tender mercies blot out
was
stifled
by smoke and flames,
his soul to heaven. ^
The
fur coat
had, of course, disappeared without leaving a trace behind.
Never, as I supposed, could I hear anything of
For me, personally, great gain
for
;
this
was indeed no
when news came
loss,
it
again.
but rather a
of our dear brother Schuch
having been twice put to the rack, with intent to force him
deny
to
his faith,
and having, by God's grace, stood
by the gospel and boldly confessed the Lord was a sweet consolation his
to feel that
fast
Jesus, then
it
he might have wrapped
poor suffering body, sore with the wounds of martyr-
dom,
in the soft,
warm
fur coat,
and
that, in the cold
dungeon, he might have been thinking of
With
Christina, however,
it
my
was otherwise.
damp
love for him.
She was
still,
in bhssful ignorance, cherishing the belief that her idol lay
untouched
in the
wooden box,
at
which she had so often
looked with such a glance of satisfaction as did the rich
man
in the gospel at his well-filled barns.
fated ^
fur
coat
did
bring great
Wolfgang Schuch. — This
faithful
trouble martyr
Alas
!
this
upon me
for Christ
!
ill-
In
was pastor in which
the small town of St. Hippolyte, then belonging to Lorraine, in
Leo
Jiid'd,
had before that time Further particulars about the martyr Schuch
the friend and colleague of Zwinglius,
preached the gospel.
may be found iisnie
in the Bulletin de la Sociefe de
Fmn^ais, tome
ii.
p. 632.
V Histoire
die
Protestan-
The Fur
362 bestowing
upon
it
that
man
of God, brother Schuch, I did
In lacking courage to
well.
Coat,
Christina about
tell
dread of her reproaches and her
tears, herein
unpardonable weakness, and for
this I
penalty,
—we are about
to see
how
For when the time had come to gather our
we had
alls,
now had
severe
to
pay the
!
packing up, and we had
for
enough
little
from
it,
manifested
I
to collect, being
obliged to leave the beds and most of the household furni-
and
ture
When
perty.
behind us
utensils it
came
in the
parsonage as church pro-
to pass that Christina, having vainly
sought for the fur coat, had to be informed what had become of
then she broke out into such a lamentation that even
it,
the
remembrance of
it still
overpowers me.
In truth, she
that not a
word
of love could find entrance into her embittered mind.
She
behaved so unreasonably on the occasion reproached
me
with being a thoughtless spendthrift, an old
father raven, bearing within
my
my bosom no
only child, willing to rob the poor
costly fur coat, which,
No
all
;
for, after
the true fashion of
she returned to the point, and firmly and first
from freeze
all
assertion
'
that the fur coat
necessity,
and
perish.'
beloved
good might a
would
And
thus
my
Honau
word
reiterated
it,
we must needs
poor Christina, by her
my
into a sort of hell.
single friendly
stiffly
women,
would have saved us
and now, without
murmurings and upbraidings, turned
my
us,
three from cold
argument, no diversion from the subject
could be of any avail
her
one of the
little
on the journey now before
have sufficed so capitally to protect us
and storms.
heart to feel for
last three
Oh
!
days in
how much
or loving look have
done
The Fur
my
to
bleeding heart
Coat.
363
whom God had
But the woman
!
when
given to be an help-meet for me, had at this time,
was called
my
and reproaches.
tears
that
to bear
Often
mother Eve had
if
me
so heavy cross, nothing for I
was constrained
as evil a tongue,
I
but
to reflect
and was as
easily
moved to complaints and tears, I could conceive indeed how Adam was tempted to take a bite of the forbidden may God forgive me this apple for, I was well.
;
.
!
.
—
my
nigh led to regret having lent the fur coat to
now I
sainted friend Schuch,
had
to get
and
to feel
I
beloved,
would give
all
back, and thereby to restore our domestic
it
But I know I was wrong in this. now destroyed The Monday after St. Andrew's Day, the 3d of December,
peace,
!
was the sad day of our departure.
Before day-break the
cart belonging to the local magistrate, with
two sturdy oxen
yoked
to
It
fast.
To
it,
stood at the parsonage-door.
was snowing
protect us as far as possible from the inclement
weather, our driver, worthy Martin, had stretched an old
sail-
cloth over the cart as a sort of canopy, under which he
had
prepared a straw couch for Christina and
And now two
I
years,
was
to bid farewell to the
by the grace of God,
I
little
Sigismund.
church in which during
had, though in
much weak-
ness yet faithfully, preached the everlasting gospel. to part from
my
gift
for
was
dear flock, who, with loud crying and tears,
were surrounding our parting
I
cart.
Each person was bringing us a
— warm
our journey
articles
of clothing,
victuals, a jug of beer, or a bottle of milk for the infant.
Yes, indeed, '-parting
is
pain
'
('
Scheide?i
words of a familiar German song), and
ihutweh^
my
grief
—
the
first
would nave
Fur
TJie
364 been
Coat.
even without the sting which Christina, on
sufficient
my
account of the lost fur coat, was pressing into
She suffered be
statue, to
mute
herself, lifted
and pale as a marble
as a fish
by the magistrate
had placed her on the straw
litter,
round her
began
and
feet
Sigismund on her
laid little
to
lap, she
threw
in her arms,
and
weep and sob spasmodically.
But now Martin jogged guide you, Master Jerg!'
May He
bless
we drove on
in
certain future.
you
At the
ferry
all
!'
a heavy
But
slumber nor sleep
'
his
oxen to
start.
'
May God
sounded forth from every
replied fall
And
deeply moved.
I,
lip.
so
of snow, into a dark and un-
He who
keepeth
us
'
'
shall neither
!
on the Rhine, we had
to wait long before
could be carried safely to the other
side,
—
we
the cart
first
The wind blew icy flakes. The baby was
which we were, afterwards the oxen.
cold
;
the
snow was
falling in thick
crying and could not be hushed.
my
thin,
I
was myself shivering
worn-out coat, when Christina again struck up,
the old tune I
I
wrapped a woollen cover-
back the warm covering, took the child
in
When
into the cart.
(which the magistrate's kind-hearted wife had given me)
let
*
heart.
—the dire old story of the
took her in
my arms,
drew the
fur coat.
coverlet,
ungraciously cast aside, tightly round us
out of a
and
full
heart,
'
Look
revives.
!
the
to that
man
since I did
As
to
to
this
and
said
and love warms
Lord has sent us
coverlet instead of the fur coat.
—
which she had so
all three,
Christina, hatred kills
here
Upon
in
my
this
warm
having given
it
of God, Schuch, for that you must forgive me, it
unto the Lord.
Therefore be,
I entreat
you,
The Fur good and kind again and loving
patient
help
j
365
my
to bear
misfortunes in a
and do not increase them by your
spirit,
wrath and grumbling
sinful
me
Coat.
But anger and the demon of
!'
pride had formed a very thick crust over this formerly tender
With a
heart.
her
longest.
Then
and
evil
an
in
to cry
and sob
one were trying which could do
little
my
em-
as if she
and
sort of defiance she slipped out of
and began once more
brace,
my
at last
temper
it
loudest and
stock of patience was exhausted,
out of the cart, resolved rather
I leapt
wade through deep snow beside Martin than
to
my
beside *
Master Jerg !
sulks
grumbling
self-willed, !
I believe
to stay
wife.
your better-half
is
in a
of the
fit
exclaimed Martin, half as an interrogation to me,
'
half as a response to the deep sigh with which I took
place
beside
him.
continued he
Pastor,'
most admirably that *
;
How
so,
!'
'
cross,
how
to deal with
womankind
.
.
.
*
?'
he repHed
;
Svhen women pout and grow unruly
to
have
storm by which the Lord
have always managed I
Reverend
!
then one ought never to meet them with
and gentleness, but
howls
impudence.
my
you expounded the word of God
to us, but
Martin
my
Excuse
you nowise understand
*Bah and
'
my
at
them
God on
high purifies the
Barbara so
scold her right lustily,
fair
words
at once, like a thunder-
;
and then she creeps
I
air.
when she pouts to
or the
foot of the cross.'
But Martin spoke scolding
;
in
vain.
At Honau
had preached most earnestly
;
I too
had
tried
had made every
experiment in the way of severity and solemnity; but, alas
!
The Fur
366 I *
had
and too often when
failed to purify the air,
Peace, peace,'
Coat. I
had
said
had afterwards found there was no peace.
I
we
In the forest of Brumath
halted to give fodder to the
fire. The wood protected us from the cold wind, and when we had warmed ourselves at the fire, dried our wet clothes, and enjoyed our warm broth with thanksThe infant giving, I began to feel somewhat comfortable.
oxen and make our broth.
snow had ceased
too
fell
by a good
into a quiet sleep, after being refreshed
drink of milk
brow alone
and by getting well warmed. and cloudy,
yet remained dark
sky overhead.
*why do we seemed
Martin lighted a great
the thick
;
'
Ah
!'
and we must learn
like the wintry
ejaculated I inwardly with a sigh,
so embitter
to answer
life
from above, to bear
to '
A
one another?'
Because we are
voice
sinners,
all
one another's burdens,
who bore our burden
to follow that Saviour
Christina's
if
we
are
of sin on the
cross
We were advancing but slowly, for in the
newly-fallen
the oxen had to break open a path for themselves,
and laborious
affair.
As
twilight gathered
more and more weird and
dismal,
all
the
round
with her baby on the not, for since I
she uttered.
litter,
had sued
But soon
it
us,
more
time to time we heard the wolf's horrid howl.
it
became
grew
that from
Christina lay
—whether awake or asleep
for peace, not
snow
—a slow
I
knew
one word more had
so dark that Martin was
obliged to halt, being unable to find out our way.
He
un-
yoked the oxen, and with the firewood he had collected at noon in the forest, he soon again lighted a fire. 'Now, your Reverence,' said he, 'as
it
is
impossible for us to go
Fur
TJie
we must
forward,
the cart that
wait
till
367
You remain
the day breaks.
go to gather as much wood as
I shall
;
Coat.
we may keep up
our
fire all
I
can
with find,
through the night, to scare
the wolves and to keep ourselves from being frozen.'
While
was
I
alone by the lurid glare of the
sitting thus
not one sound of love to be heard from the
baying and roar of wild beasts on
awe and dread crept over me. aloud as it is
I
written
:
Call
Suddenly, in the dark
Jerg, are
in
shalt glorify
forest, I
human
a loving, cheering,
you there?'
voice called out
Hans
jump
moment new
you and baby close '
'
:
expected to die
emotion,
Ha
He
men and
on
Oh
— to
!
'
to
I
misery was forgotten.
litter in
fell
life,
flood of tears
woman
and
hallo
!
!
and immedihad come a torch, to
That was a joyful meeting indeed
at least all
from her
tina sprang
with a
15).
1.
light,
and by God's gracious guidance had actually found
us out at once. the
'
:
up,
Seitz's arms.
from Brumath with two horses, several us,
Me' (Psalm
saw a glimmering
Joyfully did I
ately I found myself in
meet
sides, a sensation of
prayed to the Lord, and cried
:
and thou
deliver thee,
all
fire,
but the
my life. But in God's holy word upon Me in the day of trouble I will
had never done '
I
cart,
my
Jerg
!
be torn
Chris-
the cart, as though inspired
was a dreadful time
that
in pieces
!
I
by the wolves with
pressed the poor, dear, trembling,
my
little
beating heart, and said with deep
cart, into
Christina and Seitz.
with the torch.
For
!
neck, and exclaimed, with a
Lord, I thank Thee
harnessed to the
Even
which
! '
The
horses were
I forthwith
now
mounted with
The Brumath men went
before us
Martin, who, on our calling him, had
The Fur
368
Coat.
soon returned, drove the weary oxen behind the
now we went and
with cold, but with
stiff
warm and
thankful hearts, at
but
same time with manifest embarrassment, and at the sour face of the mistress of the house,
and glanced round
the
at
wretched straw couch I
in
lumber-room, with
chilly
how the wind was blowing. now wonder at nor blame my poor
renewed complainings about the costly
and about tations,
all
our hard
Truly
I
Christina
lost fur coat,
Piteous indeed were her lamen-
fate.
and a thoroughly
a
allotted to us as our abode,
it,
perceived at once
could not for her
Seitz
father received us indeed wdth hearty sympathy,
looked
I
Dame
joy was to be of short duration.
the
at
when
.
my
and her
and
arrived, exhausted
Brumath.
But
cart,
and soon
for^vard briskly,
had with
sleepless night I
her, to
say nothing of our restlessness, being aggravated by uninvited guests in the shape of mice
Now
and
Brumath being the home of
Cordula Hecker, a
morning to see
rich, childless
us, saluted
me
rats.
Christina's aunt.
Dame
widow, she came the next
in the coldest, stiffest
manner,
but loaded Christina with demonstrations of love and sympathy, and pressed her to go with the infant to her house. I could not refuse
my
consent to
impossibility of keeping the poor '
not
fit
for a dog,' as
Dame
had, moreover, never asked
me
in a dry way, that she
had found a
suitable
this, for I clearly little
one
Cordula remarked.
my
was
home.
saw the
in that
room,
Christina
permission, but merely told to stay at her aunt's until I
When
she had accordingly
departed with the infant, Seitz said to me,
'
You
should not
The Ftir
Coat,
369
have yielded on that point, seeing that old Cordula
and bigoted Papist feather,
my
God
same game with your
*
Alas
alas
!
exclaimed
!
'
;
but,
Now
they
Christina.'
and thereupon
I,
a sly
in concert all they pos-
poor Margaret to apostatize
she has stood firm to the gospel.
!
will try the
is
stepmother ar^ birds of a
and both have attempted
sibly could to induce
thank
my
she and
;
proceeded
I
to recount the story of the unfortunate dispute about the fur
not
coat,
by
omitting
distress,
had
to
how
tell
my
on
fallen
overpowered
Christina,
neck
had nevertheless treated me ever
in
the
and
forest,
since with cutting cold-
ness.
The word away from
of
God warns
us' (Eph.
iv.
'beareth
all things,
31).
believeth
might otherwise easily storms of
Cordula
was
my
own
all
my friend
hot, that
is
me
be put
hasten to
Love, which
things' (i
Cor.
xiii.
7),
shipwreck for ever amid the
suffer
I shall only
troubled heart.
did, as
peration against
her
let all bitterness
'
I shall accordingly
over that dreary week at Brumath.
pass
iron
us to
Seitz
had
add
that
Aunt
foreseen, strike while the
to say, avail herself of Christina's exasto
confessor.
work upon her mind,
Father Boniface,
in concert with
— depicting
to her in
flaming colours the torments of hell which must be the lot of
one
guilty of a prohibited marriage with a perjured,
priest,
so that she sent to
me, the day before yesterday,
tell
by the above-named Father, return to the
bosom
whose pale alone
that
salvation
'
she had determined to
Holy Mother Church, within
of the
could therefore no longer
renegade
is
live
to
with
2
A
be found
me
in
;
and
that she
our sinful wedlock,
TJie Ftir Coat.
3/0
on which Heaven's curse weighed '
She added that
heavily.'
need not trouble myself further about
I
Cordula was prepared to adopt her and
(whom
own
as her
Fully had I anticipated this
seem
it
avoid
all
fessor,
and rather
did
to
to speak with
but intimated that
in to see Christina, as
my wife Dame
from
suffering, she said,
herself
she wished not to see
fever,
infant too, having caught cold
I there-
;
Cordula received
was impossible
it
which indeed was the best thing
was
the blow
was resolved to
I
needless exchange of words with the father-con-
politely,
me
now when
yet
;
annihilate me.
fore hurried to her aunt's house.
take
child ")
children.'
came,
me
Sigismund
little
dub her " bastard
the Father took care to
Aunt
her, since
for us both.
for her to
me
again,
Christina
and much exhausted
;
on the journey, had been
the ill,
but had become convalescent ever since his mother had
come
to the resolution of giving
up our
and thus saving her own soul and her
To
ing perdition.'
dispute with
been quite a work only insisting on
my
all
and
I
After his
was
in vain.
was obliged
my
way
visit,
right of seeing
my
wife and child.
Cordula was inexorable
in her refusal,
my point.
and he succeeded
in forcing
Seitz also called,
into Christina's room,
that Father
I said little in reply,
to depart without having gained
her baby in her arms. all
connexion,
from everlast-
Aunt Cordula would have
of supererogation.
But
sinful
child's
She
Boniface
where she lay
in bed, with
reiterated, with a flood of tears,
had
said,
adding that
'
I
must
indeed leave her alone, for she neither would nor could see
me
again.'
Brother Seitz, however, could not manage to
The Ftir
Coat.
371
have any private conversation, as Aunt Cordula
sat beside
the bed the whole time. '
And now,
my
grasped
Jerg,' said Seitz,
icy
when he returned
hand with kind sympathy,
" cast thy burden upon the Lord, thee
he
:
(Psalm
Iv.
and he
22).
Pray
for
your poor deluded Christina
may be
I
we might both be more crated to the Lord's service
into the right way.
and more
free if
;
Paul, "
St.
know
know not whether
my
that
stroyed
!
Psalms
I (vi.,
I
feel
:
I
I
herm. marriage") "
'
(i
Cor.
my
life's
vii.
—
happiness
38).
only
I
de-
is
read over and over again the seven penitential xxxviii., H.,
xxxii.,
they do indeed afford
ashamed of
cii.,
by Luther
me
cxxx.,
into
and
cxliii.)
our noble
so
German
the best consolation,
calling myself a minister of the
and being so ignorant of the holy language of the text.
and
So then he
have done better
heart bleeds and
beautifully rendered
tongue
;
but he that marrieth not (English version,
"giveth her not in marriage") doeth better I
do
I
entirely conse-
without wife or child
that marrieth (English version, "giveth
doeth well
the
;
mistaken, but I think possibly
could almost take up the words of
!
man,
sustain
shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved"
know whether
Alas
me and
shall
Lord can turn her heart again not
to
act as a
'
and
word
original
If I reach Strasburg I shall endeavour, as far as pos-
sible, to
make up
to assist
me
lost
ground, by entreating Zell and Bucer
in studying
both Greek and Hebrew.
and working form the best antidote
for
my
Praying
grief.
Yesterday Martin arrived from Honau, and brought
me
the petition from the parishioners praying for an evangeli-
The Fur
I']
which petition
cal minister,
I
to the worshipful the Council.
had passed, and
his hearty
how
Gracious Lord,
good.
Coat.
was
to present, at Strasburg,
Martin had learned
^
all
that
sympathy did
me
rich in love I
was formerly
the greatest at
my beloved Honau, — how happy in my quiet parsonage, at my homely fireside And now how poor, how solitary Do Thou, dear Lord, abide with me and forsaken Grant me Thy peace Give me submission to Thy will If I did sin in entering into the in my great tribulation
—
!
!
!
!
!
holy state of matrimony. for I did believe I
commandments. from
my
Thou
wilt yet surely forgive
was acting according to Thy word and
I
cannot tear Christina and the baby
heart, for I
do love them
but
Thou
hands, almighty and pierced for us
This day, Sunday, was a day of
if
he
rest for
in writing these pages,
why he was
is
body and
which
spared to grow up, that he
I shall
earth.
you both pilgrim's
1
To-morrow
!
staff
He
!
and go is
ii.
pp.
1
8,
19.
is
ill-will.
and
I
to
son
Sigis-
also written for
I
May God
are to take
bless
up our
Lord may me no more to
forth whithersoever the
me
grace to enable
This touching and earnest petition
Bucer's letters, and vol.
giving
Seitz
my
soul.
commit
never seeing thee again on
bid thee farewell without
I
lead us
my
Thy
may know how and
They are
deprived of his father.
thee, Christina, in case of
to
and
!
the care of Brother Seitz for the benefit of
mund,
dost also
faithful
commend them
tender heart, blessed Saviour, and
it
;
them both on Thy
love them, and so I lay
have spent
me,
is
to
be found preserved among
also contained in Rohrich's Evangelical Records,
The Fur
look back, but rather forwards.
away
all
St.
Mark, on
Himself wipe this
!
the First
Sunday
Epiphany, in the year ofgrace 1526.
wondrous are God's ways
How
our hot
shall rest after
He will May God grant
Written at Strashcrg, in the Convent of after
to that place
Upwards,
where the crown shines, where we and where fight and hard struggle, tears from our eyes.
373
Coat.
!
How much
has hap-
history of the pened in the four weeks since I wrote the through sorrows all the hardships and
and of
fur coat,
which I passed.
Now,
I
must
finish this history to the praise of
for the instruction "and
edification of
my
God, and
son Sigismund,
may know how the Lord can bless and comfort our God who, even in tribulation,—how He is the Lord known of old by from everlasting the same, made Himself
that he
name, 'The Lord, the Lord God, mercifiil and and gracious, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy
that beautiful
truth' (Exod. xxxiv. 6). It clear,
was a
fine winter
when
I
hastened beside
took
my
morning, the
my
departure
air
was pure, the sky
from Brumath, and
friend, with a light step but a
heavy
frozen snow that lay heart, to cross the expanse of hard like Jacob when he us, of We had, both before me. our Jordan, only the stafi" in the hand as
crossed over
and while Seitz occupied himself with our where we should future prospects, and wondered how and
worldly
all,
The Fur Coat,
374
any post assigned us again
find
trembling heart was
happiness in tina
this
I
life.
was called
itself
to bid adieu to all
seemed
It
my
my
though with Chris-
as
my little one the better half of my being had been from me with one dire wrench I felt so weary, so
and
torn
;
unstrung that to
of the past, ever presenting
full
so vividly before me.
in the Lord's vineyard,
my
would
I
have died and gone home
willingly
Lord.
marked, ness
!'
how
I
whom
to
Seitz,
'
That
He
is
laid
communicated
I
not the genuine
me open
to
state of
mind,
view, showing
was longing to go straightway to heaven,
he was
re-
Christian home-sick-
my own
sake only of shirking the battle of
And
my
life
me
for the
appointed for me.
my true and faithful friend. I had so my gaze upwards, and yet here I was, looking back Oh how like a wavering
right,
firmly resolved to fix like Lot's
wife,
!
blown about by each breath of wind, are we even
reed,
our best resolves
When,
in
!
in passing
through the
forest,
we had reached
the
spot where Seitz had found us before, where I had beheld
the bright to
my
while
light,
heart, I ;
I
and
begged
my
friend to suffer
had prayed so
with such a gracious answer.
overpowered by
face in
me
poor wife
to rest there a
sank down on the mossy stone on which
eight days before, where I
but,
my
for the last time pressed
grief,
I I
I
fervently
had
wished to pray there again;
could not
resist
burying
both hands and bursting into a flood of
Seitz wisely let
me weep my
Martin had gathered, and
sat
and met
full,
my
tears.
and with the wood which
much
of which was
still
lying
The Fur strewn near the ashes of our
Coat.
375
he kindled a bright flame,
fire,
which soon blazed and cracked merrily might have been
I
burdened heart somewhat the
—the when
fire
air.
began to warn
down
me
that
want of
for
we ought
me
it
feeble cry of an infant,
and immediately afterwards
seemed
to
distinctly caught hurried steps crackling
sank breathless Jerg
!
forgive
my own mund
me
—
whom, with
Christina, lost but found,
and folded her
my
in
life lasts
was a blessed, but an overpowering time
words can ever describe
—such
as I
exclaiming again and again,
—
you
When
will forgive
the agitation
related
how
Dame
Seitz
scribed
me
my
grief,
we
to her,
when Margaret
my
eyes,
left
me,
and inwardly
!
all felt
me
you
it
—
!
I
Lord
!
as
no
forget.
a
tree,
me
with
like ivy to
will take
you noti'
will
had calmed down, she Cordula was
spoke
home
'
feet
—such
Dame
and told her of
intending never to return. *
Oh
in spite of all
yesterday, while
came
'
O
was
it
the
if
can never, never
Christina clung closely and tenderly to
you
Jerg,
little Sigis-
my
arms, never,
to part with her again so long as
It
*
was indeed no dream,
it
ear
senses she
feet with the exclamation,
Yes
!'
my
crisp snow.
my
clasped in her arms, I beheld lying at
raised her will,
on the
Before I could collect
my
at
that I heard the
darting towards us
Presently I descried a female figure
an arrow.
fuel,
to start.
At the same moment
swift as
—my
easier for the relief of tears,
already beginning to go
friend Seitz
in the pure
about half-an-hour,
sitting there
my
having
Then,' added
was as though
as though hot coals
at church,
to her heart, deleft
my
Brumath,
poor
scales
fell
wife,
from
were burning in
TJie
3/6
my
Fur
Coat.
That conscience which
heart.
now spoke
I
had sought
loudly and solemnly, setting
me how
before me, reminding
all
my
had plagued
I
to
stifle
sins in array
my
thee,
husband, on account of the fur coat, and made thee, in our miser}^, yet more miserable in departing from God's
word
and showing
still,
all
me how
had been on the point of
I
being guilty of the sin against the
Holy Ghost, which can
never be forgiven in
that
for I
this life or in
which
about the
come,
to
and from dread of Aunt Cordula and
fur coat,
And now
Father Boniface.
must be up and go
me no rest I Jerg, whom I had
conscience
to thee,
my
left
poor
:
tormented so unpardonably, notwithstanding
promised
at
and comfort
God's
altar that I
to thee
me be
for never, that
out of her sight, and
let
tell
her that I had
and wished
would
become
return to
to
when Cordula went
live to
sensible
my
to bed, I
whole afternoon, did
how wrong
I
to
had been,
Yesterday evening,
duty.
wanted to
slip
out of the
It
occurred to
that Margaret's mother, were she to see me,
might easily hinder our reunion. night, confessing
to exhort
having
had not the courage
I
house, but found the house-door locked.
me moreover
my
be a blessing
But Aunt Cordula must have noticed
!
something about me, she
me
my
to do,
And
so I lay
and praying
to
the ground-floor, with a
day began
to
coverlet given us
dawn,
Him
Avas
the lawn.
wrapped the child up
by the magistrate's kind
all
His gracious
for
My room
window opening upon I
awake
you always used
sins to the Lord, as
pardon, and for deliverance and strength.
fore
is
had apostatized not from conviction but from anger
wife,
in the
on Be-
warm
and stepped
The Fttr
Coat.
2>77
over the window-sill and garden-fence.
mass of snow around gave a
It
ring the bell for matins.
He
old man.
warm
broth,
meet you,
your
if
me
we had not
to
heart to the good
baby
for the
and clasping her hands will take
me
the articles
all
Aunt
leave at
And
here.
in a
'
and
Poor
—oh
rich as at this
we brought from and she
hold in ^
my
Bene,
love and pity,
you can
am
Dame
my
wife
in
you are converted repentance begins
!
—
and child
Wickenhauer,'
striking in suddenly at this
When
my
life
is
was
Brother Seitz,
'
comes which worketh
of
With Christina and the tender
infant our journey
course proceeded far more slowly, and our cares and culties
were greater than when Seitz and
together.
I so
I again
now I do believe broken down then true
that godly sorrow
repentance not to be repented
!'
!
said
moment,
pride
!
a great sin-
moment, when by the mercy of God
arms both
bejie,
now
Alas
!
was obliged to
I
Jerg, I
!
Never
!
'
nardly likely to be ever
is
Oh
no, Christina
hoped
attitude,
have made you so poor and so unhappy
I !
me if Honau
back, and forgive
Cordula's,
I
his
and
forest,
now,' added she,
my
meek, imploring
persuaded to give them up. ner,
and then
perceived the smoke from
with every endearing epithet to appeal to
you
;
Vendenheim, where
first
and then found you
fire,
the road
to the church to
behind the village into the
would have accompanied to
the
;
home, gave me a bowl of
to his
and a drink of milk
me round
son led
my
opened
I
me
took
On
white, clear light.
met the precentor of the choir going
I
was not dark
As we had no money
to
I
pay our way
of
diffi-
were alone at the inn.
The Fur
378
we
Coat.
we
did not wish to arrive at Strasburg at nightfall, and
therefore passed the night in an old acquaintance's
Vendenheim.
Yes, truly,
did feel so happy, so rejoiced
me
we were poor and
full
and complaining
as I
I pitied her,
Instead of murmuring
be
I
now
;
am
to hear her
she
is
may have happened
'
Oh
so thankful that I
you once more.'
to stay beside
right
had been wont
she answered gently,
nothing better, and
now
What
of joyous confidence.
do of
good-tempered, kind and quiet, and
she continued
when
at
helpless, yet I
most was the equanimity with which Christina
bore the hardships of the way.
old,
bam
!
deserved
I
am
permitted
Seitz assuredly
must
a converted woman, and whatever
about
it,
the fur coat will have been a
blessing to us for ever
On turn,
our arrival at Strasburg
nor
warm
we knew not
heart or a hospitable door.
fore to
go
to
what quarter the Lord might open
in
to
Master Matthew
We
Zell,
whom
to
for us
"a
determined there-
to pour out to
him
our tale of sorrow, and to ask him for counsel and help.
On
reaching the Cathedral-Parsonage, Christina remained
standing outside, shy and lacking the courage to go
She said nothing, strained her tears,
a deep sigh,
We
'
Ah
!
but I
and heard her whisper it is
in.
saw with what difficulty she re-
a hard thing to beg
to herself, with !'
were met on the threshold by a handsome young
woman, with
brilliant eyes full of a
such as I never saw equalled.
It
deep look of thought,
was Katherine
Zell.
She held out her hand with a friendly greeting, and we introduced ourselves to her by name.
She immediately
TJie
exclaimed in a
manner,
lively
You
have heard of you.
I
Fur
Coat.
You
'
379
are heartily
welcome
;
have been driven forth from
your homes for Christ's sake, and have therefore a sacred
under our roof and
right to dwell
added she with a for the inn
Her
is
too
was
sympathizing
*
I
now
know not what he
turned bearing
little
was replying
I
Dame
to his
Zell about Chris-
but with the exclamation,
down
the steps, and soon re-
Oh good
by the hand. the
hearty,
for that
eternity it
May
!
little,
Sigismund in her arms, and leading
the weeping Christina
beloved Zells
While
said,
she flew
'
Only,'
!
joined us, whose reception of us
truly fatherly.
!
at our table
sit
you must be contented with
queries, Seitz told
Oh, poor soul
good
*
!'
full
dear husband
as fugitives
tina.
smile,
Lord reward you welcome
loving
did to us poor homeless ones
!
in
and
well-
time and
How much
!
You were
never
forsaken, and yet so cordially did you gather in to you the I
could write volumes con-
saw and learned
in that blessed Cathedral-
unfortunate and the forsaken
cerning
all
Parsonage,
that I
more
!
especially
regarding the
spirit
of true
Christian love with which hospitality was exercised there.
At dinner on thirty,
almost
that all
first
Zell
is
love,
LIVING
all
these people.
FAITH,
fruitful
in
which knows well how
small means.
I
shall
treasure
fugitives,
My
their faith.
must be very wealthy
and entertain it
down not
sat
the party being
away on account of that
day we
to
But
first
fewer than
those driven
impression was
be able to receive I
soon found that
good works,
to accomplish
up
active
much
this lesson,
in
with
and may
380
Fur
TJic
God
me
grant
poverty
Coat.
my
grace to exercise compassion even in
!
As no prospect appeared of our soon being appointed any
to
really a
posts,
and yet Brother
crowded
inn, Seitz
had
Zell in his parsonage
was
meantime placed as
in the
deacon with Doctor Hedio, and an abode was assigned us in
what was formerly the convent of
Luke Hackfurth inhabited being engaged
in
poor's-house.
Man
Dame
inhabited
requires but
;
the
to
me
We
of these good Hack-
empty
great
which
into
library,
chairs, to
be
but on the table lay the dear Gospel and the
writings of Luther which always
up
Master
be happy.
to
little
home
had caused a bed, a table and two
Zell
put for us
Mark.
arranging the large building as a general
ate the poor man's meals at the furths,
St.
wuth his excellent wife, both
it
more and more opened
a clear understanding of God's word.
was deeply absorbed
While
Bucer's guidance was also improving myself in Hebrew,
dear new-born
Christina,
with me, sat at
my
now
dry basket, slept our
warm little
my
so thoroughly reconciled
side sewing industriously, while
the magistrate's wife's
I
study of these, and under
the
in
under
tucked into a laun-
coverlet,
Sigismund as luxuriously as
a prince in his splendid cradle.
Oh
!
these were lovely
days of repose which we passed within that old convent's massive, silent walls, for
we enjoyed peace
and the firm assurance by the
young ravens
that cry,
faith, that
who
clothes the
would likewise provide as a Father
had
in the very early
in
the Lord lilies
for our future.
days of our Strasburg
life,
our hearts,
who
feeds
of the
field,
Christina as she her-
The Fur self expressed
Coat.
381
Dame
'confessed her sins' to
it,
Zell, re-
She had
counting to her the whole story of the fur coat.
depicted herself certainly in the blackest hue, and over me,
on the other hand, she had one treated
me
cast so bright a halo that every
with a degree of respect of which
was very
I
far from being worthy.
But we now most unexpectedly were honoured with a visit,
that
namely of the former patron of
father,
that
squire of
distinguished Christina's
made
the bear-skin to be still
most
noble
pedigree
von Eschenau, the same who had caused
{Junker)^ Fabian
into the fur coat,
He
magistrate at Wasselnheim.
had
and who was
visited
Master
Matthew and his honoured spouse, and had heard from them of our being driven from our home. He now came to ask me whether I had sufficient courage to go to Rumolzweiler^ as evangelist, to preach the word of God to the peasants there. assent.
He
Whereto
I naturally
did not, however,
responded with a glad
conceal from me, that
I
should there find no easy task, for although the majority
an evangelical
of the inhabitants urgently implored that
preacher might be sent to them, the
was strongly supported by not to pay the
stipend
Roman
the gentry,
of an evangelist,
would not perform the mass, whereas the law
set
Catholic party
who were
saints.'
Now
I
resolved
because he
tithes
apart for the maintaining of the
the altars of the
*
were by
mass and
for
was, he said, to go to
Wasselnheim before Christmas, and there Junker Fabian was
to
be of
great ^
assistance
Now
to
me
Romansweiler.
in
dealing with
382
TJie
I
Coat.
von Bock, with
of Rumolzweiler, Eucharius
the patron
whom
Fur
must make a contract, according
me
to insure
to
which he was
Dean
half of the stipend, because the
Cathedral had established the principle that
of the
the revenues
'
of the Church were destined for the benefit, not of the less altar or
life-
the stone building, but of the souls of the
parishioners, for the purpose of providing for their spiritual necessities, to
attached,'^
whatsoever religious belief they might be
—and because Von Bock perceived
that
he could
not possibly longer deprive the evangelical inhabitants of
Rumolzweiler of the word of God,
Half of the stipend
!
It
is
without the tithes and rates. pittance
miserable already,
for
and deprived of
claimed
I
with
a
deep
us, all
it
affection,
thee,
That would indeed be a
who
poverty-stricken
so
are
our goods and chattels!' exas
sigh,
Christina, then at the baby.
pressed
small enough at any rate *
But
gazed sadly
I
my
wife took
first
my
at
hand,
to her lips with a look of reverence, as well as
and then gently answered
and may
He
Go where God
' :
be with thee, dear Jerg
calls
This very
!
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of" (Matt. vi. 8). He will know what to give us at Rumolzweiler also!' Oh! how did morning we read
in
the Gospel,
my
these words comfort and strengthen
Junker Fabian had not been
there, I
heart
!
If only
must have embraced
the dear soul instantly.
And he was
the Squire himself was not silent, '
and then he passed
'R.o\ix\(:\ii!s
his
unmoved. hand over
Ei'angelical Records^ vol.
ii.
For a while his eyes,
pp. 23, 24.
and
The Fur Coat said, in a
warm and
friendly
manner
precious than gold and jewels
—
good
^
and treated
you have, of course, carefully preserved,
with
it
all
honour, as
Christina blushed crimson,
turned pale with
on
The
fear.
said, with, as
sure visible
seemed
it
brow
his
' :
I
—
Hereupon
I
deserves V
it
and
I, if
I
am
not mistaken,
squire looked at us inquiringly,
me, a
to
slight
cloud of displea-
should be vexed
had been sold and had passed
summoned courage
if I
hands of
into the at
had given the
fur coat to the
his death failed to learn
he laid
most kindly tone Master Jerg, and
:
it
what had become of
'
on
You
I shall
my
all
man in
embittered
who can
spirits
his
Ah
!
left all
in
my
how
my
I
it.
my power
still
own
God's
after
his
a
in
heart,
to secure your is
the need
act as a herald of peace, soften the
and unite them
in the
When he had gone, Christina burst about
how
hand across
Great indeed
being called to Rumolzweiler. there of one
tale of
shoulder and said,
are a
do
it
martyr Schuch, and had since
Once more Junker Fabian passed eyes, then
thought
strangers.'
once, and related,
though not without embarrassment, the whole
*
more
is
something of
Is there not
!
wife
King Solomon, Master Jerg ? your costly treasure, your he added with a smile
father's fur coat,
and
A
' :
the Proverbs of
this sort in
But,'
383
bonds of love
into tears
gladly would I have told
!'
and said
Junker Fabian
:
all
being to blame for our extreme necessity, since I
our goods at Aunt Cordula's, but somehow throat and I could not get
have told him, Jerg, how grievously of the fur coat, and
how much
out.
it
I
it
stuck
But you should
sinned in that matter
heart-sorrow I caused you
!
Fur
TJic
384 'Yes,
truly,
—then
Coat.
had fondled and spoiled you, and acted a very you, as
were more to
—
I
me
Eli towards
than the salvation of your immortal
and hereupon
my
caught her in
after this, a
arms to
my
We
heart's desire.
me
The
strong, bold character of
to shame,
The
and be
I
was reminded of
How
the
Lord's words,
this
dear soul, in so short a time, outstripped
flight
heavenward
Lord
to
'
shall
last
Joyously did we at
!
go to Rumolzweiler, although
first.'
me
had
in the
last resolve in the
fully foreseeing that
there cares about daily bread, the lack of
many
comforts,
and even hatred and renewed persecutions, awaited
us.
few days later a colleague of Master Matthew gave a
great dinner, to which the Burgomaster, the Dean,
invited.
that learned
I
wished not to go.
and
homeliness, and
What could
needy, threadbare apparel?
Master
must, and even appear in
was
position
desirable,
and the trjdng
be made patent to Still
my
that
go
I
poverty-stricken clothing, for
tme
necessities of the evangelists should
all.
make up her mind
and master going
tinguished society.
it
nay, even necessar)', that the
Christina could not
to her lord
do in
I
ignorant
Matthew, however, and Bucer too, stood to
it
and
my
assemblage, with
brilliant
my
all
and myself,
sundry evangelical ministers, and even Seitz
that
had,
long talk regarding the pros and cons of the
Christina's faith put
were
soul,'
— the Squire being no longer present
position at Rumolzweiler.
A
I
the sweet smile and bright glance of your eyes
if
I replied,
how
should have told him also
I
*
The
in
coat
to consent
such a plight into is
this dis-
almost transparent, and,
The Fur with
all
my
industry,
respectably any longer,'
she
385
my
beyond
is
it
Coat.
point she held a serious consultation with
her about
I twitted
man
the old
in her
this,
It
was not
me
to
— and
Dame
on
it
this
Hackfurth.
;
slily
and
stealthily to
However, she answered,
!
honour that made her wish
pride, but a feeling of
be properly clad
darn
to
saying she had need to take care
was contemplating
climb back to resume his throne '
power
said piteously
seemly and respectable a minister
of the word ought always to be, both as being right and laAvful
here below, and above
Upon
she liked.
She had made me, with her notable sewing, a
fine shirt with the linen stuff,
by the good Dames
carefully
brought to Kraft,
my
me
devised the plan of fetching
I
am
so happens that Master tall
and
this shirt she I
webs of
had
also
was to dress
for
poor coat seemed more miserable than
ever beside the new, snow-white
it
us, with other
and
But when
washed and ironed.
the banquet,
But
God's sake.'
all for
the whole I was content to yield, and let her do as
stout,
shirt.
Dame
Hackfurth
her husband's Sunday coat.
Lux
short
is
and
spare,
wherefore in the borrowed coat,
and
my
long arms, projecting beyond the short sleeves, had so droll
an
effect that
we
all
three
was glad to take back
fell
my
to laughing heartily,
old
and
faithful
and
I
servant the
threadbare coat
At
that
moment
a knock was heard at the door.
the post-runner, Simon, to
tell
us he had
It
was
come from Wasseln-
heim, and was charged by Junker Fabian von Eschenau to give us
many
to us this
friendly salutations from him,
little
box.
Christina and 2 B
Dame
and
to deliver
Hackfurth pro-
The Fur
386
ceeded forthwith to open
— we found within
.
and how great was our
it,
surprise
!
more nor less than the Fur
neither
.
.
Coat.
Coat! Agreeably surprised
nay rather
!
tion of astonishment, Christina
Dame
transfixed.
fur coat, cried out,
and put an end '
Yes,
Jerg
yes,'
Christina
Ah
'
!
to all our
on
my
pered beseechingly,
furth's
stood speechless and
I
this
has come at the right moment,
dilemma '
?'
a fine piece of
neck weeping
over me, and
it
sent
you must put it
.
Master
winter
!'
and whis-
Dame Hack-
exclaimed, smiling
becomes you so
It
'
on, Jerg, for doubtless the Squire has
it
on purpose
!'
forgiven me, Jerg,
She then took the coat out of
hands, threw
fur.
like a child,
through her tears with childlike joy, well,
warm
in this severe
You have indeed
'
do splendidly
It will
!
render you good service
fell
have you not
in a sort of consterna-
Hackfurth, however, as she unfolded the
added Simon,
It will
!
and
.
.
but
.
.
.
what
is
that
she asked
?'
with a shudder, pointing with her finger to large stains of
blood which shone
like rubies
on the lustrous
silver-grey
lining of the bear's skin.
'This
is
Brother Schuch's farewell greeting!'
I
answered
with deep emotion, and an involuntary shudder ran through
me. Just then Seitz
news of our
came
to share our joy.
he.
It will
you
take
delightful surprise
come '
to
'
me
to the
had reached him, and he had
You must
put
it
on, Jerg,' said
be such a joy to Master Matthew
in this fur coat to all his brethren
shoulders, stretched
it
The
dinner.
!'
on the bed, and
I
took
to present it
from
said gravely,
'
my
Look
The Fur
Coat.
387
here at these spots of blood, Seitz, and then
put
on
it
?'
He
a good while
we stood
dumb
gazing at these precious xi. 4).
faith, '
bequeathed to
us,'
up prayer aloud.
silence,
in
'
hand clasped
said Seitz at length solemnly,
Follow him
A
(Heb.
'
!"
Having
'
thoughtful
'
and the
so said, he offered
indeed a deep solem-
spirit,
all.
No
But now we were obliged to hasten to the dinner. one thought more of
On
my
threadbare coat
our way Seitz related to
the exertions of our dear kind
Lambert of Avignon was
Dame
As
Zell
and the Reformers' writings
had caused investigations
The
sending
'
had put away the
fur coat,
prisoner had repeatedly constrained
back
hitherto
the
after it
his
death
had not been
jailer,
to
the
in his
'
Bible-
Holy
in his native land,
be made
to
jailer, to
was made, informed them that
tion he
self,
all.
the French Doctor
in the habit of
through one of these men.
it
of
or colporteurs into France, to disseminate the
Scriptures
tion
:
I least
me how we were indebted to friend. Dame Katherine Zell,
for the recovery of the fur coat.
men'
can
hand,
in
he being dead yet speaketh
seemed spread over us
nity,
if I
a glorious testimony which Schuch has
is
calls to us, "
Lord
me
witnesses, seals of our dear brother's
by which
That
tell
too seemed struck and solemnized, and for
whom
in
Nancy,
an applica-
after Schuch's execu-
because the deceased
him
to promise to send
pastor at
power
Honau, which
to do, since
he him-
having been deeply impressed after witness-
ing Schuch's patience at the rack, meekness towards his
persecutors and joy in death, had thereby fallen under suspicion of heresy, and he had not dared to have deahngs
The Fur
388
Coat.
with an evangelical minister, from dread of losing his situa-
He
tion.'
coat,
declared himself ready to deliver up the
an indemnification was given to him, and
if
on the subject maintained
silence
whom Dame
Eschenau, to
at
clerical banquet, the coat so
Fabian von
had mentioned the matter,
Zell
When, on
gave the needful money.
Nancy.
fur
strict
the very evening of the
unexpectedly appeared,
Dame
by a post-runner
to St.
Katherine instantly despatched
it
Mark's, without noticing the stains of blood, as she had
never
lifted
We
out of the box.
it
had made ourselves
was assembled when we truly princely.
was
I
display of silver plate
never had
and the whole company
late,
The entertainment was
arrived.
specially struck with the splendid
on the side-board, and thought
I
seen anytliing so costly, even in the Episcopal
Palace at Zabern.
Seitz
and
I
both
felt
ourselves out of
our element in the magnificent assembly, and endeavoured to
retire
into
the
background.
But Master Matthew
stepped forward to receive us in a most friendly manner,
and and
I
me why I had not put on the fur coat. my reason, he silently pressed my hand,
once asked
at
When
I told
saw a
was, during
him
large tear glistening in his eye. all
that evening, unusually silent
Altogether he
and
serious,
taking no part in the lively discussions on the vexed question of the doctrine of the sacrament, into which Bucer,
Capito,
Hedio and
the others
all
plunged deeply.
Yet
I
should have been most thankful to hear his views in particular on the subject.
At
table I
was forced
to
sit
beside Master Matthew,
who
TJie
Fur
Coat,
389
asked the master of the house as a favour that
and
so,
consequence
in
was placed
I
the greatest embarrassment.
The
and undressing and dressing
again,
of
my unhappy
might be
it
in circumstances of
my
result of all
was that the
dressing
right sleeve
old coat was worn quite out, so that at the
elbow Christina's new
shirt
peeped through.
Now
Master
Matthew had of course a place of honour, and thus the whole table could, each time
my
hole in
sleeve.
barrassment
I
I
I sat as if
moved
in the least, see the
on red-hot coals
;
in
my em-
grew more and more shy and awkward.
The
learned and distinguished guests, however, appeared never to perceive this,
and treated
me
with great
especially that gracious dignitary the Dean,
affability,
who
When
head and repeatedly addressed me.
more
sat at the
was
dessert
served, the master of the house took a magnificent silver
cup from the side-board, said
:
*
filled
it
with Rhenish wine and
The Emperor Maximilian presented
Doctor Geiler of blessed memory,
after
cup
whose death
to it
Doctor Wickgram, who, on leav-
passed to his nephew,
ing Strasburg and withdrawing to Ensisheim, cious cup to
this
left
the pre-
myself as a keepsake and memorial of his
gratitude for faithful service
and marks of
friendship.'
With
these words he passed the cup round the circle, every one
sipped a drop, admired
it
and praised the costly wine.
Master Matthew did not admire
it,
Only
and would, moreover,
not taste the wine.
Meantime
Zell's serious
been caught by
all
mood seemed
involuntarily to have
the rest of the party, and
when the
splendid cup stood in the centre of the table, like a
Roman
The Fur
390 Emperor
*
sudden awful silence reigned,
in his glory, a
Master Matthew broke
Coat.
it
by saying
Dear and honoured brethren
beautiful legend of
St.
George,
till
:
in Christ,
you
know
all
who once rode
of a hard winter over the drawbridge of his
the
depth
in the
and
castle,
seeing a naked beggar lying before the gate, took off his
mantle, with
his
sword cut
and gave one half
to the
You remember how
ness.
right
it
poor
man
through the middle,
peared unto him in person, and said graciously, thee, George,
George was a
thou hast done rich knight, who
than one cloak.
it
unto me
'
me
beside
and modest
assuredly possessed
Moreover he gave away only one
here another beloved George,
that he
ashamed because of
is
thank
I
Now
!'
St.
more
half of
But there
the cut mantle, reserving the other for himself. sits
naked-
to cover his
during that night the Lord ap-
— so
humble
his torn sleeve,
over which the angels in heaven are certainly rejoicing,
who gave
his
only and valuable fur coat to our blessed
martyr Schuch, before his imprisonment, keeping for his
own
use only that shabby, worn-out coat in which, four
weeks ago,
for the gospel's sake,
he was with his wife and
child driven out from Honau.'
And
here Master !Matthew, to
my
great horror, related
the whole story of the fur coat, softening greatly
and
all
that told against
accurately.
seemed black before stone grinding in
matters worse,
I
my saw
my
poor
so oppressed with
I felt
my
eyes,
and
down indeed
Christina, but yet fully
I felt as
shame it
head, when, lo and behold all
that all
were a !
to
mill-
make
these distinguished gentlemen in
TJie
succession
coming up
hands with one and
Fur
Coat.
391
and was obliged
to me,
But the best was yet to come.
After
all
was quiet again,
our dear friend Zell spoke most beautifully,
power
to the heart than I
Adam
could possess,
in the
marks of the
to
His crown of thorns, with the
nails in
His blessed hands, and His pierced
to ask us, "
oh
dear brethren, should
down
cast our eyes
What
are you doing for me?" we not blush with shame, and
to the
ground by reason of
splendour surrounding us here, so
and compassion
moment He were
us, in
and were
when
more
child of
midst of
side, !
infinite love
If at this
'
—with
had thought any poor
— of the
of the Saviour, adding,
appear
shake
to
all.
many
—now,
in these
all
the
hard times,
faithful confessors of Christ are struggling
with want and tribulation, pining in prison, or being per-
secuted and slain stuff," said
%
" There
is
much
too
of the accursed
the blessed Geiler, in one of his discourses,
when
inveighing against luxury, which he designated as "hellish
grandeur." there
is
too
Beloved brother, even here,
much
of needless silver
feed the hungry therewith
homeless.
Thus you
;
!
in this thy house,
Give
it
to the
Lord
clothe the naked and house the
will lay
up treasure
in
heaven
!'
Again a deep silence reigned round the sumptuous and glittering board.
Then
out his hand to Zell, '
the master of the feast rose, held
and
said,
with manifest
Brother, thou hast opened mine eyes
I will
do even
I
offered
up prayer, and we
sang, *
emotion,
thank thee, and
as thou hast said.'
Thereupon Capito and Bucer all
!
May God
be merciful to us and bless
;
TJic
392
which we broke up
after
Fur
Coat.
and solemnized
in a recollected
frame of mind.
On
the following day I was obliged to go to Wasseln-
heim, to settle with Squire Eucharius von Bock concerning
severe
my
;
inwardly I
bloody this,
was torn
coat
felt
Dame
by some
stains
which appeared
ever, I
came
;
to
acid.
me
to a better
cold was
so I was obliged,
although
on the
the thing go against me, to put
Christina and
coat.
the
The
post of evangelist at Rumolzweiler.
the
fur
Hackfurth had removed the
At
was annoyed
I
first
Soon, how-
a sort of sacrilege.
mind regarding
it,
at
perceiving that
same feehng which now animated me, had gradually first to the veneration and afterwards
the Church led
in
to
the adoration of relics.
The
fur coat
travel over ice
myself, I friend
warm my poor
did
Under
through.
shelter
its
and snow
;
limbs through and
was wonderfully easy to
it
and while
feeling so comfortable
thought with love and tenderness of the beloved
now wearing
the crown promised to
'
him
that over-
cometh.'
At Wasselnheim Fabian and
I
concluded, in presence of good Junker
an agreement with Eucha-
the local magistrate,
rius
von Bock, by which he pledged himself
me
half of the annual revenues belonging to the incum-
bency of the church of Rumolzweiler, and enter
upon
every
way
aid, !
I
promised to
duties at the close of this present
May God
Januar}'.
His holy
its
to secure to
grant
faithfully
Amen.
and
me
grace
to
to the best
I shall find
fulfil
of
my
month of
them with ability in
a difiicult task before
me
The Fur at
Rumolzweiler
way of
and
;
me
At the same
that the thirst for the
and
parishioners,
is
to
be expected
in the
And
Rumolzweiler.
plainly to understand at Wasseln-
time, I also equally plainly perceived
word of God
is
great
among
the dear
was manifestly shown when Eucharius
it
von Bock introduced
I shall
indeed
little
393
good-will from the landed gentry in particular, as
the feudal lord gave
heim.
Coat.
me so,
to the elders of the church at
the
Lord
my God
being with me,
my
take heart and go forward boldly to
work.
bare walls of the parsonage did indeed alarm me, as
had not any tracing in
my
my
furniture wherewith to
steps to
Strasburg, I
fill
and the
But while
it.
would not be
it
infant in St. Mark's,
winter should be over, and to go alone to rather than expose
must await us
them
there.
my new
to enduring all the hardships that
already loaded us with blessings beyond what
had been constrained
my
we could
unbelieving fears
to promise that I
!
would be
Strasburg again on Christmas Eve, and had therefore all
possible haste to be able to keep
arrived at St. Mark's, Christina
my
seemed
also
begin at once
unheeded.
all
gladsome and report
me
elated.
progress, but
They could not
hurriedly drag
found
to
listen to
I
to
I
meet me,
Dame Hackwas about
my
anything
tale
was
to all
— could only
into the old convent library.
brightly illuminated,
at
made
When
word.
came forward
radiant with joy as though transfigured, and furth
till
home,
But oh, how had our gracious God
ask or think, putting to shame I
re-
turned the matter over
mind, and asked myself whether
better to leave Christina
The we
There
and the whole room
full
I
of
The Fur
394 Christmas boxes
[erne
Coat.
ganze Besc/iee7'ung)
;
—beds,
house-
hold furniture, garments, Hnen, victuals, every necessary of life,
even including our own goods and chattels which we
had carried with us from Honau order.
tiful
array of things, and at the
was
on
breath,
Dame
arranged in beau-
and
moment
first
Cliristina
at
splendid
this
almost thought I
laughed and cried in the
in her gladness fell first
on
my
neck, then
Hackfurth's, then lifted baby Sigismund high up
He
in the air.
tude of feet,
But
a dream.
in
same
all
;
gazed with amazement
I
little
was
of glee at the sight of the multi-
full
lighted tapers,
and was stamping with
clapping his hands and hurrahing with
But who had prepared
whom was
our
warm
and unexpected help
this
all
his little
his might.
glad surprise for us
?
To
gratitude due for this most seasonable ?
The Lord had
which Master Matthew Zell had said
blessed those words
The
at the banquet.
master of the feast had given his 'needless
silver'
to the
Lord, and a part of the proceeds he had expended on relieving our great necessities.
From whom our
dearly-beloved
Katherine Zell had received the money to redeem our own
goods and chattels from Aunt Cordula (who doubtless sufiiciently
we never could
ascertain.
known
thrice
'
a
But the Lord, who had counted
our tears and watched our joy, our
set
high price upon them), that was a point which
or
unknown
He
will assuredly
not leave
benefactors unrequited, for blessed,
blessed, are the merciful.'
Thus then we
God and man,
are ready, with heart-felt gratitude towards to take
up our abode
where Christina longs to be a minister's
at
Rumolzweiler,
wife, a
mother of
TJic FiLT Coat.
own
the flock after God's
beloved Katherine so
And
' !
grant that
now, Jerg, only look
this store of
meal
may be even
it
exclaimed she
! '
How much
!
example of the
heart, after the
God
Zell.
395
bread
I shall
' ;
look at
be able to
when we go to our new home, to feed many a hungry fellow-creature and make meal-broth for many a
bake with
this
poor sick person the fur coat
me
remind
me
me, but rather be
my '
old evil tricks
To
which soul
?
both
Is
to
for
it
with thee, but
and keep close healeth
come, Jesus !
will
And you
too,
never again spoil again into any of
.
not.
not even so with
who
fall
warm, and
!
.' .
all
perfect in weakness,
for ever
should
strict if I ;
good thou knowest
trust in
delightfully
You must
in this.
will is present is
iniquities,
made
keep you so
must watch and pray
that I
must help
Jerg,
But you, dear husband, you must wear
!
It will
Christ, the
to
how
Is
it
me too Him who %
to
perform that
not true, dearest
Therefore " forgiveth
us
let all
our
our diseases," whose strength
— to Him who
is
and was and
is is
same yesterday and to-day and
Amen.'
EDINBURGH
:
T.
CONSTABLE,
PRINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.
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