THE MONK WHO GOT MARRIED A HAPPY HOME AND HOW IT BECAME SO.
“Well-wiv'd is he that's truly man,
If, but the woman's womanly.”
“Let love make home a gracious court.”
“Choose not alone a proper mate,
But proper time to marry.”
THE best gift of God is a pious and amiable wife, who fears God and loves her family; one with whom her husband can live in peace, and who repays her husband’s affection with equal respect and affection,' said Luther.
“Then why don't you get married, doctor?" said Melanchthon.
“That is true. God made men for marriage, and most people ought to get married, but I don't mean to, although my honored father has often urged me to take that step.”
“There is Catherina van Born, of an ancient family, twenty-six years of age; one of the nuns she was, why not marry her?”
“I have already been trying to arrange a marriage for her with Glatz.'
“She will marry none but either Amsdorf or yourself —that I know.”
“Then I will marry her myself, and content my father. But won't the Papists rage when the old monk of forty-six gets married?”
Luther lost no time, but went at once to Catherine. "Catherine," said he, "I am no youngling, but if you can love me, and bear with me, I will make you the best husband that I can. 'Tis downright wicked to speak to maidens as some do. I respect you greatly, but I do not commit idolatry, indeed I do not. Will you accept me for thy husband?”
“Yea; I desire none better.”
“Kate, thou art, I fear, very proud, and it ill becomes a wife to be proud. But I trust you will remember what the world expects from thee?”
“I will do my best," said Catherine.
“None can do more," replied Luther. "And since it is good to marry, let it be before the world hath time to make an outcry. Let us ask none, since thy parents are too far away.”
“They desire nothing better for me than to marry thee," said Catherine.
“Then if they are satisfied, who shall object? It is settled," said Luther.
On the 11th of June, 1525, Luther was solemnly married, the wedding feast being held a fortnight later. The wedding ring given to the bride was ornamented by emblems of the crucifixion raised in relief upon its circumference; Luther presenting Catherine with a double ring, one interlacing the other, with the text "Whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
The university presented as a wedding gift a richly chased silver goblet, and the Elector appointed apartments in the once monastery for the Reformer's home.
There, sitting together in the large double window seat raised above the floor, in later life Luther and his wife would look through the diamond shaped panes into the courtyard below. There they watched the sunset melt into the clear blue light of the stars, in that happy mood when the spirit rests itself in the delighted peace of love.
Five children made up the family—Jack, Elizabeth, Lena, Martin, and Paul. An aunt of his wife (who had been head nurse in the convent in which her niece had been a nun with herself), lived with them, as did two orphan nieces of Luther.
“My Kate is a bit proud! but she has fewer faults than any woman I know," he said one evening during a pause in the singing, which formed part of his evening relaxation. "She is going to have a carved doorway made to the little house the Elector has given me. To see her busy about my concerns is a worry, but such a pleasure to me," he continued.
“They say much evil about your marriage said Melanchthon, leaning over a chair back;" Henry the Eighth, King of England, raves fearfully about it.”
“Let him look to his own spots before he seeks to correct what is not wrong in me. When my Kate sits at work of an evening, and the children play over the floor, and I take my lute and sing a carol, I feel as happy in my home as the angels almost in heaven. We are made to love, and be loved too, and I for one thank God for this choicest blessing—a wife that loves me and is worthy of my love.”
But into that home, as into every home, the angel of sickness and death came! First Elizabeth was taken, and said her father, "Alas, my child! I feel like a woman, melted and ready to die! I did not know how sick the heart could be. Oh, I am bowed down, so that I cannot bear myself under this fearful aching void!" Then for a time the angel departed, carrying Elizabeth into the presence of Christ.
But some years afterward, when Lena was nearly thirteen years of age, Catherine met her husband with a tearful face. He had just been lecturing with peculiar delight upon the comfort that God imparts to all who trust Him; now the teacher was to test for himself the truth of his own words.
“Why, my Kate, you are as grave as a judge—what is the matter? The fox been at the hen roost again?”
“No, my lord, but the wolf has been at the sheepfold, and the lamb is wounded.”
“What, my Lena?" said Luther, with a gasp.
“Yes.”
“Oh, my God! The poor man had but one little ewe lamb! Take it not away! Alas alas!" and the strong man flung himself upon the floor in an agony of bitter grief.
After a season of passionate weeping and prayer he grew more calm, and, rising to his feet he said, "Let me see her." “Lena, my dear!" he said, "I love thee dearly, but God is about to take thee to His beautiful home, and I must say thee farewell. God knows it rends my heart in twain to say this, but I must. It is better for thee than to live in pain and sin. You would love to remain here with your earthly father, but are you willing to depart and be with your Heavenly Father?”
“Yes, father dear, I am willing it shall be as God pleases," gasped the child, as she lay in delicate, lily-like beauty.
Hiding his tears, and gulping down his choking emotion, the strong man groaned—"God help me, the flesh is weak! O Lena," he said, "when I look upon thee, my sunlight, I feel I cannot part with thee! But, alas! alas! God forgive me and help me! Dost thou rely only upon the finished work of Jesus?”
“Father, I believe what you have taught me; I am but a little child, but I love my Savior and I am sure that He loves me. I know I have been naughty many times, but I have asked Jesus to forgive me. O father, I know I'm going to heaven; what shall I say when I see Elizabeth.”
“Kiss her from me, and tell her that father is coming as fast as he can. How I long to look upon her, and speak to her again Oh! if we could all go together.”
“But I'm not going alone, father. I should like you and mother to come too; but I shan't die alone. I haven't been lonely at all at any time. Jesus has been with me when I played in the garden; and it seems only as if He meant to take me over the Elbe bridge into another house. O father, make haste to come and bring the others too!''
“I will, my Lena! Old Luther wants to go; oh how much”
“Father, will you take me on your knee once more? I want you to hold me in your arms, "said the dying girl.
“Yes, my precious child, surely I will," said the doctor, lifting the frail and wasted form tenderly upon his knees.
As he felt how thin and fragile she was he burst into an agony of tears that he strove to hide in vain.
“Why do you cry, father? Lena is so grieved to see you cry. Laugh like you used to do," said Lena.
“I can't, dearest my heart is full like to bursting."
"Then sing your favorite psalm.”
“I will try," said Luther, and began, with stammering tones, to utter his own brave words—
“A safe stronghold our God is still.
A trusty shield and weapon,
He'll help us clear from all the ill
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The ancient prince of hell
Hath risen—”
And the strong sonorous voice burst into a bitter wail. "Ay that He hath, and this is the keenest pain of all. O God, help me!”
“Don't cry, father. It is not the devil at all," said Lena. "It is Jesus who is taking me to be forever with Himself. I will not cry. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, come!”
And as she spoke He came, and Luther to his breast folded a wasted and lifeless body from which the spirit had fled.
“Ah, Lena! it is well with you," he said. "Dear Lena, you are now brighter than the stars, yet my own Lena still!”
Thus joy and sorrow made up Luther's life as they make up ours, for both are needed to fit us for the home above.
Yet joy and sorrow were alike sanctified by the presence of our blessed Lord. Happy those who in their joy and sorrow are not alone, but see in both their Lord! This Luther did as the shadows darkened around his now setting sun, yet to rise in the blessed and eternal presence of his Lord.