LUTHER THE PEACEMAKER
“There never breathed a man who, when his life
Was closing, might not of that life relate
Toils long and hard.”
“All his prospects brightening to the last,
His heaven commences are the world be past.”
“Our dying friends are pioneers to smooth
Our rugged pass to death.”
I AM getting old, Kate," said Luther one morning “My hair, I see, is quite white. I am worn out before my time.”
“Don't say that, doctor. You are not very old," said Kate.
“No; but this fearful anxiety and worry seem to eat my very heart out of me. In Wittemberg the people have renounced the Pope of Rome, only to set up another pope of their own making. They worship pleasure, and wickedness abounds on every side. It seems of very little use preaching or teaching; they give me good words, and mend not their ways.”
“Don't say so, husband. I'm sure they love you.”
“My work, I feel, is nearly done. I am the rough woodman that hews and cuts the tree; others may do the polishing when I am gone.”
“Come, do not despond. It is nearly Christmas, and you must really write some more carols for the children to sing.”
“Old, worn, spent, and with only one eye to see with, I shall sing little, wife, until I sing in heaven.”
About November, 1545, Luther started for Mansfeld, to attempt to reconcile the Counts of Mansfeld, who, though brothers, were at variance. He suffered much upon the journey, the more so because he was away from the help that had often relieved him when sick before. Yet in the following January, after spending his Christmas at home (the last Christmas he was to spend with them below), he went to Eisleben, the place of his birth.
“My lord," he said to Count Mansfeld, "I would give my life to make up this quarrel. We have foes enough in truth who hate and vex us, without quarreling among ourselves.”
“But, doctor, you know not how irritating this brother of mine is. When he gets full of beer he cares for no man. He vexes me fearfully. Sometimes I loathe the very sight of him.”
“My lord, there are people born, I believe, for the very purpose of trying us. The Lord lets them live for the express purpose that the Canaanites were left for in the land of Israel, to be thorns in their sides, to try and prove them. We are not called upon to answer for others' follies and sins, but they should not provoke us to sin. If we cannot soften them by our love, let us pity, and leave them to God. But, my lord, bear not malice.”
“Let my brother say that he hath wronged me, and I want no more; but he ought to humble himself," was the reply.
When Luther went to visit the other nobleman he met with similar difficulty.
“Look here, Dr. Luther. You mean well; but day after day I have striven to bear with this brother of mine. I won't be trodden down like a toad under a harrow any more. I have bitten my lips not to speak; but now it is as it is, let it be.”
“Why should it be as it is? Are you not both of one mind? Do you not hope to reach the same heaven? If I told you that your brother were grievously sick, would you not be sore distressed and hasten to him? I know you would.”
“Yea. I should not like to see him ill”
“Then why be at variance while he is well?" asked Luther. "It only needs for you to think what you would feel if he were dead. Be patient with him and overlook his faults. If you have an ugly mouth you would have to put up with it. You can't help having a peculiar brother; make the best you can of what you can't mend.”
“Well, if my brother will humble himself to me I don't mind forgiving him, but he ought to humble himself.”
“But perhaps he won't do so. Must the quarrel go on forever or until one of you die?”
“I don't want it to go on. Why doesn't my brother come and apologize to me?”
“Your brother says precisely the same thing about you," said Luther. "If you can't meet and forgive, why, meet as if nothing had happened. To keep up anger forever is dreadful," said Luther.
From one to the other he went attempting to heal the wound, but with little effect. "It is no good. I'll grease the wheels of the wagon and go home," he said.
At last peace was restored, his efforts were successful, the brothers dined together, and after awhile forgot their differences.