In the year 1497, some boys were passing through the streets of Eisenrach, in Germany. They walked slowly, and at times stopped before the doors of some of the houses and sang hymns. That day these minstrel boys met only with repulses, and they dreaded the thought of returning cold and hungry to their homes. But there was the house of Conrad Cotta near at hand. He was the burgomaster of the city, and his wife, Mistress Ursula, was very fond of music. She had seen the boys refused admittance at three doors, and her gentle, loving heart felt the deepest pity for them. She beckoned them in and gave them a good supper. Then they were ready to sing.
One of these boys was named Martin Luther. From that day he often came to her house, and she encouraged him with her kindness and gentle words. It was a sad day for him when his father sent him away to another town to study.
Here a serious accident almost took his life. How terrified he was for fear that he should die! He tried desperately to make his peace with God. He made vows and promises to Him, even while he knew that he could not keep them. He could not find rest of heart.
At last Martin Luther decided to become a priest, a minister of the Word of Christ; but he had no Bible. They were very scarce in those days. At last he found one belonging to a friend, and in it he read those passages which speak of the awfulness of sin. In his distress he tried the harder in his own strength to please God; but he grew more miserable.
God knew all about Martin Luther, and in His mercy He sent an old monk his way. This old man had a Bible and knew the Savior. He showed Martin how useless it is to trust in good works for salvation. "Look at the blood of Christ shed for thee; read thy pardon in the Savior's wounds," he said. Before he left, he gave Luther a Bible of his own, and told him to read it.
Luther began to realize that the work of the Savior must count for something; but still he had no peace. He was again taken ill. His anxieties and fears returned; but God had not forgotten him. He sent another old monk, one who knew little of the Scriptures, but had found comfort in his knowledge of God's mercy.
The old man simply and lovingly told Martin to repeat after him: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins." Martin slowly said it.
"Ah," said the old man, "you must believe not only in the forgiveness of David's and Peter's sins; you must believe that your own sins are forgiven. The Lord said, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee.'”
Luther started up. Then forgiveness was for him, as well as for David and Peter! Christ died for him! From this moment he had joy and peace. He trusted fully in the Savior's finished work.
He who had been the little minstrel boy now became a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ. He boldly preached that souls may be saved by faith alone-faith in Christ and what He has done: Martin Luther gladly passed the old monk's advice on to others. And he tells you: "Look at the blood of Christ shed for thee; read thy pardon in the Savior's wounds.”