To George Spalatin letter 22 - Martin Luther

TO GEORGE SPALATIN

In this visitation the Elector legally established the office of superintendent, to keep an eye on the efficiency of the clergy.

August 15, I527.

I am glad to hear you are again well, and thank God for this. Pray that I may be kept in health, if it be the will of God our Saviour. The Prince sent me the report of the visitation to see if it was worth printing. It is all right, if they only stick to what is arranged. The plague is certainly here, but it is not bad. However, the people are so terrified that they are running away in every direction.

I have never seen Satan so successful. The more he can frighten them the happier he is; and that he has scattered our University is a great joy to him. But only eighteen have died. In the fishers’ quarter no one has died of it, but all are buried there. Today we have buried — ‘s wife, who died yesterday, almost in my arms. This is the first death in the middle of the town. The other eighteen are round about the Ester Gate. Among them was Barbara, your Eberhardt’s daughter, who was marriageable, and John Kronenberg’s daughter. Hans Luft has recovered, and many others get better if they take medicine. But many are so excited they will do nothing, and die defiantly. Justus Jonas has lost his

son Johannes. He, with his household, has gone to his fatherland, but I remain here, as the people are in desperation. So Pommer and I are here alone with the chaplain, but Christ is with us, who will overcome the old murderous serpent, who brought sin into the world, even although he may bruise

our heel. Pray for us, and may God protect you. MARTIN LUTHER .