To Justus Jonas letter 13 - Martin Luther

TO JUSTUS JONAS

Luther contradicts the report of epidemic in Wittenberg. August 19, 1535.

Grace and peace! I wish you joy on your recovery, my excellent Jonas. The report of an infectious disease here is most unfounded. But Heaven seems to will it that the devil should succeed in separating us at least bodily, and who knows by what means. Philip has been called to France by the

King, and he would gladly have gone, but the Elector would not permit it. He then went off in rather a bad humor to Jena. We had a small gathering of doctors on the Feast of the Holy Cross, and a disputation on the preceding Saturday. We received a stag at my request from our gracious Prince. Bugenhagen was laid hold of on his way home, and you also will soon come, and the whole Jena University, if it can be called the Jena High School, which is really that of Wittenberg. Our town is quite desolate, but we are in good health and spirits, except for one thing — the beer is finished all over the town. It is well for me that I have still some in my cellar. The other citizens have none. What is being brewed is new, and is being consumed warm from the pans, so the brewers who can are forced to

brew. My Kathie greets you and yours. My boy Hans Luther would have answered your Justus, but having scented the old Jonas in the letter, he could not, on account of the press of writing, answer through the elder Luther. But he will write ere long, as well as his years permit.

Once more farewell. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)

P.S. — I would gladly assist Bernard, but cannot with my own means, God having laid the duty upon me of providing for a numerous family, and, besides, I have many debts. I cannot help wondering why so strong a man, with such a healthy wife, should be in such deep poverty, and an alms here and there is of little avail, and to help with alms people who could earn something becomes impossible at length. Give me a hint how I may help them, for I would gladly do anything for the good man, seeing he is a guest in the Church of the Gentiles and a member of the Jewish Church. I commend you to God.