charge of showing-off that would be made against me if I were to make so much of the child of a monk and a nun, and have such great lords as godfathers. So then I shall stay on the earth, and ask you to ask their lordships' chancellor, Caspar Miiller by name, in my behalf, that he will condescend, if God makes me fruitful, to accept the fruit and be its god- father, so that it can be born to Christian faith. I cannot set the time, however; and it would take too long to send a mes- senger after the child is bom, but if you are willing, choose someone to represent you, only so long as you have the name of godfather. The midwife is counting on sometime about St. John's Day, and that agrees with the time of conception. I reckoned from the first feeling of life, but was deceived, for she has now felt life for more than twenty weeks. God have you in His keeping^^^ Martin Luther.
735. LUTHER TO JOHN ROHEL AT EISLEBEN.
Enders, v, 358.
DeWette, iii, 115. German. (Wittenberg), June 8, 1526.
Grace and peace in Christ. . . .
Please say to Agricola from me that yesterday, at two o'clock, by God's grace, my Katie brought forth a little Hans Luther/ The day is called "giving" in the calendar, so that he will not wonder that I approach him with such news, for the time of year has come when he should seriously consider what it is to have sons. Greet your dear child-bearer from me, and Agri- cola's Elsa. God bless you. Amen. Sick Katie calls me from writing. / Martin Luther.
736. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enders, v, 360. (WrrreNBERc), June 17, 1526.
y Grace and peace. I thank you in the Lord, my dear Spalatin, for the hearty congratulations which you have sent me. I am a happy husband, and may God continue to send me happiness,
•*John Luther entered the University of Wittenberg 1543, and, after hit father's death took up the study of law. In 1552 the Elector John Frederic gave him a position in the government which he continued to serve tmtil Us death in 1575. In 1553 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Caspar Cruciger. They had one daughter who died childless. Smith, 35off.
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