# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1851 05 27_S159
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

159

What he finally remarks about the admission of Mr. Gockelen "without conscientious examination" is already refuted by this, that he indeed does not know what took place in the Ministerial session at which he was not at all present. It is possible at least that the Ministerium, notwithstanding his absence, transacted the business relating to Pastor Gockelen to its own satisfaction. As for the abusive names with which Pastor Gockelen and his congregations are so plentifully supplied, every Christian-minded, sober Lutheran will know how to judge that properly.

These occurrences ought now to teach Dr. Sihler to act with more caution and circumspection and insight. Let him consider that one cannot impute all manner of things at pleasure to others without violating truth, justice and love. Above all, however, it ought now to become clear to him that he himself is not infallible, and that his counsel is not so highly esteemed by all as by himself. If it concerns him at all to help build up the Church, then he will attain this noble end only through modest zeal, loving earnestness and sober instruction, not through abuse and compulsion. "That does not go in America," to order churchly affairs with the cudgel, or to bring congregations under soldiers' discipline.

So much about the "Denkwürdigkeit."

W. F. Lehmann.

only "reproach upon the cause of the Lord" has been brought, or whether this defense of the Synod by Mr. Lehmann has not rather turned out to the greater self-accusation? For while he has nowhere refuted, through refutation of the former, my judgment founded upon facts, nor can he overturn it, he has continually judged my heart's ground and my disposition, and many times intruded upon God's office and work. For such is the manner of consciences smitten by facts and convicted by reasons, when the wounded spots pain them and yet heart and will impenitently set themselves against it, to cast suspicion upon and to slander the disposition of him who rendered them this unwelcome service of love, even though he meant it ever so honestly and sincerely. For I testify before the all-knowing and ever-present God that neither formerly nor now has my testimony against the conduct of the Ohio Synod or of individual members of it flowed from malicious harshness and domineering spirit of mind, which Mr. Lehmann so often imputes to me, but from honest zeal for the honor of God and the edification of His Church. And had but some willingness been shown me and my fellow-witnesses on the part of the Synod at our first request, perhaps all would be otherwise. —

Finally I now declare to Mr. Lehmann that I will reply in no way to any further judgings of disposition, declamations and reasonings that may follow; if he will or can attack the facts and reasons that still stand, I will answer him. Besides, I have in my heart gladly forgiven him his manifold cold and proud judging of my disposition, though I had to rebuke again, according to the truth, his evasion or distortion of the facts. God grant him, who for years has been a spoiled darling of weak synodical fathers and friends, more and more grace unto deeper self-knowledge, and transform his hitherto school-Christianity into a thorough Christianity of experience. —

On request, the historical facts mentioned above shall be at the Synod's service in every way, as proofs of its practice, so frivolous in many respects, and shall be published in the Lutheraner.

Dr. W. Sihler.

Luther on his Journey from the Wartburg to Wittenberg.

(From an old Chronicle by F. Keßler.)

(Conclusion.)

Fourth Chapter.

What Luther further said to us, and how we nevertheless did not recognize him.

Now when the day was quite gone down and very dark, the host came for the table; as he understood our great longing and desire for Martin Luther, he said: "Dear fellows, you would have succeeded, if you had been here two days ago; for here he sat at this table." And he pointed with his finger to the place. This vexed us sorely and we were angry that we had lost the time, and vented our wrath on the wild and unfinished way which hindered us in going, and said: "Yet we are glad that we are in the house, at the table where he sat." At this the host may well have laughed, and went out of the door therewith. After a little while the host called me out at the parlor door. Coming to him I was frightened and considered what I had done amiss, or of what I was innocently suspected. Then the host said to me: "Since I perceive in good faith that you desire to hear and to see Luther: it is he who sits by you." I took the words in jest and said: "Yes, Mr. Host, you would fain tease me *) and satisfy my desire with Luther's likeness." He answered: "It is he indeed; but do not act as though you thought him so, or acknowledged him." I granted the host he was right, yet could not believe it, and went again into the room, sat down at the table, and would gladly have told my companion what the host had disclosed to me. I turned therefore toward the door and toward him, and whispered secretly: "The host has told me that he is Luther." He, like me, would not readily believe it, and said: "He has perhaps said it is Hutten, and you have not rightly understood him." Since the knightly dress reminded me more of Hutten than of Luther, as of a monk *), I let myself be persuaded that the host had said: it is Hutten; for the beginning of both names almost sounds alike. Therefore what I said, I said as though I were speaking with Master Ulrich of Hutten.

*) tease, mock.

*) Monk.

Meanwhile came two of the merchants, who also wished to lodge there overnight, and when they had unburdened themselves and unspurred, one laid beside him an unbound little book. Martin asked what book it was? He said: "It is Doctor Luther's Exposition of certain Gospels and Epistles, newly printed and just come out; have you never seen it?" Martin said: "I shall soon have it too." Then the host said: "Now betake yourselves to table, we will eat." But we spoke and besought the host that he would bear with us and give us something special. The host said: Dear fellows, sit down now with the gentleman at the table, I will treat you fairly." When Martinus heard it, he said: "Come hither; I will pay the reckoning with the host well enough."

At the meal Martinus held many godly, friendly discourses, which the merchants and we understood from him, and took note more of his words than of all the dishes, among which he complained with a sigh: how the princes and lords were then assembled at the Diet at Nuremberg, on account of God's Word, of these pending quarrels and grievances of the German nation; but were inclined to accomplish nothing more, than to spend good time in costly tournaments, sleighing, lewdness, pride and whoredom, whereas before all godly fear and earnest prayer to God would serve thereto: "But these are our Christian princes."

Further he said: He was of the hope that the evangelical truth would bear more fruit among our children and descendants, who are not poisoned by the papal error, but are now planted upon pure truth and God's Word, than among the parents, in whom the errors are rooted, so that they cannot easily be extirpated.

Thereupon the merchants also uttered their good opinion, and the elder said: "I am a simple, plain layman; I know little of the