#1877- Martin to Kaethe his wife

The wife of my heart's love, Katharin Luther, for her personal attention.
God's greeting in Christ. My heart's desire Kaethe! I hope that if Doctor Brueck gets permission as he assured me that I will come with him tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Pray God that He will bring us home fresh and healthy. I sleep very well about six or seven hours in a row and then two or three after that. It must be the fault of the beer. However I am jsut as sober as in Wittenberg. Doctor Caspar says that the foot of our gracious lord is not being further devoured. Such torture is not suffered by any Dobitzsch (?) nor yet one imprisoned by the director in the tower of Hans Stockmeister as his electoral grace must suffer from the wound surgeon. His Electoral Grace is healthy as a fish throughout his body except for the devil biting and hindering his foot. Pray, pray more! I hope God will hear us as He is beginning to do. D. Caspar thinks also that here it is God who must help.
Because John is going necessity and honor requires that I let him go honorably. You know how he has served faithfully and zealously and truly and humbly supported the Gospel and has done and suffered everything. Think about how oftentimes we have supported evil boobs and unthankful students and everything has been lost: so now you take up the matter and do not permit such a pious fellow to suffer want as you know this is appropriate and pleases God. I know well how little there is; however I would gladly give him 10 Gulden if I had it. However, do not give him less than 5 Gulden because he has no clothes. I am asking that you give him whatever you can. It might be that the common treasury could in my honor give my servant something seeing that at my expense I must support the service of their church for their benefit; however, whatever they want. Don't let it fail because there is a goblet there. (?) Think what you accomplish. God will give something different; that I know. Herewith be to God commended, Amen.
Tell the pastor from Zwickau that he may well stay in the lodge and take it for granted. When I come I want to tell how Muehfurt and I were guests of Rietzel and Muehlfurt educated me with much wisdom. However I am not thirsty for such a draught. Hug young Hans for me and bid little Hans, little Lena and Aunt Lena to pray for the dear Prince and for me. Though there is a merchandise market in this city I can find nothing to buy for the children. If I can bring nothing special I will make something from our supply. The Tuesday after Reminiscere (27 Feb.) 1532. D. Martinus Luther.
Note: John Rischmann from Braunschweig matriculated at Wittenberg on May 7,1527. In 1533 Luther recommended him for co-rector and deacon in Husum according to Burkhardt
.Torgau beer ML regarded as the best. Remember him telling someone from there who was coming to a celebration that they could not come without bringing a barrel of Torgau beer.
Later it was at the bridge in Torgau that the US Army and Russians met to end World War II.