#1879-To Frau Dorothea Joeger in Tolleth

To the noble, virtuous Frau Dorothea Joeger, widow in Tolleth, my favored Frau and good friend in Christ.
Grace and peace in Christ. Noble, virtuous Frau! I have received your writing to me along with the apple (or plus?) butter from Kuetten (Kuetten-Latwerg)and also my dear Kaethe the 4 ungrischen (?) Gulden and both of us thank you very kindly. I have also sent Michael Stifel the essence (Seine) of it and a return script I expect any hour. Also your letter reports and requests of me how I think it best to dispense the 500 Gulden which you intend to invest in poor fellows studying the Holy Scriptures: thus I have consulted with Master Philip and other Lords and friends what they regard best and it seems that since it is to be devoted to such a beneficial and necessary cause it should gather interest so that it may always benefit many. Such interest could annually support two persons with good help so long as it was dispensed with the University of Wittenberg overseeing that it is well devoted. Therefore I have earnestly written to Lazarus Spengler, Syndico in Nuernberg that he might inquire of a trusted dealer (which he knows well how to do) in Linz and included your writing with mine (to be returned) put together that he be helpful in taking them to the Council House in Nuernberg it might be received and prescribed what would the wisest; and if not that he would send me elsewhere where it might be invested. So if this opinion pleases, the matter will be completed. Personally I want to do the best as I possibly can and am glad that God has moved your heart to consider such a good work in Christ. Such grace now appears to be little or nothing amongst us where God's Word is richly preached till people are tired of it but rather on the contrary the poor parish pastors are permitted to go hungry; both the nobility, farmers and citizens
are inclined to rob rather than help. Likely the proverb is true:"The nearer to Rome, the worse the Christians are." And Christ says In Matthew 12:42: "The Queen of Sheba shall rise up on Judgment Day against this people: she came from the end of the world etc." To the same dear LOrd in His grace I commend you together with all yours,Amen.On the Thursday after Oculi (7 March) 1532. D.Martinus Luther.
NOTES: How about Elijah's poor widow rising up in judgment against them? Looks like Dorothy the rich widow is following the poor widow in helping the prophets and prophets' sons.
Michael Stiefel, as I often said, is the inventor of system of logarithms independently of the one in use among us.