See St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 666, no. 1370.
2) St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 1311, no. 1436.
Letters from the year 1541. no. 2766. 2767.
No. 2766.
Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther.
Luther is to propose a pastor for Gera, since the pastor at Pansa, who is in demand there, cannot be dispensed with.
The original concept (with very illegible corrections) is ini Archiv zu Weimar, Reg. Ji, fol. 156a. D 4. 16. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 374.
Our greeting before. Venerable and reverend, dear devotee! As the noble, our dear special one, Anna, née Countess of Beichlingen, wife of Gerau, widow, has requested us, at the request of her subjects in Gerau, to provide her with the pastor in Pansa 1), you will find enclosed. Since the people of Pansa 1) cannot do without a priest, as we also have reservations about having the same 2) taken from them, our gracious request is that you seek an experienced man who is skilled and suitable to be appointed priest and superintendent 3) in Gerau, and indicate him to us, so that we then have something to earn against the above-mentioned widow, the Countess of Gerau. You do us a gracious favor. Given at Torgau, Friday after Judica [April 8] 1541.
No. 2767.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Luther's response to the previous letter. Proposals for filling the pastorate in Gera.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, fol. 1566. 1541. D 4. 16a. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 374 s.
Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Sir! To E. C. F. G.'s letter to take a pastor to Gera, I give my humble answer that I do not know of any in the hurry now, or that one would have to be found. For we have indeed almost exhausted our school until now, and the boys, who are now growing, are not yet mature, so that our Consistory itself now needs four pastors, in Brehna (Preen),
1) Our assumption. Burkhardt reads: "Pausa.
2) Burkhardt offers: "the same".
3) Here we have deleted "and".
Plötzka (Plotzig) 2c., and have nothing yet. But I want to show E. C. F. G. my thoughts.
First of all, there is a priest at Barby (Barbey), Johann von Milckow, who will not be able to stay, and our priest, Dr. Pomer, has almost thought of accepting him as chaplain here. For the people of Brandenburg have forced us to accept one of his chaplains with a high request, except for two years. So the fourth one is also leaving. But as the one at Barby is worthless, and as he complains about his cause, he has taken the parish goods to the court, he may be directed to Gera.
On the other hand, there is a schoolmaster in Altenburg, Andreas, who would be very capable if he wanted to do it, or if the parish in Gera were also so stately, because the market is sucking 4) the parish priests, who have to live full of string 5) up to the ridge in these dwindling times.
Third, the priest of Prettin is also there, who could be transferred [there], where it would be better, because he is overloaded with children) but a fine man.
Fourthly, so that I do not omit anything: if Gera were so stately that it could hold a pious, learned doctor, or I would have to know how many it had, there is a man in Alsfeld 6) in Hesse, Doctor Thilomannus Schnabel, who recently wrote to me that he would like to be transferred (how old he is), because he sees that [it] goes for the Gospel in Hesse like Christ in Herod's house. He has been my schoolboy in Erfurt in the monastery and here in Wittenberg, and the first creature I have created, since one young doctor made another. But a very reasonable, conscripted man. But unfortunately I did not know that he would be left there by the landgrave. For he would have been more useful in a school in Marburg, otherwise I would have taken him out ten or more years ago. I thought he would be very well off. But he has been so meek for the sake of his dear fatherland.
4) Burkhardt: "steüget".
5) That is, from their fixed income, which they cannot increase.
6) Burkhart offers: "Alneld". Compare Col. 663 in this volume, note 2, where also about Tilemann Schnabel is to be looked up.
Letters from the year 1541. no. 2767. 2768. 2769.
This is all I know how to show E. C. F. G. this time. Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen. On Palm Day [April 10] 1541.
E. C. F. G. Martinus Luther.
No. 2768.