See St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 2172.
No. 3143.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich, together with the other theologians.
Request for support of the physician D. Peter Schör. - Burkhardt notes: Schör was a school friend of the old D. Brück, who also, as in 1541, supported Luther. The electoral family had already done a lot for Schör. Johann Friedrich had a daughter educated by D. P. Alwersleben in Magdeburg, and he also gave her a marriage estate, but she was deprived of it by D. Alwersleben.
The original, from Kanzleihand only with personal signatures, is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Mm, fol. 79 d. 36. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 448.
God's grace through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, beforehand. Most Sublime, Highborn, Most Gracious Prince and Lord! E. C. F. G. we ask in submission that you graciously accept this writing of ours, which we have given out of Christian compassion to the old man, Doctor Peter Schör, living in Halberstadt, who has five daughters and a little son with his virtuous housewife. Now he indicates to us that, although he had previously received a salary from the chapter, two years ago, after the holy gospel had been preached in Halberstadt by the grace of God, it was terminated for the sole reason of hatred of the holy gospel, Because of this he was forced to sell his jewels, rings, and women's jewels and skirts out of poverty, and has nothing from the practice, since new doctors are arriving daily, who are needed more because of the news, and his income is all 32 fl., which his housewife has to raise from the council at Hall for the rest of her life. In addition, he has received from E. ch. F. G. has now graciously granted him 30 fl. annually for three years, and the prescription is for 40 fl. annually, for six years. Since the old man has no more, and suffers poverty with his wife and children, we ask in submission that the Holy Father graciously continue the said 40 fl. for the rest of his life, and yet for God's sake graciously take care of his poor children, and the poor boy, Petrus Schör, who is in his tenth year, with a probation in Zeitz or Naumburg or otherwise.
1) that the poor mother and sisters may have a little house or nest after his death. For he is now six and sixty years old, and they have no hereditary home of their own. Let E. C. F. G. show himself merciful in this, for we truly hear that the poor woman shows great virtue. Thus the children are poor orphans who know no refuge on earth to anyone. May the eternal God, Father of our Savior JEsu Christ, preserve E. churf. G. at all times. Date Wittenberg, Friday after Exaltationis Crucis [Sept. 19] Anno 1544.
E. C. F. G.
servants of Martin Luther, D. Johannes Bugenhagen, Pom. Caspar Creutziger, D. Hieronymus Schurff. Philippus Melanthon.
No. 3144.