Printed in Hallischer Theil, p. 475; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XXII, p. 581; in Walch, vol. XXI, 503 f.; in De Wette, vol. V, p. 709 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 122.
To my good old friend, Nicolao Omeler, who carried me pusillen and child on his arms in and out of school more than once, since we all did not know that one brother-in-law carried the other. Anno 1544.
Martinus Luther.
No 3176.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Luther uses D. George Major.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. O, pag. 146. EEE. 18. printed in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 109, no. 208; in Walch, vol. XXI, 504; in De Wette, vol. V, p. 710 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 122.
Letters from the year 1545. No. 3176. 3177.
To the most illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Johann Friedrich, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen, Burgrave of Magdeburg. The most gracious Lord, the Most Sublime Prince and Lord John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen, Burgrave of Magdeburg.
Grace and peace in the Lord and my poor Pater noster. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, G. H.! What the new Doctor George Major writes to E. C. F. G., E. C. F. G. will know from his enclosed writing 1) graciously to hear. So that I do not write much for the sake of other things, the sermon at the castle is such that people like to hear it very much; for he teaches very well, to which the city and the university (as much as they go in) give him excellent testimony, without my knowing otherwise that he is skilful and takes care of things with diligence. Even after he became a doctor, people began to complain that he would be torn away from preaching by the lecture; for I myself would rather keep a good preacher than a good reader. I report this to E. C. F. G. because it is not his place, D. Georgen Major, to boast of himself before E. C. F. G., that E. C. F. G. should consider how this is to be provided, especially because he does not desire longer than until the provostry is completely vacant, and at the same time it will be difficult to do four lectures and two sermons every week. However, I am placing all of this in the hands of E. C. F. G. and humbly request that E. C. F. G. be heard with a gracious answer. Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen. On the New Year's Day 1545.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Mart. Luther.
1) Burkhardt, p. 463, notes for explanation: Major asked, in view of the fact that he had 9 children, had built a house in Wittenberg, had gotten into debt through his doctorate, to give him, in addition to the 150 fl. which he received for the lection in Jonas' place, the preaching chair in the castle church with the income until the salary of the lection amounted to 200 fl. In addition, he asked for the continuation of the scholarship for his two adult sons. The Elector rejected Luther's request (January 4), because the position of the castle preacher had been otherwise disposed of, and the granting of the scholarship was against the established order for scholarship holders.
No. 3177.