On the use of the scholarship donated by Mrs. Jörger.
In Raupach's Evang. Oesterreich, 1st cont., p. 66; in Moseder, Glaubensbekenntniß, p. 85; in De Wette, vol.IV, p. 532 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 45.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, virtuous woman! I add to your knowledge that God's praise of your alms is very well invested, and has helped many poor people, and still helps them, so that I cannot doubt that God, who has given it to you to do, also shows publicly that it pleases Him as a loving sacrifice of thanksgiving, so that you may confess and praise the grace He has shown you through His dear Son Jesus Christ. May God strengthen you in firm faith, and may His work begun in you be blessed, amen. I did not know it myself, nor would I have believed it, that in this small town and poor school there would have been so many pious, skilful fellows, who throughout the year would have suffered water and bread, frost and cold, so that they might study the Holy Scriptures and God's Word, for whom your almsgiving has been a great comfort and refreshment. I have already distributed more than half of it, and I have received the handwriting and the hand sign that it has been given to honest fellows and not to loose boys. I did not want to keep this from you, so that you may know how your money is doing and standing. I gave the most to Andresen before others, at his] I gave Andresen the most before others, for his] first 10 fl., and then again 10 fl.; among the others with 2, 3 and 4 fl., after which it was willing to suffer with the advice of good friends, and they are all happy and grateful. As a sign, you are sent this booklet bound by Michel Stiefel, to whom I have given 10 fl. because he now has to be without a parish, and he sends you his best regards. Christ with you and all yours, Amen! Monday after Jubilate [April 27] 1534.
Martinus Luther, D.
Letters from the year 1534. No. 2052. 2053. 2054.
No. 2052.