Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-02-05
From the Christian Intelligencer.
ANECDOTE OF LUTHER.
[FRoM THE GERMAN.l

The following anecdote, recorded bv
Luther in his journal, as very remarka-
Bile instance of the prevalence of the eff
fectuai ferVent prayer Of faith, has greatly
enhanced that Star OF the Reformation. in
the estimation of the writer:
AT certain time DR.. Luther received
an express, stating that bis bosom friend
and co-worker 10 the Reformation, Philip
Melancthon, was lying at the point Of
death; upon which information he imme-
dIately set out upon the journey of some
l5O miles, to visit him, and upon his ar.
rival he actually found all the distinctive
features of death i; such as the glazed eve.
the cold clammy sweat, and insensible
lethargy upon him. Upon witnessing
these sure indications of speedy dissolu-
ton, as he mournful!y bent over him, he
exclaimed with great emotion, 'Oh, how
awful is the change wrought upon the Wis
age OF my dear brother' On hearing
this voice, to the astonishment of all pres
ent, Melancthon opened his eyes, and
looking up into Luther's face, remarked,
oh Luther, is this you? Why don't
you let me depart in peace?' Upon
which Luther replied, % no, Philip, we
cannot spare you yet Luther then turn
ed away from the bed, and fell upon his
knees, with his face towards the window.
and began to wrestle with God in PRAYER.
and to plead with great fervency, for more
than an hour, the many proofs recorded
in Scripture of his being a prayer-hear-
iBg and prayer-answeriEg God and also
how much he stood in need of the ser vic.
es of Melancthon, in furthering that
cause. in which the honor and glory of
Gods great name, and the eternal welfare
of unnumbered millions of immortal
souls were so deeply interested; and that
God should not deny him this one request,
TO restore to him the aid of his well tried
brother Melancthon. He then rose up
from prayer, and went to The bedside
again, and took Melancthon by the
hand. Upon which Melancthon again
remarked. 'Oh, dear Luther, why don't
you let me depart in peace?' To which
Luther again answered. No, no, Philip,
we cannot possibly spare you from the la
Dor yet. Luther then requested the nurse
to 60 and make him dish of SCUM. ac
cording to his instructions. Which be-
ing prepared, was brought to Luther,
who requested his friend Melancthon to
eat of it. Melancthon again asked him,
Oh, Luther. why will you not let me go
home, and be at rest2' To which Luther
replied as before, Philip we cannot pos
slbly spare you yet MeIancthon then
exhibited disinclination to partake of
the nonrishment prepared for him. Up |
on which Luther remarked. Philip, eat,
or will excommunicate you Melanc.
thon then parIook of the food prepared,
and Immediately grew better, and was
speedily restored to his wonted health
and strength again. and labored for wears
afterwards with his coadjutors in the
blessed cause of the Reformation.
Upon Luther's arrival at home he
narrated to his beloved wife Catharine the
above circumstances. and ADDED, God
gave me my brother Melancthon back in
direct answer to prayer and added furth-
er, with patriarchal simplicity, God. on
a former occasion gave me, also, Won
back. KGta, in answer to my PRAYER
New York, Dec. %, 1889. USE.