Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-08-25
LUTHER'S HARP.

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LUTHER'S HARP.
A Thrilling Story Of the FatherIand.
Inthe commencement of the sixteenth
century lived at the fine fortress of Err
bach, in the near Odenwald, a very hon.
oTable and noble knight, Eberhard ven
Erbach. But most prominent in his
character was his almost fanatical pie
ty, and he had nc remonstrance to utter
when the people called him the most
faithful son of the church. To serve his
Lord and Savior with his all, even with
his blood, seemed to him the most noble
aim of life, and he had his good sword
dedicated to the service of the Holy
Virgin.
1t vas in the spring, in the year 1918,
at a late hour, when the pious Knight
Won Erbach, with many of his retainers,
halted before the hotel 1Zum Riesen,D
in M~iltenberg, and expressed his desire
to the hOtel-keeper to stay over night.
Yet he entered with only one of his ser
wants into the hotel; the rest of them ne
] 1GlL VII AAAA 1AlOI AAAo
He demanded from the host a room,
took his evening meal silently, went
early to bed and sank deep in thought,
which sometimes would come to utter
ance, showing the excited state of his
mind. Just intending to say his even
ing prayer, he heard through the thin
wooden wall that separated him from
the neXt room, a powerful song from a
rich baritone voice. 1t was a holy ven
ing hymn. The knight understood every
word of the hymn; and the piOus, God
inspired content of the same, the beau
tiful, the expressive execution, and the
mastery accompaniment on the guitar,
delighted and exalted the knight more
and more. He crossed himself and fold
ed his hands, and when the pious singer
had finished a stanZa, he would fall in
with a subdued "AmenU When the
singer had finished the hymn, he added
a short, powerful prayer, in which he
recommended himself and all good men
to the Holy Trinity, and concluded with
the prayer that God might open the
hearts of hardened sinners and erring
men to the rays of His charity.
The knight murmurs his "Amen!
Amenv' and feels himself exalted and
inspired as he had not been for a long
time, and he falls asleep with blessed
feelings. With the first ray of the morn
ing sun he is awakened by the sounds of
the guitar, and a lively hymn from his
leighb0r. Oh, how much was this song
Of thanks to the Creator OF the universe
pervaded with the breath of piety and
true love Of God! InvOluntarily the
Knight folds his hands, a soft sensation
comes over him, and he repeats after
aaaI nNnnun a. A-.z ---F a. ]
when the song ended, he crosses himself
piously, and rises to make inquiries from
the host.
"WhO is my neighbor upstairs that
delighted and refreshed me 80 much
with his singing and praying?r
sit is a priest, your highness, of mid
die age, and a noble and venerable ap-
pearance, whose name 1 do not know;
he arrived yesterday evening, shortly
before you, in a very modest one-hoTse
carriage, and intends soon to continue
his journey; he has paid his bill and al
ready ordered his horse"
$50 and tell him that I wish to thank
him personally and verbally for the de-
light he has given me by his beautiful
songs last night and this morning: ask
him to give me an interview for q few
minutes only, as L I'M likewise in great
haste to get away on important matters.
But tell hiTu L nus shake hands with
him by all means"
The knight followed the host and took
the doOr-latch out Of his hand. The
singer stood before thegoOd knight,
and responded to his friendly greeting
with the like heartiness. He was a man
Of about thirty-five years, of middle size,
but strongly built in body; his cOunten-
ance was not what you call handsome,
but imposing, showing mildness, and
yet strength and decision. His large
blue eye was very lively and intelligent,
his auburn hair lay around his high fore
head and the strong powerful neck. His
mouth seemed to speak before it opened.
The whole figure heightened the i'm
preston which the Knight Won Erbacb
had already received by his singing, so
that he felt at once at home with him.
81 come, venerable father, to give you
my heartfelt thanks for the enjoyment
you have given me-" said the knight;
and although 1 wa told by the host
hat you are in haste to continue your
Quincy and although lam in haste N.Y.
'elf, yet l must pray you to sing me
mother such hymn. My soul is thirsty
or the spring Of life that flows from Y
i
He took his guitar and accompanied a
lynn. 1t was a hymn of such exalted I
of faith, that it did not miss its
fleet on the excited soul of the piOus
There he sat with folded hands,
OCCASIONALLY lisping "Amen! Amenri :
While tears We're rOllingdOwn his cheeks. :
When the stranger had finished his song,
he knight overcome by emotion,
tretched his hands out to him, and both q
nen, with closed hands, looked at each l
Their, formed a higher union of souls, =
Without words. Then said the knight, '
Your beautiful hymn puts a question
n my mind: what do you think of the u
eachings of st. Augustine, that by our b
onfession, works, and repentance, we {
annot be delivered from our sins, but b
My by the sacrifice of the blood of
Christ, since human nature has a
cen depraved and untitled for doing =
God by the fall of Adam?" y
The priest listened, and sweetly smil- =
lg, answered, "Truly it seems to me g
lat besides your piOus faith, you have y
good deal of theology in your body,
therefore | may talk with YOU as 81
ne of my own profession" The knight ;
Odded his head, and the priest began a
18th remarkable OratOry to speak of the Y
athers Of the Church, and in particular \
the merits of st. Augustine. He hon
red at the same time the opinions q
nd views of a~dversarises, but took a firm B
and for Augustine, whom he consider ri
|, next TO st. Paul, the greatest prince fc
the Church and the strongest pillar of G.
ire faith. At times the knight opposed
i'm or asked a question, which caused D
Ie speakerto bring forth more and new ci
'gumeDts. di
Unnoticed by both, time had moved b,
several hours had passed-then a al
mock at the door, and the host entered.
king if he should give orders to I'M Of
the horses again; the servants of s,
e knight and priest were anxious and f.
leasy, as they full-well knew that of
,th gentlemen had intended a quick IN
.parture. >
nGood father said the knight, ris- ~
G, "yOu have made me forget my du- ~
with your pleasing talk, a talk such pl
l never heard before from a minister, az
d yet l have TO do pious and God al
work which will, l am sure,
we your approval -;
may l know what important pL
you have to do, Knight Vol Err la
eh?'' pa
Certainly. And you must give me tw
blessing, 70 that it may be success esl
for the glory of God and the holy en'
other Church, }
Then tell" WI
4 have turned out with my retainers, ter
d they have already taken possession of
the route to Wertheim, where soon I me
II Join them, TO make the capture of a Ju
retic, a blasphemer, who, as I have ate
IN informed, is surely coming that !
""
Whom do you mean?' attentively wa
red fhe stranger Me