The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1955-12-31
Pardons for Sale
Helen Wood Bsvman
Continued from Back Pass)

N~''"eeu rum Dach Fakej
John rereI fhs sixteenth century Dominican monk had
Just been holding sale Of nduIgences zwickav and was
about TO take his departure But before leaving was re-
quesfsd by the chapsns and their aeoyfss 70 give fare
we'll supper This posed problem for the monk since
the received for fhe ndvgsness had already
eaed in his stronghold and no did TO pay for ts
treat out Of his own pocket. What he TO do?
In flash there TO him happy inspiration to
how raise the price Of the desired feast He caused hs
great bell TO be foed and the fownspeops rush
ing TO the church. wondering crisis had
summoned them fhher
." had resolved" said TeizsI addressing them soeny
ITO depart This morning; but last night awakened by
sroans listened sfieniveIy they from the cemetery
Alas poor soul calling upon and earnestly
snfreaiins TO deliver II from the by which Is
consumed shall stay therefore, day longer In order
TO the compassion Of ell Christian hearts in favor Of
This unhappy SOUL myself will be the first give and he
that does not follow my example will merit condemnation
So saying, he dropped coin In fhe box.
Each listener imagined u might have been the soul Of
his departed: who could sI7 The offerings poured in
and Tefze enabled 10 put generous feast for the
deIeefston Of fhe ehaplains Of Zwieksv.
But not everyone easily deceived by TefzeIs glib
tongue Against her husbands will the wife Of certain shoe
maker had procured letter Of indulgence and had paid
goal Aorin for II. Soon after this she died.
Her husband summoned TO court little later because
the priest complained that he had had said for her
SOUL With his wfes letter Of indulgence In his pocket the
shoemaker appeared
him.
"Is your wife desd7" asked The magistrate.
YES" replied fhe husband
What have you done for herr"
II have buried her body, and commended her soul TO
Cod"
u have not; Of she entered heaven at the
moment Of her DEATH"
"How do you know THAR"
Teevpon he drew from his pocket the indulgence letter
for the magistrates perusal.
As the Judge read the promise that the Of her
death the womsn soul would 90 straight heaven instead
Of purssfory the shoemaker turned TO him and said f
the reverend gentleman maintains that still
ssry my wife has been deceived by most holy father the
pope she has not BEEN Is the priest who dseevss me-
No could this, and the wdower acquitted
Come and will give you letters, oil properly sealed by
which the sins that you intend TO commit may be
doned," preached TefreI he went from city 10 city,
There sin great" he added THAT indulgence
REMIT and any (which Is doubtless impos
sbs had offered violence the blessed Virgin Mary mother
Of Cod let him psy-ony let him pay well, and oil will DO
forgiven him."
TezsI apparently had heard Of The words Of the
Apostle Peter Simon Mssvs Thy money perish with thee
because thou hast thought that ihs gift Of God be Pvr
chased with money"
A Saxon nobsnsn was disguised with The brsrsn sFron
cry Of TereI He asked hs inqvsor " he really had fhs
power Of psrdoning sins intended TO commit
Most sssvrsdIy" replied Tsizsl n have received full
powers from his holiness for that purpose"
WELL then" answered ihs knight, u am DESTROYS Of
taking slight revenge Of my enemies, without en-
dsngsrng his lfs will give ten crowns you will give
me letter Of indulgence that shall fully satisfy me-
TetreI dsmvrrsd first, but agreed TO give shs letter
whom he was finally offered thirty crowns.
Shortly after, The Dominican left the city. At the same
time the knight snd his attendants lay In walt for him In the
woods between Jvisboek and Trsbn When Teizs passed
BY they attacked him and sitter giving him mild beating
seized his wsIsd indulgence chest and departed with H.
Inesnssd this treatment TsfzsI took hs matter 10
court bot The nobIsmsn produced The letter the InqVor
had signed sxsmpsns him from every penalty and no gained
his seqvitfsI Duke George himself later determined
enemy Of Lvshsrs who ordered that shs accusation be
dropped
Just what indvIssness and why were they being
offered for sale st this particular timer
In The early centuries Of hs Catholic Church. had
earned forgiveness by performing such a. hsuss
fcontnusd next column. TOP)