The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

foundation the mightiest dominion the world ever saw, remained unshaken,
was in his social and domestic life a perfect example of gentleness.
"Perhaps no man of so humble, peaceable disposition ever filled the world
with contention. We cannot but see that he would have loved privacy,
quiet diligence in the shade; that it was against his will he ever became a
notoriety."--"They err greatly who imagine that this man's courage was
ferocity--no accusation could be more unjust. A most gentle heart withal,
full of pity and love, as indeed the truly valiant heart ever is. I know few
things more touching than those soft breathings of affection, soft as a
child's or a mother's, in this great wild heart of Luther. Luther to a slight
observer might have seemed a timid, weak man; modesty, affectionate
shrinking tenderness, the chief distinction of him. It is a noble valor which
is roused in a heart like this, once stirred up into defiance; all kindled into a
heavenly blaze." 14 How open his heart was to those influences which
sanctify whilst they sadden, he showed on the death of Elizabeth, his
second child, in infancy: "My little daughter is dead. I am surprised how
sick at heart she has left me; a woman's heart, so shaken am I. I could not
have believed that a father's soul would have been so tender toward his
child." "I can teach you what it is to be a father, especially a father of one
of that sex which, far more than sons, has the power of awakening our
most tender emotions." Yet more touching was that event to which our
artist has consecrated this picture. Madeleine, his third child, and second
daughter, died in September, 1542, in the fourteenth year of her age--four
years before her father. "Luther bore this blow with wonderful firmness.
As his daughter lay very ill, he exclaimed, as he raised his eyes to heaven,
'I love her much, but, O my God! if it be thy will to take her hence, I
would give her up to thee without one selfish murmur.' One day she
suffered violent pain: he approached her bed, and taking hold of her small
thin hands, pressed them again and again to his lips. 'My dearest child, my
own sweet and good Madeleine, I know you would gladly stay with your
father here; but in heaven there
14 Carlyle’s Heroes and Hero-Worship, p. 125.