The great warm heart is beating amongst us once more!
Dr. Luther is once more dwelling quietly in the Augustinian cloister, which he left for Worms a year ago. What changes since then! He left us amid our tears and vain entreaties not to trust his precious life to the treacherous safe-conduct which had entrapped John Huss to the stake.
He returns unscathed and triumphant—the defender of the good cause before emperor, prelates, and princes—the hero of our German people.
He left citizens and students for the most part trembling at the daring of his words and deeds.
He returns to find students and burghers impetuously and blindly rushing on the track he opened, beyond his judgment and convictions.
He left, the foremost in the attack, timidly followed as he hurried forward, braving death alone.
He returns to recall the scattered forces, dispersed and divided in wild and impetuous pursuit.
Will, then, his voice be as powerful to recall and reorganize as it was to urge forward?
He wrote to the Elector, on his way from the Wartburg, disclaiming his protection—declaring that he returned to the flock God had committed to him at Wittemberg, called and constrained by God himself, and under mightier protection than that of an elector! "The sword," he said, "could not defend the truth. The mightiest are those whose faith is mightiest. Relying on his master, Christ, and on him alone, he came."
Gottfried says it is fancy, but already it seems to me I see a difference in the town—less bold, loud talking, than the day before yesterday; as in a family of eager, noisy boys, whose father is amongst them again. But after to-morrow, we shall be able to judge better. He is to preach in the city pulpit.