The Woodcutter of Gutech | Page 3

pile raised
on one side of the hut.
"Here you can rest for the night, and to-morrow morning, when we
proceed into the town to dispose of our fagots, you can accompany us
without risk of losing your way," the woodcutter observed, pushing
open the door.
As he did so, a young girl ran out to meet him, and throwing her arms
round his neck, received a kiss on her fair brow. She drew back with a
bashful look when she saw the stranger.
"Sweet one, you must get another bowl and platter for our guest," said
the old man. "As he has travelled far with a heavy load on his back, he
will do justice to your cookery, Mistress Meta. She and the boy, my
grandson," he added, turning to the traveller, "are my joy and comfort
in life, now that my poor daughter has been taken from me."
The traveller unstrapped his heavy pack from his shoulders, and placed
it on a bench by the side of the wall; after which Meta brought him a
bowl of fresh water and a towel, that he might wash his hands and face,
which they not a little required. While he was performing this operation
she placed the supper which she had prepared upon the table, which, if
somewhat coarse, was abundant.
By this time Karl came in, and the whole party took their seats on
stools round the table. "Let us bless God for the good things He
bestows on us, and above all for the spiritual blessings He has so
mercifully prepared for us," said the traveller.
"I suppose you are a priest," said Moretz, when the stranger had
concluded. "I thank you for the prayer you have offered up for us."

"No, my friend, I am no priest," answered the traveller. "My name is
Gottlieb Spena. I am a humble man with a small amount of learning;
but I am able to read God's blessed word, and that is my delight every
day I live. My wish is to serve Him, and I feel sure I can best do so by
carrying this pack of books about the country, and disposing of them to
those who desire to buy."
"This is a new thing, surely," observed Moretz. "I should like after
supper to see some of these wonderful books you speak of, and to hear
you read from the one you call `God's word;' and if I find the price is
not too great, perhaps I may purchase one for Meta and Karl."
The young girl's eyes sparkled as her grandfather spoke. "Oh, I should
like to have that book!" she exclaimed. "I have heard of it, though I
knew not that it was to be sold, or that people were allowed to read it. I
thought it was only for the priests to read."
"Blessed be God, for us unlearned ones who cannot understand the
language in which it is written, it has been translated into our native
tongue; and God has sent it as His message of love to all human beings,
young and old, rich and poor. It is so easy, that he who runs may read.
The youngest child may understand the message it gives, while it is
equally suited to the wisest philosopher, and to the most powerful king
on his throne."
The young people hurried through their suppers while their guest was
speaking, so eager were they to see the package opened. In those days
thousands and tens of thousands of people in so-called Christian lands
had never seen a Bible, though the translation made by Dr Martin
Luther was being spread in every direction throughout the length and
breadth of Germany by men like Gottlieb Spena, who carried packs
filled with the sacred volume on their shoulders. They did the same
afterwards in France, where the name of colporteurs [see Note] was in
consequence given to them.
Meta waited anxiously till her grandfather and their guest had finished
their suppers, and then as rapidly as possible cleared away the bowls
and platters which they had used. The book-hawker with a smile

observed her anxiety, and placing his pack on the table, opened it, and
exhibited to the admiring eyes of the spectators a number of volumes.
"This," he said, taking out one, "is the Old Testament, or God's first
message to man; and this is the New Testament, His last message, in
which He shows Himself to us as a God of love, mercy, and pity,
though by no means less a God of justice than He does in the Old
Testament. But here He shows us clearly how His justice can be amply
satisfied, without the sinner being punished as he deserves; how our
sins may be blotted out by the One