The Woodcutter of Gutech | Page 5

enlighten the minds of his hearers, and enable them
to comprehend what he was reading and what he was saying. Hour after
hour thus passed by. Several times did Meta rise and trim the lamp.
"Must you hasten on your journey? or can you not rest here another day,
and tell us more of those glorious things?" said the old man, placing his
hand on Spena's shoulder, and gazing earnestly into his face.
"Yes, I will stay, friend," answered the book-hawker, "if by so doing I
can place more clearly before you the way of salvation."
At length the inmates of the cottage and their guest lay down to rest on
their rough couches, and angels looked down from heaven, rejoicing at
what they there saw and heard.
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Note: Colporteurs, literally "neck-carriers;" because their packs were
strung round their necks, or, rather, the strap went round their chests.
CHAPTER THREE.
Gottlieb Spena was much the better for his day's rest, and the following
morning set out with old Moretz and his grandson on their weekly
journey, when they went into the neighbouring town to dispose of their
fagots.
"And how came you to undertake this good work, friend?" asked the
old man, as they journeyed.
"In a few words I can answer you," said the book-hawker. "I was once
a monk, a lazy drone. Our convent was rich, and we had nothing to do
except to appear for so many hours every day in church, and repeat or
chant words, of the sense of which we did not for a moment trouble
ourselves. Copies of the blessed gospel, however, were brought among

us, and certain works by Dr Martin Luther, and friends of his, which
stirred us up to read that gospel, and to see whether we held the faith it
teaches, or were leading the lives it requires. First one and then another,
and finally almost all of us came to the conclusion that we were not in
any way living according to God's law, and that the whole system we
supported was evil and wrong; and we all agreed to go forth into the
world, and to become useful members of society. Some, who had the
gift of speaking, after a time became preachers of the gospel. As I had
not that gift, and had but a small amount of learning, I resolved, by the
advice of Dr Martin Luther, to put a pack upon my shoulders, and to go
forth and to distribute the written word through the land, and to speak a
word in season, as God might give me opportunity. If the Pope or
Tetzel can catch me I have no doubt that they will burn me as they
burned John Huss. But I have counted the cost, and I am prepared for
that or anything else that can befall me. I have placed myself in God's
hands, and fear not what man can do to me."
"You are a brave man," said old Moretz, grasping the book-hawker's
hand; "and whatever you may say of yourself, I should say that you are
a true preacher of God's word, and I pray that there may be many others
like you going forth throughout our country."
"Amen," said Spena, as the old man and he, warmly shaking each
other's hand, parted.
"I hope there may be very many better men than I am;" and he went on
his way, selling his books and speaking a word in season; and thus a
humble instrument, as he thought himself, bringing many souls to the
knowledge of the truth, and to accept the free offers of eternal life
through a simple, loving faith in Christ Jesus.
We must here observe that before leaving the woodcutter's hospitable
hut, Gottlieb Spena delivered the precious book into the custody of
Meta, bidding her an affectionate farewell, with the prayer that it might
prove a blessing to her soul and to those dear to her. Meta never failed
to pass every moment she could steal from her daily avocations in
perusing the New Testament. When her grandfather and brother
returned home from their work, she had always some fresh account to

give them of which she had read; and from henceforth the old man and
Karl passed a part of every evening in reading it, while the great part of
that day which God has given to toiling man as a day of rest was passed
in gaining knowledge from its precious pages.
Old Moretz had now got what he never before possessed. He
understood the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, whom he loved
and desired to serve. The more he saw of the love of God the more he
felt his own sinfulness and unworthiness, and felt the need of a better
righteousness