Luther's Prayer for Melancthon.
On a certain occasion a message was sent to Luther to inform him that Melancthon was dying. He at once hastened to his sick bed, and found him presenting the usual premonitory symptoms of death. He mournfully bent over him; and, sobbing, gave utterance of a sorrowful exclamation. It roused Melancthon from his stupor—he looked into the face of Luther, and said, “O, Luther, is this you? Why don't you let me depart in peace?” “We can't spare you yet, Philip,” was the reply. And turning round, he threw himself upon his knees, and wrestled with God for his recovery for upward of an hour. He went from his knees to the bed, and took his friend by the hand. Again he said, “Dear Luther, why don't you let me depart in peace?” “No, no, Philip, we cannot spare you yet,” was the reply. He then ordered some soup, and, when pressed to take it, he declined, again saying, “Dear Luther, why not let me go home and be at rest?” “We cannot spare you yet, Philip,” was the reply. He then added, “Philip, take this soup, or I will excommunicate you.” He took the soup; he commenced to grow better; he soon regained his wonted health, and labored for years afterward, in the cause of the reformation. And when Luther returned home, he said to his wife with joy, “God gave me my brother Melancthon back in direct answer to prayer.”