He had overthrown the old sacrament of marriage, but gave a higher,
nobler, freer form to the intimate relation of man and wife. He had
fought the clumsy monastery schools; and everywhere in town and
hamlet, wherever his influence was felt, there grew up better
educational institutions for the young. He had done away with the mass
and with Latin church music; he put in its place, for friends and foes
alike, regular preaching and German chorals.
As time advanced, it became ever more apparent that it was a necessity
for Luther to perceive God in every gracious, good and tender gift of
this world. In this sense he was always pious and always wise--when he
was out-of-doors, or among his friends, in innocent merriment, when he
teased his wife, or held his children in his arms. Before a
fruit-tree, which he saw hanging full of fruit, he rejoiced in its
splendor, and said, "If Adam had not fallen, we should have admired
all trees as we do this one." He took a large pear into his hands and
marveled: "See! Half a year ago this pear was deeper under ground than
it is long and broad, and lay at the very end of the roots. These
smallest and least observed creations are the greatest miracles. God
is in the humblest things of nature--a leaf or a blade of grass." Two
birds made their nest in the Doctor's garden and flew up in the
evening, often frightened by passers-by. He called to them, "Oh, you
dear birds! Don't fly away. I am very willing to have you here, if you
could only believe me.
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