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