n God's word. They
knew that which He said He would do. "If grandfather is taken from us,
or you are taken, Karl, I know we shall be parted but for a short time.
We shall meet again and be happy, oh, so happy!" exclaimed Meta, as Karl
came in one day when his work was over, and found her ever and anon
glancing at her Bible, which lay open on the table, while she was
engaged in some business about the cottage.

Moretz soon found that those who hold to the truth are often called upon
to suffer for the truth. So it has been from the beginning. God
requires faith, but He desires us to prove our faith. Other men, like
Spena, were traversing the country, not only like him distributing
books, but openly preaching the principles of the Reformation. They did
so in many places, at great hazard to themselves. The papists, where
they could, opposed and persecuted them, as the Apostle Paul before his
conversion did the Christians he could get hold of, haling them to
prison, to torture, and to death.

Moretz often went into the town of Hornberg to sell his fagots. Even he
was not without his enemies. As he and Karl were one day driving their
asses laden with wood into the town, they encountered a long string of
pack-horses which had brought in their cargoes and were now returning.
Behind them rode a big, burly man, dressed as a farmer, on a stout,
strong horse. He scowled on Moretz, who was about to pass him, and
roughly told him to move his asses and himself out of the way. He had
an old grudge against Moretz, who had resisted an unjust attempt to
seize some land to which the rich man had no right.

"With pleasure, Master Johann Herder. I would not wish to occupy your
place, as I doubt not you would not wish to fill mine."

"What does he mean?" exclaimed Herder; but Moretz had already done as he
was bid, and got quickly out of the way. Herder went on some little
distance, muttering to himself, and then stopped and looked in the
direction Moretz had taken. Ordering his servants to proceed with the
animals, he wheeled round his horse and slowly followed the woodcutter.

Moretz quickly disposed of his fagots among his usual customers, and was
about to return home when he saw a large crowd in the square assembled
round a man who was addressing them from a roughly-raised platform.
Moretz could not resist the temptation of joining the crowd, for a few
words which reached his ears interested him greatly. He got as close