The Carpenter of Zerbst

By P de Zeeuw

A story from the time of the Great Reformation.
Young Otto is sad when his father forbids him to walk in the procession honouring Tetzel, the indulgence pedlar. Later on, grief strikes the whole family because of their wholehearted support for Martin Luther and the cause of the Reformation.
Clinging to the convictions that God does all things well, the family passes through a period of sadness and tension. In the end there is joy when God works conversion in the heart of an enemy of the church of Jesus Christ.
'The Carpenter of Zerbst' presents a stirring account of the struggle which the choice for Jesus Christ brings into everyday life.
Suitable for ages 8 years and over.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Ecclesia Publishers
• Release date: Jan 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005954772

Book preview

THE CARPENTER OF ZERBST

PJ de Zeeuw

Translated by CA Bonker

First English edition 1994

First eBook edition 2022

Copyright 1989, Uitgeverij Meinema, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

First published in Dutch as De Timmerman van Zerbst by Meinema, Delft, The Netherlands.

Published by:

Pro Ecclesia Publishers

Armadale, Western Australia

www.proecclesia.com.au

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE – Otto is not allowed to join in

CHAPTER TWO – Who was Tetzel?

CHAPTER THREE – Tetzel sets to work in Zerbst

CHAPTER FOUR – The bold carpenter

CHAPTER FIVE – I’ll have you pay for that, mister!

CHAPTER SIX – Evil plans

CHAPTER SEVEN – The carpenter does a risky thing

CHAPTER EIGHT – Exiled

CHAPTER NINE – Where might Luther be?

CHAPTER TEN – Good news... and bad

CHAPTER ELEVEN – George, the brave knight

CHAPTER TWELVE – The goldsmith

CHAPTER THIRTEEN – A sad story

CHAPTER FOURTEEN – A change for the better

CHAPTER ONE

Otto is not allowed to join in

At last it was twelve o’clock and school was over.

For Otto Maehler the morning had lasted too long; the minutes had dragged on, but now it was lunchtime. As soon as the school doors opened Otto, swift as an arrow, raced through the narrow streets of Zerbst, and a minute later he stormed into his parents’ living room.

Dear me! You gave me a fright!, mother Hedwig exclaimed. She was busy setting the table. Can’t you come in a little quieter? And where is Lisa?

I don’t know, mother. Lisa always walks so slowly, and I just had to race home. O mother, it will be so exciting tomorrow!

Hedwig Maehler raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t imagine what was to happen the next day to cause Otto to be so excited.

Don’t you know yet mother?

I don’t even know what you are talking about, Otto.

O, I’ll tell you. There will be a procession because the papal grace arrives in town, and the teacher promised us that we are allowed to join in and sing songs. This morning we have already practised and ...

Mother Maehler frowned. Otto noticed it and stopped talking.

Why that look, mother? What’s wrong?

There’s nothing wrong Ot, but I’m afraid that your father will not allow you to walk in the procession.

What?!

The thought that he might not be allowed to welcome the indulgence pedlar Johan Tetzel had never entered Otto’s mind. Mister Hahne had said that he could walk in the procession with the older students. They were to greet the Dominican at the Jüterbog Gate and then accompany him to church. The prospect of such a tremendous festivity had absorbed Otto so completely that he had not even considered the possibility of a refusal from his father’s side.

And what is really wrong with it, mother? All the boys and girls are allowed to go!

Father will have nothing to do with the indulgence business, Ot. He strongly rejects that trade and I’m sure he won’t let you take part in it; but you’d better go and ask father yourself. He and Hans are still in the workshop. You can tell them at the same time that lunch is ready.

Otto left the room and a moment later he rushed into the carpenter’s workshop where Erich Maehler and his apprentice Hans were still very busy.

Mother asks if you and Hans are coming for lunch, father.

It won’t be long, Otto. Just two more nails to be hammered in. Hans, you may go already, I’ll be there in a minute.

Hans threw his hammer onto the workbench and, whistling a tune, went to the house.

Now Otto had to seize the opportunity, but his mother’s prediction weighed heavily on him, and hesitantly he came out with his question.

You’re asking my permission to join in to welcome Tetzel? Maehler slowly repeated Otto’s words. So, is it now the people of Zerbst’s turn to be robbed by that fellow? A fine thing you are telling me!

He’s coming with the grace of God and of the holy Father. That’s what our teacher told us.

I wish teacher Hahne knew better, Otto. God won’t give His grace to a fellow like Tetzel. And certainly not when he plans to sell that grace again for a lot of money.

Otto was startled. What father said seemed to him almost blasphemy, especially after the teacher that morning had so fully explained Tetzel’s mission in Zerbst. He understood very well that his