ENCOURAGEMENT, SPOUSAL

In 1849, when Nathaniel Hawthorne was dismissed from his government job in the customs house, he went home in despair. His wife listened to his tale of woe, set pen and ink on the table, lit the fire, put her arms around his shoulders and said, “Now you will be able to write your novel.” Hawthorne did—and literature was enriched with The Scarlet Letter.392

Katherine, the wife of Martin Luther, dramatically revived the depressed Reformer’s confidence in God’s providence. This has been versified by F. W. Herzberger:

One day when skies loomed the blackest,

This greatest and bravest of men

Lost heart and in an oversad spirit

Refused to take courage again,

Neither eating or drinking nor speaking

To anxious wife, children or friends,

Till Katherine dons widow garments

And deepest of mourning pretends.

Surprised, Luther asked why she sorrowed.

“Dear Doctor,” his Katie replied,

“I have cause for the saddest of weeping,

For God in His heaven has died!”

Her gentle rebuke did not fail him,

He laughingly kissed his wise spouse,

Took courage, and banished his sorrow,

And joy again reigned in the house.393