January 2019 – What Does This Mean?

Wyneken did not remain idle while he waited for a dismissal from missionary service. He began his ministry in Fort Wayne and Adams County, preached to a small settlement near Auburn, Indiana, on the Cedar Creek, along what was to become the Lima Pike Road. On the third of December, he set out for the Elkhart area, but found his horse too lame to make the journey. He Spent Advent and Christmas in the Fort Wayne area.

Wyneken made a northern journey just after the first of the year. His horse went lame again and be left along the way. The missionary completed the journey to Benton on foot. There he baptized nine and formed a congregation. He continued on to Goshen, where he baptized a
child and stayed overnight. Although he became ill in Goshen, Wyneken continued on to Elkhart, where he was expected. There he was able to preach, conduct a confessional service, commune eighteen and baptize six. His illness worsened and forced the missionary to remain in bed two
days. Since he promised to preach to a small settlement ten miles from Wolf Lake, Wyneken had to turn back for Fort Wayne.

Upon his return, Wyneken found a letter relieving him of his position as a missionary of the Pennsylvania Ministerium. During the eventful period from September 10th to the end of his commission on January 11th, he organized three congregations, preached fifty-eight times, baptized sixty-eight children and two adults, confirmed one, communed one hundred and eighty, married one couple and buried one person. He collected contributions totaling $16.50.

Settling down to serve two parishes in Northeast Indiana did not stop Wyneken, full of zeal, from preaching, teaching and organizing congregations whenever he had the time. When time permitted, he would answer requests to visit other settlements on weekdays and preach in them.

The circuit rider felt he could not organize these stations into congregations because most they lacked either the sufficient catechesis or piety and because he simply could not properly care for them. It broke his heart to have to ignore the many pleas to come and prepare children for confirmation and to meet many desperate needs. He could see whole villages sinking back into paganism. On his longer trips, sometimes four to six weeks from home, Wyneken had to depart settlement after settlement, sick with the knowledge that not even a survey missionary would minister in these places for the next few years
He could only promise to return from time to time and tell them of his many letters to Germany, begging for help.

Karl Von Miltitz, a lesser Saxon noble, served in the Roman Curia during the lifetime of Martin Luther. He served in a number of minor roles, such as Chamberlin and Papal Secretary and would normally escape our notice — if Pope Leo X hadn’t decided to appoint him a Nuncio (Ambassador) to Elector Frederick the Wise. His visit was a part of the Pope’s extended diplomatic campaign to convince Luther to renounce all he had taught about indulgences and papal authority or have him brought to Rome for trial. He needed to do this carefully since he would wanted Frederick to oppose the election of King Charles of Spain as the next Holy Roman Emperor. He hoped Miltitz’s family connections would make him more acceptable to the prince.

Miltitz returned to Germany Five Hundred Years ago in December of 1518 and January of 1519. He brought with him the Papal Golden Rose of Virtue — a coveted award given on occasion by the Pope to a prince he wished to honor. If Frederick were to hand over Luther to the Chamberlin, then Pope Leo would award the rose to Frederick. The Elector showed no signs of being impressed by this honor.

Between the time Cardinal Cajetan had finished his encounter with Luther and the arrival of Miltitz, the Elector had stated his position in terms provided by Luther himself. The Cardinal had not stated where Luther was in error and would have to do this at least if Luther were to be surrendered to him. Frederick had cause to believe Luther would not be given a fair trial in Rome and requested neutral German parties try him on German soil. Until Luther was proven a heretic before German scholars, the Elector would keep the monk in Saxony.

On his way to Saxony, learned how strong German sympathies were for Luther. So Miltitz let it be known he was irritated with Luther’s opponents, disgusted with Tetzel and that he was willing to find a middle ground between Rome and Luther. From January 4th to January 6th, Miltitz met with Luther in Altenburg. They agreed to a proposal that both sides no longer write about indulgences. Miltitz would ask the pope himself to transfer Luther’s case to a German Bishop, who would tell Luther what he needed to recant. Miltitz took his leave of Luther. The reformer was safe — for the moment.

Month: January 2019

Friedrich Wyneken’s Far-Flung Parish

Meet Karl von Miltitz: An Attempt to Silence Luther