[26] He always estimated _time_ as a most precious possession. It is said of him, that when he made an appointment, he expected not only the day or the hour, but the _minute_ to be fixed, that time might not be squandered away in the vacuity or idleness of suspense.--_Cox._ [27] John Bugenhagen, Pomeranus, or Pommer, was one of the most remarkable men of the age, and may be justly ranked with Luther and Melanchthon, with whom he cherished a long and close friendship, and to whom he was in many respects little inferior. Originally he was a schoolmaster at Treptow in Pomerania; and when he first saw the "Babylonish Captivity" by Luther, exclaimed, "The author of this book is the most pestilent heretic that ever infested the Church of Christ." But after examining it more seriously, and with an inquisitive mind, it produced so entire a change of sentiment, that he said, "The whole world is blind, and this man alone sees the truth." When he was chosen to be minister of the great Church at Wittenberg, he not only did not aim at this elevation, but was almost dragged by force out of his obscurity to possess it, and assiduously devoted himself to the duties of this eminent station during thirty-six years. He expired in peace, at the advanced age of seventy-three."--_Cox._ [28] His well-known friend and pupil, John Matthesius, wrote an epitaph in verse, which the author says he proposes to lay upon the godly man's grave as a lovely flower. Despairing of being able to give it to the reader in a good translation, we have omitted it in the text, and propose to give it as well as we can in simple prose: "A honey-flower, sprung from _black earth_ (alluding to the name Melanchthon, or Schwartzerd), worthy of the crown of honor and praise, withered by the intense heat, lies at rest here. Many grateful little bees sipped and made honey from it, for the comfort and instruction of Christendom; and therefore many churches and schools are filled with sorrow. This little flower has satisfied many insects and wild birds with its perfume and precious nectar. God has done much good by it in the Church, school, house, and government, and now all its labors and dangers are at an end. Neither caterpillars, bees, horse-flies, wasps, nor nettles, burdock, thistle, or cockle, could destroy this sweet little flower; and it continued to praise God, and to instruct men at all hours. Many a spider crept over it, many poisonous reptiles pierced it; but yet it lives, and slumbers in this shrine, and its work will never be forgotten. God now wipes away its tears, and refreshes it with the dew of heaven. Its little leaves give out a pleasant perfume, and in a short time it will live again. When the bones and skin of faithful teachers shall blossom like the green herb, then its faith, patience, and industry, will receive praise, thanksgiving, and honor. Whosoever, therefore, performs a pilgrimage to this shrine, let him drop a longing tear, and sigh with