His youngest daughter Magdalen, born July 18th, 1533, was married to Doctor CASPAR PEUCER, when she was but 19 years of age. After Melanchthon's death, Peucer became the first professor of the University of Wittenberg, and physician in ordinary to the Elector of Saxony. Their union was richly blessed with children. He endured many persecutions afterwards, because he and some of his colleagues secretly approved of the doctrines of Calvin, on which account they were called _Cryptocalvinists_. He was compelled to languish in a prison for twelve years. During this time his wife died. One morning he dreamed that he was tolling the bell for a funeral. The rope broke in his hand, and awaking, he cried out: "The rope is broken, and we are free." In the very same moment the door of his cell was opened, and he was liberated. Grief took such possession of his heart, that he was frequently observed weeping during public worship in Zerbst, whither he had retired.
His servant JOHN has likewise been very properly counted a member of Melanchthon's family. This John was a Swabian, who for thirty-four years served him with great fidelity and honesty, managed all his household affairs, and trained and instructed his children. Melanchthon entertained the highest respect for him, and frequently wrote to him, when absent on a journey. This man must have had a truly Christian understanding and heart. When Veit Dietrich upon a certain occasion sent some sermons upon the struggles of the soul of the Son of God to Melanchthon, he replied that he had not read them yet, but intended to read them attentively, and then continues: "My servant, who reads such books with great delight, praises them very much."
When he died, Melanchthon publicly announced his death, and spoke of him in the most touching manner. We will repeat it: "My servant John, born on the Neckar, lived with me four-and-thirty years. He served God with true piety, and towards men he was just, truthful, and obliging. He was chaste, and a friend of chastity. He devoted his mornings to the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, then to the training and instruction of my little sons and daughters, and then to household affairs. He accompanied us in all our times of exile, in time of war and pestilence, and witnessed my life, labors, and afflictions. And time never produced any change in him towards us." This is an honorable testimony for Melanchthon, even as Eliezer was an honor to Abraham.