
While at the Wartburg, Luther heard of the sale of a new indulgence at Halle. Its originator was the same Albrecht for whom the pope had issued the indulgence that led to Luther's ninety-five theses. By this time Albrecht was a cardinal, but he was still sadly in need of money. His latest scheme was a collection of relics. He began to advertise that he had added several wonderful new items, including part of the body of the patriarch Isaac, some pieces of the manna that had fallen in the wilderness, a few twigs of the burning bush that Moses had seen, some thorns from the crown of our Lord, and some of the water that He had changed into wine at the wedding at Cana. A total of nine thousand items were on display at the college church at Halle. All who came to see them and to give alms would receive an indulgence. The news of this stirred Luther to put out another pamphlet. The New Idol at Halle.