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Benjamin Schmolck

1672 - 1737 Person Name: B. Schmolke, geb. 1672 Hymnal Number: 481 Author of "Ach, Herr! lehre mich bedenken" in Die Psalmen Davids Schmolck, Benjamin, son of Martin Schmolck, or Schmolcke, Lutheran pastor at Brauchitschdorf (now Chrόstnik) near Liegnitz in Silesia (now Poland) was born at Brauchitschdorf, Dec. 21, 1672. He entered the Gymnasium at Lauban in 1688, and spent five years there. After his return home he preached for his father a sermon which so struck the patron of the living that he made Benjamin an allowance for three years to enable him to study theology. He matriculated, at Michaelmas, 1693, at the University of Leipzig, where he came under the influence of J. Olearius, J. B. Carpzov, and others, and throughout his life retained the character of their teaching, viz. a warm and living practical Christianity, but Churchly in tone and not Pietistic. In the autumn of 1697, after completing his studies at Leipzig (during his last year there he supported himself mainly by the proceeds of occasional poems written for wealthy citizens, for which he was also, crowned as a poet), he returned to Brauchitzchdorf to help his father, and, in 1701, was ordained as his assistant. On Feb. 12, 1702, he married Anna Rosina, daughter of Christoph Rehwald, merchant in Lauban and in the end of the same year was appointed diaconus of the Friedenskirche at Schweidnitz in Silesia. As the result of the Counter-Reformation in Silesia, the churches in the principality of Schweidnitz had been taken from the Lutherans, and for the whole district the Peace of Westphalia (1648) allowed only one church (and that only of timber and clay, without tower or bells), which the Lutherans had to build at Schweidnitz, outside the walls of the town; and the three clergy attached to this church had to minister to a population scattered over some thirty-six villages, and were moreover hampered by many restrictions, e.g. being unable to communicate a sick person without a permit from the local Roman Catholic priest. Here Schmolck remained till the close of his life, becoming in 1708 archidiaconus, in 1712 senior, and in 1714 pastor primarius and inspector. Probably as the result of his exhausting labours he had a stroke of paralysis on Laetare (Mid-Lent) Sunday, 1730, which for a time laid him aside altogether, and after which he never recovered the use of his right hand. For five years more he was still able to officiate, preaching for the last time on a Fastday in 1735. But two more strokes of paralysis followed, and then cataract came on, relieved for a time by a successful operation, but returning again incurably. For the last months of his life he was confined to bed, till the message of release came to him, on the anniversary of his wedding, Feb. 12, 1737. (Koch, v. 463; Bode, p. 144; Goedeke's Grundriss, vol. iii., 1887, p. 306; sketch prefixed to Ledderhose's edition of Schmolck's Geistliche Lieder, Halle, 1857, &c.) Schmolck was well known in his own district as a popular and useful preacher, a diligent pastor, and a man of wonderful tact and discretion. It was however his devotional books, and the original hymns therein contained, that brought him into wider popularity, and carried his name and fame all over Germany. Long lists of his works and of the various editions through which many of them passed are given by Koch, Bode and Goedehe. It is rather difficult to trace the hymns, as they are copied from one book of his into another, &c. Schmolck was the most popular hymnwriter of his time, and was hailed as the "Silesian Rist," as the "second Gerhardt," &c. Nor was he altogether unworthy of such praise. It is true that he did not possess the soaring genius of Gerhardt. Nor had he even Gerhardt's concise, simple style, but instead was too fond of high-sounding expressions, of plays upon words, of far-fetched but often recurring contrasts, and in general of straining after effect, especially in the pieces written in his later years. In fact he wrote a great deal too much, and latterly without proper attention to concentration or to proportion. Besides Cantatas, occasional pieces for weddings, funerals, &c, he is the author of some 900 hymns, properly so called. These were written for all sorts of occasions, and range over the whole field of churchly, family, and individual life. Naturally they are not all alike good; and those in his first three collections are decidedly the best. A deep and genuine personal religion, and a fervent love to the Saviour, inspire his best hymns; and as they are not simply thought out but felt, they come from the heart to the heart. The best of them are also written in a clear, flowing, forcible, natural, popular style, and abound in sententious sayings, easily to be remembered. Even of these many are, however, more suited for family use than for public worship. Nevertheless they very soon came into extensive use, not only in Silesia, but all over Germany. A number of Schmolck's hymns [that] have passed into English are:— i. Der beste Freund ist in dem Himmel. Love of Jesus. First published in his Heilige Flammen (ed. 1709, p. 100), in 6 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "The best Friend." The translation in common use is:— A faithful friend is waiting yonder. This is a good translation, omitting stanza v., as No. 293, in Kennedy, 1863. ii. Die Woche geht zum Ende. Saturday Evening. In his Andächtige Hertze, 1714, p. 116, in 10 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "Evening Hymn," and appointed for Evening Prayer on Saturday. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1158. Translated as:— The week draws near its ending. This is a good translation of stanzas i., vi., vii., x., marked as by "A. G.," as No. 81 in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book 1848. Other trs. are: (1) “Though now the week is ending," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 107. (2) “The week at length is over," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 137. iii. Gott du hist selbst die Liehe. Holy Matrimony. Translated as:— O God, "Who all providest. This is a good translation, omitting stanza iii., by J. M. Sloan, as No. 312 in J. H. Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865. iv. Halleluja! Jesus lebt. Easter. In his Bochim und Elim, 1731, p. 67, in 5 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "Hallelujah! at the grave of Jesus." In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 296. Tr. as:— Hallelujah! Lo, He wakes. By E. Cronenwett, omitting st. iv., as No. 79 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal 1880. Another translation is: "Hallelujah! Jesus lives! Life, immortal life, He gives." This is a full and good translation, by Miss Warner, 1858, p. 486, repeated in the Treasury of Sacred Song, Kirkwall, n.d. v. Heute mir und Morgen dir. Funeral Hymn. In his Schmuck und Asche, 1717, p. 252, in 6 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "Daily Dying". The tr. in common use is:— Today mine, tomorrow thine. This is a good and full translation, by Miss Warner, in her Hymns of the Church Militant, 1858, p. 260. vi. Je grösser Kreuz, je näher Himmel. Cross and Consolation. In his Andächtige Hertz, 1714, p. 273, in 9 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "Hymn of Cross and Consolation." By its sententiousness and its manifold illustrations of the power of the Cross it has been a favourite with many. Translated as:— 1. Greater the Cross, the nearer heaven. 2. The more the cross, the nearer heaven. Another translation is: "The heavier the cross, the nearer heaven," by J. D. Burns, in the Family Treasury, 1859, p. 160. vii. Jesus soil die Losung sein. New Year. The translation in common use is:— Jesus shall the watchword he. Another translation is: "Jesu's name shall be our watchword," by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868, p. 689. viii. Licht vom Licht, erleuchte mich. Sunday Morning. Translated as:— Light of Light, enlighten me. This is a very good tr. omitting stanza vii., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 66, and thence in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 17. Other translations are: (1) "Light of Light! illumine me," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 6. (2) "O thou blessed Light of Light," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 74. ix. Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht, Ach was wollt ich hessres haben. Love to Christ. Translated as:— I'll with Jesus never part. This is a translation of st. i., ii., iv., as stanzas iii.-v. of No. 378 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1789. In the ed. of 1886, No. 452 (see p. 614, i.), the part from Schmolck begins, "He is mine and I am His" (the translation of stanza ii.). Another tr. is: "I'll not leave Jesus—-never, never," by Miss Warner, 1858, p. 509. x. Mein Gott, ich weiss wohl dass ich sterbe. For the Dying. Translated as:— My God! I know that I must die, My mortal. Other trs. are: (1) "That I shall die full well 1 know," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 232). (2) "My God! I know full well that I must die," by Miss Warner, 1858, p. 344. (3) "My God, I know that I must die; I know," by G. Moultrie, in his Espousals of S. Dorothea, 1870. xi. Mein Jesus lebt! was soil ich sterben. Easter. Translated as:— My Saviour lives; I shall not perish. xii. 0 wie fröhlich, o wie selig. Eternal Life. Translated as:— Oh how joyous, oh how blessed. Another tr. is: "Oh, how blest beyond our telling." xiii. Schmückt das Fest mit Maien. Whitsuntide. Translated as:— Come, deck our feast today. xiv. Thut mir auf die schöne Pforte. Sunday. Translated as:— 1. Open now thy gates of beauty. This is a good tr., omitting stanza iii., vii., by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 15. 2. Open wide the gates of beauty. This is a translation of stanzas i., ii., iv., vi.-vii., by H. L. Hastings, dated 1885, as No. 1076, in his Songs of Pilgrimage, 1886. Another tr. is: "Throw the glorious gates wide open," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 146. xv. Weine nicht, Gott lebet noch. Cross and Consolation. Tr. as:— "Weep not,-—Jesus lives on high. Another tr. is: "Weep not, for God, our God, doth live," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 59. xvi. Willkommen, Held im Streite. Easter. The translation in common use is:— Welcome Thou victor in the strife. This is a good translation omitting st. ii.—iv., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 91. Hymns not in English common use:-- xvii. Ach wenn ich dich, mein Gott, nur habe. Love to God. Founded on Ps. lxxiii. 25, 26. Translated as "My God, if I possess but Thee," by G. Moultrie, in his Espousals of S. Dorothea, 1870. xviii. An Gott will ich gedenken. Remembering God's Love and Care. In his Heilige Flammen (ed. 1707, p. 59; ed. 1709, p. 131), in 6 stanzas of 8 lines, and Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 112. Translated as "My God will I remember," by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868. xix. Der Sabbath ist vergangen. Sunday Evening. Tr. as "The Sabbath now is over," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 226. xx. Du angenehmer Tag. Sunday. In his Lustige Sabbath, 1712, p. 1, in 8 stanzas of 6 lines. Tr. as “Thou ever welcome day," by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868, p. 688. xxi. Endlich, endlich, muss es doch. Cross and Consolation. Translated as "Yes, at last, our God shall make," in the Christian Examiner, Boston, U.S., Sept., 1860, p. 251. xxii. Gedenke mein, mein Gott, gedenke mein. For the Dying. Translated as "Remember me, my God! remember me," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther 1854, p. 9. xxiii. Geh, müder Leib, zu deiner Euh. Evening. Translated as "Go, wearied body, to thy rest," by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868. In his Lustige Sabbath, 1712, p. 35, in 10 stanzas of 6 lines, and Burg’s Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 403. Translated as "King, to Jews and Gentiles given," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845. xxiv. Gott der Juden,Gott der Heiden. Epiphany. Translated as “King, to Jews and Gentiles given,” by Dr. H. Mills, 1845. xxv. Gott lebt, wie kann ich traurig sein. Trust in God. Translated as "God lives! Can I despair," by Miss Warner, 1869, p. 44. xxvi. Gott mit uns, Immanuel. New Year. Translated as "God with us! Immanuel, Open with the year before us," by Dr. R. P. Dunn, in Sacred Lyrics from the German, Philadelphia, U.S., 1859, p. 166. xxvii. Hier ist Immanuel! New Year. Translated as "Here is Immanuel!" by Miss Manington, 1864, p. 24. xxviii. Hilf, Heifer, hilf! ich muss verzagen. Cross and Consolation. Translated as "Help, Saviour, help, I sink, I die,” in the Monthly Packet, vol. xviii., 1859, p. 664. xix. Ich habe Lust zu scheiden. For the Dying. Tr. as "Weary, waiting to depart," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p 130. xxx. Ich sterbe täglich, und mein Leben. For the Dying. Translated as "Both life and death are kept by Thee" (st. iv.), by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868, p. 689. xxxi. Mein Gott, du hast mich eingeladen. Sunday. Translated as "My God, Thou hast the invite given," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 150. xxxii. Mein Gott! du wohnst in einem Lichte. Holy Scripture. Translated as "In glory bright, O God, Thou dwellest," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845. xxxiii. Mein Gott, ich klopf an deine Pforte. Supplication. Tr.Translated as "given as "Mein Gott, mein Erstes und mein Alles." Translated as "My God! the Source of all my blessing," in the British Herald, August, 1866, p. 312; repeated in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. xxxv. Mein Gott, weil ich in meinem Leben. The ChristiaWho, Lord, has any good whatever," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 91. xxxiv. Mein Gott, mein Alles Uber Alles. Trust in God. Sometimes n Life. Translated as "Most High! with reverence to fear Thee," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 114.). xxxvi. Nun hab ich überwunden; Zu guter Nacht, o Welt. For the Dying. Translated as "Now soon I shall have conquer'd," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 87. xxxvii. Seht welch ein Mensch ist das. Passiontide. The translations are (1) "See, what a man is this! How tearful is His glance," by J. Kelly, in the British Messenger, Feb., 1S68; repeated in the Family Treasury, 1868, p. 691. (2) "See what a man is this, O glances," by Miss Warner, 1869, p. 32. xxxviii. Sei getreu bis in den Tod. Christian Faithfulness. Translated as "Be thou faithful unto death! Let not troubles nor distresses," by R. Massie, in the Day of Rest, 1878, vol. ix. p. 219. xxxix. Theures Wort aus Gottes Munde. Holy Scripture. Translated as "Word by God the Father spoken," by Miss Manington, 1863. xl. Was Gott thut das ist wohlgethan! Er giebt und nimmt auch wieder. On the Death of a Child. The trs. are (1) "What God does is well done, "Who takes what He gave," by W. Graham, in his The Jordan and the Rhine, London, 1854, p. 251. (2) "Whatever God doth is well done, He gives, &c," by J. Kelly, in the Family Treasury, 1868, p. 688. xli. Wer will mich von der Liebe scheiden. Faith. Translated as "Who can my soul from Jesus sever," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 39. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Bartholomaüs Ringwaldt

1532 - 1599 Person Name: B. Ringwaldt, geb. 1531 Hymnal Number: 319 Author of "Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut" in Die Psalmen Davids Bartholomew Ringwaldt was born at Frankfort-on-the-Oder, in 1530, and was a Lutheran pastor at Langfield, in Prussia, where he died, 1598. His hymns resemble Luther's in their simplicity and power. Several of them were written to comfort himself and others in the sufferings they endured from famine, pestilence, fire and floods. In 1581, he published "Hymns for the Sundays and Festivals of the whole Year." --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872. ============================ Ringwaldt, Bartholomäus (Ringwalt, Ringwald), was born Nov. 28, 1532, at Frankfurt a. Oder. He was ordained in 1557, and was pastor of two parishes before he settled in 1566 as pastor of Langfeld (or Langenfeld), near Sonnenburg, Brandenburg. He was still there in 1597, but seems to have died there in 1599, or at least not later than 1600. (Koch, ii. 182; Goedeke's Grundriss, vol. ii. 1886, p. 512; Blätter fur Hymnologie, 1885. Ringwaldt exercised a considerable influence on his contemporaries as a poet of the people, as well as by his hymns properly so called. He was a true German patriot, a staunch Lutheran, and a man who was quite ready to face the consequences of his plain speaking. His style is as a rule clear and good, though his rhymes are often enough halting; and he possessed considerable powers of observation and description. After 1577 he published various didactic poems, the most important being, (1) Newezeittung: So Hanns Fromman mit sich auss der Hellen unnd dem Himel bracht, Amberg, 1582, and the later editions enlarged and rewritten as Christliche Warnung des Trewen Eckarts, &c, Frankfurt a. Oder, 1588. In various forms and abridgments it passed through at least 34 editions up to 1700. This work is a mirror of the times and of the morals of the people. (2) Die Lauter Warheit, darinnen angezeiget, wie sich ein Weltlicher und Geistlicher Kriegsman in seinen Beruff vorhalten soil, &c, Erfurt, 1586. Of this again at least 18 eds. appeared up to 1700. In it he gives lively pictures of the life of the various ranks and orders of his time, and shows the temptations and failings of each, not by any means sparing his own class, i.e. the Lutheran clergy. As a hymnwriter Ringwaldt was also of considerable importance. He was one of the most prolific hymn-writers of the 16th century. Wackernagel, iv. pp. 906-1065, gives 208 pieces under his name, about 165 of which may be called hymns. A selection of 59 as his Geistliche Lieder, with a memoir by H. Wendebourg, was published at Halle in 1858. A number appeared in the various eds. of his Trewer Echart and Lauter Warheit as above. The rest appeared principally in his (1) Der 91. Psalm neben Siben andern schönen Liedern, &c, Frankfurt,a. Oder, 1577. (2) Evangelia, Auffalle Sontag unnd Fest, Durchs gantze Jahr, &c, Frankfurt a. Oder, N.D. The earliest edition now known is undated, but Wackernagel, i., p. 523, gives it as of 1582. It is marked as a 2nd edition, and has a preface dated Nov. 28, 1581. It contains hymns founded on the Gospels for Sundays and Festivals, &c. (3) Handbüchlin: geistliche Lieder und Gebetlein, Auff der Reiss, &c, Frankfurt a. Oder, 1586 (preface, Feb. 21, 1582). A good many of his hymns passed into German collections of the 16th and 17th centuries, and a number are still in German common use. Those of Ringwaldt's hymns which have passed into English are:— i. Es ist gewisslich an derZeit. Second Advent. The anonymous original of this hymn is one of Zwey schöne Lieder, printed separately circa 1565, and thence in Wackernagel, iv. p. 344. W. von Maltzahn, in his Bücherschatz, 1875, No. 616, p. 93, cites it as in an undated Nürnberg broadsheet, circa 1556. Wackernagel also gives along with the original the revised form in Ringwaldt's Handbüchlin, 1586. Both forms are also in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 746, in 7 stanzas of 7 lines. It is based on the "Dies Irae," but can hardly be called a version of it. The original has a picturesqueness and force which are greatly lost in Ringwaldt's revision. It was much used in Germany during the Thirty Years' War, when in these distressful times men often thought the Last Day was at hand. The translations are all, except No. 2, from Ringwaldt's text. They are:— 1. 'Tis sure that awful time will come. In full, by J. C. Jacobi, in his Psalter Germanica, 1722, p. 95 (1732, p. 202). Repeated, altered and abridged, in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 to 1886. It is also found in two centos. (1) The waking trumpets all shall hear (st. ii.), in Montgomery's Christian Psalmist, 1825. (2) When all with awe shall stand around (st. v.), from the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801, in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868. 2. Most surely at th' appointed time. By A. T. Russell, as No. 38 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851, repeated in the College Hymnal, N. Y., 1876. It is marked a translation from the "Dies Irae," but is really a good translation of st. i., ii., v. of the German of 1565, 3. Behold that awful day draws nigh. A translation of st. i., ii.. v., by W. Sugden, as No. 129 in the Methodist Scholars' Hymn Book, 1870. 4. The day is surely drawing near. In full by P. A. Peter as No. 457 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. 5. Surely at the appointed time. By H. L. Hastings, made in 1878, and included as No. 722 in his Songs of Pilgrimage, 1886. It condenses iii., iv. as iii. 6. Tho time draws near with quickening pace. By Miss Fry, in her Hymns of the Reformation, 1845, p. 56. A hymn which has been frequently but erroneously called a translation from Ringwaldt's text, is noted as “Great God, what do I see and hear" (p. 454, i.). Hymns not in English common use:-- ii. Allein auf Gott setzt dein Vertraun. The Christian Life. In many of the older Gorman hymnbooks this is ascribed to Ringwaldt, but it is not found in any of his works now extant. Wackernagel, v. p. 327, gives it as anonymous from the Greifswald Gesang-Buch, 1597, where it is entitled "The golden A. B. C. wherein is very in¬geniously comprised what a man needs to know in order to lead an honourable and godly life." It is in 24 stanzas of 4 lines, each stanza beginning with successive letters of the alphabet. Also in Porst's Gesang-Buch, ed. 1855, No. 784. Bäumker, ii. p. 276, cites it as in the manuscript collection of a nun called Catherine Tirs, written in 1588, in the nunnery of Niesing, Münster. There it is in Low German, and begins "Allene up godt hope und truwe." Bäumker thinks Ringwaldt may possibly be the person who made the High German version. Translated as (1) "Alone in God put thou thy trust." By J. C. Jacobi, 1725, p. 29 (1732, p. 110). iii. Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, Hält mich in seiner Hute. Ps. xxiii. Wackernagel, iv. p. 944, prints it from Ringwaldt's Evangelia, N.D., 1582 as above, in 7 st. of 7 1. The first four-lines of st. i. are taken from the older version, "Der Herre ist mein treuer Hirt." In the Minden Kavensberg Gesang-Buch, 1854, No. 512. Translated as (i.) "The Lord He is my Shepherd kind." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 20. iv. Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, Du Brunnquell der Genaden. Lent. One of the finest of German penitential hymns. Wackernagel, iv. p. 1028, gives it, in 8 st. of 7 1., from Ringwaldt's Christliche Warnung, 1588, where it is entitled "A fine hymn [of supplication] for the forgiveness of sins." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 1574. The translations are (1) “Lord Saviour Christ, my sovereign good." In the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 39. Rewritten as (2) "Lord Jesus Christ, my sov'reign good," as No. 226 in the Moravian Hymn Book , 1789. In the edition of 1886, No. 278, it begins "Jesus, thou source of every good." (3) "O Christ, thou chiefest good, thou spring." By Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 76. (4) "Lord Jesus Christ, thou highest good." By F. W. Young, in the Family Treasury, 1877, p. 653. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christoph Carl Ludwig von Pfeil

1712 - 1784 Person Name: C. K. L. von Pfeil, geb. 1712 Hymnal Number: 310 Author of "Besser ist kein Tag zur Buße" in Die Psalmen Davids Pfeil, Christoph Carl Ludwig, Baron von, was born January 20, 1712, at Grünstadt, near Worms, where his father, Quirin Heinrich v. Pfeil, was then in the service of the Count of Leiningen. He matriculated at the University of Halle in 1728, as a student of law. After completing his course at the University of Tübingen, he was appointed, in 1732, Württemberg secretary of legation at Regensburg; then, in 1737, Justiz-und-Regierungsrath at Stuttgart; in 1745 Tutelar-raths-Präsident; in 1755 Kreisdirectorialgesandter to the Swabian Diet; in 1758 Geheim Legationsrath; and in 1759 Geheimrath. He found himself however at last no longer able to cooperate in carrying out the absolutism of the Württemberg prime minister Count Montmartin. When his resignation was accepted, April 13, 1763, he retired to the estate of Deufstetten, near Crailsheim, which he had purchased in 1761. In Sept., 1763, he was appointed by Frederick the Great as Geheimrath, and accredited Prussian minister or ambassador to the Diets of Swabia and Franconia. He was thereafter created Baron by the Emperor Joseph II., and in 1765 received the cross of the Red Eagle Order from Frederick the Great. An intermittent fever which developed itself in August, 1783, confined him to bed, where he remained till his death, at Deufstetten, Feb. 14, 1784 (Koch v. 176; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxv. 646). v. Pfeil was a man of deep and genuine piety. His hymnwriting began immediately after the spiritual change which he experienced on the 10th Sunday after Trinity, 1730; and it continued to be a favourite occupation, especially in his later years at Deufstetten. He was one of the most productive of German hymnwriters, his printed hymns being about 950, besides many in manuscript. The other hymns printed in his lifetime appeared in his (1) Lieder von der offenbarten Herrlichkeit und ZuJcunft des Herrn, Esslingen, 1741, 2nd ed. Memmingen, 1749, as Apocalyptische Lieder von der, &c. (2) Evangelisches Gesangbuch, Memmingen, 1782, with 264 hymns dating from 1730 to 1781, edited by J. G. Schellhorn. (3) Evangelische Glaubens-und Herzens-gesänge, Dinkelsbühl, 1783, with 340 hymns dating from 1763 to 1783. In recent times a number of his hymns have come into German use (they originally appeared, it must be remembered, during the Rationalistic Period), and Knapp includes 26 of them in his Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1850. Two have passed into English, viz.:— i. Am Grab der Christen singet man. Burial. Written in 1780. First published in No. 3, 1783, as above, p. 201, in 10 st., entitled, "We sing joyfully of Victory at the grave of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord hath gotten Him the victory." In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder,ed. 1863, No. 1433. Translated as, "The Christian's grave with joy we see," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 111. ii. Wohl einem Haus, da Jesus Christ. Family Prayer. First published in No. 2, 1782, as above, No. 61, in 8 st. of 4 1., entitled, "Delightful picture of a house that serves the Lord. On the Parents of Jesus." It was apparently written for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany, 1746. In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 682. Translated as:— Oh blest the house, whatever befall. A good translation omitting st. ii., vi., by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 175. Including, omitting the trs. of st. iii., v.t and adding a translation of st. vi., as No. 344 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Friedrich Richter

1676 - 1711 Person Name: Dr. Chr. Fr. Richter, geb. 1676 Hymnal Number: 230 Author of "Hüter, wird die Nacht der Sünden" in Die Psalmen Davids Richter, Christian Friedrich, son of Sigismund Richter, Rath and Chancellor to Count von Promnitz at Sorau, in Brandenburg, was born at Sorau, Oct. 5, 1676. At the University of Halle he was first a student of medicine and then of theology. In 1698, A. H. Francke appointed him Inspector of the Paedagogium, and then made him, in 1699, physician in general to all his Institutions. In company with his younger brother, Dr. Christian Sigismund Richter, he made many chemical experiments, for which he prepared himself by special prayer; and invented many compounds which came into extensive use under the name of the “Halle Medicines," the most famous being the Essentia dulcis, which was a preparation of gold. He died at Halle, Oct. 5, 1711 (Koch, iv. 354, &c). Richter was one of the most important hymnwriters among the Pietists of the earlier Halle school; and his hymns possess the defects as well as the excellences of his school. They are emotional, and develop the idea of the spiritual union with Christ as the Bridegroom of the soul, with a minuteness that is hardly reverent (e.g. No. xi. below). They are also frequently not clearly thought out, and consequently somewhat obscure. Various of them are in unusual metres, and were wedded to tunes not very devotional in character. Apart from these defects there are various of his hymns worthy of note for their genuine, fervent piety, their childlike spirit of love to God, and the depth of Christian experience embodied in them. They appeared principally in the various Pietistic hymn-books of the period, especially in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704 and 1714, and were collected and appended (as his Geistliche Lieder) to an essay edited by his brother (named above) and published at Halle, in 1718, as Erbauliche Betrachtungen vom Ur sprung und Adel der Seelen. Richter's hymns …which have passed into English are:— i. Gott den ich als Liebe kenne. For the Sick. Included in Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 647, in 7 stanzas of 8 lines, repeated, 1718, as above, p. 420, entitled, "Hymn in Sickness." According to Ehmann, in his edition of Gottfried Arnold, 1856, p. xii., it had previously appeared in Arnold's Heilsamer Rath und Unterricht für Kranke und Sterbende, 2nd edition, 1709. It is in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 603. Translated as :— God! whom I as love have known. A full and very good translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 236. Repeated, abridged, in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 53. A cento, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, taken from st. v., vi., iii., and beginning, "Let my soul beneath her load,” is No. 398, in the Unitarian Hymns of the Spirit, Boston, U. S. A., 1864. Another translation is: O God, Whose attributes shine forth in turn." By Miss Cox, 1864, p. 191. ii. Heine Armuth macht mich schreien. Supplication, or Longing for Christ. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 662, in 7 st. of 6 1. Repeated, 1718, as above, p. 381, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 769. Translated as:— Unto Him my spirit crieth . A good translation of st. i., ii., vi., by A. T. Russell, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. iii. Stilles Lamm und Friedefürst. Sanctification. A hymn on the Following of Christ the Lamb of God, and founded on Rev. xiv. 4. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch 1714, No. 432, in 8 st. of 5 1. Repeated in 1718, as above, p. 364, entitled. "On the name Agneta, which may be derived from Agnus, which in German is called a Lamb." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 922. Tr. as:— Thou Lamb of God, Thou Prince of Peace . A free tr., omitting st. iii., vii., by J. Wesley, in his Psalms & Hymns, Charlestown, 1736-7, p. 51, and Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739 (P. Works, 1868-72, i.,p. 129). Included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 329 (1875, No. 338), and recently in the Methodist New Congregational Hymn Book, 1863, Mercer's Church Psalter & Hymn Book, 1857 and 1864, Holy Song, 1869, the American Methodist Episcopal Hymn Book 1849, and others. Another tr. is: "Holy Lamb and Prince of Peace." By J. Gambold, as No. 38 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1742 (1886, No. 486). Eight others of his hymns have been tr. into English, viz:-- iv. Die sanfte Bewegung, die liebliche Kraft. Whitsuntide. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 454, in 9 st.; and in 1718 as above, p. 393, entitled, "Of the Joy in the Holy Ghost." Tr. as: "This Impulse so gentle, this Movement so sweet," as No. 551, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. v. Es glänzet der Christen inwendigem Leben. The Life of Faith. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 515, in 8 stanzas; and in 1718, as above, p. 398, entitled, "On the hidden life of believers." Repeated in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 410. It is Richter's finest hymn, and was (says Koch, viii. 249) a great favourite with Dr. F. Schleiermacher. It is founded on Col. iii. 3, 4, and gives a picture of what the inner life of a Christian should be: described from Richter's own experience. The trs. are: (1) "The Christian's Life inward displays its bright splendour." As No. 620, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. (2) "All fair within those children of the light." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 26. vi. Hüter! wird die Nacht der Sunden. Morning. A fine hymn, for use especially in Advent, and founded on Isaiah xxi. 11. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 599, in 9 st.: 1718, as above, p. 401, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 460. Tr. as: (1) "Watchman! is the Night retiring." By H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 45. (2) "O Watchman, will the night of sin." By Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 1. Repeated in Miss Warner's Hymns of the Church Militant , 1858, the Gilman-Schaff Library of Religious Poetry , 1881, &c. vii. Jesu, gib mir deine Fülle. Supplication. A prayer to Christ as the Great Physician. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 66, in 7 st., st. vii. being entitled "Answer." In 1718, as above, p. 406, entitled, "On Patience." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 289. Tr. as:— "Jesu grant Thou me Thy Fulness." In the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 47. viii. Jesus ist das schönste Licht. Love to Christ. On St. John xii. 36. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 349, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 379, entitled, "On Desire towards God and Christ." In the Berlin Geistlich Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 808. Tr. as:— "Jesus is my light most fair," as No. 630, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 (1886, No. 450). ix. Mein Salomo dein freundliches Regieren. Peace in Believing. A fine hymn, founded on St. John i. 14. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 512, in 11 st. In 1718, as above, p. 416; and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 424. Tr. as:— (1) "My Solomon! thy kind and gracious Sceptre," as No. 622, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. In 1789, altered to "Jesus, my King, Thy kind and gracious sceptre" (1886, No. 384). (2) "Jesus, my King! Thy mild and kind control." By Dr. Bomberger, in Schaff s Kirchenfreund , 1849, p.337. x. O Liebe die den Himmel hat zerissen. Christmas. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 34, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 414, entitled, "On the Incarnation of the Son of God." In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 52. Translated as:-- "Oh! love that did the heavens rend asunder." By Miss Manington, 1864, p. 35. xi. O wie selig sind die Seelen. Love to Christ. Founded on Hosea ii. 19, 20, and Eph. v. 25. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch., 1704, No. 512, in 10 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 396, entitled, "On the high dignity of believers." In Porst's Gesang-Buch, ed. 1855, No. 412. It was (says Koch, viii. 297) originated by a dream Richter had about 1700, that in the hospital at Halle he would find a truly Christ-like soul. After searching all the wards he found an old neglected patient in a garret, with whom he conversed, and whom he found to be the person he was seeking. Inspired by her relations of her inner experience, he embodied her thoughts in this fine hymn. Tr. as:— "O what joy for them is stored." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 68. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Caspar Lavater

1741 - 1801 Person Name: J. C. Lavater, geb. 1741 Hymnal Number: 642 Author of "An deiner Hand, an deiner Seite" in Die Psalmen Davids Lavater, Johann Caspar, son of Johann Heinrich Lavater, physician in Zürich, was born at Zürich, Nov. 15, 1741. He entered the Academic Gymnasium at Zürich in 1758, and in the end of 1759 began his studies in its theological department. After completing his course he was ordained in the spring of 1762, but did not undertake any regular clerical work till April 1769, when he was appointed diaconus of the Orphanage church at Zürich, where he became pastor in 1775. In July 1778 he was appointed diaconus of St. Peter's church, and in Dec. 1786 pastor there. When, during the Revolutionary period, the French laid the Swiss Cantons under contribution, and then in April 1799 deported ten of the principal citizens of Zürich, Lavater felt compelled to protest in the pulpit and in print. Consequently while on a visit to Baden, near Zürich, he was seized by French dragoons, May 14, 1799, and taken to Basel, but was allowed to return to Zürich, Aug. 16, 1799. When on Sept. 25, 1799, the French under Massena entered Zürich, Lavater was treacherously shot through the body by a French grenadier, who had just before thanked him for his charity, and from this wound he never entirely recovered. He resigned his charge in January 1800, and died at Zürich, Jan. 2, 1801. (Koch, vi. 499; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xvii. 783, &c.) Lavater was one of the most celebrated and influential literary characters of his time; a most popular and striking preacher; and a lovable, genuine, frank-hearted man, who was the object of an almost incredible veneration. His devotional writings (Aussichten in die Ewigkeit, 4 vols., Zürich,1768-78, &c), and his works on Physiognomy (Von der Physiognomik, Leipzig, 1772; Physiognomische Fragmente, 4 vols., Leipzig and Winterthur, 1775-78), were eagerly read and admired all over Europe, but were very soon forgotten. He was no theologian, and his warm heart and fertile imagination led him into many untenable positions. His works on Physiognomy are without order or philosophical principles of connection, and their permanent interest is mainly in the very numerous and often well-executed engravings. Of his poems the Schweizerlieder (Bern, 1767, 4th enlarged ed., 1775), are the utterances of a true patriot, and are the most natural and popular of his productions. His Epic poems ((1) Jesus Messias, oder die Zukunft des Herrn, N.D., Zürich, 1780, a poetical version of the Apocalypse; (2) Jesus Messias, oder die Evangelien und Apostelgeschichte in Gesängen, 4 vols., Winterthur, 1733-86. (3) Joseph von Arimathea, Hamburg, 1794) have little abiding value. As a hymn-writer Lavater was in his day most popular. His hymns are well adapted for private or family use. Many of them are simple, fresh, and popular in style, and evangelical, earnest and devout in substance. But for church use he is too verbose, prolix, and rhetorical. Of his hymns (some 700) a considerable number survive in German collections compiled before 1850, e.g. the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1840, has 13; the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1843 has 15; the Hamburg Gesang-Buch,1842, has 23,&c. But in the more recent collections almost all have disappeared, e.g., the new hymn-book for the Kingdom of Saxony, 1883, has not a single one. The most important appeared principally in the following works:—(1) Funfzig Christlicher Lieder, Zürich, 1771. (2) Lieder zum Gebrauche des Waysenhauses zu Zürich, Zürich, 1772. (3) Christliche Lieder der Vaterländischen Jugend, besonders auf der Landschaft, gewiedmet, Zürich, 1774. (4) Zweytes Funfzig Christlicher Lieder, Zürich, 1776. (5) Christliche Lieder . . . Zweytes Hundert, Zürich, 1780. (6) Sechszig Lieder nach dem Zürcherischen Catechismus, Zürich, 1780. [Nos.1-6 in the Royal Library, Berlin, and 3-6 in the British Museum] Those of his hymns which have passed into English include:— i. 0 du, der einst im Grabe lag. Sunday. In his Lieder, &c, 1772, No. 7, in 9 stanzas of 4 1., entitled "Sunday Hymn." Included in the Zürich Gesang-Buch, 1787 and 1853; Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, No. 6, &c. The translation in common use is :— 0 Thou, once laid within the grave. A good translation, omitting st. iii., vii., viii., by H. J. Buckoll, in his Hymns from the German, 1842, p. 9. Repeated, abridged, in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book 1848, and the Rugby SchoolHymn Book, 1850 and 1876. Another translation is: "0 Thou who in the grave once lay," by R. Massie, in the British Herald, June, 1865. ii. 0 Jesus Christus, wachs in mir. Sanctification. His finest hymn. Founded on St. John iii. 30. First published in his Christlcehe Lieder, 1780, No. 85, in 10 stanzas of 4 1., marked as "On New Year's Day, 1780," and with the motto "Christ must increase, but I must decrease." In Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1837, No. 1644. The translation in common use is:— 0 Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me. A good and full translation in theBritish Messenger for Nov. 1, 1860. In Schaff's Christ in Song, 1870, p. 108, it is marked as translated by Mrs. E. L. Smith, the statement that this was its first appearance being an error. If the translation is really by her, it must have appeared in some American publication prior to Nov. 1860. It has passed, in varying centos, into the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory, 1872, Supplement of 1874 to the New Congregational Hymn Book, and others: also in Hymns & Songs of Praise, N. Y., 1874, Christian Hymnal Adelaide, 1872, &c. iii. 0 süssesteir der Namen all. Name of Jesus, or, New Year. First published in his Sechszig Lieder, 1780, No. 25, in 4 stanzas of 7 1., as the second hymn on "Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Lord. Second article of the Christian Faith." It is appointed for the 16th Sunday, and for the 39th and 40th questions of the Zürich Catechism. In the Berg Mark Gesang-Buch, 1835, No. 319; and included in a number of the German Roman Catholic Hymn Books as those for St. Gall, 1863, Rottenburg, 1865, and others. The translation in common use is:— 0 Name, than every name more dear. A good translation of stanzas i., iii., iv., by A. T. Russell, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851, No. 68. Repeated in Maurice's Choral Hymn Book, 1861, Methodist New Connexion Hymn Book, 1863, New Zealand Hymnal, 1872, &c. iv. Vereinigt zum Gebete war. Whitsuntide. First published in his Christliche Lieder, 1774, No. 23, in 15 stanzas of 4 lines. The form translation into English is that in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, No. 225, which begins, "O Geist des Herrn! nur deine Kraft," and consists of stanza x. lines 3, 4; xi. lines 1, 2; xii.-xv. The translation is:— 0 Holy Ghost! Thy heavenly dew. A good translation from Bunsen, by Miss Cox, in her Sacred Hymns from the German, 1841, p. 43, and the Gilman-Schaff Library of Religious Poetry, ed. 1883, p. 814. Slightly altered in Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 386, and thence in Alford's Year of Praise, 1867. Again slightly altered in Miss Cox's Hymns from the German, 1864, p. 67, and thence in J. L. Porter's Collection, 1876. Another translation is: "Blest Spirit, by whose heavenly dew," by Lady E. Fortescue, 1843, p. 10. The following are not in English common use:— v. Ach! nach deiner Gnade schmachtet. Cross and Consolation. Zweytes Funfzig, 1116, No. 5, in 8 stanzas, entitled "The Conflict of Prayer in hours of darkness." The translations are: (1) "As the hart for water panteth, So my soul," by R. Massie, in the British Herald, March 1865, p. 40. (2) "Lord for Thee my soul is thirsting," by R. Massie, in theDay of Rest, 1877, vol. vii. p. 58. vi. Auf dich, mein Vater, will ich trauen. Cross and Consolation. Christliche Lieder, 1774, No. 4, in 8 stanzas, entitled "Encouragement to trust upon God." The translations are (1) "On Thee will I depend, my Father," by R. Massie, in the British Herald, May, 1865, p. 66. (2) "On Thee I build, 0 heavenly Father," by R. Massie, in the Day of Rest, 1878, vol. viii. p. 378. vii, Von dir, o Vater, nimmt mein Herr. Cross and Consolation. Funfzig Christlicher Lieder, 1771, No. 33, in 15 stanzas, entitled "Encouragement to Patience." Translated as, "Father! from Thee my grateful heart," by Miss Knight, in her Translations from the German in Prose and Verse, 1812, p. 89. Besides the above a considerable number of pieces by Lavater have been translated by Miss Henrietta J. Fry, in herPastor's Legacy, 1842 (which consists entirely of translations from Lavater); in her Hymns of the Reformation, 1845; and in her Echoes of Eternity, 1859. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Heinrich Held

1620 - 1659 Person Name: H. Held, geb. 1643 Hymnal Number: 90 Author of "Gott sei Dank durch alle Welt" in Die Psalmen Davids Held, Heinrich, was son of Valentin Held of Guhrau, Silesia. He studied at the Universities of Königsberg (c. 1637-40), Frankfurt a. Oder (1643), and Leyden. He was also in residence at Rostock in 1647. He became a licentiate of law, and settled as a lawyer in his native place, where he died about 1659, or at least before Michaelmas, 1661 (Koch, iii. 55-56; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie., xi. 680; Bode, p. 87, &c). One of the best Silesian hymnwriters, he was taught in the school of affliction, having many trials to suffer in those times of war. His only extant poetical work is his Deutscher Gedichte Vortrab, Frankfurt a. Oder, 1643. Only one hymn from that volume came into German use. Much more important are his other hymns, which are known to us through Crüger's Praxis, and other hymnbooks of the period. Mützell, 1858, includes Nos. 254-272 under his name. Two of his hymns have been translated into English:— i. Gott sei Dank durch alle Welt. Advent. Mützell, 1858, No. 263, quotes this in 9 st. of 4 1. from a defective ed. of Crüger's Praxis, c. 1659. In the ed. of 1661 it is No. 85, marked Henr. Helt. Since then it has appeared in almost all German hymnbooks (as in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 132), and takes rank as one of the finest Advent Hymns. Translated as :— 1. All the World exalt the Lord, omitting st. vi. in Select Hymns from German Psalter, Tranquebar, 1754, p. 4, and the Supplement to German Psalter, ed. 1765, p. 1. In 1789, the translations of st. i., ii., iv., vii., ix. (altered) were included as No. 34 in the Moravian Hymn Book In the ed. of 1801 it was altered to "All the world give praises due" (ed. 1886, No. 44), and this text has been repeated in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, and Willing's Book of Common Praise, 1872. 2. Be our God with thanks adored. A translation of st. i.-iv. by A. T. Russell in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 3. Let the earth now praise the Lord. A good translation, omitting st. vii., by Miss Winkworth in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Repeated in full in Schaff's Christ in Song, 1869, and, abridged, in the American Pennsylvania Lutheran Ch. Book, 1868, and Baptist Service of Song, 1871. ii. Komm, o Komm, du Geist des Lebens. Whitsuntide. A fine hymn of Invocation to the Holy Spirit. Mützell, 1858, No. 267, quotes it in 9 st. of 6 1. from a defective edition of Crüger's Praxis published at Stettin c. 1664. In J. Niedling's Geistliche Wasserquelle, Frankfurt a. Oder, 1667, it is at p. 372 marked "H. Held" (not in Niedling's ed. 1663). In Luppius's Andächtig singender Christen Mund, 1692, p. 71, it is entitled "Devout Prayer and Hymn to God the Holy Ghost." Repeated in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, and many subsequent hymnbooks, as in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 363. It is sometimes erroneously ascribed to Joachim Neander. The translations in common use are:— 1. Holy Spirit, once again. A full and good translation by Miss Winkworth in the 2nd Ser., 1858, of her Lyra Germanica, p. 53. Included in full in the Cantate Domino, Boston, U.S.A., 1859. In Miss Wink worth's Chorale Book for England, 1863, st. ii., vi., vii. are omitted. This form of the text is repeated in W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for Church & Home, 1873, Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872, &c. In the Hymnal for St. John's, Aberdeen, 1865, it begins "Holy Spirit, in us reign." 2. Come, oh come, Thou quickening Spirit, True, &c. A translation of st. i., ii., iv., vii., ix. in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, No. 98, signed E. T. L. 3. Come, 0 come, Thou quickening Spirit, Thou for ever. A good tr., omitting st. iv.-vi. in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868, and marked as tr. by "Charles William Schaeffer, 1866." [Lutheran Pastor at Germantown.] 4. Come, 0 come, Thou quickening Spirit, God from all eternity, omitting st. iii., by E. Cronenwett, in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Another translation is, "Come, Thou Spirit ever living," by R. Massie in the British Herald, Dec, 1865, p. 179. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ======================= Held, Heinrich , p. 507, ii. The account given in the Fischer-Tumpel Deutsche evangelische Kirchenlied des siebzehnten Jahrhun-derts , vol. i., 1904, p. 360, states that Held was born July 21, 1620, at Guhrau, in Silesia, settled as advocate at Fraustadt in Posen, became in 1657 town clerk at Altdamm, near Stettin, and died Aug. 16, 1659, at Stettin. This, if correct, explains why so many of his hymns are first traceable in Pomeranian books, and explains why his posthumous work on Prosody should have been prepared for publication in 1661 by a Stargard bookseller. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Valentin Thilo

1607 - 1662 Person Name: V. Thilo, der Jungere, geb. 1607 Hymnal Number: 85 Author of "Mit Ernst, ihr Menschenkinder" in Die Psalmen Davids Thilo, Valentin, son of Valentin Thiel or Thilo [born Jan. 2, 1579, at Zinten, became diaconus of the Altstadt Church in 1603, and died of the pestilence at Königsberg in 1620], diaconus of the Altstadt Church in Königsberg, was born at Königsberg, April 19, 1607. He matriculated in 1624 at the University of Königsberg as a student of theology, but devoted himself more especially to the study of rhetoric. When the Professor of Rhetoric, Samuel Fuchs, retired in 1632, he recommended Thilo as his successor. The post was, at Thilo's desire, kept open for two years, during which he pursued his studies at the University of Leyden. On returning to Königsberg, he graduated M.A. there on April 20, 1634, and was thereafter installed as Professor of Rhetoric. During his 28 years’ tenure of office he was five times elected as dean of the Philosophical Faculty, and twice as Rector of the University. He died at Königsberg, July 27,1662. (Koch, iii 202; K. Goedeke's Grundriss, vol. iii., 1887, p. 135, &c.) Thilo was a great friend of Heinrich Albert and of Simon Dach, and was with them a member of the Königsberg Poetical Union. He was the author of two text books on Rhetoric, published in 1635 and 1647. Some of his separately printed occasional poems are noted by Goedeke as above. His hymns were almost all written for various Festivals of the Christian Year. They are as a rule short and vigorous, and are somewhat akin to those of Dach. They appeared principally in the Preussische Fest-Lieder, Elbing, 1642-44 [Berlin Library], and in the New Preussisches vollständiges Gesang-Buch, Königsberg, 1650 [Hamburg Library]. A list of their first lines is printed in the Altpreussische Monats-schrift, Königsberg, 1889, p. 308, where evidence is given to show that they are by the younger Thilo, and not, as has sometimes been said, by the father. The only hymn by Thilo translated into English is:— Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder. Advent. This is a fine hymn founded on St. Luke iii. 4, 5, and was first published in pt. i., Elbing, 1642, of the Preussische Fest-Lieder, as No. 8, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "On the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Parate viam Domino," and marked as by "Valentinus Thilo." Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 8, considers st. iii. the finest, and thinks that it may have been suggested by the remembrance of his beloved sister (wife of Pastor Kuhn, of the Rossgart Church in Königsberg), who died of the pestilence on Aug. 16, 1639, and as a picture of her character. Translated as:— 1. 0 sons of men, your spirit. This is a good translation of st. i.-iii., by A. T. Russell, as No. 35 in his Psalms & Hymns 1851. 2. Ye sons of men, in earnest. This is a good translation of the original form, by Miss Winkworth, as No. 84 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. It is repeated, omitting st. iii., in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal 1880, No. 121. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Nicolaus Decius

1485 - 1541 Person Name: N. Decius Hymnal Number: 89 Translator of "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr'" in Die Psalmen Davids Decius, Nicolaus (Nicolaus a Curia or von Hofe, otherwise Hovesch, seems to have been a native of Hof, in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, and to have been originally called Tech. He became a monk, and was in 1519 Probst of the cloister at Steterburg, near Wolfenbüttel. Becoming favourable to the opinions of Luther, he left Steterburg in July, 1522, and went to Brunswick, where he was appointed a master in the St. Katherine and Egidien School. In 1523 he was invited by the burgesses of Stettin to labour there as an Evangelical preacher along with Paulus von Rhode. He became preacher at the Church of St. Nicholas; was probably instituted by the Town Council in 1526, when von Rhode was instituted to St. Jacob's; and at the visitation in 1535 was recognized as pastor of St. Nicholas'. He died suddenly at Stettin, March 21, 1541, with some suspicion of being poisoned by his enemies of the Roman Catholic faction (Koch, i. 419-421, 471, 472; ii. 483; Allg. Deutsche Biography, iii. 791-793).He seems to have been a popular preacher and a good musician. Three hymns are ascribed to him. These are versions of the “Sanctus," the "Gloria in excelsis," and the "Agnus Dei." The second and third are noted under these Latin first lines. He is also said to have composed or adapted the melodies set to them. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Ludwig Scheidt

1709 - 1761 Person Name: Dr. C. L. Scheitt, geb. 1709 Hymnal Number: 260 Author of "Aus Gnaden soll ich selig werden" in Die Psalmen Davids Christian Ludwig Scheidt, b. 1709, Waldenburg; d. 1761, Hanover, hofrat and librarian at Hanover

Ludwig Andreas Gotter

1661 - 1735 Person Name: L. A. Gotter, geb. 1661 Hymnal Number: 63 Author of "Ach, mein Jesu, welch' Verderben " in Die Psalmen Davids Gotter, Ludwig Andreas, son of Johann Christian Gotter, Court preacher and Superintendent at Gotha, was born at Gotha, May 26, 1661. He was at first privy secretary and then Hofrath at Gotha, where he died Sept. 19, 1735. He was a pious, spiritually-minded man, with tendencies towards Pietism; and one of the best hymnwriters of the period. Of his printed hymns the earliest appeared in the Geistliches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1697. Of the 23 included in Freylinghausen's Geistleiches Gesang-Buch, 1704, and Neues, 1714, seven have been translated into English, besides his version of J. W. Petersen's "Salve, crux beata, salve (q. v.). J. C. Wetzel, who had become acquainted with him during a visit Gotter made to Römhild in 1733, mentions a complete version of the Psalter (now in manuscript in the Ducal Library at Wernigerode) by him, and quotes from his manuscript the first lines of 42 hymns still unprinted (Wetzel's Analecta Hymnica, ii. 22-30; Koch, iv. 400-402; Allegemeine Deutsche Biographie, ix. 456). Of his hymns those translated into English are:— i. In English common use:— i. Erquicke mich, du Heil der Sunder. [The Great Physician.] On the Gospel for the third Sunday in Advent (St. Matt, xi.), turning it into a prayer for cures of our moral nature similar to the miracles of physical healing there recorded. In Freylinghausen, 1714, No. 771, in 10 st. of 6 1., and in Knapp's Evangelisches Lieder-Schatz, 1837, No. 196. The only translation in common use is:— Saviour of sinners, now revive us, of st. i., ii., v., x., by Miss Borthwick, as No. 236, in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864. ii. Treuer Vater, deine Liebe. [True and False Christianity.] 1697, as above, p. 608, in 23 st. of 6 1., repeated in Freylinghausen, 1704; and in Porst's Gesang-Buch, 1713 (1855, No. 324). The only translation in common use is:— Father, Thine eternal kindness, omitting st. x, in J. C. Jacobi's Psalmodia Germanica, 1720, p. 3. Considerably altered in his edition, 1722, p. 50, and 1732, p. 78; and from this 8 st. were included as No. 542 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. The translations of st. xii., xiii., altered from the 1732, and beginning, "Has temptation well nigh won me," were included in the Scottish Evangelical Union Hymn Book, 1856, and in Dr. J. Paterson's Collection, Glasgow, 1867. iii. Womit soil ioh dich wohl loben. [Praise and Thanksgiving.] A beautiful hymn of Thanksgiving (founded on Ps. xci.) for the wonderful ways by which God in His love and goodness has led us, and of trust in the continuance of His love to the end. 1697, as above, p. 577, in 14 st. of 6 l., and the refrain (altered from Hornburg's "Jesus, meines Lebens Leben.") "Tausend, tausend Mai sei dir, Grosser König, Dank dafür." Repeated in Freylinghausen, 1704, and as No. 1033, in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863. Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 348-9, relates that st. iv. was adopted as a thanksgiving by the German Missionaries in Abyssinia on their deliverance by the capture of Magdala in 1868, and st. xi., by C. H. Bogatzky, after a narrow escape on one of his journeys in Bohemia; and adds that as the hymn, with its Swabian melody, was a great favourite of the poet Uhland, it was accordingly played by the trumpeters from the tower of St. George's Church, on July 14,1873, at the ceremony of the unveiling of the statue erected to his memory in Tübingen. The only translation in common use is :— Lord of Hosts! how shall I render. A good and full translation in Dr. J. Guthrie's Sacred Lyrics, 1869, p. 131; and from this st. i., ii., ix., xiii., xiv., were included as No. 50 in the Ibrox Hymnal, 1871. Another translation is, "With what fervour of devotion," by J. C. Jacobi, 1732, p. 157. ii. Hymns not in English common use:— iv. Herr Jesu, Gnadensonne. [Sanctification.] Perhaps his finest hymn. 1697, as above, p. 525, in 8 st. The translations are: (1) "Lord Jesus! Sun of graces," In the Supplement to German Psalter, edition 1765, p. 43. (2) “O shed abroad, Lord Jesus," a translation of st. vi., as No. 1086, in the Supplement of 1808 to the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801. v. 0 Jesu meine Zurersicht. [Lent.] 1714, as above, No. 772, in 14 st. Translated by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 213, beginning with st. vii. vi. Sei hochgelobt, barmherz'ger Gott. [Praise for Redemption.] On Eph. i. 3. first in the Geistleiches Gesang-Buch, Darmstadt, 1698, p. 485, in 16 st. Translated as, "High praise to Thee, all-gracious God," by J. Wesley, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740 (P. Works, 1868-72, v. i. p. 339). vii. Wachet auf, ihr faulen Christen. [Spiritual Watchfulness.] On St. Matt. xxvi. 41. 1697, as above, p. 425, in 7 st., each beginning and ending with the word, "Wachet." Translated as, "Arise! ye lingering saints, arise!" by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther 1854. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)