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Max von Schenkendorf

1783 - 1817 Hymnal Number: d39 Author of "Brich an du schoenes Morgenlicht" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche

1496 - 1575 Hymnal Number: d173 Author of "In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche Reissner, Adam, was born in 1496 at Mündelsheim (now Mündelheim) in Swabian Bavaria. He first studied at Wittenberg, and then, about 1521, he learned Hebrew and Greek under Johann Keuchlin. He then became private secretary to Georg von Freundsberg (who died Aug. 20, 1528), and accompanied him during the campaign in Italy, 1530-27. After the capture of Rome in 1527 he went back to Germany, and spent some time at Strassburg, where he became a friend and adherent of Caspar Schwenkfeldt. He seems to have been living at Frankfurt-am-Main in 1563, but thereafter returned to Mündelheim, where he was still living in 1572. He appears to have died there about 1575. (Koch, ii. 156; Preface to his Historia Herrn Georgen unnd Herrn Casparn von Fründsberg’s [died Aug. 31, 1536] Vatters und Sons .... Kriegesthaten, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1568. The British Museum copy is unmistakably dated on title 1568, but the preface is dated Jan. 31, 1572.) Three of Reissner's earlier hymns are in Zwick's Gesang-Buch, 1536-40. His later hymns, including a translation of the hymns of Prudentius, are collected in two manuscripts, both dated 1596 (see Teglichs Gesangbuch . . . durch Adam Reusner, and contains over 40 hymns which may be regarded as by Reissner, the rest being by other writers of the school of Schwenckfeldt. Wackernagel, vol. iii., gives Nos. 170-194 under his name. The only hymn by Reissner translated into English is:— In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr. Ps. xxxi. First published in the Form und ordnung Gaystlicher Gesang und Psalmen, Augsburg, 1533, and thence in Wackernagel, iii. p. 133, in 7 stanzas of 6 lines. It was included in V. Babst's Gesang-Buch , 1545, and repeated in almost all the German hymnbooks up to the period of Rationalism. It is one of the best Psalm-versions of the Reformation period. Included in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 629. The translation in common use is:-- In Thee, Lord, have I put my trust. A good translation, omitting st. vii., by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 120. Other translations are:— (1) "Lord, let me never be confoundit." In the Gude and Godly Ballates, ed. 1568, f. 82; ed. 1868, p. 141. (2) "Great God! in Thee I put my Trust." By J. C. Jacobi, 1725, p. 33 (1732, p. 116). Repeated in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754, pt. i., No. 118. (3) "Lord, I have trusted in Thy name." By Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 171. (4) "On Thee, O Lord, my hopes I lean." By N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 263. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Bartholomaüs Ringwaldt

1532 - 1599 Person Name: Bartholomaeus Ringwald Hymnal Number: d122 Author of "Herr Jesu Christ, du hoechstes Gut, du [Brunn] quell" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche 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)

Cyriacus Günther

1650 - 1704 Person Name: Cyriakus Guenther Hymnal Number: d110 Author of "Halt im Ged'chtniss Jesum Christ" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche Günther, Cyriacus, was born Jan. 15, 1649, at Goldbach, near Gotha. After study¬ing at the Gymnasium of Gotha, and the University of Jena, he became First-form master at Eisfeld, Sachse-Meiningen; and then Third-form master in the Gymnasium at Gotha. He died at Gotha in the beginning of Oct. 1704 (Koch, iv. 263-9; Bode, p. 81). His son, who was clerk of St. George's Church at Glaucha, possessed a manuscript collection of some 30 hymns by his father; and from this he allowed Freylinghausen to select 10 for his Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714. These are above the average in merit, and Scriptural and good in style. Two have passed into English:— i. Bringt her dem Herren Lob und Ehr. Praise and Thanksgiving. 1714, No. 556, in 7 stanzas of 7 lines, repeated as No. 993 in the Berlin Geistlicher Lieder-Schatz, ed. 1863. The only translation in common use is:— With joyful heart your praises bring, a good translation of stanzaas i., iv.-vi., by A. T. Russell, as No. 202 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. ii. Halt im Gedächtniss Jesum Christ. Love to Christ. Founded on 2 Tim. iii. 8. 1714, No. 765, in 6 stanzas of 7 lines, repeated as No. 297 in the Berlin Geistlicher Lieder-Schatz, ed. 1863. On thankful remembrance of Christ's Incarnation (i.); Death (ii.); Resurrection (iii.); Ascension (iv.); Promised Second Advent (v.); ending with a prayer for faith (vi.). The only translation in common use is:— 0 keep before thy thankful eyes. A good and full tr. by A. T. Russell, as No. 182 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. Other trs. are: (i) "Remember Jesus, God's dear Son," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 125). (2) "Bear Jesus Christ the Lord in mind," by Miss Cox, in Lyra Eucharistica, 1863, p. 215 (1804, p. 259), and in her Hymns from German, 1864, p. ill. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Gottlieb Konrad Pfeffel

1736 - 1809 Person Name: G. K. Pfeffel Hymnal Number: d109 Author of "Hallelujah, sie hat geschlagen" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche

Christoph Wegleiter

1659 - 1706 Hymnal Number: d34 Author of "Beschwertes Herz, leg' ab die Sorgen" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche Wegleiter, Christoph, son of Leonhardt Wegleiter, bookkeeper at Nürnberg, was born at Nürnberg, April 22, 1659. In 1676 he matriculated at the University of Altdorf, and so distinguished himself by his poetic gifts that he was, in 1679, received by S. von Birken as a member of the Pegnitz Shepherd and Flower order, and in 1680 was at once capped M.A. and laureated as a poet. After studying at other German universities, and making a lengthened tour (1685-88) in Germany, Holland, and England, he was appointed, in 1688, Professor of Theology at the University of Altdorf, and also diaconus of the Town Church there; receiving from the University the degree of D.D. in 1697. He died at Altdorf Aug. 16(13?), 1706 (Koch, iii., 502 ; Blätter für Hymnologie, 1885, p. 178 ; 1886, p. 157; 1887, pp. 30, 31; Will's Nürnbergisches Gelehrten Lexicon, pt. iv. p. 187, &c). Wegleiter was a successful professor, and an edifying preacher of the school of Spener and Francke. His hymns, some 25 in all, are thoughtful, original, and devout, but somewhat artificial in style. Six were contributed to the 2nd edition, 1691, of the Peguitz Society's Poetischer Andachtsklang, and the rest appeared in various hymnbooks of the period. The only hymn by Wegleiter which has passed into English is:— Beschwertes Herz, leg ab die Sorgen. Sunday Morning. First published in the Geistliche Hertzens-Music, Schleusingen, 1701, No. 497, in 8 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "Sunday Hymn," and marked as by "D. Christ. Wegleiter." Included in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen , 1851. Sometimes erroneously ascribed to B. W. Marperger. Translated as:— Encumber'd heart! lay by thy sorrow. This is a good translation, omitting stanzas vi., vii., by Miss Cox, in her Sacred Hymns from German, 1841, p. 59. Her translations of stanzas iii., iv., 1l.1-4; viii., 11. 1-4, beginning, "My God, I now appear before Thee," are included in the Hedge & Huntington Hymns for the Church of Christ, Boston, U.S., 1853, No. 9. Other translations are:— (1) “O'erburden'd Heart, thy Labour banish," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. lines (2) "Now weary heart! thy cares dismiss," by Lady E. Fortescue, 1843, p. 15. (3) "Now, heavy heart, away with sorrow," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 147. (4) "My burdened heart, throw off thy cares," by Dr. J. Guthrie, 1869, p. 114. (5) "O burden'd heart, cast off thy sorrow." This is No. 1012 in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Paulus Speratus

1484 - 1554 Person Name: Paul Speratus Hymnal Number: d74 Author of "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche Speratus, Paulus, D.D., was born in Swabia, Dec. 13, 1484. In a poem, written circa 1516, on Dr. J. Eck, he calls himself Elephangius, i.e. of Ellwangen; and in his correspondence, preserved at Königsberg, he often styles himself "a Rutilis" or "von Rötlen." These facts would seem to indicate that he was born at the castle of Röthlen, near Ellwangen. This property belonged to the Probst of the ecclesiastical corporation at Ellwangen, and Speratus's father was probably their bailiff or agent. The family name seems to have been Hoffer or Offer, and to have been in later years, following a practice common in the 16th cent., Latinized by himself into Speratus. He is probably the "Paul Offer de Ellwangen," who matri¬culated at the University of Freiburg (Baden) in l503. He is also said to have studied at Paris, and at some of the Italian universities. In 1518 we find him settled as a preacher at Dinkelsbühl, in Bavaria. In the end of that year he was invited to become preacher in the cathedral at Würzburg. He went to Würzburg in Feb. 1519, but his preaching was much too evangelical for the new bishop, and he had to leave, apparently in the beginning of 1520. Proceeding to Salzburg he preached for sometime in the cathedral, until the archbishop there also would not tolerate his pronounced opinions. He left Salzburg in the autumn of 1520, and went to Vienna, where he appears to have graduated D.D. at the University. He was already married (probably as early as 1519), and was one of the first priests who had dared to take this step. After a violent sermon against marriage, delivered by a monk in St. Peter's church, at Vienna, the governor of Lower Austria (Count Leonhard von Zech) asked Speratus to make a reply. With the consent of the bishop he did so, and preached, on Jan. 12, 1522, a sermon in the cathedral (St. Stephen's), founded on the Epistle for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany, in which he expressed his opinions very freely regarding the monastic life and enforced celibacy, and also clearly set forth the doctrine of Justification by Faith. This sermon (published at Königsberg in 1524) made a great impression, and was condemned by the Theological Faculty at Vienna, who also prevented Speratus from accepting an invitation to become preacher at Ofen, near Vienna. On his way from Vienna to the north he stayed at Iglau in Moravia, where the abbot of the Dominican monastery appointed him as preacher. Here the people became greatly enamoured of him and of the Reformation doctrines,and stood firmly by him, notwithstanding the remonstrances and threats of the king, and of the bishop of Olmütz. In the summer of 1523 king Ludwig came to Olmütz and summoned Speratus to him. Without even the form of a trial he put him in prison, but after three months he released him, probably through the influence of his queen (Maria of Hungary), and of his cousin, the Margrave Albrecht of Brandenburg, but on the condition of his leaving Iglau and Moravia. In the end of 1523 Speratus came to Wittenberg, where he worked with Luther, and assisted him in the preparation of the first Lutheran hymn book (the Etlich cristlich lider. It contained 4 German hymns by Luther, 3 by Speratus, and 1 anonymous German hymn). Luther then recommended him to the Margrave Albrecht, and about May 1524 the Margrave appointed him as court preacher at Königsberg. Here he had also charge of the Altstadt church till Graumann came into residence, in Oct. 1525. He seems to have had the principal share in drawing up the Liturgy and Canons (Kirchenordnung or "Book of Church Order") for the Prussian church, which was presented to the Diet in December 1525, and printed in 1526. On March 31, 1526, he was chosen as the clerical commissioner to visit the parishes of Prussia and see that the new arrangements were carried out; and in the end of 1529 he was appointed Lutheran bishop of Pomesania, with his residence at Marienwerder. Here he remained until his death on Aug. 12, 1551. Speratus was the author of various works, hut was best known as the Reformer of Prussia. Feeling that for the working of ordinary parishes it was necessary to have pastors who had been brought up in Prussia, and could preach, if need be, in Polish or Lettish, he gladly welcomed the foundation at Königsberg (1544) of the first Prussian university. Among other important events affecting his administration may be mentioned the Visitations of 1528, of 1538, and especially that which lasted from Dec. 15, 1542, to the middle of February 1543; the Synods of 1529 (the Synodical Constitutions were pub. in 1530), of 1530, and of 1531; the new Kirchenordnung of 1544; and the welcome he extended, in 1548, to the exiled Bohemian Brethren who settled iu Prussia. As a hymn writer Speratus is principally known by the three hymns published in the Etlich cristlich lider, 1524. He also published (no place or date but Königsberg, 1527), in 1527, a version of Ps. xxvii., beginning, " Erzurn dich nicht, sei nicht neidisch;" and a Hymn of Thanksgiving, to be used after the sermon, beginning, "Gelobet sei Gott, unser Gott." These five are all that can be confidently ascribed to him. Of the five hymns mentioned above two have passed into English, viz.:— i. Es ist das Heil uns kommen her. Law and Gospel. This, his most famous hymn, is founded on Rom. iii. 28. It was probably written in the autumn of 1523, either during his imprisonment at Olmütz, or else during his stay at Wittenberg. Included as one of the 8 hymns in the Etlich cristlich lider1524, dated 1523, and entitled, “A hymn of Law and Faith, powerfully furnished with God's Word. Doctor Paul Speratus." Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 236, calls it "the true confessional hymn of the Reformation, or, as Albert Knapp puts it, 'the poetical counterpart of Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans.'" He relates many instances of the effects it produced. It is a Scriptural ballad, setting forth, in what was, for the time, excellent verse, the characteristic teachings of the German Reformers; and is indeed of considerable historical importance. But for present day use it is too long, somewhat harsh in style, and too much a compend of doctrinal theology. The only version we have found in English common use is:— To us salvation now is come. In full by Dr. H. Mills, in his Horae Germanicae, 1845, p. 44. Other translations are:— (1) "Now is our health come from above." By Bishop Coverdale, 1539 (Remains. (2) "Our whole Salvation doth depend." By J. C. Jacobi, 1725, p. 23. (3) "Now comes salvation from above." By Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 79. (4) "Salva¬tion hath come down to us." By Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 123. ii. In Gott gelaub ich, dass er hat aus nich.The Apostles' Creed. This is a free version, in 9 stanzas of 19 lines. First published in the Etlich cristlich lider, 1524. It was included in V. Babst's Gesang-Buch, 1545, and many others, but on account of its length and its unusual metre it has not found a place in recent hymnals. It is translated as "In God I trust, for so I must." By Bishop Coverdale, 1539. (Remain, 1846, p. 547.) [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Friedrich Rückert

1788 - 1866 Person Name: Friedrich Rueckert Hymnal Number: d48 Author of "Dein Koenig kommt in niedern Huellen, Ihn tr'gt" in Gesangbuch der evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Markus Kirche Rückert, Friedrieh, son of Johann Michael Rückert, advocate at Schweinfurt, in Bavaria, was born at Schweinfurt, May 16, 1788. He matriculated at the University of Würzburg Nov. 9, 1805 (where he became a great friend of Baron von Stockmar of Coburg), and finished his course there in the spring of 1809. He graduated PH. D. at Göttingen in 1810, and on March 30, 1811, began to lecture at Jena as a privatdocent in philology, but left April 16, 1812. On Nov. 2, 1812, he was appointed Professor of the Gymnasium at Hanau, but resigned before entering on his duties, and left Hanau Jan. 21, 1813. He was then for some time living at Würzburg as a man of letters, thereafter at Bettenburg near Hassfurt, &c. In Dec. 1815 he began work at Stuttgart as joint editor of the Morgenblatt, retiring from it Jan. 6, 1817. For some time he travelled in Italy, &c, and then in the end of 1820 settled at Coburg as a man of letters. On his appointment as Professor of Oriental Languages at Erlangen he went there in Nov. 1826; and then, in 1841, was appointed Professor of Oriental Languages at Berlin. During the Revolutionary period of March, 1848, he left Berlin and never returned, but received a pension in 1849. He retired to his estate of Neusess, near Coburg, and resided there till his death on Jan. 31, 1866… Rückert was one of the greatest Lyric writers, and one of the most thoughtful and earnest poets that Germany has produced. From the time that, unable to take part in the wars against Napoleon, he issued his Deutsche Gedichte (at Heidelberg) in 1814, containing his famous "Geharnischte Sonnette," he published himself or contributed to the publications of others, a most voluminous mass of poetry original and translated; a complete edition of his poems appearing finally at Frankfurt am Main, 1868-69, in 12 vols. as his Gesammelte poetische Werke. A considerable proportion of his poems are translations and adaptations from the Persian, Arabic, Sanscrit and Chinese. Throughout his poems he preserves a high level of purity of thought and expression; and displays a wonderful mastery of form and power of handling the German language. He was of deeply religious spirit, and wrote various epic poems on Biblical history, e.g. Leben Jesu, 1839; Saul und David, 1843; and Herodes der Grosse, 1844. He can hardly however be called a hymn-writer; the second of the poems noted below being almost the only piece by him which has passed into the German hymnbooks. A large number of his poems have been translated into English by Archbishop Trench, Dr. John Hunt, Dr. N. L. Frothingham, Dr. C. T. Brooks, and various others. Of Rückert's pieces we need here only note four, namely:— i. Das Parodies muss schöner sein. Eternal Life. First published as one of his Neue östliche Rosen in the Aglaja for 1823. Included in his Gesammelte Gedichte, Erlangen, 1834, vol. i. p. 83, in 14 stanzas, entitled "Paradise." The translations are (1) "Oh! Paradise must show more fair," by Abp. Trench, in his Poems from Eastern Sources, 1842, p. 199. (2) "Oh, Paradise must fairer be." Given, without name of translator, in Dr. H. Bonar's New Jerusalem, 1852, p. 84, and in Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1869, p. 657. ii. Dein Konig kommt in niedern Hüllen. Advent. This seems first to have appeared in his Gesammelte Gedicht, Erlangen, 1834, vol. i. p. 95, in 6 stanzas of 6 lines. It is based on St. Matt, xxi. 1-11, the Gospel for the 1st Sunday in Advent. It is included in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1545, and in various other recent German hymnbooks. The translations are: (1) "He comes, no royal vesture wearing." By T. C. Porter. Written April 5, 1868, for Hours at Home, N. Y., June, 18C8. (2) "In lowly guise thy King appeareth." By Dr. J. Troutbeck, as Schumann's Advent Hymn, Novello, N. D., 1876. iii. Er ist in Bethlehem geboren. Bethlehem and Calvary. First published as No. 5 of a series of "Hymns for Festivals by Friedrich Rückert," in the Taschenbuch zum geselligen Vergnügen auf das Jahr 1824, Leipzig, 1824, p. 276, in 10 st. of 8 1. The translations are:-- (1) "In Bethlehem He first arose." By N. L. Frothingham, 1855, p. 168. (2) "In Bethlehem the Lord was born." By Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 338. (3) "In Bethlehem, the Lord of glory." By T. C. Porter for Hours at Home, N. Y., March, 1868. iv. Um Mitternacht hab ich gewacht. Midnight. The trs. are (1) "At still midnight I raise my sight." By N. L. Frothingham, 1855, p. 175. (2) "At dead of night Sleep took her flight." By Miss Winkworth, in Lyra Mystica, 1865, p. 266, and repeated in her Christian Singer, 1869, p. 337. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --edited from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)