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Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

1715 - 1769 Person Name: Christian Fuerchtegott Gellert Hymnal Number: 33 Author of "Gott ist mein Lied" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott, son of Christian Gellert, pastor at Hainichen in the Saxon Harz, near Freiberg, was born at Hainichen, July 4, 1715. In 1734 he entered the University of Leipzig as a student of theology, and after completing his course acted for some time as assistant to his father. But then, as now, sermons preached from manuscript were not tolerated in the Lutheran Church, and as his memory was treacherous, he found himself compelled to try some other profession. In 1739 he became domestic tutor to the sons of Herr von Lüttichau, near Dresden, and in 1741 returned to Leipzig to superintend the studies of a nephew at the University. He also resumed his own studies. He graduated M.A. 1744; became in 1745 private tutor or lecturer in the philosophical faculty; and was in 1751 appointed extraordinary professor of philosophy, lecturing on poetry and rhetoric, and then on moral philosophy. An ordinary professorship offered to him in 1761 he refused, as he did not feel strong enough to fulfil its duties, having been delicate from a child, and after 1752 suffering very greatly from hypochondria. He died at Leipzig, Dec. 13, 1769 (Koch, vi. 263-277; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, viii. 544-549, &c). As a professor, Gellert was most popular, numbering Goethe and Lessing among his pupils, and won from his students extraordinary reverence and affection, due partly to the warm interest he took in their personal conduct and welfare. In his early life he was one of the contributors to the Bremer Beiträge; and was one of the leaders in the revolt against the domination of Gottsched and the writers of the French school. His Fables (1st Ser. 1746; 2nd 1748), by their charm of style, spirit, humour and point, may justly be characterised as epoch-making, won for him universal esteem and influence among his contemporaries of all classes, and still rank among the classics of German literature. As a hymnwriter he also marks an epoch; and while in the revival of churchly feeling the hymns of the Rationalistic period of 1760 to 1820 have been ignored by many recent compilers, yet the greatest admirers of the old standard hymns have been fain to stretch their area of selection from Luther to Gellert. He prepared himself by prayer for their composition, and selected the moments when his mental horizon was most unclouded. He was distinguished by deep and sincere piety, blameless life, and regularity in attendance on the services of the Church. His hymns are the utterances of a sincere Christian morality, not very elevated or enthusiastic, but genuine expressions of his own feelings and experiences; and what in them he preached he also put in practice in his daily life. Many are too didactic in tone, reading like versifications of portions of his lectures on morals, and are only suited for private use. But in regard to his best hymns, it may safely be said that their rational piety and good taste, combined with a certain earnestness and pathos, entitle them to a place among the classics of German hymnody. They exactly met the requirements of the time, won universal admiration, and speedily passed into the hymnbooks in use over all Germany, Roman Catholic as well as Lutheran. Two of Gellert's hymns are noted under their own first lines, viz., "Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich," and "Wie gross ist des All-mächtgen Güte." The following have also passed into English, almost all being taken from his Geistliche Oden und Lieder, a collection of 54 hymns first published at Leipzig, 1757, and which has passed through very numerous editions:— I. Hymns in English common use: i. An dir allein, an dir hab ich gesündigt. Lent. 1757, p. 102, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled "Hymn of Penitence." In Zollikofer's Gesange-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 499. Translated as:— Against Thee only have I sinn'd, I own it. A good and full version, by Miss Wink worth, as No. 42 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Another translation is:— "Against Thee, Lord, Thee only my transgression," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 241. ii. Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht. Christmas. One of his best and most popular hymns. 1757, p. 72, in 11 stanzas of 4 lines, repeated in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 55, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 154. Translated as:— This is the day the Lord hath made, O'er all the earth. A translation of stanzas i.-iii., x., by Miss Borthwick, as No. 22 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, and included in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1884, p. 256. Other trs. are:—(1) "This is the day which God ordains," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 27. (2) "This day shall yet by God's command," in the Family Treasury, 1811, p. 278. iii. Für alle Güte sei gepreist. Evening. 1757, p. 85, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, included in Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch 1766, No. 78, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 1160. Translated as:— To Father, Son, and Spirit praise. A good and full translation by A. T. Russell, as No. 7 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. Another translation is: — "For all Thy kindness laud I Thee," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 96. iv. Gott ist mein Lied. Praise. On God's Might and Providence. 1757, p. 78, in 15 st. of 5 1. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.., ed. 1863, No. 24. Translated as:— God is my song, His praises I'll repeat, A free translation of stanzas i.-v., as No. 94 in Sir John Bowring's Hymns, 1825. Repeated, omitting stanza ii., as No. 114 in Dale's English Hymn Book, 1875. Other translations are:— (1) “Of God I sing," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 11. (2) "God is my song, With sovereign," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 243. v. Wenn ich, o Schöpfer, deine Macht. Praise. This fine hymn of Praise for Creation and Providence was first published 1757, p. 62, in 6 stanzas of 7 lines. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 25, and Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:—- Thou Great First Cause! when of Thy skill. In full in Dr. H. Mills's Horae Germanicae, 1845 (1856, p. 5). Stanzas ii., iii., v., vi., altered and beginning, "The earth, where'er I turn mine eye," are in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection, 1852. Other trs. are:— (1) "When, O my dearest Lord, I prove," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 80. (2) "Creator! when I see Thy might," in Madame de Pontes's Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, v. i. p. 472. (3) "When I, Creator, view Thy might," by Miss Manington, 1863. vi. Wer Gottes Wort nicht halt, und spricht. Faith in Works. This didactic hymn on Faith proved by Works, was first published 1757, p. 49, in 5 stanzas of 6 lines. In Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:— Who keepeth not God's Word, yet saith. A good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 161. A greatly altered version of stanzas ii.—v., beginning, "True faith in holy life will shine," was included as No. 418 in Kennedy, 1863, and repeated in the Ibrox Hymnal 1871, J. L. Porter's Collection 1876, and others. II. Hymns not in English common use: vii. Auf Gott, und nicht auf meinen Rath. Trust in God's Providence. 1757, p. 134, in 6 stanzas. Translated as: (1) "Rule Thou my portion, Lord, my skill," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 164). (2) "On God and on no earthly trust," by J. D. Burns, in his Remains, 1869. viii. Auf, schicke dich. Christmas. 1757, p. 109, in 1 stanza. Translated as, "Come, tune your heart," by Miss Cox, 1841, p. 17 (1864, p. 39). ix. Dein Heil, o Christ! nicht zu verscherzen. Prayer. 1757, p. 6, in 14 stanzas of 8 lines. In J. A. Schlegel's Geistliche Gesänge, 3rd Ser., 1772, p. 193, recast as "Zu deinem Gotte beten," in 5 stanzas of 12 lines; and this in the Kaiserwerth Lieder-Buch für Kleinkinderschulen, 1842, No. 208, appears "Zu Gott im Himmel beten," in 8 stanzas of 4 lines. The 1842 was translated as, "O how sweet it is to pray," by Mrs. Bevan, 1859, p. 148. x. Der Tag ist wieder hin, und diesen Theil des Lebens. Evening. 1757, p. 13, in 10 stanzas, as "Self-Examination at Eventide." Translated as,"Another day is ended," by Miss Warner, 1869 (1871, p. 9). xi. Du klagst, und fühlest die Beschwerden. Contentment. 1757, p. 91, in 8 stanzas. Translated as "Thy wounded spirit feels its pain," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1883, p. 153. xii. Erinnre dich, mein Geist, erfreut. Easter. 1757, p. 27, in 13 stanzas. Translated as, "Awake, my soul, and hail the day," in Dr. J. D. Lang's Aurora Australis, Sydney, 1826, p. 43. xiii. Er ruft der Sonn, und schafft den Mond. New Year. 1757, p. 154, in 6 stanzas. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 233, as "Gott ruft." Translated as, “Lord, Thou that ever wast and art," in the British Magazine, Jan., 1838, p. 36. xiv. Gott, deine Güte reicht so weit. Supplication. 1757, p. 1, in 4 stanzas, founded on 1 Kings iii. 5-14. The translations are: (1) "O God, Thy goodness doth extend, Far as," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 10. (2) "Behold! Thy goodness, oh my God," by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 78. xv. Gott ist mein Hort. Holy Scripture. 1757, p. 70, in 8 stanzas. Translated as, "I trust the Lord, Upon His word," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 23). xvi. Herr, der du mir das Leben. Evening. 1757, p. 121, in 5 stanzas. Translated as, "By Thee, Thou Lord of Heaven," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 97. xvii. Herr, starke mich, dein Leiden su bedenken. Passiontide. 1757, p. 123, in 22 stanzas. Translated as, "Clothe me, oh Lord, with strength! that I may dwell” by Miss Fry, 1859, p. 153. xviii. Ich hab in guten Stunden. For the Sick. 1757, p. 128, in 6 stanzas. [See the Story of a Hymn, in the Sunday at Home for Sept., 1865.] Translated as: (1) “I have had my days of blessing," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 60. (2) "Once, happy hours with blessings crowned," by A. B. H., in the Day of Rest, 1877, p. 405. xix. Ich komme, Herr, und suche dich. Holy Communion. 1757, p. 89, in 5 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "I come, 0 Lord, and seek for Thee," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 14. (2) “Weary and laden with my load, I come," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1872, p. 178. xx. Ich komme vor dein Angesicht. Supplication. 1757, p. 140. in 13 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Great God, I bow before Thy face," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 23. (2) “Now in Thy presence I appear," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 137). xxi. Mein erst Gefühl sei Preis und Dank. Morning. 1757, p. 55, in 12 stanzas. Translated as, "I bless Thee, Lord, Thou God of might," beginning with st. vi., by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 56. xxii. Nach einer Prüfung kurzer Tage. Eternal Life. 1757, p. 158, in 12 stanzas, as "The Consolation of Eternal Life." Though hardly a hymn for congregational use and too individualised, it has been a very great favourite in Germany. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, 132, and the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen, ed. 1863, No. 1483. The translations are: (1) "A few short days of trial past," in Miss Knight's Prayers and Hymns from the German, 1812 (1832, p. 107). (2) "A few short hours of transient joy," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 123. (3) “When these brief trial-days are past," by J. Sheppard, 1857, p. 98. (4) “A few short days of trial here,” by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, July 1865, p. 98. (5) "Our few short years of trial o'er," by Dr. J. Guthrie, 1869, d. 124. (6) “When these brief trial-days are spent," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 318. (7) "A few more days, a few more years," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 165. xxiii 0 Herr, mein Gott! durch den ich bin und lebe. Resignation to the will of God. 1757, p. 152. in 7 st. Translated as, "In Thee, my God, I live and move," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 113. xxiv. So hoff’ ich denn mit festem Muth . Assurance of the Grace of God. 1757, p. 115, in 4 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Firm is my hope of future good," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 188). (2) “In Thee, O Lord, my hope hath stood," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. zzv. Was ists dast ich mich quäle. Patience. 1757, p. 17, in 7 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "O foolish heart, be still," by Miss Warner, 1858 (1861, p. 452), repeated in Bishop Ryle's Collection, 1860, No. 181 (2) “What billows these that o'er thee roll," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. xxvi. Wie sicher lebt der Mensch, der Staub. For the Dying. 1757, p. 149, in 14 stanzas. Translated as, "How heedless, how secure is man!" by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 238). One or two recasts from Gellert's Lehrgedichte und Erzählungen, Leipzig, 1754, came into German common use, and one has passed into English, viz.:— xxvii. Mensch, der du Christus schmähst, was ist in ihrer Lehre. Love to Mankind. 1754, pp. 27-56, being a poem entitled “The Christian." A recast from portions of this made by J. S. Diterich, beginning "Gieb mir, O Gott, ein Herz," in 9 stanzas, appears as No. 219 in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765; and has been translated as "Grant me, O God! a tender heart," by Miss Knight, 1812 (1832, p. 97). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Ernst Moritz Arndt

1769 - 1860 Hymnal Number: 295 Author of "Ich weiss, an wen ich glaube" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Arndt, Ernst Moritz, son of Ludwig Nicolaus Arndt, estate manager for Count Putbus, in the island of Rugen, was b. at Schoritz in Rugen, Dec. 26, 1769. After studying at the Universities of Greifswald and Jena, where he completed his theological course under Paulus, he preached for two years as a candidate, but in 1798 abandoned theology. After a pedestrian tour through South Germany, Hungary, Northern Italy, France, and Belgium, he became, at Easter 1800, lecturer at the University of Greifswald, and in 1805 professor of history there. But in 1806, lamenting over the tyranny of France, he wrote his fiery Gent der Zeit (pt. ii. 1809, iii. 1813, iv. 1818) which awakened the patriotism of his countrymen, but drew on him the hatred of Napoleon, so that he had to flee to Sweden, and was not able to return to Greifswald till 1810. He again left Greifswald in 1812, and found a home with Baron v. Stein at St. Petersburg. After various wanderings, daring which he wrote many pamphlets inciting his countrymen, as none else could, to deeds of valour, and composed his well-known songs (all of date 1813), " Der Gott, der Eisen wachsen Hess. O du Deutschland, ich muss marscbieren. Was blasen die Trompeten? Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland ?" which were said to have done more to inspire the troops than a victory wou, he settled for some time at Cologne as editor of a patriotic newspaper. In 1818 he was appointed professor of history in the newly-founded University of Bonn, Being accused by the Conservative leaders then in power of teaching Republicanism, he was, in 1820, unjustly deposed (though his salary was continued to him), and was not restored till the accession of Friedrich Wilhelm IV. to the throne of Prussia in 1840. In token of respect he was elected Rector of the University 1840-1841, and lectured as professor till 1854. He continued his tranquil life at Bonn, varied by delusive hopes of better things from the Revolutionary periods of 1848 and 1859, till after having passed his ninety-first birthday (when he received some three hundred messages of congratulation which he personally answered) he departed (o the Heavenly Fatherland, Jan. 29,1860.A man of learning, a true patriot, a distinguished poet, and a man greatly revered and beloved of the people, he was a worthy modern representative of the "old Arndt," author of the True Christianity; a man of deep religious feeling, and a true-hearted and earnest witness for the Evangelical Faith. By his well-known Von dem Wort und von dem Kirchenliede, Bonn, 1819, he was one of the prime movers in the reaction which has now rescued most of the German lands from the incubus of xviii. cent. Rationalistic hymn-books. To this pamphlet he annexed 33 hymns, his best known. Of the remaining 50 some 37 appeared in his Geistliche Lieder, Berlin, 1855, and the rest in the Frankfurt, 1818, and later editions of his Gedichte—the so-called complete edition of which, pub. at Berlin 1860, contains 427 secular and sacred pieces, ranging from 1787 to 1859, with a preface dated in Christmas week 1859. (Koch, vii. 140-148; Allg. Deutsche Biog., i. 540-548.)The following 14 hymns by him have been tr. into English :— i. Der heil'ge Christ ist kommen. [Christmas] 1st pub. in 1818, vol. i. p. 319, and tr. as "The blessed Christ is coming," by C. T Astley, 1860, p. 24, in 4 st. of 8 1. ii. Dich Geiat der Wahrheit, Oeist der Kraft. [Whitsuntide.] A Prayer to the Holy Spirit. 1st pub. 1819 (No. 32), "as above, in 8 st. of 4 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 67, "O Spirit, Thou of love and might." iii, Die Welt thut ihre Augen zu. [Child's Evening Hymn.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 265), as above, in 4 st. of 8 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 109, " The busy world its eyes doth close." iv. Es lebt ein Geist, durch welchen alles lebt. [The Spirit of God.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 281) as above in 5 st. of 4 1., and tr. as:— " There is a Spirit—universal Source," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 14. v. Gegangen ist dat Sonnenlicht. [Evening.] Written in 1813, and 1st pub. 1818 (vol. ii. p. 230) as above, in 5 st. of 8 1., entitled: " The traveller's evening hymn." Tr. as (1) " The sunlight has departed," by Dr. Maguire, 1883, p. 49; (2) "The fields and woods all silence keep," by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 112. vi. Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab. [Burial of the Dead.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 19) as above in 9 st. of 6 1., and included in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, and since in many other collections, e.g. Unv. L. S. 1851, No. 815. It is the most popular of his hymns and was sung at his own funeral at Bonn, Feb. 1, 1860 (Koch, vii. 147). The trs. in C. U. are :— (1) Go and dig my grave today! A good and full tr. in the 1st Series, 1855, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Ger., p. 241 (ed. 1856, p. 243), and repeated as No. 188 in her C. B.for England, 1863. In Schaffs Christ in Song, ed. 1879, p. 536. (2) Weary now of wandering here. A tr. of st. i., iv., vi., ix., signed "F. C. C.," as No. 280, in Dr. Pagenstecher's Coll.. 1864. Other trs. are: (1) “Go! and let my grave be made," by Miss Cox, 1841, p. 83 (1861, p. 83); (2) “Prepare me now my narrow bed," by Lady Eleanor Fortescue, 1843 (1847, p. 26); (3) "Go now, my friends, and dig my grave," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 109; (4) " Now go forth and dig my grave," by A. M. Jeaffreson, in Golden Hours, 1873, p. 52. vii. Oott, deine Kindlein treten. [Children.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 275) as above, in 5 st. of 4 1. It is tr. as " Oh, gracious God ! Thy children come before Thee," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 38. viii. Ich weiss, woran ich glaube. [The Rock of Salvation.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 28) as above in 6 st. of 8 1. In Knapp's Ev. L. S., 1837, No. 1396 (ed. 1865, No. 1348), it begins "Ich weiss, an wen ich glaube” The trs. in C. U. are:— (1) I know in Whom I put my trust. A good tr. of st. i., iv.-vi. of Knapp's text in the 2nd Series, 1858, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Ger., p. 162. Included as No. 1170 in Kennedy, 1863, and recently in Schaff’s Christ in Song, ed. 1879, p. 426, and Lib. of Rel. Poetry, ed. 1883, p. 670. (2) I know Whom I believe in, a tr. from Knapp, omitting st. ii., iii-, as No. 288 in the Ohio Luth. Hymnal, 1880. ix. Xann ich beten, 1st in Nothen. [The Power of Prayer.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 29) ns above in 8 st. of 7 1., and tr. " When I can pray, Without delay," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 10. x. Und klingst du immer Liebe wieder. [The Love of Christ.] 1st pub. 1855, as above, p. 57, in 5 st. of 6 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 34, “ And dost thou always love proclaim." xi. Und willst du gar verzagen. [Trust in God.] Written in 1854, and 1st pub. as above, 1855, p. 81, in 6 st. of 81. It is tr. as " And art thou nigh despairing," in the Family Treasury, 1877, p. 110. xii. Was ist die Macht, was ist die Kraft. [Holy Scripture.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 30) as above in 6 st. of 6 1., and included in Hofer's Pilgerharfe, Basel, 1863, No. 31. Tr. (1) "What is the Christian's power and might ?" by R. Massie, in the British Herald, April, 1865, p. 61. (2) " What is the Christian soldier's might, What is," by R. Massie in the Day of Rest, 1878, vol. viii. p. 335. xiii. Wenn aus dem Dunkeln ich mich sehne. [Hope in God.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 18) as above, in 7 st. of 6 1. Included, omitting st. ii., as No. 2401 in Knapp's Ev. L. S. 1837 (ed. 1865, No. 2128). Tr. as " When in the depths of night I'm sighing," in the British Herald, Aug. 1866, p. 312, repeated as No. 410, in Reid's Praise Bk., 1872. xiv. Wer hat den Sand gezahlt, welcher ixn Wasser haust. [The Almighty God.] 1st pub. 1818 (i. p. 297) and included in 1819 (No. 6) as above, in 4 st. of 8 1. Tr. as " Who can on the seashore," in Dr. Dwlcken's Golden Harp, 1864, p. 32. There is also a free tr. in the Unitarian Hys. for Children, Glasgow, 1855, No. 28, beginning :—" Who has counted the leaves that fall?” - John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ===================== Arndt, E. M., p. 80, No. 10. "Und klingst du" was written in 1836, and first published in his Gedichte, 1840, p. 570. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Jonathan Krause

1701 - 1762 Hymnal Number: 238 Author of "Hallelujah, schöner Morgen!" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Krause, Jonathan, son of Christian Wilhelm Krause, Master of the Clothworkers and Sexton at Hirschberg, in Silesia, was born at Hirschberg, April 5, 1701. Entering the University of Leipzig in 1718, he went in 1723 to Wittenberg, where he graduated M.A. He was then for some time travelling tutor to a young Baron von Birken, and 1727-32 a tutor in the family of Baron von Nostitz, at Polgsen, near Wohlau. On Aug. 20, 1732, he was ordained as Diaconus of Probsthayn, near Liegnitz, and in 1739 became chief pastor of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Liegnitz. In 1741 he was also appointed Superintendent and Assessor of the Consistory. He died at Liegnitz, Dec. 13, 1762 (S. J. Ehrhardt's Presbyteroloqie Schlesiens, 1780-89, iv. p. 280, &c). He edited the Liegnitz Gesang-Buch of 1745. His hymns appeared in his (1) Die turn Lobe Gottes eröffnete Lippen der Gläubigen, &c, Hamburg, 1732, and (2) Gnade und Wahr heit Gottes in Christo Jesu, in heiligen Liedem über alle Sonn- und Fest-Tags Evangelien und Eputeln Leipzig and Lauban, 1739. [Berlin Royal Library.] The only hymn by Krause translated into English is:-- Alleluja! schöner Morgen. Sunday Morning. This hymn, a great favourite in Southern Germany, first appeared 1739 as above, p. 487, in 9 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "Morning-Hymn on Sunday." Repeated thus in the Liegnitz Gesang-Buch, 1745, No. 1; but in recent collections, as the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1842, and the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 482, it begins "Hallelujah!" Sometimes erroneously ascribed to B. Schmolck. Translated as:— Hallelujah! Fairest morning. A good translation, omitting stanzas v., vii., viii., by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 3rd Ser., 1858, p. 28 (1884, p. 150). Included in full in the Appx. of 1869 to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Psalms & Hymns; in Holy Song, 1869, and others. In the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns, 1871, the trs. of st. iii., iv. are omitted, and the rest slightly altered; and this form is followed in Laudes Domini, N. Y., 1884. In G. S. Jellicoe's Collection, 1867, it begins "Alleluia." Other translations are, (1) "Hallelujah! beauteous morning," by Miss Manington, 1863. (2) "Hallelujah! day of gladness," by R. Massie, in the Day of Rest , 1876, p. 35. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Paul Eber

1511 - 1569 Hymnal Number: 59 Alterer of "Wir danken Dir, o Herr der Welt" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Eber, Paul, son of Johannes Eber, master tailor at Kitzingen, Bavaria, was born at Kitzingen, Nov. 8, 1511. He was sent in 1523 to the Gymnasium at Ansbach, but being forced by illness to return home, was on his way thrown from horseback and dragged more than a mile, remaining as a consequence deformed ever after. In 1525 he entered the St. Lorentz school at Nürnberg, under Joachim Camerarius, and in 1532 went to the University of Wittenberg, where he graduated 1536, and thereafter became tutor in the Philosophical Faculty. He was appointed Professor of Latin in 1544, then in 1557 Professor of Hebrew and Castle preacher, and in 1558 Town preacher and General Superintendent of the Electorate, receiving in 1559 the degree D.D. from the University. He died at Wittenberg, Dec. 10, 1569 (Koch, i. 271-278; Allgemeines Deutsche Biog., v. 529). At Wittenberg he was a close friend of Melanchthon, was privy to all his plans, and conducted the greater part of his correspondence. After Melanchthon's death in 1560, he became leader of his party, and had to engage in various controversies with the Crypto-Calvinists, &c.; the seeds of his fatal illness being sown on his return journey from the fruitless conference held at Altenburg with the theologians of Jena, which lasted from Oct. 20, 1568, to March 9, 1569. Eber was, next to Luther, the best poet of the Wittenberg school. His hymns, some of them written for his own children to sing to Luther's melodies, are distinguished for their child-like spirit and beautiful simplicity. Seventeen hymns have been attributed to him, four of which are certainly his, and probably two others. Of these six, five have been translated into English, one of which is noted under "Dicimus grates," and the others are:— i. Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott. For the Dying. The first hymnbook in which this simple and beautiful hymn has been found is the Low German Enchiridion, published at Hamburg, 1565, where it is in 8 stanzas of 6 lines., entitled "A prayer to Christ for a happy departure from this troublous life," and marked as "D. Paulus Eberus Filiolis suis faciebat MDLVII. Wackernagel, iv. p. 4, gives this and a second form in High German from the Psalmen, Geystliche Lieder und Gesänge, Strassburg, 1569. In his Bibliographie, 1855, p. 233, Wackernagel describes an undated broadsheet, which he would date 1550, and at p. 279 says it forms the first of Neun Schöne Geistliche Lieder, Nürnberg N.D., c. 1556. G. Döring, in his Choralkunde, Danzig, 1865, p. 434, says it appeared as "Panie Jezu ty's czlowiek i Bog" in the Polish Cantional, edited by Pastor Seklucyan, and published at Königsberg, 1559. Lauxmann, in Koch, viii, 591-594, adds that it comforted Eber himself while he lay a-dying, Dec. 10, 1569; was repeated by Hugo Grotius a few minutes before his death, Aug. 28, 1645; and was a favourite hymn of Prince Wolfgang of Anhalt (d. 1566), Christian I., Elector of Saxony (d. 1591), of the Margrave Georg Friedrieh of Brandenburg-Kulmbach (d. 1603), &c. Included as No. 820 in the Unv. L. S., 1851. The translations in common use are:— 1. Lord Jesus Christ, true Man and God, Who borest. Good and full, by Miss Winkworth in the first Ser. of her Lyra Germanica, 1855, p. 239. Of this stanzas i.-iv. appear in the Psalms & Hymns., Bedford, 1859; i., ii., viii. in the Harrow School Hymn Book, 1866 ; and i.-iii., v., viii. in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book,1868. A cento from stanza ii., line 3-6, iii., 11. 1-4, vii., 1line 3-6, beginning, "When from my sight all fades away," is No. 1181 in the American Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858. 2. Lord Jesus Christ, true Man and God, Thou Who. A translation by E. Cronenwett, in nine stanzas of L.M., based on stanzas i., ii., iv.-viii., as No. 434, in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal 1880. Other translations are, (1) "0 God, support me, death is near," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 103. (2) "Lord Jesus Christ, true Man and God, who hast”, by E. Massie, 1867, p. 10. ii. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöthen sein. In Trouble. Founded on a hymn by Joachim Camerarius, his former master at Nürnberg [b. at Bamberg, April 12, 1500, d. as Professor of Greek and Latin at Leipzig, April 17, 1574], which in Wackernagel, i. p. 324, runs thus:— "In tenebris nostrae et densa caligine mentis, Cum nihil est toto pectore consilii, Turbati erigimus, Deus, ad Te lumina cordis Nostra, tuamque fides solius erat opem. Tu rege consiliis actus, Pater optime, nostros, Nostrum opus ut laudi serviat omne Tuae." These lines comforted Melanchthon in 1546; and Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 161-165, thinks probably Eber also. He relates that on Ascension Day, 1547, after the battle of Mühlberg, the Wittenbergers having received a message from the captive Elector to deliver their city to the Emperor Charles V. assembled for prayer in church; and quotes a portion of the prayer by Bugenhagen which greatly resembles Eber's hymn. But that the hymn was written then we have no proof, and the earliest source quoted by Wackernagel, iv. p. 6, is the Naw Betbüchlein, Dresden 1566, in 7 stanza of 4 line., though in his Bibliographie, 1855, p. 312, he describes a broadsheet printed at Nürnberg, N.D., c. 1560. In M. Moller's Meditationes sanctorum Patrum, Görlitz, 1584, it is entitled "A beautiful prayer of the venerable Dr. Paul Eber, which he composed on the beautiful words of King Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xx. 12." Included as No. 583 in the Unv. L. S., 1851. A "Cry from the depths," though not in despair but in trustful confidence in God, it is one of the finest and most widely used hymns of the Reformation period. Lauxmann relates how the singing of this hymn and the prayers of Martin Rinkart (q.v.), Archidiaconus of Eulenburg near Leipzig, prevailed to move the heart of the Swedish Lieutenant-Colonel, who on Feb. 21, 1635, had demanded from the inhabitants a ransom of £4500, but eventually accepted 2000 florins; says that in commemoration of a similar deliverance from the Swedish army in 1642 the hymn was long sung at the end of the Sunday afternoon service at Pegau, near Leipzig, and adds other incidents regarding its use. The only translation in common use is :— When in the hour of utmost need. A full and very good translation by Miss Winkworth in the 2nd Ser. of her Lyra Germanica, 1858, p. 180, and thence as No. 141 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Included in full in the American Presbyterian Hymnal 1874, and the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. In full, though slightly altered, as No. 233, in Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861, but omitted in the revised edition, 1875. In the Hymnary, 1871, Psalmist, 1878, J. L. Porter's Collection, 1876, Thring's Collection, 1882, and the Evangelical Hymna, N. Y., 1880, st. v. is omitted. Other translations are, (1) "When we are under great distress," by J. C. Jacobi, 1720, p. 19 (1722, p. 119; 1732, p. 184, altered, and thence as No. 140 in p. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754). (2) "When neither help nor counsel's nigh," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 89. (3) "When all our way is hedged around," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870. His hymns not in English common use are:— iii. Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen. [New Year.] Written on the name Helena, borne both by his wife and his daughter, the initial letters of each stanza composing it. Wackernagel, iv. p. 6, quotes it from Eichorn's Geistliche Lieder, Frankfurt a. Oder, c. 1580, in 6 st. of 8 l., entitled, "A Thanksgiving and Prayer for the New Year, in remembrance of God's goodness, for the Children." Older but less correct forms are noted by Mützell, p. 486, as in the Copenhagen GesangBuch,1511, and the Stettin, 1576. Included as No. 68 in the Unv. L. S., 1851. It is translation as, "Ye Christians in this nation," by J. C. Jacobi, 1722, p. 11 (1732, p. 10, altered and beginning, "Come, let us all, with Fervour.") iv. In Christi Wunden schlaf ich ein. [For the Dying.] Appears in Jeremias Weber's Gesang-Buch, Leipzig, 1638, p. 797, marked as "Another" (the hymn immediately preceding is ascribed to Eber), in 3 st. of 4 1. In the Berlin Geistlicher Lieder Schatz, ed. 1863, No. 1468, the text is slightly varied, and arranged in 2 st. of 6 1. It was first ascribed to Eber in the Nürnberg Gesang-Buch, 1676. Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 595-601, says of it, "That the hymn is much older than the date of its appearance [i.e. than 1638] seems obvious; that it breathes the childlike spirit of Eber is certain. More than this we cannot say." St. i., 11. 3-6, "Ja Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit," has been adopted by many pious Germans, young and old, as a prayer in life and death, and Lauxmann relates many interesting incidents regarding its use by A. G. Spangenberg, by Wilhelm Hey, and others. These four lines were adopted by N. L. von Zinzendorf, as the first stanza of his well-known hymn, "Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit" (q. v.). It is translation as, "I fall asleep in Jesus' arms," by Miss Winkworth, i860, p. 121. [Rev .James Mearns] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christoph Vischer

1520 - 1597 Hymnal Number: 120 Author of "Wir danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Vischer, Christoph, son of Jakob Vischer or Fischer, burgess at Joachimsthal, in Bohemia, was born at Joachimsthal in 1520. He matriculated at the University of Wittenberg in Nov. 1540 (B.A. 1544), and was ordained at Wittenberg on Feb. 10, 1544, as pastor and probst at Jüterbogk, near Wittenberg. He was then appointed (in 1552) cathedral preacher and superintendent at Schmalkalden; in 1571 pastor and general superintendent at Meiningen; in 1574 court preacher and assistant superintendent at Celle (Zelle); and in 1577 chief pastor of St. Martin's Church at Halberstadt. He returned to Celle in 1583, as general superintendent of Lüneburg, and died at Celle in October, 1597. Vischer was a somewhat voluminous writer. Rotermund gives the titles of 29 works by him. Only one hymn is known as his, viz.:— Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, Dass du für uns gestorben bist. Passiontide. This is included in pt. ii. of the Dresden Gesang-Buch, 1597 (thence in Wackernagel, v., p. 248), marked as by M. C. F., and in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, viz. st. i. as above, and ii. Und bitten dich, war Mensch und Gott. iii. Behüt uns auch für Sünd und Schand. iv. Und draus schöpffen die Zuversicht. The only portion we have been able to find in any work of Vischer's is st. ii. This occurs in hisChristliche unnd einfeltige Erklerung der gnadenreichen Historien des Leydens und Sterbens hochtröstlicher Aufferstehung und siegreicher Himelfart unsers lieben Herrn Jhesu Christi, auch der Sendung des Heiligen Geistes, &c, Schraalkalden, 1585 [British Museum]. The same stanza is found in the edition Schmalkalden, 1568 [Berlin Library]. Mützell, No. 344, prints the four stanza form from the text given by J. C. Olearius, Jena, 1710, as a reprint of the original, and as entitled “A children's hymn composed by M. Christoph Vischer for the Christian community at Schmalkalden, upon the strengthening uses of the bitter sufferings and death of Christ Jesus our Saviour." It is also in thUnerfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 122. The translations are:— 1. We bless Thee, Jesus Christ our Lord; For ever be Thy name adored. This is a good and full translation by Dr. Kennedy, as No. 622 in his Hymnologia Christiana, 1863. 2. With thanks we glory in Thy Cross. This is No. 331 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. [Rev.James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Thomas Aquinas

1225 - 1274 Person Name: Thomas v. Aquino Hymnal Number: 261 Author of "Zion, laß Dein Loblied schallen" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Thomas of Aquino, confessor and doctor, commonly called The Angelical Doctor, “on account of," says Dom Gueranger, "the extraordinary gift of understanding wherewith God had blessed him," was born of noble parents, his father being Landulph, Count of Aquino, and his mother a rich Neapolitan lady, named Theodora. The exact date of his birth is not known, but most trustworthy authorities give it as 1227. At the age of five he was sent to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino to receive his first training, which in the hands of a large-hearted and God-fearing man, resulted in so filling his mind with knowledge and his soul with God, that it is said the monks themselves would often approach by stealth to hear the words of piety and wisdom that fell from the lips of the precocious child when conversing with his companions. After remaining at Monte Cassino for seven years, engaged in study, St. Thomas, "the most saintly of the learned, and the most learned of the saints," returned to his family, in consequence of the sack of the abbey by the Imperial soldiers. From thence he was sent by his parents to the University of Naples then at the height of its prosperity, where, becoming intimate with the Fathers of the Dominican Order, and being struck, probably, by the devotedness and ability of the Dominican Professors in the University, he was induced to petition for admission into that order, though he was at that time not more than seventeen years of age. This step gave such umbrage to his mother that she caused him to be waylaid on the road to Paris (whither he was being hurried to escape from her), and to be kept for more than two years in prison, during which time his brothers, prompted by their mother, used all means, even the most infamous, to seduce him from religion. At last the Dominicans' influence with the Pope induced the latter to move the Emperor Frederick to order his release, when St. Thomas was at once hurried back to Naples by the delighted members of his order. He was afterwards sent to Rome, then to Paris, and thence to Cologne. At Cologne his studies were continued under the celebrated Albertus Magnus, with whom, in 1245, he was sent by the Dominican Chapter once more to Paris for study, under his direction, at the University. In 1248, when he had completed his three years' curriculum at Paris, St. Thomas was appointed, before he was twenty-three years of age, second professor and “magister studentium,” under Albertus, as regent, at the new Dominican school (on the model of that at Paris), which was established by the Dominicans in that year at Cologne. There he achieved in the schools a great reputation as a teacher, though he by no means confined himself to such work. He preached and wrote; his writings, even at that early age, were remarkable productions and gave promise of the depth and ability which mark his later productions. His sermons also at that time enabled him to attract large congregations into the Dominican church. In 1248 he was directed to take his degree at Paris; and though his modesty and dislike of honour and distinction made the proposal distasteful to him, he set out and begged his way thither; but it was not until October 23rd, 1257, that he took his degree. The interval was filled by such labours in writing, lecturing, and preaching, as to enable him by the time he became a doctor to exercise an influence over the men and ideas of his time which we at this time can scarcely realise. So much was this the case that Louis IX. insisted upon St. Thomas becoming a member of his Council of State, and referred every question that came up for deliberation to him the night before, that he might reflect on it in solitude. At this time he was only thirty-two years of age. In 1259 he was appointed, by the Dominican Chapter at Valenciennes, a member of a Commission, in company with Albertus Magnus and Pierre de Tarentaise, to establish order and uniformity in all schools of the Dominicans. In 1261 the Pope, Urban IV., immediately upon his election to the Pontifical throne, sent for St. Thomas to aid him in his project for uniting into one the Eastern and Western Churches. St. Thomas in that same year came to Rome, and was at once appointed by the General of his Order to a chair of theology in the Dominican College in that city, where he obtained a like reputation to that which he had secured already at Paris and Cologne. Pope Urban being anxious to reward his services offered him, first the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and then a Cardinal's hat, but he refused both. After lecturing, at the request of the Pope, with great success at Vitervo, Orvieto, Perugia, and Fondi, he was sent, in 1263, as "Definitor," in the name of the Roman Province, to the Dominican Chapter held in London. Two years later Clement IV., who succeeded Urban as Pope, appointed him, by bull, to the archbishopric of Naples, conferring on him at the same time the revenues of the convent of St. Peter ad Aram. But this appointment he also declined. In 1269 he was summoned to Paris—his last visit— to act as "Definitor" of the Roman Province at the General Chapter of his Order, and he remained there until 1271, when his superiors recalled him to Bologna. In 1272, after visit¬ing Rome on the way, he went to Naples to lecture at the University. His reception in that city was an ovation. All classes came out to welcome him, while the King, Charles I., as a mark of royal favour bestowed on him a pension. He remained at Naples until he was summoned, in 1274, by Pope Gregory X., by special bull, to attend the Second Council of Lyons, but whilst on the journey thither he was called to his rest. His death took place in the Benedictine Abbey of Fossa Nuova in the diocese of Terracina, on the 7th of March 1274, being barely forty-eight years of age. St. Thomas was a most voluminous writer, his principal work being the celebrated Summa Theologiae, which, although never completed, was accepted as such an authority as to be placed on a table in the council-chamber at the Council of Trent alongside of the Holy Scriptures and the Decrees of the Popes. But it is outside the province of this work to enlarge on his prose works. Though not a prolific writer of hymns, St. Thomas has contributed to the long list of Latin hymns some which have been in use in the services of the Church of Rome from his day to this. They are upon the subject of the Lord's Supper. The best known are:— Pange lingua gloriosi Corporis Mysterium; Adoro te devote latens Deitas; Sacris sollemniis juncta sint gaudia; Lauda Sion Salvatorem; and Verbum supernum prodiens. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th of these are found in the Roman Breviary, the 2nd, 4th, and 5th in Newman's Hymni Ecclesiae; the 4th in the Roman Missal; all of them appear in Daniel; the 2nd and 4th in Mone; and the 2nd, 4th, and 5th in Königsfeld. Of these hymns numerous translations have been made from time to time, and amongst the translators are found Caswall, Neale, Woodford, Morgan, and others. [Rev. Digby S. Wrangham, M.A.] -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart

1739 - 1791 Person Name: Christian F.D. Schubart Hymnal Number: 274 Author of "Urquell aller Seligkeiten" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Schubart, Christian Friedrich Daniel, son of Johann Jakob Schubart, schoolmaster and assistant clergyman at Obersontheim near Hall, in Württemberg (after 1740, at Aalen), was born at Obersontheim, March 26, 1739, and in 1758 entered the University of Erlangen as a student of theology. Thereafter he was for some time a private tutor at Königsbronn. In 1764 he was appointed organist and schoolmaster at Geisslingen, near Ulm. In 1768 he became organist and music-director at Ludwigsburg; but, in 1772, on account of misconduct, he was deprived of his office. After that, he led for some time a wandering life, and then settled down in Ulm, where he edited a political newspaper, entitled the Deutsche Chronik, with success. By his scurrilous attacks on the clergy, especially on the Eoman Catholics, and in particular upon the Jesuits, and by a satirical poem on the Duke of Württemberg, he made himself obnoxious. Unsuspectingly accepting an invitation to Blaubeuren, he was handed over to the Duke's adjutant, and, on Jan. 23, 1777, was imprisoned in the castle of Hohenasperg, where he remained, without even the shadow of a trial, till May 11, 1787. As a recompense for his long imprisonment, the Duke made him Court and theatre poet at Stuttgart, where he died of fever, Oct. 10, 1791 (Koch, vi. 376; K. H. Jördens's Lexicon deutscher Dichter und Prosaisten, vol. iv. 1809, p. 639). Schubart was a man of versatile genius, who might have attained distinction in half a dozen lines of life, had he only stuck to any of them. He was a man who could make himself most popular, spite of the fact that he possessed hardly any tact. His moral principles were anything but strong; and the Ten Commandments (especially the seventh) seemed to have little restraining influence over him. As a writer of secular poems, especially of lyrics, he displayed vigour and spirit; but his literary workmanship was often very careless. His hymns, over 130 in all, were written during the two periods when he led an orderly and Christian life, viz., in the years 1764-66, immediately after his marriage, and in the years 1777-87, during his enforced absence from temptation. His captive state, his reading of the devotional books in the commandant's library, and the visits which he then received from P. M. Hahn, pastor at Kornwestheim, awakened in him a repentance, sincere if not altogether lifelong; one of the principal results being the series of hymns included in his so-called Gedichte aus dem Kerker (Zürich, 1785). These were composed at a time when he was deprived of writing materials, and were dictated through a wall to a fellow prisoner in the next cell. They were published without his knowledge or supervision. In self defence he asked the Duke's permission to pubish an authorised edition of his poems; and this appeared at Stuttgart, in 2 vols., 1785-86, as his Sämmtliche Gedicht (a number of copies, printed beyond the subscription, bear the date 1787, and the name of a Frankfurt publisher, e.g. the copy in the British Museum); and this also included most of those in his Todesgesänge, originally published at Ulm in 1767. Being printed at the Ducal print¬ing office at Stuttgart, the poems were subjected to an official revision. Schubart meant to issue a genuine author's edition, but did not live to do so; and that published by his son, as his father's Gedichte, in two parts, at Frankfurt, 1802, is really a selection, and contains only about half of his hymns. The best of Schubart's hymns are those first published in 1785, which are more genuine and spiritual than his earlier productions. A considerable number became popular, and passed into the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1791, and other collections, up to 1850; and a few still con¬tinue in common use. They are, however, too personal and subjective, and not sufficiently natural in style for general use. Of Schubart's hymns the following have been translated into English, viz.:— i. Urquell aller Seligkeiten. Supplication for Spiritual Blessings. This fine hymn was written about 1780, and first pub. in his Gedichte aus dem Kerker, Zurich, 1785, p. 102, in 16 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled, "Supplication." The full text is in Koch, 2nd ed., vol. iv., p. 740. Translated as:— Though by sorrows overtaken. This can hardly be called a translation, but is rather a hymn suggested by the German, and is in 6 st. of 4 1. It appeared in A. R. Reinagle's Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes as sung in the Parish Church of St. Peter in the East, Oxford, published at Oxford in 1840, p. 138…. Other hymns by Schubart are:— ii. Alles ist euer! 0 Worte des ewigen Lebens. Thanksgiving. Translated as, "All things are yours! O sweet message of mercy divine." By Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 5. iii. Der Trennung Last liegt schwer auf mien. Reunion in Heaven. On the sorrow of parting with friends whom one hopes to meet in heaven. Tr. as, “I die and grieve from those to go." By Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 58. iv, Hier stand ein Mensch! Hier fieler nieder. Sudden death of a Sinne. Translated as, “Now one in health Death, instant, crushes." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845. v. Kommt heut an eurem Stabe. For the Aged. On the Presentation in the Temple; and founded on St. Luke ii. 22 -32. Tr. as, "Ye who with years are sinking." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 275). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Carl Heinrich von Bogatzky

1690 - 1774 Hymnal Number: 241 Author of "Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Bogatzky, Carl Heinrich von. He was born Sept. 7,1690, on his father's estate of Jankowe, near Militsch, in Silesia. His father, J. A. v. Bogatzky, was descended from a noble Hungarian family, and entering the Austrian service attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Bogatzky's early education was picked up at various places as family arrangements permitted. He was for some time page at the Ducal Court of Weissenfels. From Weissenfels his father removed him to 13realau, to prepare for entering the army. During a long illness at Breslau he became convinced that God had other work for him to do. Receiving an offer of assistance from Count Heinrich xxiv., of Reuss-Kostriz, towards the expenses of an University course, he entered Urn University of Jena in 1713; but removed at Easter, 1715, to the University of Halle, still as a student of law. Before Christinas ho received notice that his mother had died in Silesia, and that he must return. During the week that elapsed before setting out, while attending divine service, he received what he regarded as his first true views of Justification by Faith. Disowned by his father for objecting to enter the army, he returned from Silesia to Halle and enrolled himself, at Easter, 1716, as a student of theology. At Halle he began for his own edification his best known work, The Golden Treasury, 1st published at Breslau in 1718. During 1718 his health failed, and his voice became so seriously affected that he was unable to take any parochial charge. From thenceforth he devoted himself to religious authorship, and speaking in private gatherings. He left Silesia in 1740, and for five years resided at Saalfeld, where he wrote many works, including that on True Conversion, 1741. In 1746 he removed to Halle, where G. A. Francke gave him a free room in the orphanage. The rest of his life was spent mainly in that town. The most important of his publications at this time was his Meditations and Prayers on the New Testament, 7 vols., 1755-61. He died at Halle, June 15, 1774. (Koch, iv. 468-478; Allg. Deutsche Biog., iii. 37- 39; Autobiography tr. by Samuel Jackson, Lond., 1856—the second dating his death, possibly through a misprint, as at Glaucha, near Halle, 1754).Bogatzky seems to have begun hymn-writing about 1718, and in all composed 411 hymns, some of which appeared in part, in his devotional works, 3 in the Cothnische Lieder, 1733-36, 6 in the Wernigerode Gesang-Buch, 1735, and in a collected form at Halle, 1750, as Die Uebungder Gottseligkeit in allerley Geistlichen Liedern, with 302 hymns (2nd ed. Halle, 1755, with 396; 3rd ed.. 1771, with 411, reprinted unaltered at Berlin, 1844). With this the Dowager Queen of Denmark was so much pleased that, as the 1st ed. was in very small type, she offered to contribute to an ed. in larger type, and when that was issued in 1750 (with 376 hymns), bought 300 copies, all of which she distributed.His hymns have little poetic fire or glow of imagination; but in his better productions there is stimulating zeal, warmth of religious feeling, and simplicity of religious faith, linking him rather with the earlier Halle School, than with the spiritual sensuousness of some of his fellow contributors to the Cothnische Lieder. (1) The hymns by him in English common use are: i. Wach auf du Geist der crsten Zeugen. [Missions.] 1st pub. 1750, as above, No. 133, of 14 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled, "For faithful labourers in the Harvest of the Lord, for the blessed spread of the Word to all the world." Included in the Berlin G. L. S., ed. 1863, No. 1383. Translated as:— Awake, Thou Spirit, Who of old. A good translation of st. i.-iii., v.-viii. by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st series, 1855, p. 41, and thence, omitting st. ii., altered in metre, and beginning, "Awake, Thou Spirit, Who didst fire," as No. 290 in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868. In Miss Winkworth's Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 87, it is altered in metre to "Wake, Spirit, Who in times now olden," st: vii. being omitted, and this form is No. 190 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Another translation is "O spirit of the early martyrs, wake," in the British Herald, Oct. 1865, p. 151. Not in common use: ii. Ich bin erlost durch xneines Mittler's Blut. [Passiontide.] 1750, as above, No. 330, in 10 stanzas of 9 lines, entitled, "The believer's consolation in death." J. C. Wagner in his Neues Hildburghausisches Gesang-Buch, 1807 (1808, No. 231), included a greatly altered form beginning, "Ich bin erlost! Es floss des Mittler's Blut." The text translation is that in Knapp's Ev. L. S., 1837, No. 503, based on st. i., iii., v.-vii. of the original. The only translation in common use is:— I am redeem'd! the purchase of that blood, from Knapp, by Dr. H. Mills in his Horae Germanica, 1845 (1856, p. 64); repeated, omitting stanza ii., as No. 125 in Stryker's Christian Chorals, 1885.(2) Hymns not in English common use:— iii. Du Hiiter Israel. [Morning.] 1750, as above, No. 7, in 15 stanzas translated as "Guardian of Israel, Thou," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 53. iv. Einer bliebt Konig, wenn allea erlieget. [Christ as King.] 1st in the large type ed., 1750, No. 367, in 10 stanzas translated as "One reigneth still, though all else may be failing," by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, Dec. 1865, p. 185, and repeated, as No. 394, in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. v. Heut ist dein Tag vorhanden. [Sunday Morning.] 1750, as above, No. 106, in 5 stanzas translated as "This is Thy day so glorious," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 8. vi. Hirt und Euter deiner Schaafe. [Spiritual Watchfulness] 1750, as above, No. 279, in 16 stanzas translated as "Great Shepherd of the sheep, No longer," in S. Jackson's translation of Bogatzky's Life, 1856, p. 187. vii. Jehovah, hoher Gott von Hacht und Starke. [The Almighty God.] At Schreibersdorf in the Riesengebirge in 1720, standing on an eminence, he viewed the distant mountains which at first he thought were clouds, and deeply impressed by the majesty, glory, and omnipotence of God, he wrote this hymn after returning to the house (Life, 1856, p. 51). Included, as No. 558, in the Sammluvg Geist- und lieblicher Lieder, Leipzig and Gorlitz, 1725, and repeated, 1750, as above, No. 263, in 12 stanzas as "Jehovah, God of boundless strength and might," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 274. viii. 0 stilles Lamm, du hast fur mich gelitten. [Cross and Consolation.] 1750, as above, No. 305, in 7 stanzas translated as "O silent Lamb! for me Thou hast endured," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858 (p. 64, 1884, p. 122). -John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)