The Church of Christ

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The church of Christ, which he has hallowed here

Author: Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg (1745); Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863, alt.)
Tune: FIDEI UNITAS
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 The church of Christ, which he has hallowed here
to be his house, is scattered far and near
in north, and south, and east, and west abroad;
and yet in earth and heav'n, thro' Christ, her Lord,
the church is one.

2 One member may not know another here,
and yet their fellowship is true and near;
one is their Savior, and their Father one;
one Spirit rules them, and among them none
lives to one's self.

3 They live to him who bought them with his blood,
baptized them with his Spirit, pure and good;
and in true faith and ever burning love,
their hearts and hopes ascend to seek above
th'eternal good.

4 O Spirt of the Lord, all life is yours;
now on your church your pow'r and strength out-pour,
that many children may be born to you
and through your knowledge may be brought anew
to sing Christ's praise.

Source: Moravian Book of Worship #516

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Author: Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg

Spangenberg, August Gottlieb, son of Georg Spangenberg, Lutheran pastor at Klettenberg near Nordhausen, was born at Klettenberg, July 15, 1704. He entered the University of Jena in 1722, as a student of law, but soon abandoned law for the study of theology. He lived in the house of Professor Buddeus, graduated M.A. in 1726, and for some time lectured there. In Sept. 1732 he went to Halle as adjunct of the Theological faculty and superintendent of the Orphanage schools. Here he associated himself with the Separatists, and by an edict from Berlin was deprived of his offices, and, on April 8, 1733, was expelled from Halle. He at once proceeded to Herrnhut, and was received into the Moravian Community, with which he had become acquainted as ear… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

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First Line:	The church of Christ, which he has hallowed here
Title:	The Church of Christ
Author:	Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg (1745)
Translator:	Catherine Winkworth (1863, alt.)
Language:	English