Gerhard Walther Molanus › Texts

Molanus, Gerhard Walther(Wolter) , D.D, son of Wilcke Ludwig van der Muelen or Molanus, syndic and advocate at Hameln on the Weser, was born at Hameln, Nov. 1, 1633 (Oct. 22, O. S.), and studied at the University of Helmstadt. In 1659 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Rinteln, but in 1664 extraordinary, and in 1665 ordinary Professor of Theology and D.D. In 1674 he was appointed Director of the Consistory at Hannover and General Superintendent of the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and in 1677 (titular) Abbot of Loccum. He died at Hannover, Sept. 7, 1722 (Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xxii. 86, &c). He was a man of extensive learning, and in his official position wielded a very great influence over the whole Electorate. He edited the Hannover Gesang-Buch of 1698. Of his five hymns one has passed into English:—
Ich trete frisch zu Gottes Tisch. Holy Communion. In the Rinteln Gesang-Buch, 1673, No. 124, in 11 st. of 5 1. Repeated in the Hannover Gesang-Buch, 1740, and in Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No 1673. Translated as:—
Thy Table I approach. This is No. 270, in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, and omits st. iii., iv, viii., ix. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

----John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)