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Valerius Herberger

1562 - 1627 Person Name: Val. Herberger, 1562-1627 Hymnal Number: 589 Author of "Valet will ich dir geben" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Herberger, Valerius, son of Martin Herberger, furrier and poet at Fraustadt, Posen, was born at Fraustadt, April 21, 1562. He studied theology at the Universities of Frankfurt a. Oder and Leipzig, and became in 1584 master of the lower classes in the school at Fraustadt. In 1590 he was appointed diaconus of St. Mary's Church, Fraustadt, and in 1599 chief pastor; but in 1604 he and his flock were ousted from the church by King Sigismund III., of Poland, for the sake of the few Roman Catholics in the place. Out of two houses near one of the gates of the town they made a meeting-place, to which, as the first service was held on Christmas Eve, the name of the "Kripplein Christi" was given. He died at Fraustadt, May 18,1627 (Koch, ii. 301-311; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xii. 28-29, &c). Herberger published two sets of sermons, the Evangelische Herzpostille and the Epistolische Herzpostille. His famous work, the Magnolia Dei, de Jem Scripturae nucleo et medulla, 8 vols., 1601-l610, was designed to show Christ all through the Old Testament, but in his exposition he only reached the book of Ruth. As a pastor he worked unweariedly for the good of his people, especially during the time of the great pestilence (1613 to 1630), and during the troubles of the early part of the Thirty Years' War. Herberger wrote only a few hymns, and of these the best known is:— Valet will ich dir geben. For the Dying, first published on a broadsheet entitled :— "A devout prayer with which the Evangelical citizens of Frawenstadt in the autumn of the year 1613 moved the heart of God the Lord so that He mercifully laid down His sharp rod of wrath under which nearly two thousand fell on sleep. And also a hymn of consolation in which a pious heart bids farewell (Valet) to this world. Both composed by Valerius Herberger, preacher at the Kripplein Christi." Leipzig, 1614. The hymn was published in Mützell 1858, No. 6, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines. The title of the hymn itself is:— "The Farewell (Valet) of Valerius Herberger that he gave to this world in the autumn of the year 1613, when he every hour saw death before his eyes, but mercifully and also as wonderfully as the three men in the furnace at Babylon was nevertheless spared." In this pestilence 2135 perished at Fraustadt, but Herberger manfully stuck to his post, and passed through all unhurt, comforting the sick and helping to bury the dead. The hymn is an acrostic on his name formed by the beginnings of the stanzas-—Vale (i.), r (ii.) i (iii.) u (iv.) s (v). It is one of the finest German hymns for the dying. It speedily passed into the hymn-books, and is still a favourite. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1502. Sometimes given beginning "Abschied will" or "Lebwohl will." The beautiful melody which appeared with the hymn in 1614 is by Herberger's precentor, Melchior Teschner, and is now well known in England, being included, e.g. in Hymns Ancient & Modern as St. Theodulph. The translations in common use are :— 1. 0 World so vain, I leave thee, a good translation, omitting stanza iv., by A. T. Russell, as No. 248 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 2. Farewell I gladly bid thee, a good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, as No. 137 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Other translations are: (1) "Grant in the bottom of my heart," a translation of stanza iii. as No. 29 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1742. (2) "Farewell henceforth for ever," by L. T. Nyberg, in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754, pt. i., No. 451 (1886, No. 1227). (3) "Shelter our souls most graciously," by L. T. Nyberg, in the Moravian Hymn Book, pt. ii., 1746, p. 794 (1886, as pt. of No. 793). (4) "Vain world, forbear thy pleading," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 107. (5) "I bid adieu for ever," in the British Herald, Aug. 1866, p. 306, repeated in Keid's Praise Book, 1872, No. 336. (6) "My parting spirit biddeth," in the Family Treasury, 1878, p. 496. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Julius Carl Reinhold Sturm

1816 - 1896 Person Name: Julius Sturm Hymnal Number: 17 Author of "Ein's hätten wir von Herzen gern" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Sturm, Julius Carl Reinhold, was born July 21, 1816, at Köstritz, in the principality of Reuss (younger line). After being a student of theology at Jena, from 1837 to 1841, he was for two years a private tutor at Heilbronn on the Neckar, and then, for a year, at Friesen, in Saxony. In 1845 he became tutor to Prince Heinrich xiv. of Reuss; and after the Prince's confirmation, in 1848, acted as tutor to him for three years more at the Gymnasium in Meiningen. He was then appointed pastor at Göschitz, near Schleiz, in the end of 1850; and pastor at Köstritz, in 1858, where he still (1889) lives as Kirchenrath and Court preacher (Koch, vii. 284; ms. from the author, &c). Sturm is one of the most important of modern German sacred poets. Among his works of this nature may be mentioned:— (1) Gedichte, Leipzig, 1850; 3rd ed., 1862. (2) Fromme Lieder, Leipzig, 1852; 6th ed., 1867. (3) Zwei Rosen, oder das holte Lied der Liebe, Leipzig, 1854: a version of Canticles. (4) Neue fromme Lieder und Gedichte, Leipzig, 1858; 2nd ed., 1870. (5) Israel's Weg zur Herrlichkeit, Erlangen, 1858; 2nd ed., as Israelitische Lieder, Halle, 1867. (6) Von der Pilgerfahrt, Halle, 1868. (7) Gott grüsse dich. Religiöse Gedichte, Leipzig, 1876. (8) Aufwärtz, Leipzig, 1881. (9) Ich bau auf Gott. Neue religiöse Gedichte, Bremen, 1883. (10) Palme und Krone, Bremen, 1888. From these works a large number of pieces have passed into recent collections of German sacred poetry, and a few into recent German official hymnbooks. A considerable number have been translation by Lady John Manners, the Rev. J. Kelly, and others, but none have passed into English hymnbooks. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Friedrich Adolph Lampe

1683 - 1729 Person Name: Ad. Lampe, 1683-1729 Hymnal Number: 284 Author of "O Fels des Heils, o Gotteslamm" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Lampe, Friedrich Adolf, D.D., son of Heinrich Lampe, pastor of the Reformed church at Detmold, was born at Detmold, apparently Feb. 18, and was certainly baptized there Feb. 19, 1683. He remained at Detmold till the death of his grandfather (General-Superintendent Zeller) in 1691, and then joined his widowed moiher at Bremen. He entered the Lyceum (Academic Gymnasium) at Bremen, in 1698; and in 1702 went to the University of Franeker in Holland. After a short residence at the University of Utrecht he became, in 1703, pastor of the Reformed church at Weeze, near Cleve; in 1706 at Duisburg; and in 1709 second pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Bremen, where in 1719 he became pastor primarius. In 1720 he was appointed German preacher and professor of dogmatics at the University of Utrecht (the degree of D.D. being also conferred on him); and in 1726 professor of Church History and Rector of the University. After a severe illness in the winter of 1726-27 he resigned in June, 1727, and returned to Bremen as third pastor of St. Ansgar's Church and professor at the Lyceum. He died at Bremen, Dec. 8, 1729. (Allg. Deutsche Biog., xvii. 579; F. A. Lampe Sein Leben und seine Theologie. By Dr. Otto Thelemann, 1868, &c). Lampe was the most important theologian that had appeared in the German Reformed Church since the Reformation period. He was the great exponent of the Federal or Covenant theology in his Geheimniss des Gnadenbundes, 1712 if.; the author of a well-known commentary on St. John's Gospel, 1724-26; of various catechetical works, &c. As a hymn-writer Lampe is not so important; but yet ranks as one of the best writers in the Reformed Church. His hymns are Scriptural, and characterised by glowing piety, deep spiritual insight, firm faith, and play of fancy; but are often somewhat obscure and involved, and not seldom very lengthy. Nine first appeared in his Balsam aus Gilead, Bremen, 1713, and the rest principally in his Bündlein XXV. Gottseliger Gesange, Bremen, 1723 [Royal Library, Berlin], and later editions. The edition of 1731 (XXX. Geistliche Lieder, &c.) contains also an appendix of 13 hymns from his manuscript. Comparatively few of Lampe's hymns are in modern German common use. Those which have passed into English are:— i. Mein Leben ist ein Pilgrimstand. For Travellers. 1723, No. 10, p. 39, in 8 St., entitled "Travelling Thoughts." In the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen, edition 1863. Translated as, "My life is but a pilgrim-stand," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 150). ii. 0 Fels des Heils am Kreuzesstamm. Holy Communion. 1723, No. 5, p. 21, in 12 stanzas of 5 lines entitled "Devotional Hymn at Holy Communion." In Dr. J. P. Lange's Kirchenliederbuch, 1843, st. xii. is omitted, and it begins "O Fels des Heils, O Gotteslamm." The translation in common use is:— O healing Rock, O Lamb of God. A translation of stanzas i.-iii., v., xii., by Dr. R. Maguire, in his Melodies of the Fatherland, 1883, p. 107. Repeated, omitting stanza iii., in R. Gault's Hymn Book for Church of England, 1886. iii. 0 Liebesgluth, wie toll ich dich. Love to Christ. Founded on St. John iii. 16. 1723, No. 19, p. 50, in 6 stanzas. Previously in his Geheimniss des Gnadenbundes, pt. iv., vol. ii., 2nd ed., Bremen, 1721, p. 1086. In Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, omitting stanzas ii., iv. Translated as: (1) "O Fire of Love, what earthly words," by Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 61. (2) "O wondrous love of Christ! how bright," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 75. iv. So ist von meiner kurzen Pilgrimschaft. New Year. 1723, No. 24, p. 69, in 16 stanzas. The form translation is that in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829, No. 424, altered, and beginning "Wie schnell verstrich, O Herr voll Mild und Huld." Translated as, "How swift, O Lord, most kind, most bountiful," by J. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 255. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Adolf Schlegel

1721 - 1793 Person Name: Joh. Ad. Schlegel, 1721-1793 Hymnal Number: 286 Author of "Herr, der du als ein stilles Lamm" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Schlegel, Johann Adolf, D.D., son of Dr. Johann Friedrich Schlegel, Appellationsrath at Meissen, in Saxony, was born at Meissen, Sept. 17, 1721. After passing through the famous school at Pforta (Schulpforta), near Naumburg, he studied, from 1741 to 1746, at the University of Leipzig, where he became acquainted with Cramer, Gellert, and Klopstgock, and was one of the principal contributors to the Bremer Beiträge (Neue Beyträge zum Vergnügen des Verstandes und Witzes). In 1746 he became a private tutor at Strehla, in Saxony, and then returned to Leipzig, where he occupied himself in literary work, until he went, in 1748, to live with his friend Cramer at Crellwitz, near Lützen. He remained at Crellwitz till 1751, when he was appointed a master in his old school at Pforta, and also diaconus of the church there. In 1754 he became chief pastor of the Holy Trinity church at Zerbst, and also professor of Theology and Metaphysics in the Academic Gymnasium in that town. He removed to Hannover in 1759, as pastor of the Markt Kirche. In 1775 he was removed to the Neustadt Church there, as chief pastor, and also as Consistorialrath and Superintendent. "While retaining his pastorate at Hannover, he was also appointed, in 1782, as General Superintendent of the district of Hoya. In 1787 he exchanged this for the General Superintendentship of the Principality of Kalenberg. The same year he received the degree of D.D. at the Jubilee Festival of the University of Göttingen. He died of fever, at Hannover, Sept. 16, 1793… Schlegel was a most prolific writer, though to the literary world at large the names of his song, August Wilhelm and Friedrich von Schlegel, are better known. He was one of the most celebrated preachers of his time, and the author of many volumes of sermons. His hymns suited the taste of the Rationalistic period, and were exceedingly popular in the end of the 18th century, but have now, in great measure, passed out of use. Many of them were merely polished and weakened versions of, or were founded upon, earlier hymns. In his strictly original hymns, he does not at all equal either Gellert or Klopstock. His hymns appeared in the following collections:— (1) Sammlung geistlicher Gesänge zur Beförderung Jer Erbauung, Leipzig, 1766; 2nd ed., revised and enlarged, Leipzig, 1772. (2) Zweite Sammlung. Leipzig, 1769. (3) Dritte Sammlung, Leipzig, 1772. (4) Yermischte Gedichte, 2 vols., Hannover, 1787 and 1789 [1, 2, 4, in British Museum; 3 and 2nd ed. of 1 in Hamburg Library.] He edited, and contributed to, the 1792 Appendix to the Hannover Gesang-Buch, 1740. One of Schlegel's hymns is a translation of, and is noted under "Veni Creator Spiritus." The others which have passed into English are :— i. Wie herrlich strahlt der Morgenstern. Love to Christ. First published in 1763, as above, p. 112, in 7 st. of 11 1., and entitled, "Longing after union with Jesus, on the model of the old hymn, Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern." The trs. in common use are :— 1. How brightly beams the Morning Star! This is a good translation, omitting st. iv., vii., by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 36. 2. How brightly shines the Morning Star! What eye descries it from afar. A good tr., omitting st. vii., contributed by J. M. Sloan to J. H. Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865, No. 282, and repeated, omitting st. iii., iv., in Wilson's Songs of Zion, 1878. Hymns not in English common use:— ii. Es lag die ganze Welt. St. John Baptist's Day. The tr. from Schlegel's recast is "The world enslav'd to sin." iii. Jauchzt! es ist eine Ruh vorhanden, Sleeping in Jesus. First published in his Vezmischte Gedich, vol. i., 178 , p. 128, in 2 stanzas of 10 lines, dated 1777, and entitled, "Of the happiness of Heaven." Translated as "Rejoice, that rest is not far distant." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 89. iv. Mein Jesu, fur dein Herz. Passiontide. First published in 1766, as above, p. 65, in 14 st. of 6 1. Tr. "How trying to the heart." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 210. v. Schweigt Stürme! brauset nicht ihr Meere. Summer. This is an Ode, first published in the Neue Beyträge, &c, Bremen and Leipzig, vol. i., 1744, and entitled, " Praise of the Godhead. On the model of the 104th Psalm." It is translated as, "Around me all is joy-—and oh, my God." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 111. vi. Tag, der Erleuchtung uns gebracht. Whitsuntide. First published in 1769, as above, p. 42, in 9 st. In some collections, as in the Kopenhagen Gesang-Buch, 1782, No. 282, it begins "O Tag, der uns des Vaters Rath." This is translated as "O day! that hast unto our souls set forth." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 94. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Heinrich Zeller

1779 - 1860 Person Name: Chr. H. Zeller, 1799-1860 Hymnal Number: 244 Author of "Sieh', ein weites Todtenfeld" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Zeller, Christian Heinrich, son of Christian David Zeller, Hofrath at Hohenentringen, near Tubingen, was born at Hohenentringen, March 29, 1779. He matriculated at the University of Tübingen in 1797, as a student of law. After completing his studies he chose, however, the profession of teaching. He became director of the Latin School at Zoffingen, Switzerland, in 1809, and finally removed in April, 1820; to Beuggen on the Rhine (Baden), near Basel, as director of the newly founded Institution there, meant for the education of poor children and for the training of teachers for poor children. He died at Beuggen, May 18, 1860 (Koch, vii. 188, &c). Zeller was best known as an educationist, and in con¬nection with the working of the Institution at Beuggen. His hymns, which are simple, Scriptural and earnest, were written primarily for use at Beuggen, and mostly appeared in the Monatsblatt (begun in 1828), and other publications of the Institution. They came into notice through their reception into Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1837. They were collected by Zeller's son, and published in 1871, as Lieder der Armenschullehrer-Anstalt Beuggen, 58 being original. Two of these hymns have passed into English, viz.:— i. Gott bei mir an jedem Orte. Omnipresence. On the joy of God's Presence with us. This appeared in the Monatsblatt in 1828, and was included in the 1871 as above, p. 88. In Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz , 1837, No. 32 (1865, No. 32), in 6 stanzas of 6 lines; in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1554, &c. The translation in common use is:— My God with me in every place. This is a good translation, omitting st. v., by Mrs. Findlater in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1st Ser., 1854, p. 30 (1884, p. 33); repeated, omitting st. iv., in Holy Song, 1869, No. 588. In Miss Warner's Hymns of the Church Militant, 1858, it begins, "My God is with me every place." Another translation is: "God in every place is near me." By R. Massie, in the British Herald, May, 1865, p. 70, and in Reid's Praise Book, 1872, No. 438. ii. Treuer Heiland, wir sind hier. Public Worship. This is in the 1871 as above, p. 64. Included in Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz 1837, No. 857 (1865, No. 1256), in 5 stanzas of 7 lines; and repeated in the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1842, No. 235. For this hymn Conrad Kocher wrote the well-known melody which in Hymns Ancient & Modern is called Dix, and which first appeared, set to Zeller's hymn, in Kocher's Stimmen aus dem Meiche Gottes, Stuttgart, 1838, No. 201. Translates as:— Saviour, here to Thee we come. This is a free translation of stanzas i., ii., v., marked as by "F. C. C.” as No. 155 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johannes Matthaeus Meyfart

1590 - 1642 Person Name: Joh. Matth.Mayfart, 1590-1636 Hymnal Number: 622 Author of "Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Meyfart, Johann Matthäus, was born Nov. 9, 1590 at Jena, during a visit which his mother (wife of Pastor Meyfart of Wablwinkel, near Waltershausen, Gotha) was paying to her father. He studied at the Universities of Jena (M.A. 1611; D.D. 1624) and Wittenberg, and was thereafter for some time adjunct of the philosophical faculty at Jena. In 1616, he was appointed professor in the Gymnasium at Coburg and in 1623 director; and during his residence at Coburg was a great moral power. When his colleagues in the Gymnasium made a complaint to the government regarding a dissertation (De disciplina ecclesiastica) which he published in 1633, he accepted the offer of the professorship of theology in the revived University of Erfurt. He entered on his work at Erfurt, July, 1633, was rector of the University in 1634, and in 1636 became also pastor of the Prediger Kirche. He died at Erfurt, Jan. 26, 1642 (Koch iii. 117; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxi. 646, &c.). Meyfart's devotional works (Tuba poenitentiae prophetica, 1625; Tuba Novissima, 1626; Höllisches Sodoma, 1629; Himmlisches Jerusalem, 1630; Jüngste Gericht, 1632) passed through various editions, and produced a great impression by their vivid picturing and their earnest calls to repentance and amendment of life. His well-meant efforts, by books and otherwise, towards raising the tone of student life in Germany, and his exposition of the excesses and defects in both academical and churchly life at that period, brought him much ill will and opposition, and did not produce useful fruit till much later. His hymns were few in number, and appeared mostly in his devotional books. Only one of Meyfart's hymns has passed into English, viz. :— Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt. The New Jerusalem. This splendid hymn appeared in his Tuba Novissima, Coburg, 1626 [Ducal Library, Gotha], a volume containing four sermons preached at Coburg on the Four Last Things, viz. Death, Last Judgment, Eternal Life, and Eternal Punishment. It forms the conclusion of the third sermon (on St. Matt. xvii. 1-9) which is entitled "On the joy and glory which all the Elect are to expect in the Life everlasting." This conclusion is reprinted verbatim et literatim (i.e. with the introductory and closing sentences, and the connecting sentences between st. i., ii., iii. and iv.) in the Blätter für Hymnologie, 1883, pp. 120-124. The text of the hymn, in 8 st. of 8 1., is given unaltered, according to the marginal directions of the original (save st. vii. 1. 6, where the original is "Man spielt"), as No. 1537 in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder ed. 1863. Of it Lauxmann, in Koch viii. 669, says:— "The hymn is a precious gem in our Treasury of Song, in which one clearly sees that from it the whole heart of the poet shines out on us. Meyfart had his face turned wholly to the Future, to the Last Things; and with a richly fanciful mysticism full of deep and strong faith, he united a flaming zeal for the House of the Lord, and against the abuses of his times." He adds that the hymn was a great favourite with Charles Gützlaff, the apostle of China (died at Hong Kong, Aug. 9, 1851), whose last words were "Would God I were in thee" (st. i. 1. 3) ; and of Julius Schnorr of Carolsfeld, the well-known painter, whose last work was the illustrating of this hymn, and at whose funeral in 1872 it was sung. The popularity of the hymn was greatly aided by the magnificent melody, generally ascribed to Melchior Franck [born at Zittau, 1580 ; c. 1604, capellmeister at Coburg; died at Coburg, June 1,1639], but not yet traced earlier than to the Erfurt Gesang-Buch, 1663. Translations in common use:— 1. Jerusalem, thou city built on high. A good tranlation of st. i.-iv., vii., as No. 112 in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book, 1848. 2. Jerusalem, thou city built on high. A good translation of st. i., iv., vi., vii., by A. T. Russell, as No. 261 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. St. i., 11. 1, 2, 4 are from the 1848 translation. The form in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, No. 288, is i. 11. 1-4, ii. as 1848; i. 11. 5-8, vii. as 1851. 3. Jerusalem, thou city fair and high. A good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 220; repeated in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 193, set to the melody of 1663. Included in full in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, and, abridged, in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868, and the Uppingham and Sherborne School Hymn Book, 1874. 4. Jerusalem! high tow’r thy glorious walls. A good and full translation, by Bishop W. R. Whittingham, in the American Episcopal Hymns for Church and Home, 1860, No. 414; and the American Episcopal Hymnal, 1871. St. i., iv., viii. are in M. W. Stryker's Christian Chorals, 1885. Translations not in common use:— (l) "Jerusalem, thou city of the skies." In the United PresbyterianJuvenile Mission Magazine, Dec. 1857. (2) "Jerusalem! thou glorious city-height." By Mrs. Sevan, 1858, p. 19, repeated in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868. (3) “Jerusalem, thou high-built, fair abode." In the Christian Examiner (Boston, U. S.), Sept. 1860, p. 254. (4) "Jerusalem, thou city rear'd on high. By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 94. (5) "Jerusalem! thou city towering high." By Miss Cox, in her Hymns from the German, 1864, p. 101, and in Lyra Mystica, 1865, p. 365. (6) "Jerusalem! thou city builded high." By Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, April, 1866, p. 249, and Reid's Praise Book, 1872. (7) "Jerusalem! high tow'r thy glorious walls." A full and spirited translation by J. H. Hopkins, in his Carols, Hymns and Songs, 1882, p. 182, dated 1862. St. i., 11. 1-2, are taken from Bishop Whittingham's version. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Justus Gesenius

1601 - 1673 Person Name: Justus Gesenius, 1601-1671 Hymnal Number: 138 Author of "Wenn meine Sünd' mich kränken" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Gesenius, Justus, D.D., son of Joachim Gesenius, pastor at Esbeck, near Lauenstein, Hannover; was born at Esbeck, July 6, 1601. He studied at the Universities of Helmstedt and Jena, graduating M.A at Jena in 1628. In 1629 he became pastor of St. Magnus's Church, Brunswick; in 1636 court chaplain and preacher at the Cathedral in Hildesheim; and in 1642 chief court preacher, consistorialrath, and general superintendent at Hannover. He died at Hannover, Sept. 18, 1673 (Koch, iii 230-237; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, ix. 87-88; Bode, p. 76, &c). Gesenius was an accomplished and influential theologian, a famous preacher, and distinguished himself by his efforts to further the catechetical instruction of the children of his district. Along with D. Denicke (q.v.) he edited the Hannoverian hymnbooks of 1646-1660. Both he and Denicke aimed at reducing the older German hymns to correctness of style according to the poetical canons of Martin Opitz; not so much interfering with the theology or making the authors speak a terminology foreign to them. Consequently their recasts, while setting a bad example, and while often destroying much of the force and freshness of the originals, were not by any means so objectionable as the recasts of the Rationalistic period, and moreover were soon widely accepted. As no authors' names are given in the Hannoverian hymnbooks, it is difficult to assign the authorship of the new hymns and recasts therein contained. The following is generally, and apparently with reason, ascribed to Gesenius: Wenn meine Sünd' mich kränken. Passiontide. His finest hymn as regards depth, warmth, and finish. First published in the Hannover Gesang-Buch 1646, No. 49, in 8 stanzas of 7 lines. It has been called a recast of the hymn "Hilf Gott, dass mir gelinge," but bears not the slightest resemblance to it. Included in Crüger's Praxis, 1656, and many later collections, as the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 277. By a not unjust retribution it was soon recast, and appeared in the Lüneburg Gesang-Buch, 1661, as "Wenn mich die Sunden kränken." Translated as:— 1. When guilt and shame are raising. In full, by J. C. Jacobi, in pt. ii., 1725, of his Psalter Germanica, p. 4 (1732, p. 34). In the Moravian HymnBook of 1789, No. 106, it is altered to “O Lord, when condemnation"; and in the edition 1886, it begins with st. v., "Lord, let Thy bitter passion." A cento of stanzas ii., iii., v., from the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801, was adopted by Montgomery in his Christian Psalmist, 1825, beginning, "O wonder far exceeding," and this is in the New Zealand Hymnal. 1872. 2. 0 Lord, when my sins grieve me. A good translation of stanzas i., ii., iv., v., by A. T. Russell, as No. 81 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 3. When sorrow and remorse. In full, by Miss Winkworth in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 74. A cento consisting of lines 1-4 of stanzas i., iv.—vi., and of stanza vii., rewritten to S.M., is in the Pennsylvanian Lutheran Church Book, 1868. 4. 0 Lord, when condemnation. A full and good translation, included as No. 84 in the 1857 ed. of Mercer's The Church Psalter and Hymnbook. Probably by Mr. Mercer, but mainly taken from the Moravian Hymnbook, 1789, and from Miss Winkworth. Repeated, abridged, in his Oxford ed., 1864, No. 149, and in the Toronto HymnBook, 1862. 5. When o'er my sins I sorrow. A good translation, based on her 1855 version, and omitting stanzas ii.—iv., by Miss Winkworth, as No. 48 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Cyriacus Schneegass

1546 - 1597 Person Name: Cyriacus Schneegaß, 1546-1597 Hymnal Number: 495 Author of "Das liebe neue Jahr geht an" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Sehneegass, Cyriacus, was born Oct. 5, 1546, at Buffleben, near Gotha. He studied and graduated M.A. at the University of Jena. In 1573 he became pastor of the St. Blasius church at Friedrichroda, near Gotha. He was also adjunct to the Superindendent of Weimar, and in this capacity signed the Formula of Concord in 1579. He died at Friedrichroda, Oct. 23, 1597 (Koch, ii. 252, &c). Schneegass was a diligent pastor, a man mighty in the Scriptures, and firm and rejoicing in his faith. He was also an excellent musician and fostered the love of music among his people. His hymns reflect his character, and are good and simple, setting forth in clear and intelligible style the leading ideas of the festivals of the Christian year, &c.; and his Psalm versions are also of considerable merit. They appeared principally in his (l) xv. Psalmi graduum, &c, Erfurt, 1595 [Gotha Library], This contains the Psalms of Degrees (120-134) also Ps. 82 and 85, and three hymns. (2) Weihenacht und New Jahrs-Gesäng, Erfurt, 1595. Koch speaks of this as containing 9 hymns. The present writer has been unable to trace a copy of the book. (3) Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen. Für Einfeltigefrome Herzen zugerichtet, Erfurt, 1597 [Berlin Library]. This is the complete edition of his psalms and hymns, containing 72 in all. Of his hymns those which have passed into English are:— i. Das neugeborne Kindelein. Christmas. Probably first published in No. 2 above. Included in 1597 as above, No. 1, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled "A beautiful little Christmas hymn on the dear little Jesus." Repeated in Wackernagel, v. p. 138, and as No. 65 in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen1851. The translations in common use are:— 1. The holy Son, the new-born Child, A good and full tr. by A. T. Russell, as No. 60 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 2. The new-born Child this early morn. In full as No. 46 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal 1880. Another tr. is (3) "The new-born Babe, whom Mary bore," as No. 439 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book , 1754. ii. Herr Gott Vater, wir preisen dich. New Year. Probably first published in No. 2 above. Included in 1597 as above, No. 7, in 4 stanzas of 7 lines, entitled "A New Year's Hymn." Repeated in Wackernagel, v. p. 139, in the Pfalz Gesang-Buch 1859, No. 129, and the Ohio Gesang-Buch, 1870, No. 54. The translation in common use is:— O Lord our Father, thanks to Thee. In full, by A. Crull, in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Wilhelm Erasmus Arends

1677 - 1721 Person Name: Wilh. Erasmus Arends, -1721 Hymnal Number: 432 Author of "Rüstet euch ihr Christenleute" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Arends, Wilhelm Erasmus, son of E. F. Arnds, pastor at Langenstein, near Halberstadt, was born at Langenstein, Feb. 5,1677. He became, in 1707, pastor at Crottorf, near Halberstadt, and in 1718, pastor of the church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Halberstadt. He died at the latter place, May 16,1721 (Koch, iv. 389; Allg. Deutsche Biog., i. 516; manuscript from Pastor Spierling, Halberstadt, and Pastor Schafft, Langenstein). He is said to have contributed three hymns to pt. ii., 1714, of Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch Of these Nos. 118, 303 are ascribed to him at p. 3 of the Grischow-Kirchner Nachricht, 1771, to Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, while the other is left anonymous. It is:— Rüstet euch ihr Christenleute. [Christian Warfare.] First published as No. 360 in 1714 as above, in 4 stanzas of 11 lines. Dr. Jacobs of Wernigerode informs me that Count Christian Ernst of Wernigerode (d. 1771), a well-known German hymnologist, ascribed it to Arends in a marked copy of the 1741 ed. of Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch. Koch styles it "a call to arms for spiritual conflict and victory." Included in many later hymnbooks, and recently as No. 675 in the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegan, ed. 1863. Translation in common use:— Christians, prayer may well employ you. A full and good translation contributed by J. M. Sloan as No. 289 to Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] - John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Scheffler

1624 - 1677 Person Name: Joh. Scheffler, 1624-1677 Hymnal Number: 53 Author of "Gott Vater, aller Dinge Grund" in Gesangbuch der Evangelischen Kirche Used Angelus Silesius as a pen name. See also Angelus Silesius, 1624-1677