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Johann Gottfried Hermann

1707 - 1791 Person Name: Johann Gottfried Herrmann Hymnal Number: 70 Author of "Geht hin, ihr gläubigen Gedanken" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Herrmann, Johann Gottfried, D.D., son of Gottfried Herrmann, pastor at Altjessnitz, near Bitterfeld, Saxony, was born at Altjessnitz, Oct. 12, 1707. After studying at the University of Leipzig (M.A. in 1731), he was appointed in 1731 diaconus at Ranis, near Neustadt on the Orla; in 1734 diaconus at Pegau, near Leipzig; in 1738 superintendent at Plauen; and in 1746 chief Court preacher at Dresden, and oberconsistorialrath. He died at Dresden, July 30, 1791 (Koch, v. 503-505). The only hymn by him translated into English appeared in the Privilegirte neue und vollständige Voigtländische Gesang Buch, Plauen, 1742, which he edited while Superintendent at Plauen. It is: Gent hin, ihr glaubigen Gedanken. The Love of God. A fine hymn, founded on Eph. i. 3-12, on Faith produced and nourished by the everlasting love of God. 1st pub. 1742 as above (ed. 1751, No. 843), in 14 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "On the Everlasting Love of God." Included as No. 413 in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen 1851. The only translation in common use is:— On wings of faith, ye thoughts, fly hence. A good tr., omitting stanza viii., by Miss Winkworth, in the 1st Ser. of her Lyra Germanica, 1855, p. 121. Her translation of lines 1-4 of stanzas v., xii., x., xi. beginning "Ah! happy hours! whene'er upsprings," with a 5th stanza not from Herrmann, added to complete the hymn, were included as No. 646 in the American Sabbath Hymn Book 1858. Another arrangement, consisting of lines 1-4 of stanzas ii.-iv., vii., xiii., appeared as No. 233 in the Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, and is repeated in several American collections. It begins:—"Ere earth's foundations yet were laid." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Friedrich Wilhelm Loder

1757 - 1823 Person Name: Friedr. Wilh. Loder Hymnal Number: 233 Author of "Inbruenstig preis' ich Dich" in Deutsches Gesangbuch

Johann Peter Lange

1802 - 1884 Person Name: Joh. Pet. Lange Hymnal Number: 360 Author of "Du Abglanz von des Vaters Ehr'" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Lange, Johann Peter, D.D., son of Peter Lang or Lange, farmer and carrier on the estate of Bies, near Sonnborn, Elberfeld, was born at the Bies, April 10, 1802. In 1822 he entered the University of Bonn as a student of theology; and in the beginning of 1826 he became assistant to Pastor Emil Krummacher of Langenberg. In June 1826 he was appointed second pastor at Wald near Solingen; in 1828 second pastor of the Reformed church at Langenberg, and in 1832 second pastor at Duisburg. He was then appointed professor of Church History and Dogmatics at Zurich, as successor to D. F. Strauss, and entered on his duties at Easter, 1841; receiving shortly thereafter D.D. from Bonn. After Easter, 1854, he was professor of Systematic Theology at Bonn (also Consistorialrath after 1860), and continued to lecture up to five days before his death. He died at Bonn, July 8, 1884 (Koch, vii. 361; 0. Kraus, 1879, p. 324, &c). Lange is best known as a theologian, and by such works as his Life of Christ, 1844; his Bibel-Werk, 1857, ff., a commentary on the whole Bible which he edited in conjunction with various German scholars (English edition by Dr. P. Schaff and others), &c. During his tenure of office at Zurich, he began the fashion of giving University lectures on hymnology (1842), and published a large hymn-book (Deutsches Kirchenliederbuch, Zürich, 1843) with an elaborate introduction and a considerable body of notes. He is the most important modern hymn-writer of the German Reformed Church. He was, however, a thinker rather than a poet. His productions are primarily thoughtful, picturesque, imaginative, and deeply spiritual poems for private reading; and have little of the popular tone and style fitted for use in the services of the church. They appeared mostly in his (1) Biblische Dichtungen, vol. i., Elberfeld, 1832; vol. ii. Elberfeld, 1834; (2) Gedichte, Essen, 1843; (3) Vom Oelberge, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1852; 2nd edition 1858. Comparatively few of Lange's hymns are in German common use. Those which have passed into English are:— i. Hymns in English common use:-- i. Der Herr ist auferstanden. Easter. In his Biblische Dichtungen, vol. i., 1832, p. 155, in 17 stanzas of 7 lines. In his Vom Oelberge, 1852, p. 28, only st. i., vii., xiv.-xvii., were retained, and this form is No. 517 in Dr. Schaff’s Deutsches Gesang-Buch 1874. Translated as:— The Lord of Life is risen. A good translation of the 1852 text, by Dr. H. Harbaugh, in the German Reformed Guardian, April 1860, p. 106, repeated in Hymns for the [German] Reformed Church in the United States, Philad., 1874; also in Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1869 and 1870. ii. Unsre Lieben sind geschieden. For Mourners. In his Biblische Dichtungen, vol. ii., 1834, p. 172, in 10 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled ,”The Home Going." In F. Seinecke's Evang. Liedersegen, 1862, No. 412. Translated as:— Our beloved have departed. By Mrs. Findlater, omitting stanzas v., vii., ix., in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 2nd Ser., 1855, p. 28 (1884, p. 93). Repeated, in full, in Holy Song, 1869. The translations of stanzas i., ii., viii., x., altered, and beginning, "Do we mourn for friends departed," are in J. A. Johnston's English Hymnal, 1856; and the same cento, varied, and beginning, "Weep we sore for friends departed," is in Kennedy, 1863. iii. Was kein Auge hat gesehen. Eternal Life. A fine hymn, founded on 1 Cor. ii. 9. In his Biblische Dichtunge, vol. ii., 1834, p. 92, in 13 stanzas of 6 lines. A form, in 7 stanzas, is included in Dr. Schaff’s Deutsches Gesang-Buch, 1874. Translated as:— What no human eye hath seen. A good translation, by Miss Borthwick, omitting stanzas ii., viii., xi., xiii., in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 2nd Ser., 1855, p. 73 (1884, p. 130). Repeated, in full, in Holy Song, 1869, and Kennedy, 1863; and abridged in the Methodist New Congregational Hymn Book, 1863, and Flett's Collection, Paisley, 1871. ii. Hymns not in English common use:-- iv. Auf den dunklen Bergen. Passiontide. 1832, p. 145, in 12 stanzas. Translated as: "Upon the mountain dark and drear," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 68. v. Es ist noch nichts verbrochen. Encouragement, 1834, p. 103, in 8 stanzas. Translated as: “Sure the Lord thy God hath spoken," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 121. vi. Gott mit uns! mit uns auf Erden, Christmas. A fine hymn, written in 1830 on "Immanuel—God with us." 1832, p. 71, in 6 stanzas. Translated as: "God with us! In flesh combining," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 27. vii. Hier und dort im wilden Meere. Christ at Bethany. 1832, p. 138, in 9 stanzas. Translated as: "Mid the ocean deep and wide," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 52. viii. Ich weiss ein stilles, liebes Land. The Churchyard. 1834, p. 167, in 12 stanzas. Translated as: I know a sweet and silent spot," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858, p. 54 (1884, p. 174). ix. Lass mich diese Welt verstehen. Cross and Consolation. Gedichte, 1843, p. 61, in 5 stanzas. Translated as: "In the light, Lord, of Thy cross," by J. Kelly, 1885. x. Mein Vater ist der grosse Herr der Welt. Privileges of Christians. Founded on 1 Cor. iii. 21. 1834, p. 106, in 8 stanzas. Translated as:—"My Father is the mighty Lord, Whose arm," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther. 1854, p. 54(1884, p. 55). xi. Schöne Sonne, kommst du endlich wieder. Trust in God, 1834, p. 90, in 10 st. Translation as: "Sun of comfort, art thou fled forever," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 10 (1884, p. 77). xii. Sey du mein Freund, und schau in meine Brust. Supplication. Suggested by 1 John ii. I. 1834, p. 88, in 7 stanzas. Translated as: “Be Thou my Friend, and look upon my heart," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858, p. 41. xiii. So gross ist Gottes Welt. Wonders of Day and Night. Vom Oelberge, 1852, p. 121, in 9 stanzas entitled "Two Worlds." Translated as: "So wide, so richly stored," by Miss Borthwick, in the Family Treasury, 1867. xiv. Wo Lämmer schlafen, wacht die Hirtentreue. Christmas. 1834, p. 23, in 2 stanzas of 4 lines, and 2 of 3 lines. Translated as: "Where the lambs sleep, there shepherds watch around," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1862, p. 17. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Bartholomäus Crasselius

1667 - 1724 Person Name: Bartholomaeus Crasselius Hymnal Number: 302 Author of "Frieden, ach Frieden, den goettlichen Frieden" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Crasselius, Bartholomäus, son of Johannes Crasselt, sheepmaster at Wemsdorf near Glauchau, Saxony; was born at Wernsdorf, Feb. 21, 1667. After studying at Halle, under A. H. Francke, he became, in 1701, pastor at Nidda, in Wetteravia, Hesse. In 1708 he was appointed Lutheran pastor at Düsseldorf, where he died Nov. 30, 1724, after a somewhat troubled pastorate, during which he felt called upon to testify strongly and somewhat bitterly against the shortcomings of the place and of the times (Koch, iv. 418-421; Allg. Deutsche Biographie, iv. 566-67; Bode, p. 55; manuscript from Pastor Baltzer, Wernsdorf; the second dating his call to Dusseldorf 1706). Of the 9 hymns by him which Freylinghausen included in his Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1704, two have been translated:— i. Dir, dir, Jehovah, will ich singen. Prayer. A hymn of supplication for the spirit of grace rightly to praise and worship God, founded on St. John, xvi. 23-28, the Gospel for Rogation Sunday. First published in the Geistreiches Gesang-Buch &., Halle, 1697, p. 587, in 8 stanzas of 6 lines. Repeated as No. 291 in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, and since in almost all collections, as in the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen. ed. 1863, No. 936. The well-known tune (known in England as Winchester New as reduced to L. M. in Hymns Ancient & Modern, No. 50) which appeared with this hymn in Freylinghausen, 1704, is altered from a melody to “Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten," in the Musicalisch Handbuch der Geistlichen Melodien, Hamburg, 1690. See L. Erk's Choralbuch, 1863, No. 63, and p. 247; also No. 261. The common, but erroneous ascription of this tune to Crasselius arose from confusion between the authorship of the tune and the words. There is no evidence that Crasselius wrote any tunes. Translations in common use:— 1. Jehovah, let me now adore Thee, a good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, as No. 117, in her Chorale Buch for England, 1863, set to the 1704 melody. 2. To Thee, 0 Lord, will I sing praises, in full, by Dr. M. Loy, in the Evangelical Review, Gettysburg, July 1861, and as No. 216 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Other translations are:— (i) "To Thee, Jehovah, I'll be singing," in the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 41, and in Select Hymns from German Psaltery, Tranquebar, 1754, p. 72. (2) "Draw me, O Father, to the Son," a translation of stanza ii., by P. H. Molther, as No. 185 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1789. In the ed. of 1886 it is enlarged to 3 stanzas by the addition of the translation of stanzas i. and viii., and in this form it begins:—“To Thee, Jehovah, will I sing." (3) "To Thee, O Lord, I come with singing," by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, April, 1866, p. 248, repeated as No. 402 in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. ii. Erwach, 0 Mensch, erwache. Lent. Appeared in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 266, in 4 stanzas of 9 lines. Included in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, No. 298, and Allgemeine Gesang-Buch 1846, No. 13. Translated as "Awake, O man, and from thee shake," by Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 61. The hymn, "Heiligster Jesu, Heiligungsquelle," ascribed to Crasselius, is noted under J. v. Lodenstein. See also "Hallelujah! Lob, Preis und Ehr." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Burchard Freystein

1671 - 1718 Person Name: J. Burchard Freystein Hymnal Number: 330 Author of "Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Freystein, Johann Burchard, son of A. S. Freystein, vice-chancellor of Duke August of Saxony and inspector of the Gymnasium at Weissenfels, was born at Weissenfels, April 18, 1671. At the University of Leipzig he studied law, mathematics, philosophy and architecture. He resided for some time at Berlin and Halle and then went to Dresden as assistant to a lawyer. After graduating L.L.D. at Jena in 1695, he began an independent legal practice at Dresden. In 1703 he became Rath at Gotha, but returned to Dresden in 1709 as Hof-und Justizrath, and was also, in 1713, appointed a member of the Board of Works. Enfeebled by his professional labours, he died of dropsy at Dresden, April 1, 1718 (Bode, p. 70; Blätter für Hymnologie, 1884, pp. 22-24; Koch, iv. 222). Of the six hymns of this pious lawyer and disciple of Spener, five seem to have first appeared in the Merseburg Gesang-Buch, 1716. The other (which has been translated into English) is:— Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit. [Watchfulness.] This fine hymn, a stirring call to fight against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, founded on St. Matthew xxvi. 41; first appeared in the Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1697, p. 393, in 10 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled, "On the words Watch and Pray." It was repeated in Wagner's Gesang-Buch, Leipzig, 1697, vol. iv. p. 1280; in Freylinghausen's Gesang-buch, 1704, and many later collections, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851. The translations in common use are:— 1. Rise, my soul, to watch and pray, omitting stanzas 2, 4, 8, 10, by Miss Winkworth in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 125, repeated in J. Robinson's Collection, 1869, No. 10. 2. Up, my soul, gird thee with power, omitting st. iv.-vi., by E. Cronenwett, as 396 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Other translations are: (l) "O my soul, with prayers and cries," in Lyra Davidica, 1708, p. 53. (2) "Wake, my soul, wake up from sleep," by J. S. Stallybrass in the Tonic Solfa Reporter, January, 1859. (3) “Have thy armour on, my soul," by Miss Burlingham in the British Herald, Feb. 1865, p. 29. The hymn "O my spirit, wake, prepare," by A. T. Russell, as No. 104 in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book, 1848, and repeated as No. 196 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, while not a translation, is based on st. iii., viii., ix. of the German. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Caspar Heunisch

1620 - 1690 Hymnal Number: 487 Author of "O Ewigkeit, du Freudenwort" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Heunisch, Caspar, was born July 17, 1620, at Schweinfurt, in Franconia. After graduating at Jena, he became, in 1645, pastor at Priesensbausen, near Schweinfurt; in 1646 at Oberndorf; and in 1647 diaconus at Schweinfurt. He died as superintendent at Schweinfurt, Oct. 18, 1690 (Wetzel, iv. 237-238). One of his hymns has been translated into English:— O Ewigkeit! du Freudenwort. Eternal Life. Included as No. 490 in the Schleusingen Gesang-Buch, 1688 [Ducal Library, Wernigerode], in 9 stanzas of 8 lines, signed M. C. H., i.e. Magister Caspar Heunisch. It is a companion hymn to "O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort" (q.v.), by Rist. The translations are: (1) "Eternity! delightful sound," by J.C. Jacobi, 1722, p. 101 (1732, p. 209). (2) "Eternity! that word, that joyful word," by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 112. (3) "Eternity! O word of joy," by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, Sept. 1865, p. 142, repeated in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Caspar Bienemann

1540 - 1591 Person Name: Caspar Bienemann Hymnal Number: 449 Author of "Herr, wie du willst, so schick's mit mir" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Bienemann, Caspar, son of Conrad Bienemann, a burgess of Nürnberg, was born at Nürnberg, Jan. 3, 1540. After the completion of his studies at Jena and Tubingen, he was sent by the Emperor Maximilian II. with an embassy to Greece as interpreter. In Greece he assumed the name of Melissander (a translation into Greek of his German name), by which he is frequently known. After his return he was appointed Professor at Lauingen, Bavaria, and then Abt at Bahr (Lahr?), and General Superintendent of Pfalz Neuburg; but on the outbreak of the Synergistic Controversy he had to resign his post. In 1571 he received from the University of Jena the degree of D.D., and in the same year was appointed, by Duke Johann Wilheim, of Suchsen Weimar, tutor to the Crown Prince Friedrich Wilheim. But when on the death of the Duke, in 1573, the Elector August, of Saxony, assumed the Regency, the Calvinistic court party gained the ascendancy, and succeeded in displacing Bienemann and other Lutheran pastors in the Duchy. Finally, in 1578, he was appointed pastor and General Superintendent at Altenburg, and d. there Sept. 12, 1591 (Koch, ii. 248-252; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, ii. 626). One of his hymns has passed into English. Herr wie du willt, so schicks mit mir. [Resignation.] Written in 1574, while he was tutor to the children of Duke Johann Wilheim of Sachsen Weimar, in expectation of a coming pestilence. He taught it as a prayer to his pupil the Princess Maria, then three years old, the initial letters of the three stanzas (H. Z. S.) forming an acrostic on her title, Hertzogin zu Sachsen. The Princess afterwards adopted as her motto the words "Herr wie du willt,*' and this motto forms the refrain of "Jesus, Jesus, nichts als Jesus," the best known hymn of the Countess Ludamilia Elizabeth of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (q. v.), (see Koch, viii. 370-371). This hymn "Herr wie" was first published in B.'s Betbüchlein, Leipzig, 1582, in 3 stanzas of 7 lines, marked as C. Meliss D. 1574, with the title, "Motto and daily prayer of the illustrious and noble Princess and Lady, Lady Maria, by birth, Duchess of Saxony, Landgravine of Thuringia and Margravine of Meissen." Thence in Wackernagel, iv. p. 714. Included in the Greifswald Gesang-Buch. 1597, and others, and in the Unverfälschter Leidersegen, 1851, No. 578. The translations in common use are:— 1. Lord, as Thou wilt, whilst Thou my heart, good and full, by A. T. Russell, as No. 195 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 2. Lord, as Thou wilt, deal Thou with me, in full, by E. Cronenwett, as No. 409 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Another translation is:— "Lord, as Thou wilt, so do with me," by Dr. G. Walker, I860, p. 53. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Elias G. J. Hundeiker

Hymnal Number: 228 Author of "Friedhof, den wir ernst betreten" in Deutsches Gesangbuch

Christian Gottlob Barth

1799 - 1862 Hymnal Number: 156 Author of "Hochgelobter fuerst des lebens" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Barth, Christian Gottlob, son of C. F. Barth, house painter in Stuttgart, was born at Stuttgart, July 31,1799. He studied at Tubingen, where he was the principal founder of the Missionary Society, and was only restrained by his mother's entreaties from offering himself as a missionary. He became, in 1821, assistant at Neckarweihingen and Dornham, and, in 1822, curate in charge of Effringen and Schönbrunn, near Nagold. In 1824 he was appointed pastor of Möttlingen, near Calw, but resigned his charge in 1838, and settled in Calw, receiving in the same year the degree of D.D. from the University.of Greifswald. He died at Calw of apoplexy, Nov. 12, 1862. At Calw he devoted himself as a writer and preacher to children, as a preacher and writer in the cause of missions to the heathen and to the Jews, and as the founder and director of the Tract Society of Calw. One of his books, the Bible History, reached its 160th edition in 1872, and had then been translated into 24 European, 18 Asiatic, 7 African, and 3 South Sea languages. He frequently attended the meetings of the Religious Tract Society of London, and was a member of the Evangelical Alliance (Koch, vii. 199-210; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, ii. 94-95). Of his hymns there have been translated into English:— i. Auf einem Berg ein Baumlein stand. [Holy Scripture]. Included in his Lieder und Gedichte fur Christenkinder, Calw, 1842, p. 83, in 4 stanzas. Previously in J. Köbner's Christl. Harfentöne, Hamburg, 1840, p. 115. The translations are:— (1) "Upon a hill there stands a tree," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 25), and thence in P. Stow's Ocean Melodies, Boston, U.S., 1849. (2) "A tree grows on a mountain," by Mrs. Bevan, 1859, p. 138. (3) "A tree stood on a mountain," in Dr. H. W. Dulcken's Golden Harp, 1864, p. 22. (4) " On a hill stands a beautiful tree," in W. B. Bradbury's Fresh Laurels, N. Y., 1867, p. 15, signed "L. W." (5) " Lo, on a mount a tree doth stand," by Mrs. H. K. Spaeth, as No. 60 in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Little Children's Book, Philadelphia, 1885. ii. Erhebe dich, du Volk des Herrn. [Missions.] Written for the Basel Mission Festival, June 12, 1833, In his Christliche Gedichte, Stuttgart, 1836, p. 18, in 8 stanzas. Translated as “Ye people of the Lord, arise!" by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 202. iii. Hütter, ist die Nacht verschwtinden. [Missions.] Written for the 20th anniversary, June 27,1835, of the Basel Missionary Society, and first published in the Mission Magazine for that year. In his Christliche Gedichte, Stuttgart, 1836, p. 54, in 8 stanzas. The translations are:— (1) "Ho! watchman, is the night away," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 84. (2) "Watchman! Hath the night departed," in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 107. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Valentin Thilo

1607 - 1662 Hymnal Number: 74 Author of "Mit Ernst, ihr Menschenkinder" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Thilo, Valentin, son of Valentin Thiel or Thilo [born Jan. 2, 1579, at Zinten, became diaconus of the Altstadt Church in 1603, and died of the pestilence at Königsberg in 1620], diaconus of the Altstadt Church in Königsberg, was born at Königsberg, April 19, 1607. He matriculated in 1624 at the University of Königsberg as a student of theology, but devoted himself more especially to the study of rhetoric. When the Professor of Rhetoric, Samuel Fuchs, retired in 1632, he recommended Thilo as his successor. The post was, at Thilo's desire, kept open for two years, during which he pursued his studies at the University of Leyden. On returning to Königsberg, he graduated M.A. there on April 20, 1634, and was thereafter installed as Professor of Rhetoric. During his 28 years’ tenure of office he was five times elected as dean of the Philosophical Faculty, and twice as Rector of the University. He died at Königsberg, July 27,1662. (Koch, iii 202; K. Goedeke's Grundriss, vol. iii., 1887, p. 135, &c.) Thilo was a great friend of Heinrich Albert and of Simon Dach, and was with them a member of the Königsberg Poetical Union. He was the author of two text books on Rhetoric, published in 1635 and 1647. Some of his separately printed occasional poems are noted by Goedeke as above. His hymns were almost all written for various Festivals of the Christian Year. They are as a rule short and vigorous, and are somewhat akin to those of Dach. They appeared principally in the Preussische Fest-Lieder, Elbing, 1642-44 [Berlin Library], and in the New Preussisches vollständiges Gesang-Buch, Königsberg, 1650 [Hamburg Library]. A list of their first lines is printed in the Altpreussische Monats-schrift, Königsberg, 1889, p. 308, where evidence is given to show that they are by the younger Thilo, and not, as has sometimes been said, by the father. The only hymn by Thilo translated into English is:— Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder. Advent. This is a fine hymn founded on St. Luke iii. 4, 5, and was first published in pt. i., Elbing, 1642, of the Preussische Fest-Lieder, as No. 8, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "On the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Parate viam Domino," and marked as by "Valentinus Thilo." Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 8, considers st. iii. the finest, and thinks that it may have been suggested by the remembrance of his beloved sister (wife of Pastor Kuhn, of the Rossgart Church in Königsberg), who died of the pestilence on Aug. 16, 1639, and as a picture of her character. Translated as:— 1. 0 sons of men, your spirit. This is a good translation of st. i.-iii., by A. T. Russell, as No. 35 in his Psalms & Hymns 1851. 2. Ye sons of men, in earnest. This is a good translation of the original form, by Miss Winkworth, as No. 84 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. It is repeated, omitting st. iii., in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal 1880, No. 121. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)