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Georg Michael Pfefferkorn

1645 - 1731 Person Name: G. M. Pfefferkorn Hymnal Number: 430 Author of "Was frag' ich nach der Welt" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Pfefferkorn, Georg Michael, was born March 16, 1645, at Ifta, near Creuzburg on the Werra, where his father, G. M. Pfefferkorn (a native of Creuzburg, but never pastor there), had become pastor in 1619, held the living for 58 years, but finally retired and died at Creuzburg. After studying at the Universities of Jena (M.A. 1666) and Leipzig, Pfefferkorn was for a short time private tutor at Altenburg, and then in 1668, became master of the two highest forms in the Gymnasium at Altenburg. In 1673, he was appointed by Duke Ernst the Pious, of Gotha (who died March 26, 1675), as a tutor to his three sons. In 1676 Duke Friedrich I. appointed him pastor of Friemar, near Gotha, and in 1682 made him a member of the consistory and superintendent at Gräfen-Tonna, near Gotha. He died at Gräfen-Tonna, March 3, 1732 (Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxv. 619; manuscript from Pastor H. Henning, Superintendent at Creuzburg, &c). Pfefferkorn's hymns appeared in the hymn-books of the period, and in his Poetisch-Philologische Fest-und Wochen-Lust darinnen allerhand Arten Deutscher Gedichte, &c, Altenburg, 1667 [Berlin Library], and the second enlarged edition, Altenburg, 1669 [Göttingen Library]. The most important hymn associated with his name is “Wer weiss wie nahe mir mein Ende". Another hymn ascribed to him is: Was frag ich nach der Welt, Und allen ihren Schätzen. Renunciation of the World. According to J. Avenarius, in his Liedercatechismus, Leipzig, 1714, p. 56, this hymn was written in 1667, and sung from broadsheets at Altenburg. It is not however in his Gedichte, as above, either in 1667 or 1669. It is included, without his name, in the Stettinisches Vollständiges Gesang-Buch, Alten-Stettin, 1671, p. 415 ; and, with his name, in the Naumburg Gesang-Buch, 1715, ed. by J. M. Schamelius. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 695. It is founded on 1 John ii. 15-17, and is in 8 st. of 8 1., 1. 8 in each st. being, "Was frag ich nach der Welt." The only translation is: “Can I this world esteem," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =============== The death record in the Gräfentonna parish book clearly shows 1731. Reference: ev. KiBu Gräfentonna +1731#4 ARCHION / Thüringen / Landeskirchenarchiv der Evangelischen Kirche Mitteldeutschland/Eisenach / Kirchenkreis Gotha / Gräfentonna / Taufen, Trauungen, Beerdigungen Teil II 1671-1757 / Folio 220, Scan 163 Pfefferkorn definitely did not write "Was frag ich nach der Welt, Und allen ihren Schätzen". (Note also the typo in your write-up: "allen", not "alien".) The text was written by Balthasar Kindermann, and published in his Das Buch der Redlichen (Cüstrin [Küstrin, Kostryzyn]: 1664), pp625-626. See the entry for "What is the world to me", LSB 730 in Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns Vol. I (St. Louis: Concordia, 2019) pp1029-1031. The 1664 publication of the poem can be found here: https://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/en/view/bsb10112257?page=645 I should point out that the book is sometimes dated to 1663, as in the LSB Companion to the Hymns. Jim Eggert

J. D. Herrnschmidt

1675 - 1723 Person Name: Joh. Dan. Herrnschmidt Hymnal Number: 379 Author of "Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele!" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Herrnschmidt, Johann Daniel, was born April 11, 1675, at Bopfingen, in Württemberg, where his father, G. A. Herrnschmidt, was from 1673-1702 diaconus, and 1702-1714 Town preacher. He entered the University of Altdorf in 1696 (M.A. 1698), and in the autumn of 1698 went to Halle. In the spring of 1702 he became assistant to his father, and in July, 1702, Heifer at the Town church. In 1712 he became superintendent, court preacher and consistorialrath at Idstein, and in the same year graduated D.D. at Halle. He was finally, in 1715, appointed Professor of Theology at Halle, and in 1716 also sub-director of the Orphanage and the Padagogium there. He died at Halle, Feb. 5, 1723 (Koch, iv. 349-354, 569, &c). He was one of the best hymnwriters of the older Pietistic school. His hymns are Scriptural, and mirror his inner life, but do not possess much poetic force. They were almost all written during his first residence at Halle, 1698-1702, and appeared mostly in Freylinghausen's Geistreiches Gesang Buch1704. Three have passed into English, viz.:— i. Gott wills machen, dass die Sachen. Trust in God. 1704, No. 417, in 17 stanzas of 6 lines, repeated as No. 706 in the Unvfälschter Liedersegen, 1851. It is founded on the Gospel for the fourth Sunday after Epiphany (St. Matt. viii. 23-27); and is full of clear cut, almost proverbial sayings. Translated as: (1) "God will make it, canst thou take it," in the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 63. (2) "Storms and winds may blow and batter," as No. 455 in the Moravian Hymn Book 1789. In the 1801 and later eds. (1886, No. 626), it begins, "Storms of trouble may assail us." (3) “God so guides us, what betides us," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 251. The two remaining hymns (ii., iii.) are annotated under Various. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Paul Flemming

1609 - 1640 Hymnal Number: 445 Author of "In allen meinen Thaten" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Flemming, Paul , son of Abraham Flemming or Fleming, then schoolmaster at Hartenstein, near Zwickau, Saxony (afterwards pastor of Wechselburg, near Mittweida), was born at Hartenstein, Oct. 5 or 12, 1609. He entered the St. Thomas School, Leipzig, in 1623, and matriculated at the University of Leipzig at Michaelmas, 1626, At the University he devoted himself to the study of medicine and of poetry, being laureated as a poet in 1631, and graduating M.A. in 1632. In order to find refuge from the troubles of the Thirty Years' War he went to Holstein in 1633. In the same year he joined an embassy which Duke Friedrich of Schleswig-Holstein was about to send to his brother-in-law, the Russian Czar, as gentleman in waiting and "taster." In this expedition he was engaged from Oct. 22, 1633, to April 6, 1635. He then took part in the embassy sent by the Duke to the Shah of Persia, with the object of opening up the way for trade and Christianity into Central Asia. They set sail from Travemünde, near Lübeck, Oct. 27, 1635, and returned to Gottorf, Aug. 1, 1639. The expedition proved fruitless, and the many dangers and great hardships encountered broke Flemming's health. To qualify himself for medical practice in Hamburg he went to the University of Leyden, where he graduated M.D. in 1640; but shortly after his return to Hamburg he died there, March 25 (April 2), 1640 (Koch, iii. 73-82; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, vii. 115-117). Flemming was of an energetic temperament, with an ardent patriotism, and a deep love for the Evangelical Cause. He was a gifted poet, of true and deep feeling, who could write charming descriptions of the beauties of nature, and sweet and tender love songs. His secular poems, however, as a whole have the faults of the Silesian school of Martin Opitz; and it is by his hymns, and especially by his classical "In allen meinen Thaten," that his name lives. His poems were first collected by the father of his betrothed as D. P. Fleming's Teutsche Poemata, and appeared in 1642 in two editions nearly alike, one at Naumburg and Jena, the other at Lübeck. The most complete edition is that by J. M. Lappenberg, 2 vols., Stuttgart, 1865-66. Of his 41 religious poems (12 hymns, 9 odes, 20 sonnets) three have passed into English. i. In alien meinen Thaten . Trust in God. This beautiful hymn was written in November, 1633, just before he started with the embassy to Moscow (see above); and may often have cheered his own sinking spirit then and in the more trying adventures of the second embassy. It first appeared in his Teutsche Poemata , 1642 (Lübeck edition, p. 287; Lappenberg's edition, i. p. 236), as No. 4 in Book i. of the Odes, in 15 stanza of 6 1. It was included in the Stralsund Gesang-Buch, 1665, Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch , 1704, and almost all recent collections. Sometimes, as in the Unverfalschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 646, it is given in full, but more frequently the special stanzas appropriate for travellers (vi.-ix., xiii., xiv.) are omitted. It is characterised in Koch, viii. 379, as a "pilgrim song suited for the Christian journey which we must all in faith make through joy and sorrow to our Eternal Home." Lauxmann adds that it has often been used appropriately at weddings, was the favourite hymn of Friedrich Wilhelm III. of Prussia, and was sung at the service in the Cathedral of Berlin, July 19, 1870, on the open¬ing of the North German Diet immediately before the Franco-Prussian War. Translated as:— I leave to His good pleasure , a translation of st. i., ii., iv, by A. T. Russell, as No. 232 in his Psalms & Hymns , 1851. Other translations are : (l) “In all my plans, Thou Highest," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 167. (2) “Where'er I go, whate'er my task," by Miss Winkworth, 1858, p. 108, repeated in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea , 1868, p. 9. (3) "In every deed and word," in Madame de Pontes's Poets & Poetry of Germany, 1858, vol. i. p. 416. His hymns not in English common use are:— ii. Ist's mőglich, dass der Haas auch kann geliebet sein. The Love of God. In the Lübeck edition, 1642, p. 555 (Lappenberg's edition, i. p. 450), as No. 16 in Book i. of the Sonnets . Translated as, "Can it then be that hate should e'er be loved," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 175. iii. Lass dich nur Nights nicht tauren. Cross and Consolation. Probably written in Persia during the second embassy. In the Lübeck edition, 1642, p. 283 (Lappenberg's edition, i. p. 244), as No. 1 in Book i. of the Odes, in 3 st. of 6 l. The translations are: (1) "Only let nothing grieve thee," by Madame de Ponies, 1858, v. i. p. 415. (2) "Let nothing make thee sad or fretful," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 175. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] - John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Georg Albinus

1624 - 1679 Person Name: Joh. Georg Albinus Hymnal Number: 264 Author of "Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Albinus, Johann Georg eldest s. of Zacharias Albinus, pastor at Unter-Nessa, near Weissenfels, Saxony, 1621-1633, and at Stuhlburgwerben, 1633-1635, was b. at UnterNessa, March 6, 1624. After his father's death, in 1635, he was, in 1638, adopted by his cousin, Lucas Pollio, diaconus at St Nicholas's Church in Leipzig. After his cousin's death, in 1643, the Court preacher, Sebastian Mitternacht, of Naumburg, took an interest in him, and he remained at Naumburg till he entered the University of Leipzig, in 1645. He studied for eight years at Leipzig, during which time ho acted as house tutor to the Burgomaster, Dr. Friedrich Kuhlwein, and was then, in 1653, appointed Eector of the Cathedral School at Naumburg. This post he resigned when, in 1657, he became pastor of St. Othmar's Church, in Naumburg. There he proved himself a zealous pastor, seeking ever "the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the everlasting salvation, well-being, and happiness of his hearers." During his ministry he suffered greatly, not only from bodily infirmities, but from ecclesiastical encroachments and bickerings. The end came when, on Rogation Sunday, May 25,1679, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus, at 2.30 p.m. On his tombstone his eldest son placed the inscription, "Cum yiveret, moriebatur, et nunc cum mortuus vivit, quia sciebat, quod vita via sit mortis et inors vitae introitus." During his student days he was known as a poet, became, in 1654, a member of the Fruitbearing Society, and was also a member of Philipp v. Zesen's Patriotic Union. As a poet he was, says Koch, " distinguished by ease of style, force of expression, and liveliness of fancy, and his manner of thought was scriptural and pervaded by a deep religious spirit" (Koch, iii. 392-98; Allg. Deutsche Biog. i. 222-223). Of the many hymns he composed, and pub. in his various poetical works, only three have been tr. into English, viz.:— i. Alle Menschen miiasen sterben. [For the Dying.] This hymn, which Koch, iii. 397, calls "his best known hymn, and a pearl in the Evangelical Treasury of Song," was written for the funeral of Paul von Henssberg, a Leipzig merchant, and was thus sung, from broadsheets, June 1, 1652. It was given in Niedling's Wasserquelle, Altenburg, 1663, and gradually came into universal use, passing through Freylinghausen's G. B., 1704, into most subsequent collections, as in the Unv. L. S., 1851, No. 804, in 8 st. of 8 1. It was a great favourite of P. J. Spener, who sang it regularly on Sunday afternoons; of J. F. Hochstetter, Prelate of Murrhardt, and many others (Koch, viii. 628-631). In the Blatter fur Hymnologie, 1884, pp. 55-58, the text is quoted in full from the original broadsheet [Ducal Library, Gotha], the title of which ends " Mit seiner Poesie und Musick erweisen wollen Johannes Rosenmüller." Rosenmüller is not, however, known as a hymn-writer, and this statement is hardly sufficient to overthrow the traditional ascription to Albinus. The translations in common use are:— 1. Death o'er all hit sway maintaineth. A good tr. of st. i., iii.-v., by A. T. Russell, as No. 260 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. Included, considerably altered and beginning, " Death in all this world prevaileth," as No. 745 in Kennedy, 1863. 2. Hark! a voice saith, all are mortal. A good tr., omitting st. v., viii., as No. 196 "by Miss Winkworth in her G. B. for England, 1863, and with a tr. of st. v. added as No. 429 in the Ohio Luth. Hymnal, 1880. Other trs. are:— (1) "All must die! there's no redemption," by Dr. H Mills, 1856, p. 234, 1st pub. (reading “no exception") in the Evang. Review, Gettysburg, Oct. 1851. (2) "All that's human still must perish," by Dr. John Ker, in the U. P. Juv. Miss. Magazine July, 1859. (3) "Tis God's decree that all shall die," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 107. ii. Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn. [Ps. vi.] Of the origin of this hymn, J. C. Wetzel, i. 46, and ii. 404, relates what seems rather an apocryphal story to this effect:— Johann Rosenmüller, while music director at Leipzig, had been guilty of improper practices with some of his scholars. He was thrown into prison, but having made his escape, went to Hamburg. Thence he sent a petition for restoration to the Elector Johann Georg at Dresden, and to support his petition enclosed this hymn, which Albinus had written for him, along with the beautiful melody by himself (in the Irish Ch. Hyml., 1876; called Nassau, in the Darmstadt G. B. 1698, p. 49). This, if correct, would date it about 1655, and Koch, iii. 398, says it was printed separately in that year; The earliest hymn-book in which it is found is Luppius's Andachtig Singender Christen Mund, Wesel., 1692, p. 20. It is a beautiful hymn of Penitence (by Miss Winkworth assigned to Ash Wednesday). Included as No. 273 in Freylinghausen's G. B., 1704, and recently as No. 535 in the Berlin G. L. S., ed. 1863, in 7 st. of 8 1. The trs. in C. U. are :— 1. O do not against me, Lord. A good tr. of st. i., iii., vi., vii., by A. T. Russell, as No. 79 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 2. Not in anger, mighty God. A good tr. omitting st. ii., iv., as No. 41 in Miss Winkworth's Chorale Book for England, 1863, and thence as No. 205 in the Temple H. Bk. 1867, as No. 323 in the Free Church H. Bk. 1882, and omitting the tr. of st. vi., as No. 78 in the Upp. & Sherb. School H. Bk. 1874. In America as No. 398 in the Evang. Hymnal, New York, 1880, in full. 3. Not in anger, Lord, Thou wilt. A tr. of st. i., iii., vi., vii., signed « X. X." as No. 59 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Coll. 1864. 4. Cast me not in wrath away. A tr. of st. 1.—iil., vii., by E. Cronenwett, as No. 235 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. Other trs. are:— (1) " Lord! withdraw the dreadful storm," by J. C. Jacobi, 1720, p. 41; 1722, p. 63; in his second ed., 1732, p. 98, greatly altered, and beginning, " O my God, avert the storm." (2) " Not in anger smite us, Lord," by Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 55. (3) "In Thine anger smite me not," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 159. iii. Welt, Ade! ion bin dein miide. [For the Dying,] 1st printed on a broadsheet for the funeral of Johanne Magdalene, daughter of the Archidiaconus Abraham Teller, of St. Nicholas’s Church, Leipzig, who died Feb. 27, 1649, and included in Albinus's Geistlicher geharnischter Kriegesheld, Leipzig, 1675. Also given in the Bayreuth G. B. of 1660, p. 542, and recently as No. 842 in the Unv. L. S. 1851, in 9 st. of 8 1. The tr. in C. U. is:— World, farewell ! Of thee I'm tired. A full and good tr. in the 2nd Ser., 1858, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Ger., p. 207. In her C. B. for England, 1863, No. 198, st. iii., iv., vi. were omitted. Her trs. of 11. 1-4, of st. viii., v., vi., iv., beginning. "Time, thou speedest on but slowly," were included as No. 1305 in Robinson's Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, as No. 1392, in the Hymns & Songs of Praise, New York, 1874, and Ch. Praise Book, 1882, No. 652. Another tr. is:— "World, farewell, my soul is weary," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 113. -John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Justus Jonas

1493 - 1555 Hymnal Number: 155 Author of "Wo Gott, der Herr, nicht bei uns hält" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Jonas, Justus (Jobst, Jost, Jodocus), son of Jonas Koch, burgomaster of Nordhausen, in Thuringia, was born at Nordhausen, June 5, 1493. He studied at Erfurt (M.A. 1510), and Wittenberg (LL.B.); returning to Erfurt in 1517, where, in 1518, he was appointed Canon of the St. Severus Church, Professor, and, in 1519, Rector of the University. In the festal ode on his rectorate (by his friend Eoban Hesse) he was called the Just Jonas, and henceforth he adopted Jonas as his surname, and it is as Jonas that he is known. In 1521 he was appointed Probst of the Schlosskirche (All Saints) at Wittenberg, D.D., and Professor of Church Law in the University. Here he worked for twenty years as a true and devoted friend and helper of Luther and Melanchthon, and was then, from 1541 to 1546, superintendent and chief pastor at Halle. After Luther's death he passed through various troubled experiences, but became in 1553 superintendent and chief pastor at Eisfeld on the Werra, where he died Oct. 9, 1555. He added two stanzas to Luther's "Erhalt uns Heir, bei deinem Wort" (q.v.). The only original hymn by him which has passed into English is:— Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält. Ps. cxxiv. First published in Eyn Enchiridion, Erfurt, 1524, and thence in Wackernagel, iii. p. 42, in 8 stanzas. In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 254. Translated as, "If God were not upon our side," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 117. [Rev. James Means, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ================ Jonas, Justus, p. 605, ii. At lines 8-12 it is stated that he adopted the name of Jonas in 1519. In the Wittenberg Matriculation Album his name appears in 1511 as “Jodocus Jonas of Nordhausen." He was thus known as Jonas as early as 1511. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Johann Caspar Schade

1666 - 1698 Person Name: J. C. Schade Hymnal Number: 78 Author of "Meine Seel', ermuntre dich" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Schade, Johann Caspar, son of Jakob Schad or Schade, pastor and decan at Kühndorf, near Suhl, in Thuriugia, was born at Kühndorf, Jan. 18, 1666. He entered the University of Leipzig in 1685 (where he became a great friend of A. H. Francke), and then went to Wittenberg, where he graduated M.A. in 1687. On his return to Leipzig he began to hold Bible readings for the students. This soon raised ill-will against him among the Leipzig professors, and when, in 1690, he was invited to become diaconus at Würzen, near Leipzig, they interfered and prevented his settlement. In 1691 he was invited to become diaconus of St. Nicholas's church, at Berlin (where P. J. Spener had just become probst, or chief pastor), and entered on his work there on the 2nd Sunday in Advent. In his later years he raised a storm of feeling against himself by refusing to hear private confessions. The Elector of Brandenburg, in order to end the strife, appointed him, in June 1698, pastor at Derenburg, near Halberstadt. Meantime he was seized with a fever, which ended fatally at Berlin, July 25, 1698 (Koch, iv. 222, 468; Wetzel, iii. p. 23, &c). Schade was a most earnest and faithful pastor and preacher, and specially interested himself in the children of his flock. As a hymnwriter he was not particularly prolific, but of his 45 hymns a good many passed into the German hymnbooks of the period. His hymns are clear and simple in style, are composed in a considerable variety of metres, and are full of fervent love to the Lord Jesus, and of zeal for a living and practical Christianity; but they are frequently spun out, or are too subjective. A number appeared in A. Luppius's Andächtig singender Christenmund Wosel, 1692-94, and in the Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1697. They were collected and posthumously published as Fasciculus Cantionum, Das ist zusammen getragene geistliche Lieder, &c, Cüstrin, N.D. [1699]. Those of Schade's hymns which have passed into English are:— i. Auf! Hinauf! zu deiner Freude. Faith. First published in the Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1697, p. 402, in 6 stanzas of 8 lines; repeated in 1699, as above, p. 83. Recently, as No. 403, in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen 1851. The translations in common use are:— 1. Up! yes upward to thy gladness Rise, my heart. This is a good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 171, repeated in full in Reid's Praise Book, 1872, and, omitting st. v., in Kennedy, 1863. In her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 157, it is slightly altered, and st. iii. is omitted. 2. Rise, my soul! with joy and gladness. A translation of st. i., ii., vi., by F. C. C, as No. 233 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864. Other translations are:— (1) "Look up, my soul, to Christ thy joy," by J. B. Holmes, as No. 1099 in the Supplement of 1808 to the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801 (1886, No. 600), repeated in Bishop Kyle's Collection, 1860. (2) "Upwards, upwards to thy gladness," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 13. (3) "Up! yes upward to thy gladness, Rise, my soul," by W. Reid in his Praise Book, 1872. ii. Heine Seel ermuntre dich. Passiontide. In the Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1697, p. 215, in 15 stanzas of 6 lines, repeated in 1699, as above, p. 9, entitled "Contemplation of the suffering of Christ and surrender of His will." In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 106. Tr. as, "Rouse thyself, my Soul, and dwell." In the Supplement to German Psalmody , ed. 1765, p. 20, and in Select Hymns from German Psalmody, Tranquebar, 1754, p. 31. iii. Meine Seele willt du ruhn. This hymn, frequently ascribed to Schade, is noted under Scheffler. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christoph Tietze

1641 - 1703 Person Name: Christoph Titius Hymnal Number: 261 Author of "Ich armer Mensch, ich armer Sünder" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Titius, Christoph, son of Christoph Titius or Tietze, pastor at Wilkau, near Kamslau, in Silesia, was born at Wilkau, May 24, 1641. He entered the St. Mary Magdalene Gymnasium, at Breslau, in 1654, and the Aegidien (St. Giles) Gymnasium at Nürnberg, in 1660. He matriculated as a student of Theology at the University of Altdorf, in 1662. After completing his studies at the University of Jena, in 1664, he acted for two years as a family tutor. On Aug. 24, 1666, he was ordained as pastor of Laubenzedel, near Gunzenhausen, in Franconia; and then became, in 1671, pastor at Henfenfeld, near Nürnberg. In 1685 he was appointed diaconus at Hersbruck, near Nürnberg, became archidiaconus in June, 1701, and in Nov., 1701, was appointed chief pastor and inspector of schools. He died at Hersbruck, Feb. 21, 1703 . Titius had begun to write hymns while at the Nürnberg Gymnasium, and his best known hymns originated either then or during his University course. They appeared in his Sünden-Schmertzen, Trost im Hertzen, Todten-Kertzen, erwecket, entdecket, angestecket von Christophoro Titio Silesio, Theol. St., at Nürnberg, 1663 [Library of the Prediger-Serninar at Hannover], with 15 hymns; in the 2nd enlarged edition, published as Himmel-Heise, Seelen-Speise, Engel-Weise, &c. , Nürnberg, 1670 [Berlin Library], with 45 hymns; and in the 3rd further enlarged ed. published as Vorige und neue Morgen- und Abend-Catechismus . . . Lieder, &c., Nürnberg, 1701 [Gottingen Library] with 55 hymns. The most popular were those of the first edition many of which passed into the German hymn-books of the 17th century, and various of which are still found in recent collections. The best of them are hearty and popular in style, earnest and scriptural in tone, and sententious. Two of Titius's hymns have passed into English, viz.:— i. 0 du Schopfer aller Dinge. Holy Communion. This is a hymn of penitence before Holy Communion, and was first published in 1663, as above, as No. ii., in 9 stanzas of 8 lines. Translated as "Bow Thine ear, I now implore Thee." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 38. ii. Sollt es gleich bisweilen scheinen. Cross and Consolation. His most popular hymn, first published in 1663, as No. vi., in 10 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled ”Hymn of Consolation." Included in Crüger's Praxis, 1675, the Nürnberg Gesang-Buch, 1676, Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, 1863, No. 856, and many others, sometimes printed as 5 stanzas of 8 lines. Lauxmann relates (Koch, viii. 488) that C. A. Dann, chief pastor of St. Leonard's Church, at Stuttgart, having spoken somewhat freely at the funeral of one of the courtplayers, had been relegated in 1812 to the village of Oieschingen in the Swabian Alb [in 1819 to the neighbouring village of Mössingen]. The king at last granted the earnest desire of the Stuttgart people for his return, and on Feb. 5, 1824, recalled him to Stuttgart. That night four friends walked over to Mössingen, and in the early morning conveyed the news to Dann by singing this hymn at the door of his room. The translation in common use is:— Seems it in my anguish lone. This is a good translation, omitting st. vi., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Ger, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 201; repeated in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 146. Included in full in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, and abridged in the St. Aidan's College Hymn Book, 1864. Other translations are:— (1) "Yea should it ev'n to man appear." This is a translation of st. i., as st. v. of No. 1062, in the Supplement of 1808 to the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801 (1886, No. 505). (2) “Deem we sometimes, spirit-shaken." In L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 44, only st. i., vi. being from this hymn. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Salomo Franck

1659 - 1725 Person Name: Salomo Frank Hymnal Number: 92 Author of "So ruhest du, o meine Ruh'" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Franck, Salomo, son of Jakob Franck, financial secretary at Weimar, was born at Weimar, March 6, 1659. Little is known of his early history. He probably studied at Jena, and seems thereafter to have held some appointment at Zwickau. In 1689 he became secretary of the Schwarzburg ducal administration at Arnstadt; and in 1697 of the Saxon administration and of the consistory at Jena. He was then, in 1702, appointed secretary of the consistory, librarian, and curator of the ducal collection of coins and medals at Weimar. He died at Weimar July 11, 1725 (Koch, v. 420-426; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, vii. 213-214; Schauer's introduction, &c.) He was a member of the Fruitbearing Society, and the author of a considerable number of secular poems, which are almost all "occasional" pieces and now forgotten. A diligent worker and a man of true piety, he had severe family afflictions to bear, and an undercurrent of meditation on death is present in many of his hymns. As a hymnwriter he is distinguished for ease and correctness of style; for adaptation to popular understanding and to congregational singing; for his love of adding refrains to his hymns; and for his happiness in word-painting and in setting forth contrasts. Of his hymns (about 330 in all) which still continue in use in Germany, the most important appeared in his (1) Geistliche Poesie, Weimar, 1685, and in his (2) Geist und Weltliche Poesien, vol. i., Jena, 1711; vol. ii., Jena, 1716. A selection of 46 of his Geistliche Lieder with a biographical and critical intro¬duction by Dr. J. K. Schauer appeared at Halle, 1855. Eight of his hymns have passed into English, as follows:— i. Hymns in English common use: - i. Ach Gott verlass mich nicht. Supplication. A beautiful hymn of supplication for God's help founded on Ps. xxxviii. 22. It is No. 1 in the Appendix to the Anderer Theil des Naumburgischen Gesang Buchs, Naumburg, 1714, p. 106, in 5 st. of 8 1., marked "Salomon Francke" (ed. 1717, p. 487, marked "Gottgelassen Unverlassen, Salomon Francke.") The editor of this collection, J. M. Sehamelius, who was one of the best hymnologists of the time, evidently thus believed that it was by Franck, but it has not yet been found in any work published by Franck himself. Each stanza begins and ends with "Ach Gott verlass mich nicht." It is included in Schauer's introduction, and in many recent hymnals, as in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829, the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1842, Hannover Gesang-Buch , 1883, &c. The translations in common use are:— 1. Forsake me not, my God . A full and good but rather free translation in the Family Treasury (Edinburgh: Nelson), 1859, pt. ii. p.168, and thence, in Boardman's Selection, Philadelphia, U.S., 1861, and in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868. 2. 0 God, forsake me not! Thine hand, by M. W. Stryker, in his Hymns and Verses, 1883, p. 32, and repeated in his Christian Chorals, 1885. ii. Ich weiss es wird mein Ende kommen. For the Dying. 1711, as above, p. 91, in 7 st. of 6 l., entitled "The author's daily dying thoughts” Included by Schauer, 1855, p. 79; in Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, &c. The translations in common use are :— 1. I know my end must surely come. A translation of stanza i., vii., in 2 st. of 6-8's, by Miss Winkworth, in the second series of her Lyra Germanica, 1858, p. 203. Thence in the Psalms & Hymns, Bedford, 1859, and in America in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book , 1868. 2. I know the doom that must befall me. This is the above translation, rewritten by Miss Winkworth to the original metre, and given in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 185. To this translation of stanzas iii., iv., vi., were added, and the others altered and beginning, "I know full well death must befall me," included in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. iii. So ruhest du, o meine Run. Easter Eve. 1685, as above, p. 29, in 7 st. of 4 1., entitled "On the burial of Jesus." It is a beautiful hymn on the entombment of Christ, founded on Rist's "0 Traurigkeit" (q. v.). Included in Schauer, 1855, p. 44, and in many German collections, as the Unv. L. S., 1851, No. 118. Frequently it appears in altered forms. Thus J. A. Schlegel, 1766, p. 86, altered it to "So schlummerst du in stiller Ruh," and the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1780, No. 102, further alters it to "Zur Grabesruh entschliefest du." The translations in common use, all from the original, are:— 1. Thou who hast blest my soul with rest, a good translation, omitting st. ii., v., by A. T. Russell, as No. 103 in his Psalms & Hymns 1851. 2. Thou restest in the tomb beneath, a good translation, omitting stanza ii., v., as No. 83 in J. F. Thrupp's Psalms & Hymns, 1853. 3. Rest of the weary Thou! a somewhat expanded version, omitting stanza iii. by Miss Winkworth in her Lyra Germanica, 1st series, 1855, p. 85, repeated in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book, 1868. 4. So rest, my Rest! a very good translation, omitting stanza iii., by R. Massie, as No. 93 in the edition, 1857, of Mercer's Chorale Psalms & Hymn Book (Ox. edition, 1864, No. 184). This has been included in Chope's Hymnal, 1862; Kennedy, 1863; the Hymnary, 1872; Thring's Collection, 1880-82, &c; and in America in the Evangelical Hymnal, N. Y., 1880, and Laudes Domini, 1884. The form in Allon's Supplemental Hymns, No. 324, is a recast partly taken from Miss Winkworth's translation of "Nun gingst auch du" (see Strauss, V. F.). Other translations are : (1) "Now to the tomb Thyself art come," from Schlegel, by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 316). (2) "So dost Thou rest," in the British Herald, Dec., 1866, p. 376, repeated as No. 421 in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. (3) "So thou art resting, O my Rest," in the British Herald, April, 1869, p. 52. ii. Hymns not in English common use: iv. Ach was ist dooh unsre Zeit. For the Dying. 1685, as above, p. 64, in 6 st., and Schauer, p. 31, each stanza ending "Mensch, bedenke doch, das Ende." Translated as "Oh! what is human life below," by Miss Cox in Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 47, repeated in her Hymns from the German, 1864, p. 135, in the original metre, beginning, “What is human life below." Also translated by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 52; and by E. Massie, 1867, p. 3. v. Gott, du Licht, das ewig bleibet. Morning. 1716, as above, p. 160, in 5 st., entitled "Morning Devotion," and in Schauer, p. 4. Translated by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 12; and by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 120. vi. Heil'ger Tisch! Den Jesus decket. Holy Communion. 1711, as above, p. 69, in 6 st., entitled “Another Communion Meditation." In Schauer, p. 67. Translated as, "This holy feast, by Jesus spread," by Miss Cox, in Lyra Eucharistica, 1863, p. 173. vii. Ich weiss, es kann mir nichts geschehen. God's Guidance. 1711, as above, p. 221, in 5 st. (1 l. 5, 6 of each st. being a refrain), entitled “On the words of Psalm lxxiii. 23, 24." In Schauer, p. 21. Translated by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 22. viii. Mein Gott, wie bist du so verborgen. Providence, 1711, as above, p. 76, in 6 st. (1 l. 5, 6 of each st. being a refrain), entitled "The wonderfully blessed leadings of God. In Schauer, p. 16. Translated by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 7. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Wolfgang Christoph Dessler

1660 - 1722 Person Name: Wolfg. Chr. Deßler Hymnal Number: 462 Author of "Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seelen" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Dessler, Wolfgang Christoph, son of Nicolaus Dessler, jeweller, at Nürnberg, was born at Nürnberg, Feb. 11, 1660. His father wished him to become a goldsmith, but, as he was not physically suited for this, he was permitted to begin the study of theology at the University of Altdorf. His poverty and bodily weakness forced him to leave before completing his course, and, returning to Nurnberg, he supported himself there as a proof reader. Becoming acquainted with Erasmus Finx or Francisci, then residing in Nürnberg, he was employed by Finx as his amanuensis, and at his request translated many foreign religious works into German. In 1705 he was appointed Conrector of the School of the Holy Ghost at Nürnberg, where he laboured with zeal and acceptance till 1720, when, by a stroke of paralysis, he was forced to resign. Finally, after an illness which lasted about 35 weeks, he died at Nürnberg, March 11,1722. Of his hymns, in all over 100, the best appeared, many with melodies by himself, in his volume of meditations entitled:— Gottgeheiligter Christen Nützlich Ergetzende Seelenlust unter den Blumen Gottliches Worts, oder andächtige Betrachtungen und Gedanken über unterschiedliche erläuterte Schriftspruche, &c. Nürnberg, 1692 [Berlin] (Koch, iii. 531-535, and iv. 566-567). From this work (the references to which have been kindly supplied by Dr. Zahn of Altdorf, from his copy), five hymns have been translated into English, viz.:— Hymns in English common use:— i. Ich lass dich nicht, du musst mein Jesus bleiben. [Constancy to Christ.] Founded on Genesis xxxii. 36. First published 1692, as above, p. 553, along with Meditation xviii., which is entitled "The striving love." Wetzel (A. H., vol. i., pt. iv., p. 20) says it was sung, at her re¬quest, Sept. 5, 1726, at the deathbed of Christiana Eberhardina, a pious Queen of Poland. In the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen

Johann Steuerlein

1546 - 1613 Hymnal Number: 46 Author of "Das alte Jahr vergangen ist" in Gesangbuch für Gemeinden des Evangelisch-Lutherischen Bekenntnisses (14th ed.) Johann Steuerlein (b. Schmalkalden, Thuringia, Germany, 1546; d. Meiningen, Germany, 1613) studied law at the University of Wittenberg. From 1569 to 1589 he lived in Wasungen near Meiningen, where he served as town clerk as well as cantor and organist in the Lutheran church. From 1589 until his death he lived in Meiningen, where at various times he served as notary public, mayor, and secretary to the Elector of Saxony. A gifted poet and musician, Steurlein rhymed both the Old and New Testaments in German. A number of his hymn tunes and harmonizations were published in Geistliche Lieder (1575) and Sieben und Zwantzig Neue Geistliche Gesenge (1588). Bert Polman