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Valerius Herberger

1562 - 1627 Hymnal Number: 453 Author of "Valet will ich dir geben" in Deutsches Gesangbuch 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)

Victor von Strauss und Torney

1809 - 1899 Person Name: Victor Friedrich Strauss Hymnal Number: 131 Author of "Nun gingst auch Du Zur Sabbathsruh'" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Strauss, Victor Friedrich. von, was born at Bückeburg, Schaumburg-Lippe, Sept. 18, 1809. He became a student of law at the Universities of Erlangen, Bonn, and Gottingen. In 1832 he married Albertine von Torney, daughter of a Hannoverian landed proprietor; and, in 1872, at the request of her relations, added her name to his own (Strauss und Torney), having been previously, in 1851, raised to the Austrian nobility. Having entered the diplomatic service of Schaumburg-Lippe, in 1832, he was appointed, in 1840, Archivrath at Bückeburg; and attended the Frankfurt Diet as Geheimrath, in 1850, as the accredited representative of Schaumburg-Lippe. He was also, from 1853 to 1866, the regular representative of Schaumburg-Lippe, at the North German Diet. Thereafter he retired on a pension, and went at Easter, 1869, to Erlangen, where he wrote a translation of the works of the Chinese philosopher Laò-tsè, with a commentary (published 1870). In 1872 he removed to Dresden. In 1889 he published the first vol. of a work on Altägyptische Götterglaube (Koch, vii. 270; 0. Kraus, 1879, p. 525, &c). Both as a secular and as a sacred poet, Strauss holds high rank among his contemporaries in Germany; not so much for popularity, as for wealth of ideas, breadth of culture, beauty of form, and clear, simple expression. The impulse which he received to the study of theology and to hymnwriting, was mainly through the impression of manifest unfairness left upon him by reading D. F. Strauss's Leben Jesu, 1835. This led him to study the New Testament for himself; and to find, in the old Gospel, the satisfaction of the needs of his spirit. His hymns, while, like most modern hymns, in the main subjective, often catch the ring and noble simplicity of the older objective classical hymns, but are more finished in form. Many have passed into recent German hymnbooks. They appeared principally in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1844-48; and in his own—(1) Gedichte, Bielefeld, 1841; (2) Lieder aus der Gemeine für das Christliche Kirchenjahr, Hamburg, 1843 ; and (3) Weltliches und Geistliches, Heidelberg, 1856. The hymns in No. 3 are in the second part, which is separately paged, and en¬titled Geistliches im Gedichten und Liedern. The work entitled Das Kirchenjahr im Hause, Heidelberg, 1845, is a series of poetical meditations, and not of hymns properly so called. The hymns by Strauss which have passed into English are:— i. Lobjauchzt und mehret Gottes Ruhm. Advent. First published in 1856, as above, pt. ii., p. 8, in 16 stanzas, entitled "Advent." Translation as, "The Lord doth in His Kingdom come." By J. Kelly, 1885. ii. Nun gingst auch du. Easter Eve. First published, 1843, as above, p. 126, in 7 stanzas of 5 lines, and en¬titled, "The Lord in the Grave." Included in Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1850, No. 560. Translated as:— Thou sore-oppress'd. A good translation, omitting st. v. by Miss Winkworth, in herLyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 34; and thence in her Chorale Book for Eng¬land, 1863, No. 56. Included in the Hymnary, 1872, Parish Hymn Book, 1875, Evangelical Hymnal, N. York, 1880, and others. iii. 0 mein Herz, gieb dich zufrieden. Waiting on God. First published, 1841, as above, p. 160, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines, and entitled, "Tranquillity." Included in Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1850, No. 1955. The translation in common use is:— 0 my heart, be calm and patient. A translation of st. i., ii., v., by Miss Borthwick, as No. 243 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864. Other translations are:— (1) "0 my heart, be calm, confiding." By Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, June 1866, p. 287; and in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. (2) "O my heart, be thou content." By J. Kelly, 1885, p. 75. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christoph Vischer

1520 - 1597 Hymnal Number: 120 Author of "Wir danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Vischer, Christoph, son of Jakob Vischer or Fischer, burgess at Joachimsthal, in Bohemia, was born at Joachimsthal in 1520. He matriculated at the University of Wittenberg in Nov. 1540 (B.A. 1544), and was ordained at Wittenberg on Feb. 10, 1544, as pastor and probst at Jüterbogk, near Wittenberg. He was then appointed (in 1552) cathedral preacher and superintendent at Schmalkalden; in 1571 pastor and general superintendent at Meiningen; in 1574 court preacher and assistant superintendent at Celle (Zelle); and in 1577 chief pastor of St. Martin's Church at Halberstadt. He returned to Celle in 1583, as general superintendent of Lüneburg, and died at Celle in October, 1597. Vischer was a somewhat voluminous writer. Rotermund gives the titles of 29 works by him. Only one hymn is known as his, viz.:— Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, Dass du für uns gestorben bist. Passiontide. This is included in pt. ii. of the Dresden Gesang-Buch, 1597 (thence in Wackernagel, v., p. 248), marked as by M. C. F., and in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, viz. st. i. as above, and ii. Und bitten dich, war Mensch und Gott. iii. Behüt uns auch für Sünd und Schand. iv. Und draus schöpffen die Zuversicht. The only portion we have been able to find in any work of Vischer's is st. ii. This occurs in hisChristliche unnd einfeltige Erklerung der gnadenreichen Historien des Leydens und Sterbens hochtröstlicher Aufferstehung und siegreicher Himelfart unsers lieben Herrn Jhesu Christi, auch der Sendung des Heiligen Geistes, &c, Schraalkalden, 1585 [British Museum]. The same stanza is found in the edition Schmalkalden, 1568 [Berlin Library]. Mützell, No. 344, prints the four stanza form from the text given by J. C. Olearius, Jena, 1710, as a reprint of the original, and as entitled “A children's hymn composed by M. Christoph Vischer for the Christian community at Schmalkalden, upon the strengthening uses of the bitter sufferings and death of Christ Jesus our Saviour." It is also in thUnerfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 122. The translations are:— 1. We bless Thee, Jesus Christ our Lord; For ever be Thy name adored. This is a good and full translation by Dr. Kennedy, as No. 622 in his Hymnologia Christiana, 1863. 2. With thanks we glory in Thy Cross. This is No. 331 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. [Rev.James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Gottfried Hoffmann

1658 - 1712 Hymnal Number: 320 Author of "Hilf, Jesu! dass ich meinen Nächsten liebe" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Hoffmann, Gottfried, son of Caspar Hoffmann, brewer at Plagwitz, near Lowenberg, in Silesia, was born at Plagwitz, Dec. 5, 1658. After studying at the University of Leipzig (M.A. 1688), he was appointed in 1688 Corrector, and in 1695 Rector of the Gymnasium at Lauban. In 1708 be became Rector of the Gymnasium at Zittau, where he died after a stroke of paralysis, Oct. 1, 1712. (Koch, v. 437-442; Allg. Deutsche Biographie, xii. 591-592.) Of his hymns, about 60 in all, written mostly for his scholars, only one has passed into English, viz.:— Zeuch hin, mein Kind. Death of a Child. According to Koch, v. 442, this beautiful hymn was written in 1693, on the death of his little daughter Magdalene Elisabethe, was printed in the same year in her funeral sermon on Job i. 21, and included by Hoffmann in his Laubansche Leichengesänge, 1704. It is in Schwedler's Lieder Mose, Budissin, 1720, No. 306, and repeated in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, in 6 stanzas of 9 lines. Translated as:— Depart, my child . A good translation, omitting st. iv., by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1st Ser., 1854, p. 25 (1884, p. 28). Repeated in Kennedy, 1863, omitting st. iii., and beginning "Farewell, my child." Other translations are: (1) "So, go, my child," by E. Massie, 1866, p, 139. (2) "Go hence, my child," by Dr. J. Guthrie, 1869, p. 109. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Meta Heusser-Schweizer

1797 - 1876 Person Name: Meta Heusser-Schweitzer Hymnal Number: 500 Author of "Endlich, endlich wirst auch du" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Heusser-Schweizer, Meta, daughter of Diethelm Schweizer, pastor of the Reformed Church at Hirzel near Zurich, was born at Hirzel, April 6, 1797, and was married in 1821, to Johann Jakob Heusser, a physician at Hirzel. Dr. Heusser died at Hirzel in 1859, and his widow continued to reside there till her death on January 2, 1876 (Koch, vii. 377-381; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xii. 339, 340). She was of a true poetic genius, and may fairly be regarded as the most important of modern German female sacred poets. The Holy Scriptures and the mountain scenery of her lonely home were the chief sources of her poetic inspiration. She was trained in the school of affliction, and her poems breathe the spirit of deep and sincere piety and childlike dependence, are free from all affectation, and speak from the heart to the heart. Her poems first appeared at intervals in Albert Knapp's Christoterpe. The first series of them were published at Leipzig in 1858 as Lieder einer Verborgenen; reprinted with her name as her Gedichte at Leipzig, 1863. A second series was published at Leipzig in 1867. A large number of her hymns are found in Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1850 and 1865; and in the Deutsches Gesang-Buch, 1860, of her friend Dr. Schaff, afterwards adopted as the official book of the American Reformed Church. A full selection of her poems was translated by Miss Jane Borthwick, and was published by Nelson in 1875 as Alpine Lyrics, and included as part of the new edition of Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1884. The dates of composition, unless otherwise stated, have been kindly supplied by her daughter, Fraulein Ega Heusser. I. Hymns in English common use. i. Herz, du hast viel geweinet. Consolation. Written in 1837, on her return from Pfäfers (Pfefiers). First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1841, p. 330, in 9 stanzas of 4 lines, beginning "Du hast, O Herz geweinet," as "A Floweret from Pfäfers." Repeated 1858, p. 90, and in Knapp's Christenlieder, 1841, No. 190, and Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz. 1850, No. 2060 (1865, No. 2120). Translated as:— Long hast thou wept and sorrowed, in full, by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 4th Ser., 1862, p. 33. The translations of stanzas i., vii.-ix., were included in Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865, and the whole in Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1870. Another translation is:—"Heart, thou hast long been weeping," in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. ii. Schweige still. Consolation. Written Jan. 25, 1849, and 1st published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1852, p. 128, in 6 stanzas of 5 lines, entitled "Be still," and repeated 1858, p. 108. Translated as:— Heart be still! a good translation, omitting stanzas iv., in the Christian Treasury, June, 1853, p. 142. Included in the Shadow of the Rock, N. Y., 1869, and thence in full in Horder's Congregational Hymnal, 1884, and, omitting stanzas iii., iv., in W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for Church & Home, 1873. Other translations are:— (1) "Peace, be still! In this night," in the Christian Examiner, Boston, U.S., Nov. 1860. (2) "Peace, be still, Through the night," by Miss Borthwick, 1875, p. 94. II. Hymns not in English common use:-- iii. Danket für alles; ihr Kinder der gottlichen Liebe. Thanksgiving . On 1 Thess. v. 18. Written April 1, 1821. First published in her Lieder, 1858, p. 117, in 9 stanzas. Translated as "Give thanks for all things, children of your God," by Miss Borthwick, 1875. iv. Der du trugst die Schmerzen aller. Supplication. Written 1833. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1835, p. 276, in 12 stanzas. Translated as "Thou hast borne our sins and sorrows," by Miss Borthwick, 1875. v. Dunkel ists! des Lebens laute Tone. The Mother's Prayer. Written 1827. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1834, p. 45, in 14 stanzas, entitled, "At midnight, by the children's bedside." Translated as "Darkness reigns—the hum of life's commotion," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1854, p. 21. vi. Endlich, endlich, wirst auch du. Encouragement. Written 1823. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe , 1834, p. 41, in 14 stanzas. Translated as "Doubt it not—thou too shalt come," by Miss Borthwick, 1875. vii. Hör’ich euch wieder, ihr Töne des Frühlings erklingen. Spring. This noble hymn was written in March, 1833 (1831?), after many troublous days and nights, during a journey from the snow-clad heights of Hirzel to the neighbouring Lake of Zug, where Spring had already begun. (Koch, vii. 380.) First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1836, p. 238, in 21 stanzas, entitled “Hymn of Praise. In early Spring amid the first songs of the birds." In the hymnals the second part, "Lamm, das gelitten, und Lowe, der siegreich gerungen" (st. x.), is given for Ascensiontide. The translations are, (1) "Voices of Spring, with what gladness I hear you again," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1862, p. 8. (2) "Lamb, that hast suffered, and Lion of Judah victorious," by Dr. H. Harbaugh, in the German Reformed Guardian, July, 1865. (3) "Lamb, the once crucified! Lion, by triumph surrounded," tr. April, 1868, by T. C. Porter, for Schaff's Christ in Song , 1869. viii. Ich weiss, dass mein Erl'dser lebet. Consolation. Written March 20, 1859, on Job xix. 25, and included from her manuscript in Dr. Schaff’s Deutsches Gesang-Buch, 1860, in 5 stanzas (see his note there), and then in her Gedichte, 1863, p. 145. Translated as "Yes! my Redeemer lives, to save us," by Dr. H. Mills, in Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1870. ix. Ich weiss was mien erfreuet. Joy in Believing. Written 1850, and first published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1852, p. 132, in 8 stanzas. Translated as "I know what bringeth gladness," in the British Herald, July 1866, and in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. x. Nun ein wenig Schweiss und Thränen. Pilgrim Song. Written 1835, and first published in Knapp's Christo-terpe, 1836, p. 244, in 5 stanzas. Translated as "A few more conflicts, toils, and tears," by Miss Borthwick, 1875. xi. O Jesus Christ, mein Leben. Love to Christ. First published as No. 185 in the Zurich Gesang-Buch, 1853, in 6 stanzas. H. Weber, in his Das Zürcher-Gesangbuch, Zurich, 1872, p. 287, quotes from a letter of the authoress, by which it appears that about the year 1844 some of her friends wished a hymn to the fine old melody, "Esist ein Kos entsprungen." She came upon No. 1527 in Knapp's Evangelischer Lieder-Schatz, 1837, "Jesus, der ist mein Leben," recast it, and adapted it to the required metre. As the hymn is thus only partly original, she did not include it in her published works. Translated as "0 Christ, my Life, my Saviour," by Miss Borthwick, 1875, p. 69. xii. So zieh in Gottes Frieden denn. Farewell to a Foreign Missionary. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1852, p. 134, in 11 stanzas. Translated as "Now, in the peace of God," by Miss Borthwick, 1875, p. 66. xiii. Theuer ist der Tod der deinen. Death of the Righteous. Written on the death of a friend in 1849. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1852, p. 136, in 6 stanzas. Translated as "Dear to Thee, 0 Lord, and precious," by Miss Borthwick, 1875, p. 49. xiv. "Ueber ein Kleines," so sprach erinnachtlicher Stunde. Eternal Life. Founded on St. John xvi. 16. Written 1841, and 1st pub. in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1846, p. 30, in 10 stanzas. Translated as "A little while! so spake our gracious Lord," by Miss Borthwick in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858, p. 22. xv. Willkommen, lieber, lieber Tag. Easter. Written 1825. First published in Knapp's Christoterpe, 1834, p. 54, in 12 stanzas. Translated as "We welcome thee, dear Easter day," by Dr. H. Mills in 1859, printed in Schaff’s Christ in Song, 1870 (1879, p. 225). xvi. Wir werden bei dem Herrn sein allezeit. Eternal Life. Founded on 1 Thess. iv. 17. Written 1845, and first pub. in Knapp's Christoterpe , 1846, p. 32, in 7 stanzas. The translations are, (1) “O sweet home echo on the pilgrim's way," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858, p. 62. (2) "O blessed Voice—that Voice from Home," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 162. xvii. Zu deinen Fussen lass mich liegen. Cross and Consolation. Written 1865. First published in her Gedichte, 1867, p. 126, in 11 stanzas. Translated as "Low at Thy feet my spirit lies," by Miss Borthwick, 1875, p. 83. Besides the above, many pieces have been translated by Miss Borthwick, Miss Burlingham, Rev. J. Kelly and others. Being poems rather than hymns, they are omitted from this list. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Balthasar Münter

1735 - 1793 Person Name: Balth. Muenter Hymnal Number: 253 Author of "Stärk uns, Mittler! Dein sind wir!" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Münter (Muenter), Balthasar , born of Lorenz Münter, merchant in Lübeck, was born at Lübeck, March 24, 1735. He entered the University of Jena as a student of theology in 1754, graduated M.A. in 1757, and thereafter became lecturer and adjunct of the philosophical faculty. In 1760, Duke Friedrich III., of Gotha, appointed him assistant court preacher, and preacher at the Orphanage in Gotha, and then, in 1763, Superintendent at Tonna (Gräfen-Tonna) near Gotha. In 1765 he became first preacher at the German Church of St. Peter in Copen¬hagen, receiving, in 1767, the degree of d.d. from the University. He died at Copenhagen, Oct. 5, 1793 (Koch vi. 348; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxiii. 33, &c). Münter was a very popular and influential preacher, a true pastor and teacher of practical Christianity, a successful religions instruptor of children, an active friend of the poor, a man of culture and one of the most prominent figures in the literary society of Copenhagen. His hymns, 100 in number, are among the best of the period, were highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and many still survive in German hymnals compiled before 1876 and still in use. They appeared in his two works: (1) Geistliche Lieder. Leipzig, 1772. (2) Zwote Sammlung Geistlicher Lieder . Leipzig, 1774. [Both in Royal Library, Berlin.] In 1773, the first 60 were republished at Leipzig set to melodies composed for them by the most famous musicians of the day; and the second 50 were republished at Leipzig in 1774 set to melodies composed for them by J. C. F. Bach, of Bückeburg. Of Münter's hymns the following have passed into English:— i. Seht welch' ein Mensch! Wie lag so schwer. Christ before Pilate . 1774, No. 6, p. 21, in 10 st. of 7 1. Included in full in the Schleswig Holstein Gesang-Buch 1780; and, reduced to 5 st., in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829. Translated as :— Behold the Man! How heavy lay. In full, by Dr. H. Mills, in his Horae Germanica, 1845 (1856, p. 307), repeated, abridged, in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection , 1850, and the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. ii. Zitternd, doch voll sanfter Freuden. Holy Communion . 1772, No. 19, p. 67, in 9 st. of 8 1., entitled "Communion Hymn” In the Berlin Gesang-Buch

Martin Luther

1483 - 1546 Hymnal Number: 276 Author of "Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu Dir" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German hymns, of which 4 are by Luther. 2. Eyn Enchiridion oder Handbuchlein. Erfurt, 1524 [Goslar Library], with 25 German hymns, of which 18 are by Luther. 3. Geystliche Gesangk Buchleyn. Wittenberg, 1524 [Munich Library], with 32 German hymns, of which 24 are by Luther. 4. Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert. Wittenberg. J. Klug, 1529. No copy of this book is now known, but there was one in 1788 in the possession of G. E. Waldau, pastor at Nürnberg, and from his description it is evident that the first part of the Rostock Gesang-Buch, 1531, is a reprint of it. The Rostock Gesang-Buch, 1531, was reprinted by C. M. Wiechmann-Kadow at Schwerin in 1858. The 1529 evidently contained 50 German hymns, of which 29 (including the Litany) were by Luther. 5. Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert. Erfurt. A. Rauscher, 1531 [Helmstädt, now Wolfenbüttel Library], a reprint of No. 4. 6. Geistliche Lieder. Wittenberg. J. Klug, 1535 [Munich Library. Titlepage lost], with 52 German hymns, of which 29 are by Luther. 7. Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert. Leipzig. V. Schumann, 1539 [Wernigerode Library], with 68 German hymns, of which 29 are by Luther. 8. Geistliche Lieder. Wittenberg. J. Klug, 1543 [Hamburg Library], with 61 German hymns, of which 35 are by Luther. 9. Geystliche Lieder. Leipzig. V. Babst, 1545 [Gottingen Library]. This contains Luther's finally revised text, but adds no new hymns by himself. In pt. i. are 61 German hymns, in pt. ii. 40, of which 35 in all are by Luther. For these books Luther wrote three prefaces, first published respectively in Nos. 3, 4, 9. A fourth is found in his Christliche Geseng, Lateinisch und Deudsch, zum Begrebnis, Wittenberg, J. Klug, 1542. These four prefaces are reprinted in Wackernagel’s Bibliographie, 1855, pp. 543-583, and in the various editions of Luther's Hymns. Among modern editions of Luther's Geistliche Lieder may be mentioned the following:— Carl von Winterfeld, 1840; Dr. C. E. P. Wackernagel, 1848; Q. C. H. Stip, 1854; Wilhelm Schircks, 1854; Dr. Danneil, 1883; Dr. Karl Gerok, 1883; Dr. A. F. W. Fischer, 1883; A. Frommel, 1883; Karl Goedeke, 1883, &c. In The Hymns of Martin Luther. Set to their original melodies. With an English version. New York, 1883, ed. by Dr. Leonard Woolsey Bacon and Nathan H. Allen, there are the four prefaces, and English versions of all Luther's hymns, principally taken more or less altered, from the versions by A. T. Russell, R. Massie and Miss Winkworth [repub. in London, 1884]. Complete translations of Luther's hymns have been published by Dr. John Anderson, 1846 (2nd ed. 1847), Dr. John Hunt, 1853, Richard Massie, 1854, and Dr. G. Macdonald in the Sunday Magazine, 1867, and his Exotics, 1876. The other versions are given in detail in the notes on the individual hymns. ii. Classified List of Luther's Hymns. Of Luther's hymns no classification can be quite perfect, e.g. No. 3 (see below) takes hardly anything from the Latin, and No. 18 hardly anything from the Psalm. No. 29 is partly based on earlier hymns (see p. 225, i.). No. 30 is partly based on St. Mark i. 9-11, and xvi., 15, 16 (see p. 226, ii.). No. 35 is partly based on St. Luke ii. 10-16. The following arrangement, however, will answer all practical purposes. A. Translations from the Latin. i. From Latin Hymns: 1. Christum wir sollen loben schon. A solis ortus cardine 2. Der du bist drei in Einigkeit. O Lux beata Trinitas. 3. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, Der von. Jesus Christus nostra salus 4. Komm Gott Schopfer, heiliger Geist. Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes. 5. Nun komm der Beidenheiland. Veni Redemptor gentium 6. Was flirchst du Feind Herodes sehr. A solis ortus cardine ii. From Latin Antiphons, &c.: 7. Herr Gott dich loben wir. Te Deum laudamus. 8. Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich. Dapacem, Domine 9. Wir glauben all an einen Gott. iii. Partly from the Latin, the translated stanzas being adopted from Pre-Reformation Versions: 10. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. 11. Mitten wir im Leben sind. Media vita in morte sumus. B. Hymns revised and enlarged from Pre-Reformation popular hymns. 12. Gelobet seist du Jesus Christ. 13. Gott der Vater wohn uns bei. 14. Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet. 15. Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist. C. Psalm versions. 16. Ach Gott vom Himmel, sieh darein. 17. Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir. 18. Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott. 19. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl. 20. Es wollt uns Gott genädig sein. 21. War Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit. 22. Wohl dem, der in Gotten Furcht steht. D. Paraphrases of other portions of Holy Scripture. 23. Diess sind die heilgen zehn Gebot. 24. Jesaia dem Propheten das geschah. 25. Mensch willt du leben seliglich. 26. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin. 27. Sie ist mir lieb die werthe Magd. 28. Vater unser im Himmelreich. E. Hymns mainly Original. 29. Christ lag in Todesbanden. 30. Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam. 31. Ein neues Lied wir heben an. 32. Erhalt uns Herr bei deinem Wort. 33. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, Der den, 34. Nun freut euch lieben Christengemein. 35. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her. 36. Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schaar. In addition to these — 37. Fur alien Freuden auf Erden. 38. Kyrie eleison. In the Blätter fur Hymnologie, 1883, Dr. Daniel arranges Luther's hymns according to what he thinks their adaptation to modern German common use as follows:— i. Hymns which ought to be included in every good Evangelical hymn-book: Nos. 7-18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38. ii. Hymns the reception of which into a hymn-book might be contested: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 33. iii. Hymns not suited for a hymn-book: Nos. 1, 5, 6, 27, 31, 37. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart

1739 - 1791 Person Name: Christian F.D. Schubart Hymnal Number: 274 Author of "Urquell aller Seligkeiten" in Deutsches Gesangbuch Schubart, Christian Friedrich Daniel, son of Johann Jakob Schubart, schoolmaster and assistant clergyman at Obersontheim near Hall, in Württemberg (after 1740, at Aalen), was born at Obersontheim, March 26, 1739, and in 1758 entered the University of Erlangen as a student of theology. Thereafter he was for some time a private tutor at Königsbronn. In 1764 he was appointed organist and schoolmaster at Geisslingen, near Ulm. In 1768 he became organist and music-director at Ludwigsburg; but, in 1772, on account of misconduct, he was deprived of his office. After that, he led for some time a wandering life, and then settled down in Ulm, where he edited a political newspaper, entitled the Deutsche Chronik, with success. By his scurrilous attacks on the clergy, especially on the Eoman Catholics, and in particular upon the Jesuits, and by a satirical poem on the Duke of Württemberg, he made himself obnoxious. Unsuspectingly accepting an invitation to Blaubeuren, he was handed over to the Duke's adjutant, and, on Jan. 23, 1777, was imprisoned in the castle of Hohenasperg, where he remained, without even the shadow of a trial, till May 11, 1787. As a recompense for his long imprisonment, the Duke made him Court and theatre poet at Stuttgart, where he died of fever, Oct. 10, 1791 (Koch, vi. 376; K. H. Jördens's Lexicon deutscher Dichter und Prosaisten, vol. iv. 1809, p. 639). Schubart was a man of versatile genius, who might have attained distinction in half a dozen lines of life, had he only stuck to any of them. He was a man who could make himself most popular, spite of the fact that he possessed hardly any tact. His moral principles were anything but strong; and the Ten Commandments (especially the seventh) seemed to have little restraining influence over him. As a writer of secular poems, especially of lyrics, he displayed vigour and spirit; but his literary workmanship was often very careless. His hymns, over 130 in all, were written during the two periods when he led an orderly and Christian life, viz., in the years 1764-66, immediately after his marriage, and in the years 1777-87, during his enforced absence from temptation. His captive state, his reading of the devotional books in the commandant's library, and the visits which he then received from P. M. Hahn, pastor at Kornwestheim, awakened in him a repentance, sincere if not altogether lifelong; one of the principal results being the series of hymns included in his so-called Gedichte aus dem Kerker (Zürich, 1785). These were composed at a time when he was deprived of writing materials, and were dictated through a wall to a fellow prisoner in the next cell. They were published without his knowledge or supervision. In self defence he asked the Duke's permission to pubish an authorised edition of his poems; and this appeared at Stuttgart, in 2 vols., 1785-86, as his Sämmtliche Gedicht (a number of copies, printed beyond the subscription, bear the date 1787, and the name of a Frankfurt publisher, e.g. the copy in the British Museum); and this also included most of those in his Todesgesänge, originally published at Ulm in 1767. Being printed at the Ducal print¬ing office at Stuttgart, the poems were subjected to an official revision. Schubart meant to issue a genuine author's edition, but did not live to do so; and that published by his son, as his father's Gedichte, in two parts, at Frankfurt, 1802, is really a selection, and contains only about half of his hymns. The best of Schubart's hymns are those first published in 1785, which are more genuine and spiritual than his earlier productions. A considerable number became popular, and passed into the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1791, and other collections, up to 1850; and a few still con¬tinue in common use. They are, however, too personal and subjective, and not sufficiently natural in style for general use. Of Schubart's hymns the following have been translated into English, viz.:— i. Urquell aller Seligkeiten. Supplication for Spiritual Blessings. This fine hymn was written about 1780, and first pub. in his Gedichte aus dem Kerker, Zurich, 1785, p. 102, in 16 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled, "Supplication." The full text is in Koch, 2nd ed., vol. iv., p. 740. Translated as:— Though by sorrows overtaken. This can hardly be called a translation, but is rather a hymn suggested by the German, and is in 6 st. of 4 1. It appeared in A. R. Reinagle's Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes as sung in the Parish Church of St. Peter in the East, Oxford, published at Oxford in 1840, p. 138…. Other hymns by Schubart are:— ii. Alles ist euer! 0 Worte des ewigen Lebens. Thanksgiving. Translated as, "All things are yours! O sweet message of mercy divine." By Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 5. iii. Der Trennung Last liegt schwer auf mien. Reunion in Heaven. On the sorrow of parting with friends whom one hopes to meet in heaven. Tr. as, “I die and grieve from those to go." By Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 58. iv, Hier stand ein Mensch! Hier fieler nieder. Sudden death of a Sinne. Translated as, “Now one in health Death, instant, crushes." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845. v. Kommt heut an eurem Stabe. For the Aged. On the Presentation in the Temple; and founded on St. Luke ii. 22 -32. Tr. as, "Ye who with years are sinking." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 275). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)