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Gottfried Hoffmann

1658 - 1712 Person Name: G. Hoffman Author of "Zieh hin, mein Kind! Gott selbst fordert dich" in Deutsches Liederbuch 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

Paul E. Kretzmann

1883 - 1965 Author of "Lead On, O Lord" in American Lutheran Hymnal Professor Paul E. Kretzman led a group of Lutherans who left church fellowship with some Lutheran congregations in 1956 after he was charged with teaching error in class. He and his followers organized the Lutheran Churches of the Reformation. He wrote several Bible Commentaries and translated many hymns. NN, Hymnary from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran_Churches_of_the_Reformation

Rodolphe Petter

Author of "Ma'heo'o Ma'xene'tȧhetȯsanehe" in Tsese-Ma'heone-Nemeotȯtse (Cheyenne Spiritual Songs)

Ehrenfried Liebich

1713 - 1780 Person Name: Ehrenfried Liebich, 1713-1780 Author of "Gott ist getreu, Sein Herz, Sein Vaterherz" in Glaubenslieder Liebich, Ehrenfried, was born July 15, 1713, at Probsthain, near Goldberg, Silesia, where his father was a miller. He assisted his father in the mill up to his sixteenth year, and was thereafter allowed to study at the Latin school at Schweidnitz, and the St. Elisabeth school at Breslau. At Easter, 1738, he entered the University of Leipzig as a student of Theology, and on concluding his course in 1740, was for some time engaged in private tuition. In April, 1742, he became pastor at Lomnitz and Erdmannsdorf, near Hirschberg, Silesia, and remained there till his death on June 23, 1780 (Koch, vi. 391; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, xviii. 584, &c). Liebich is one of the best German hymn-writers of the middle of the 18th century; Scriptural, heartfelt, and good in style, always edifying, if sometimes too didactic. He had begun hymn-writing about 1749, and contributed 8 hymns to the Hirschberg Gesang-Buch, 1752. A copy of this book fell into the hands of C. F. Gellert during a visit to Carlsbad in 1763, and through his encouragement Liebich began again to compose hymns. He published his compositions as: (1) Geistliche Lieder und Oden, &c, Hirschberg and Leipzig, 1768, with 142 hymns. (2) New ed., Liegnitz, 1773; with a second part, entitled, Geistliche Lieder zur Erbauung, Liegnitz, 1774, with 94 hymns. A considerable number of his hymns passed into German common use, and still hold their place. Those which have been translated into English are:— i. Dir, dir, du Geber aller Gaben. Harvest Thanksgiving. 1768, p. 128, in 16 st. of 6 1., entitled, "The Goodness of God in the Harvest." This has passed into English through the following forms. 1. O dass doch bei der reichen Ernte. This is st. xi.-xvi., as altered by J. S. Diterich, in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1780, No. 172 ; repeated in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. From this form the recasts of st. xii.-xvi., beginning, “Kommt, Christen, Gottes Huld zu feiern," were included, as No. 250, in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, and translated as: Come, Christians, praise your Maker's goodness. A good translation from Bunsen, by Miss Winkworth, as No. 181, in her Chorale Book for England; repeated in the Ohio Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal,1880. 2. Wir kommen deine Huld zu feiern. This is a very greatly altered form of st. xii. ff., as No. 850, in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829; retaining little either from Liebich or Diterich. It is repeated in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, No. 666, and the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1842, No. 543. The translation in common use from this form is:— We come, our hearts with gladness glowing. A good translation from the text of 1829, by Miss Cox, in her Sacred Hymns from the German, 1841, p. 199; repeated, abridged, in the American Unitarian Hymns for the Church of Christ, Boston, 1853, and in Archdeacon Pott's Collection, 1861. Another translation is: "O Lord, Thy goodness we adore," by Lady E. Fortescue, 1843, p. 29. ii. Gott ist getreu! Sein Herz, sein Vaterherz. Trust in God. 1768, p. 181, in 9 st. of 9 lines, entitled, "The faithful God, 1 Cor. x. 13." It is a beautiful hymn, and has been specially appreciated in Württemberg, where it is found in the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1791, No. 24 (1842, No. 45). Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 416, says it was the favourite hymn of J. C. F. Steudel, Professor of Theology at Tübingen, who died 1837; was sung by the Württemberg contingent at a field service near Toul, in August, 18-70, during the Franco-German War, &c. The translations are:— 1. Our God is true! Them He will ne'er forsake. In full, by Dr. H. Mills, in his Horae Germanica, 1845 (1856, p. 182); repeated, abridged, in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection, 1852, and the Ohio Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. 2. My God is true! His heart, a Father's heart. A good and full translation by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 2nd Ser., 1864, p. 119; repeated, in full, in Reid's Praise Book, 1872; and abridged in the Ibrox Hymnal, 1871. iii. Hier ist mein Herz! Mein Gott, ich geb' es dir. Self-surrender to God. 1768, p. 79, in 9 st. of 9 1. (11. 1, 9 of each st. being "Hier ist mein Herz"), entitled, “Surrender of the heart to God," and suggested by Proverbs xxiii. 26. Included, as No. 763, in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. Translated as :— Here is my heart! my God I give it Thee. A good translation, omitting st. iv., by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1st Ser., 1854, p. 16 (1884, p. 21). Included, in full, in Boardman's Selections, Philadelphia, U.S., 1861; Lyra Eucharistica, 1863 and 1864, &c. The translations of st. i.-iii., v., reduced to 6 8's, and beginning, "Here is my heart, I give it Thee," were included in the American Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858; and, repeated, omitting st. ii., in the Christian Hymn Book, Cincinnati, 1865. iv. So bringen wir den Leib zur Ruh. Burial. 1774, p. 204, in 12 st., entitled, "At the burial of a corpse." In the Bavarian Gesang-Buch., 1854, No. 229, beginning "Nun bringen wir." Translated as, "This body, weary and distressed," by Dr. H. Harbaugh, in the German Reformed Guardian, June, 1863, p. 187. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

1715 - 1769 Author of "An dir allein, an dir hab' ich gesündigt" in Gesangbuch der Bischöflichen Methodistenkirche Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott, son of Christian Gellert, pastor at Hainichen in the Saxon Harz, near Freiberg, was born at Hainichen, July 4, 1715. In 1734 he entered the University of Leipzig as a student of theology, and after completing his course acted for some time as assistant to his father. But then, as now, sermons preached from manuscript were not tolerated in the Lutheran Church, and as his memory was treacherous, he found himself compelled to try some other profession. In 1739 he became domestic tutor to the sons of Herr von Lüttichau, near Dresden, and in 1741 returned to Leipzig to superintend the studies of a nephew at the University. He also resumed his own studies. He graduated M.A. 1744; became in 1745 private tutor or lecturer in the philosophical faculty; and was in 1751 appointed extraordinary professor of philosophy, lecturing on poetry and rhetoric, and then on moral philosophy. An ordinary professorship offered to him in 1761 he refused, as he did not feel strong enough to fulfil its duties, having been delicate from a child, and after 1752 suffering very greatly from hypochondria. He died at Leipzig, Dec. 13, 1769 (Koch, vi. 263-277; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, viii. 544-549, &c). As a professor, Gellert was most popular, numbering Goethe and Lessing among his pupils, and won from his students extraordinary reverence and affection, due partly to the warm interest he took in their personal conduct and welfare. In his early life he was one of the contributors to the Bremer Beiträge; and was one of the leaders in the revolt against the domination of Gottsched and the writers of the French school. His Fables (1st Ser. 1746; 2nd 1748), by their charm of style, spirit, humour and point, may justly be characterised as epoch-making, won for him universal esteem and influence among his contemporaries of all classes, and still rank among the classics of German literature. As a hymnwriter he also marks an epoch; and while in the revival of churchly feeling the hymns of the Rationalistic period of 1760 to 1820 have been ignored by many recent compilers, yet the greatest admirers of the old standard hymns have been fain to stretch their area of selection from Luther to Gellert. He prepared himself by prayer for their composition, and selected the moments when his mental horizon was most unclouded. He was distinguished by deep and sincere piety, blameless life, and regularity in attendance on the services of the Church. His hymns are the utterances of a sincere Christian morality, not very elevated or enthusiastic, but genuine expressions of his own feelings and experiences; and what in them he preached he also put in practice in his daily life. Many are too didactic in tone, reading like versifications of portions of his lectures on morals, and are only suited for private use. But in regard to his best hymns, it may safely be said that their rational piety and good taste, combined with a certain earnestness and pathos, entitle them to a place among the classics of German hymnody. They exactly met the requirements of the time, won universal admiration, and speedily passed into the hymnbooks in use over all Germany, Roman Catholic as well as Lutheran. Two of Gellert's hymns are noted under their own first lines, viz., "Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich," and "Wie gross ist des All-mächtgen Güte." The following have also passed into English, almost all being taken from his Geistliche Oden und Lieder, a collection of 54 hymns first published at Leipzig, 1757, and which has passed through very numerous editions:— I. Hymns in English common use: i. An dir allein, an dir hab ich gesündigt. Lent. 1757, p. 102, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled "Hymn of Penitence." In Zollikofer's Gesange-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 499. Translated as:— Against Thee only have I sinn'd, I own it. A good and full version, by Miss Wink worth, as No. 42 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Another translation is:— "Against Thee, Lord, Thee only my transgression," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 241. ii. Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht. Christmas. One of his best and most popular hymns. 1757, p. 72, in 11 stanzas of 4 lines, repeated in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 55, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 154. Translated as:— This is the day the Lord hath made, O'er all the earth. A translation of stanzas i.-iii., x., by Miss Borthwick, as No. 22 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, and included in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1884, p. 256. Other trs. are:—(1) "This is the day which God ordains," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 27. (2) "This day shall yet by God's command," in the Family Treasury, 1811, p. 278. iii. Für alle Güte sei gepreist. Evening. 1757, p. 85, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, included in Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch 1766, No. 78, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 1160. Translated as:— To Father, Son, and Spirit praise. A good and full translation by A. T. Russell, as No. 7 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. Another translation is: — "For all Thy kindness laud I Thee," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 96. iv. Gott ist mein Lied. Praise. On God's Might and Providence. 1757, p. 78, in 15 st. of 5 1. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.., ed. 1863, No. 24. Translated as:— God is my song, His praises I'll repeat, A free translation of stanzas i.-v., as No. 94 in Sir John Bowring's Hymns, 1825. Repeated, omitting stanza ii., as No. 114 in Dale's English Hymn Book, 1875. Other translations are:— (1) “Of God I sing," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 11. (2) "God is my song, With sovereign," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 243. v. Wenn ich, o Schöpfer, deine Macht. Praise. This fine hymn of Praise for Creation and Providence was first published 1757, p. 62, in 6 stanzas of 7 lines. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 25, and Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:—- Thou Great First Cause! when of Thy skill. In full in Dr. H. Mills's Horae Germanicae, 1845 (1856, p. 5). Stanzas ii., iii., v., vi., altered and beginning, "The earth, where'er I turn mine eye," are in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection, 1852. Other trs. are:— (1) "When, O my dearest Lord, I prove," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 80. (2) "Creator! when I see Thy might," in Madame de Pontes's Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, v. i. p. 472. (3) "When I, Creator, view Thy might," by Miss Manington, 1863. vi. Wer Gottes Wort nicht halt, und spricht. Faith in Works. This didactic hymn on Faith proved by Works, was first published 1757, p. 49, in 5 stanzas of 6 lines. In Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:— Who keepeth not God's Word, yet saith. A good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 161. A greatly altered version of stanzas ii.—v., beginning, "True faith in holy life will shine," was included as No. 418 in Kennedy, 1863, and repeated in the Ibrox Hymnal 1871, J. L. Porter's Collection 1876, and others. II. Hymns not in English common use: vii. Auf Gott, und nicht auf meinen Rath. Trust in God's Providence. 1757, p. 134, in 6 stanzas. Translated as: (1) "Rule Thou my portion, Lord, my skill," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 164). (2) "On God and on no earthly trust," by J. D. Burns, in his Remains, 1869. viii. Auf, schicke dich. Christmas. 1757, p. 109, in 1 stanza. Translated as, "Come, tune your heart," by Miss Cox, 1841, p. 17 (1864, p. 39). ix. Dein Heil, o Christ! nicht zu verscherzen. Prayer. 1757, p. 6, in 14 stanzas of 8 lines. In J. A. Schlegel's Geistliche Gesänge, 3rd Ser., 1772, p. 193, recast as "Zu deinem Gotte beten," in 5 stanzas of 12 lines; and this in the Kaiserwerth Lieder-Buch für Kleinkinderschulen, 1842, No. 208, appears "Zu Gott im Himmel beten," in 8 stanzas of 4 lines. The 1842 was translated as, "O how sweet it is to pray," by Mrs. Bevan, 1859, p. 148. x. Der Tag ist wieder hin, und diesen Theil des Lebens. Evening. 1757, p. 13, in 10 stanzas, as "Self-Examination at Eventide." Translated as,"Another day is ended," by Miss Warner, 1869 (1871, p. 9). xi. Du klagst, und fühlest die Beschwerden. Contentment. 1757, p. 91, in 8 stanzas. Translated as "Thy wounded spirit feels its pain," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1883, p. 153. xii. Erinnre dich, mein Geist, erfreut. Easter. 1757, p. 27, in 13 stanzas. Translated as, "Awake, my soul, and hail the day," in Dr. J. D. Lang's Aurora Australis, Sydney, 1826, p. 43. xiii. Er ruft der Sonn, und schafft den Mond. New Year. 1757, p. 154, in 6 stanzas. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 233, as "Gott ruft." Translated as, “Lord, Thou that ever wast and art," in the British Magazine, Jan., 1838, p. 36. xiv. Gott, deine Güte reicht so weit. Supplication. 1757, p. 1, in 4 stanzas, founded on 1 Kings iii. 5-14. The translations are: (1) "O God, Thy goodness doth extend, Far as," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 10. (2) "Behold! Thy goodness, oh my God," by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 78. xv. Gott ist mein Hort. Holy Scripture. 1757, p. 70, in 8 stanzas. Translated as, "I trust the Lord, Upon His word," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 23). xvi. Herr, der du mir das Leben. Evening. 1757, p. 121, in 5 stanzas. Translated as, "By Thee, Thou Lord of Heaven," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 97. xvii. Herr, starke mich, dein Leiden su bedenken. Passiontide. 1757, p. 123, in 22 stanzas. Translated as, "Clothe me, oh Lord, with strength! that I may dwell” by Miss Fry, 1859, p. 153. xviii. Ich hab in guten Stunden. For the Sick. 1757, p. 128, in 6 stanzas. [See the Story of a Hymn, in the Sunday at Home for Sept., 1865.] Translated as: (1) “I have had my days of blessing," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 60. (2) "Once, happy hours with blessings crowned," by A. B. H., in the Day of Rest, 1877, p. 405. xix. Ich komme, Herr, und suche dich. Holy Communion. 1757, p. 89, in 5 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "I come, 0 Lord, and seek for Thee," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 14. (2) “Weary and laden with my load, I come," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1872, p. 178. xx. Ich komme vor dein Angesicht. Supplication. 1757, p. 140. in 13 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Great God, I bow before Thy face," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 23. (2) “Now in Thy presence I appear," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 137). xxi. Mein erst Gefühl sei Preis und Dank. Morning. 1757, p. 55, in 12 stanzas. Translated as, "I bless Thee, Lord, Thou God of might," beginning with st. vi., by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 56. xxii. Nach einer Prüfung kurzer Tage. Eternal Life. 1757, p. 158, in 12 stanzas, as "The Consolation of Eternal Life." Though hardly a hymn for congregational use and too individualised, it has been a very great favourite in Germany. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, 132, and the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen, ed. 1863, No. 1483. The translations are: (1) "A few short days of trial past," in Miss Knight's Prayers and Hymns from the German, 1812 (1832, p. 107). (2) "A few short hours of transient joy," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 123. (3) “When these brief trial-days are past," by J. Sheppard, 1857, p. 98. (4) “A few short days of trial here,” by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, July 1865, p. 98. (5) "Our few short years of trial o'er," by Dr. J. Guthrie, 1869, d. 124. (6) “When these brief trial-days are spent," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 318. (7) "A few more days, a few more years," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 165. xxiii 0 Herr, mein Gott! durch den ich bin und lebe. Resignation to the will of God. 1757, p. 152. in 7 st. Translated as, "In Thee, my God, I live and move," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 113. xxiv. So hoff’ ich denn mit festem Muth . Assurance of the Grace of God. 1757, p. 115, in 4 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Firm is my hope of future good," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 188). (2) “In Thee, O Lord, my hope hath stood," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. zzv. Was ists dast ich mich quäle. Patience. 1757, p. 17, in 7 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "O foolish heart, be still," by Miss Warner, 1858 (1861, p. 452), repeated in Bishop Ryle's Collection, 1860, No. 181 (2) “What billows these that o'er thee roll," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. xxvi. Wie sicher lebt der Mensch, der Staub. For the Dying. 1757, p. 149, in 14 stanzas. Translated as, "How heedless, how secure is man!" by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 238). One or two recasts from Gellert's Lehrgedichte und Erzählungen, Leipzig, 1754, came into German common use, and one has passed into English, viz.:— xxvii. Mensch, der du Christus schmähst, was ist in ihrer Lehre. Love to Mankind. 1754, pp. 27-56, being a poem entitled “The Christian." A recast from portions of this made by J. S. Diterich, beginning "Gieb mir, O Gott, ein Herz," in 9 stanzas, appears as No. 219 in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765; and has been translated as "Grant me, O God! a tender heart," by Miss Knight, 1812 (1832, p. 97). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Andreas Gryphius

1616 - 1664 Person Name: Andr. Gryphius Author of "Es ist vollbracht! Gott Lob, es ist vollbracht" in Gesangbuch mit Noten Gryphius, Andreas, was born Oct. 2, 1616, at Gross-Glogau, in Silesia. He was educated at the School at Fraustadt, Silesia, 1631-34, and the Gymnasium at Danzig, 1634-36. After being for some time family tutor in the house of Baron Georg von Schönborn, near Fraustadt (who crowned him as a poet in 1637), he was forced by the Counter Reformation in Silesia to find refuge in Holland. He matriculated as a student at Leyden in 1638, and was afterwards till 1643 University Lecturer. Thereafter he accompanied the son of a rich Stettin burgess and two Pomeranian noblemen in a tour through France, Italy, Holland, and South Germany, and then, in the end of 1647, settled in Fraustadt. In 1650 he was appointed syndicus of the principality of Glogau, and while attending one of the meetings of the diet at Glogau, was struck by paralysis and died in the assembly house, July 16, 1664. Gryphius ranks as one of the principal poets of Silesia. The troublous events of his life, however, cast a gloom over most that he wrote, and his hymns especially are sombre in character. He was the first writer of German tragedies (Leo the Armenian; The Murdered Majesty; or, Charles Stuart of Great Britain, &c.) and one of the earliest writers of German comedy (Herr Peter Squenz; Horribilicribrifax; Die geliebte Domrose, an excellent little comedy in Silesian dialect, &c). Gryphius had begun writing sonnets about 1637, and his Son-und Feyrtage Sonnete were published at Leyden, 1639 [Berlin]; followed by his Sonnete, Erste Buch, 1643 [Berlin]. The first (pirated) edition of his collected poems appeared as his Teutsche Reimgedichte, Frankfurt am Main, 1650 [Berlin], and the first authorised edition as his Teutscher Gedichte, Erster Theil, Breslau, 1657 [Berlin], Those translated into English are:— i. Als der betrübte Tag zu Ende kommen. Entombment of Christ. No. 19 in Book iv. of his Odes (1657, p. 40), in 13 st. Translated as, "When that so troublous day was now concluded," as No. 167 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. ii. Die Herrlichkeit der Erden. For the Dying. His best hymn. No. 9 in Book i. of his Odes (1650, p. 99; not in 1643), in 15 st., entitled "Vanitas! vanitatum vanitas." The translations are: (1) "Earth's boasted joys and splendour," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845. (2) "All glories of this earth decay” by Miss Winkworth, 1369, p. 177. iii. In meiner ersten Blüth. God is near. No. 36 in Book iv. of his Sonnets (1657, p. 116; not in 1643), entitled "Andreas Gryphius on his Sunday and Festival Sonnetts." Translated as, "In life's fair Spring," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 179. iv. Je mehr wir Jahre zählen. New Year. No. 9 in Book iii. of his Odes (1657, p. 79), in 8 st. Translated as, "So many years of living," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 181 (from the recast "Wie viel wir"), in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829, No. 835. Another hymn has been frequently ascribed to Andreas Gryphius, but we have failed to find it either in his works or in the works of Christian Grypbius. It is:— v. Es ist vollbracht! Gottlob es ist vollbracht. For the Dying. In the Vollständiges Hauss- und Kirchen Gesang-Buch, 9th ed., Breslau, 1726, No. 304, in 7 st. The translations are: (1) "It is finished! finished! yea," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 119. (2) "It is complete. My God, I thank Thy care," by G. Moultrie, in his Espousals of Saint Dorothea, 1870, p. 65. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Karl Gerok

1815 - 1890 Person Name: K. Gerok Author of "Seid eingedenk! o theure Jüngerschaar" in Gesangbuch mit Noten Gerok, Karl von, D.D , was born January 30, 1815, at Stuttgart, and studied theology at the University of Tubingen. He was, from 1836 to 1840, assistant at his father's church in Stuttgart; 1840-43, lecturer (repetent) at Tübingen, and after 1844 diaconus at Böblingen, near Stuttgart. In 1849 he returned to preach at Stuttgart, where he now resides (1886), as chief court preacher and oberconsistorialrath (0. Kraus, 1879, p. 165: manuscript from Dr. von Gerok, &c). Gerok is well known as an eloquent preacher, and has published various volumes of sermons. His fame principally rests on his sacred poetry. The best known of his poetical works is his Palmblätter, 1857, which has attained a wonderful circulation, and reached a 56th edition in 1886. A new series appeared in 1878 as Palmblätter Neue Folge (9th ed., 1885, under the title Auf einsamen Gängen). A series of poems on the Book of the Acts of the Apostles appeared as Pfingstrosen, 1864, (8th ed. 1886). His other poetical works are, Die letzte Strauss, 1885 (5th ed., 1886), Blumen und Sterne, 1867 (11th ed., 1886), and Deutsche Ostern, 1872(6th ed., 1883). The Palmblätter is in four parts: pt. 1 consisting of poems on Holy Words, i.e. mostly founded on sayings of Holy Scripture; pt. ii. on "Holy Times" (Advent, &c); pt. iii. on "Holy Mountains," and pt. iv. on "Holy Waters," i.e. on Mountains and Waters mentioned in Holy Scripture. From it a few centos have passed into some of the recent German hymn-books; and a version apparently including translations of all the poems in the ed. of the German used appeared in English as Palm leaves by Karl Gerok. Translated from the German by J. E. A. Brown. London: Strahan & Co., 1869. A large number of the individual poems have also been tr, by Miss Borthwick (who has also translated a few from the Pfingstrosen), Miss Burlingham, the Revs. Dr. R. Maguire, E, Massie, J. Kelly, and various others. But as none of these versions have passed into English common use, and as the originals are poems and not hymns, we must refer the reader to the works of these translators. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

Catherine Winkworth

1827 - 1878 Translator of "Our God is true! - Then He will ne'er forsake " in Evangelical Lutheran hymnal Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used in many modern hymnals. Her work was published in two series of Lyra Germanica (1855, 1858) and in The Chorale Book for England (1863), which included the appropriate German tune with each text as provided by Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt. Winkworth also translated biographies of German Christians who promoted ministries to the poor and sick and compiled a handbook of biographies of German hymn authors, Christian Singers of Germany (1869). Bert Polman ======================== Winkworth, Catherine, daughter of Henry Winkworth, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was born in London, Sep. 13, 1829. Most of her early life was spent in the neighbourhood of Manchester. Subsequently she removed with the family to Clifton, near Bristol. She died suddenly of heart disease, at Monnetier, in Savoy, in July, 1878. Miss Winkworth published:— Translations from the German of the Life of Pastor Fliedner, the Founder of the Sisterhood of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserworth, 1861; and of the Life of Amelia Sieveking, 1863. Her sympathy with practical efforts for the benefit of women, and with a pure devotional life, as seen in these translations, received from her the most practical illustration possible in the deep and active interest which she took in educational work in connection with the Clifton Association for the Higher Education of Women, and kindred societies there and elsewhere. Our interest, however, is mainly centred in her hymnological work as embodied in her:— (1) Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855. (2) Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858. (3) The Chorale Book for England (containing translations from the German, together with music), 1863; and (4) her charming biographical work, the Christian Singers of Germany, 1869. In a sympathetic article on Miss Winkworth in the Inquirer of July 20, 1878, Dr. Martineau says:— "The translations contained in these volumes are invariably faithful, and for the most part both terse and delicate; and an admirable art is applied to the management of complex and difficult versification. They have not quite the fire of John Wesley's versions of Moravian hymns, or the wonderful fusion and reproduction of thought which may be found in Coleridge. But if less flowing they are more conscientious than either, and attain a result as poetical as severe exactitude admits, being only a little short of ‘native music'" Dr. Percival, then Principal of Clifton College, also wrote concerning her (in the Bristol Times and Mirror), in July, 1878:— "She was a person of remarkable intellectual and social gifts, and very unusual attainments; but what specially distinguished her was her combination of rare ability and great knowledge with a certain tender and sympathetic refinement which constitutes the special charm of the true womanly character." Dr. Martineau (as above) says her religious life afforded "a happy example of the piety which the Church of England discipline may implant.....The fast hold she retained of her discipleship of Christ was no example of ‘feminine simplicity,' carrying on the childish mind into maturer years, but the clear allegiance of a firm mind, familiar with the pretensions of non-Christian schools, well able to test them, and undiverted by them from her first love." Miss Winkworth, although not the earliest of modern translators from the German into English, is certainly the foremost in rank and popularity. Her translations are the most widely used of any from that language, and have had more to do with the modern revival of the English use of German hymns than the versions of any other writer. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ============================ See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church

F. J. Burmeister

1633 - 1672 Person Name: Franz Joachim Burmeister, 1633-1672 Author of "Es ist genug; so nimm, Herr, meinen Geist" in Gesangbuch Burmeister, Franz Joachim, was a native of Lüneburg. He was ordained at Cello, May 4, 1670, and instituted as diaconus of St. Michael's Church, Luneburg, July 10, 1670. This post he held till his death at Luneburg, April 21, 1672. Ho was a friend of Rist, who crowned him as a poet in 1659, and in 1660 received him into his order of Elbe Swans. (Koch, iii. 448-450: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, iii. 628; manuscript from Seminarlehrer Bode, Lüneburg.) His hymns were mostly contributed to the musical works of J. R. Ahle of Muhlhausen, 14 being set to music and published by Ahle in 1662, at Muhlhausen, as Neue yeistliche auff diehohen Festtage durchs gantze Jahr gerichtete Andachten. Those translations into English are:— i. Du keusohe Seele du. [Visitation to Elizabeth.] First published 1662 as above, No. 13 in 6 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled on the "Festival of Mary's Visitation. On her visitation journey." As the hymn is very rare, the first and last stanzas are here quoted from a copy kindly sent from Muhlhausen:— i. Du keusche Seele du, Der Weiber Licht und Sonne, Und deines Joseph's Wonne Genet nach Elisabethen zu, Deinen Glaubcn dort zu starken An des Allerhochsten Werken. vi. Die Welt ist soldi ein Ort, Darin wir Gastfrist pflegen; Bald muss mein Leib sichlegen, Dann geht der Geist von hinnen fort, Jesus woll' im Tod' und Leben Mir sich zum Gefahrten geben. The only translation in common use is:— Thou virgin, soul! 0 thou. By Miss Winkworth in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 82. ii. Was soil ioh, liebstes Kind. [Epiphany.] First published, 1662, as above, No. 4, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled "On the Festival of the Holy Three Kings." In the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen, edition 1863, No. 212. Translated as:— 0 Blessed Babe divine. A good and full translation by Dr. Kennedy as No. 194, in his Hymnologia Christiana, 1863. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Christoph Kühnau

1750 - 1850 Adapter of "AUGSBURG (Gott ist getreu)" in Evangelical Lutheran hymnal Johann Christoph Kuhnau; b. 1735, Voksstedt, near Eisleben; d. 1806, Berlin Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908