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[So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen]

Appears in 8 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: J. G. Stötzel Incipit: 51231 43232 13217 Used With Text: So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen

O blessèd house, that cheerfully receiveth

Author: Karl Johann Philipp Spitta; Charles William Schaeffer Appears in 12 hymnals Lyrics: 1 O blessèd house, that cheerfully receiveth Thy visits, Jesus Christ, the soul's true Friend, That, far beyond all other guests, believeth It must to Thee its warmest cheer extend; Where every heart to Thee is fondly turning, Where every eye for Thee with pleasure speaks, Where all to know thy will are truly yearning, And every one to do it promptly seeks. 2 O blessèd house, where man and wife, united In Thy true love, have both one heart and mind, Where both to Thy salvation are invited, And in Thy doctrine both contentment find; Where both, to Thee, in truth, for ever cleaving In joy, in grief, make Thee their only stay, And fondly hope in Thee to be believing, Both in the good and in the evil day. 3 O blessèd house, where little children tender Are laid upon Thy heart, with hands of prayer, Thou Friend of children, Who wilt freely render To them more than a mother's loving care, Where round Thy feet they gather, to Thee clinging, And hear thy loving voice most willingly, And in their songs, Thy hearty praises ringing, Rejoice in Thee, O blessèd Lord, in Thee. Amen. Topics: The Christian Life The Family Used With Tune: SO FÜHRST DU DOCH

So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen

Author: Gottfried Arnold, 1666-1714 Appears in 25 hymnals Used With Tune: [So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen]

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So führst du doch recht selig

Hymnal: Vierstimmige Melodien für das Gesangbuch #93 (1910) Languages: German Tune Title: [So führst du doch recht selig]

So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen

Author: Gottfried Arnold, 1666-1714 Hymnal: Gesangbuch #373 (1910) Languages: German Tune Title: [So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen]

So führst du doch recht selig

Author: Gottfried Arnold Hymnal: Gesangbuch der Bischöflichen Methodistenkirche #554 (1928) Languages: German Tune Title: [So führst du doch recht selig]

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Karl Johann Philipp Spitta

1801 - 1859 Author of "O blessèd house, that cheerfully receiveth" in Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church Spitta, Carl Johann Philipp, D.D., was born Aug. 1, 1801, at Hannover, where his father, Lebrecht Wilhelm Gottfried Spitta, was then living, as bookkeeper and teacher of the French language. In his eleventh year Spitta fell into a severe illness, which lasted for four years, and so threw him back that his mother (the father died in 1805) abandoned the idea of a professional career, and apprenticed him to a watchmaker. This occupation did not prove at all congenial to him, but he would not confess his dislike, and his family were ignorant of it till an old friend, who was trying to comfort him after the death of a younger brother, discovered his true feelings. The younger brother had been preparing for ordination, and so Carl was now invited by the family to adopt this career. He joyfully accepted the offer, left the workshop in the autumn of 1818, and succeeded, by dint of hard study during the winter, in gaining admission to the highest class in the Gymnasium (Lyceum) at Hannover, which he entered at Easter, 1819. He was thus able, at Easter, 1821, to proceed to the University of Göttingen, where he completed his theological course, under professors of pronounced Rationalistic opinions, at Easter, 1824 (D.D. from Gottingen, 1855). He then became, in the beginning of May, a tutor in the family of Judge (Oberamlmann) Jochnius, at Lüine, near Lüneburg. Here he remained till his ordination on Dec. 10, 1828, as assistant pastor at Sudwalde, near Hoya. In Nov., 1830, he became assistant chaplain to the garrison and to the prison at Hameln on the Weser, and would have succeeded as permanent chaplain there, in the beginning of 1837, had not the military authorities, alarmed by reports which described him as a Pietist and a Mystic, refused to sanction the arrangement. As a compensation, he was appointed pastor at Wechold, near Hoya, in Oct., 1837, and married just before settling there. On his birthday, Aug. 1, 1847, he was instituted as Lutheran superintendent at Wittingen; in Oct., 1853, at Peine; and in July, 1859, at Burgdorf—all his appointments having been in the kingdom of Hannover. A few weeks after removing to Burgdorf he was seized with gastric fever, but had apparently recovered, when, on Sept. 28, 1859, while sitting at his writing table, he was seized with cramp of the heart, and died in a quarter of an hour. Spitta had begun to write in verse when he was eight years old, along with his brother Heinrich. During his university course he continued to write songs and secular poems, and published a collection of songs anonymously as a Sangbüchlein der Liebe für Handwerksleute. At Göttingen he formed a life-long friendship with Adolf Peters. He was also on intimate terms with Heinrich Heine, who was a fellow member with them of the Burschenschaft, or student's patriotic union (see K. Goedeke'sGrundriss, vol. iii., 1881, p. 259); and this friendship continued till Heine, while visiting him at Ltine, so jested at things sacred, even in the presence of Spitta's pupils, that their friendship came to an end. After the spiritual change, which began about the end of his university course, Spitta ceased to write secular pieces. His hymnwriting proper seems to have begun in 1821. In writing to a friend on May 5, 1826, he says, "In the manner in which I formerly sang I sing no more. To the Lord I consecrate my life and my love, and likewise my song. His love is the one great theme of all my songs; to praise and exalt it worthily is the desire of the Christian singer. He gave to me song and melody; I give it back to Him." The most fruitful period of his hymnwriting was at Lüne, where many of his most popular hymns were composed in the quiet evenings, in his own room, often after fasting, and when, sitting at the piano or at his harp, he had tuned his spirit to song. Many others were inspired by the beautiful scenery of the valley of the Weser, and by the intercourse with friends during his residence at Hameln. In his later years his ecclesiastical duties absorbed his attention, and hardly any of his hymns were written after 1847. A number of them were first printed in the Christliche Monatsschrift zur häuslichen Erbauung für alle Stände, which appeared from Jan. to June, 1826, and was edited by Spitta and by Pastor Deichmann, of Lüneburg. Various causes doubtless contributed to the popularity of Spitta's Psalter und Harfe. The hymns therein are, as a rule, of moderate length, are clear and simple in style, refined in diction, sweet, flowing and melodious. Their quiet beauty, their tone of earnest, sincere, and childlike piety, of glowing devotion to the Saviour, and of calm resting on, what to Spitta were, the eternal verities, endeared them to all ranks and classes. They form a faithful mirror of his inner life and Chritian experience. They at once met and ministered to the revival of Evangelical religion in Germany, and thus enjoyed somewhat of the same good fortune and popularity which the renewed churchly life in England brought to Keble's Christian Year. As the title adopted shows Spitta meant them for family and private use, and for this they are best fitted, being, for the most part, subjective and individnal. They speedily, however, passed into the German hymnbooks for church use, both at home and abroad, and translations of them are found in almost all recent English and American collections. Another element of Spitta's popularity in Germany has been contributed by the very numerous musical settings which have appeared to his hymns. Koch, vii., 246, gives a list of the more important of the collective editions, but, besides these, many of the separate pieces have been set to music by various composers, the "Angel of Patience" being one of the greatest favourites. A number of Spitta's hymns are annotated under their original first lines. Of the rest we may note here the following:— I. From his Psalter und Harfe. 1st Series, Pirna, 1833, and the 2nd ed. Leipzig, 1834; 2nd Series, Leipzig, 1843. i. Allen ist ein Heil beschieden. Communion of Saints. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 27, in 5 stanzas of 7 lines, entitled "Unity in spirit." Another translation is:—“Salvation is a boon." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 75. ii. Es wird mein Herz mit Freuden wach. Sunday Morning. First published at Leipzig, 1843, p. 61, in 7 st. of 4 1., entitled "Sunday Morning." Translated as:— My heart wakes with a joyful lay. This is a good and full tr. by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 4th Ser. 1862, p. 82. Repeated, abridged and beginning "Awake! all hearts and joyful say," in G. S. Jellicoe's Collection, 1867, No. 26. Other trs. are: (1) "My heart awakes with holy glee." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 143. (2) "Awake, my heart, this day of rest." By R. Massie, 1864, p. 51. (3) "My heart is bright with joy." By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 25. iii. Gottes Stadt steht festgegründet. Christian Church. First published at Leipzig, 1843, p. 97, in 6 stanzas of 12 lines, entitled "The City of God," and founded on Ps. lxxxvii. Tr. as:— By the holy hills surrounded, In full, by R.. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1864, p. 82, repeated in the Wesleyan Hymn Book1875, No. 595. iv. Hochgesegnet seid ihr Boten. Foreign Missions. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 24, in 6 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "The Missionaries to the Heathen." Tr. as:— Blest are ye, ye chosen bearers. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 95. Other trs. are: (1) "Ye messengers of Christ, By Him commissioned forth." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 147. (2) "0 blessed are ye messengers, sent forth." By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 52. v. Ich glaube, darum rede ich. Faith. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 56, in 5 st. of 8 1., entitled " I believe." Tr. as:— I believe, and so have spoken. By R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 55. vi. Ich höre deine Stimme. Ps. xxiii. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 44, in 7 st. of 8 1., entitled "The Lord is my Shepherd." Tr. as:— 1. I hear my Shepherd calling. This is a good and full tr. by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestic, 1860, p. 44 2. Jesu, my Lord, my Shepherd. This is a very good translation, omitting st. vi., in the Catholic Apostolic Hymns for the Use of the Churches, n.d. [1868], marked as tr. by "M. E. A. 1867." Other trs. are: (1) "Shepherd of souls. Thy voice I hear, As stage." By Dr. R. Maguire, 1872, p. 166. (2) “I know Thy voice, my Shepherd.” By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 11. vii. Ich und mein Haus, wir sind bereit. Family Use. A fine hymn, founded on Joshua xxiv., 15. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 110, in 6 st. of 10 1., entitled “I and my house will serve the Lord." Tr. as:— I and my house are ready, Lord. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 103. viii. Im Osten flammt empor der gol'dne Morgen. Morning. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 91, in 7 st. of 6 1., entitled "At Morning." Tr. as:— The golden morn flames up the Eastern sky. This is a good and full tr. by Miss Winkworth, in the Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 74. Other trs. are: (1) “The golden morn is in the East arisen." By the Hon. S. R. Maxwell in his Sacred Poems, 1857, p. 114. (2) "On the far East now flames the golden Morning." By S. A. Storrs, in her Thoughts and Sketches, 1857, p. 74. (3) "Lo! in the East the golden morn appearing." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 1. (4) “The purple morning gilds the Eastern skies." By R. Massie, 1860, p. 6. (5) "Out from the East, the golden morn is riding." By Miss Manington. 1863, p. 113. (6) “See from the East the golden morn." By Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 27. ix. Kehre wieder, kehre wieder. Lent. Founded on Jer. iii. 12, 13. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 29, in 5 st. of 10 l., entitled " Turn again." Translated as:— 1. Return, return! Poor long-lost wanderer, home. This is a free tr. by Miss Borthwick in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 2nd Ser., 1855, p. 25. 2. Turn, poor wanderer, ere the sentence. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestic, 1860, p. 69. Other trs. are: (1) "Turn, O turn, no more delaying." By the Hon. S. R. Maxwell, in his Sacred Poems, 1857, p. 101. (2) "Return, return, thou lost one." By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 59. (3) "Return again! return again." By J. Kelly, in his Hymns of the Present Century, 1885, p. 60. x. Meine Stund' ist noch nicht kommen. Cross and Consolation. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 37, in 7 st. of 6 1., entitled "The Lord's Hour.” Tr. as:— Jesus' hour is not yet come. This is a free tr., omitting st. v., by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 2nd ser. 1855, p.43. Other trs. are:—(1) "'Tis not yet the time appointed." By R. Massie, 1860, p. 47, and in Reid's Praise Book, 1872. (2) " My times, O Lord, are in Thy hand." By Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 99. xi. Kimm hin, was dein ist, Gott, nimms hin. Surrender to God. This beautiful hymn was first pub. at Leipzig, 1843, as above, p. 58, in 5 st. of 10 1., entitled "Resignation." Translated as:— I give Thee back Thine own again. A good and full tr. by R. Massie, in hisLyra Domestica, 1864, p. 49. xii. 0 du, der uns begegnet. Christian Service. First pub. at Leipzig, 1843, as above, p. 92, in 4 st. of 4 1., entitled "The Blessing of the Blest." Tr. as:— 0 Thou Whose grace first found us, Whose love. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1864. xiii. O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit. Whitsuntide. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 12, in 7 st. of 8 1., entitled "Whitsunday." Tr. as:— 1. Draw, Holy Spirit, nearer. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 27. 2. 0 come, Eternal Spirit, Of truth, diffuse Thou light. xiv. 0 Vaterhand, die mich so treu geführet. Holy Trinity. A fine hymn, first pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 128, in 3 st. of 8 1., entitled "Father, Son, and Spirit.” Tr. as:— 1. O Father-Eye, that hath so truly watch'd. By Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 63. 2. Father whose hand hath led me so securely. xv. 0 welche fromme schöne Sitte. Spiritual Conversation. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 101, in 6 st. of 8 1., entitled "The Blessing of Christian fellowship." Tr. as:— It is a practice greatly blest. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 89. xvi. 0 wie freun wir uns der Stunde. Fellowship with Christ. First pub. at Leipzig, 1843, as above, p. 3, in 6 st. of 8 1., entitled "Thou hast the words of Eternal Life". Tr. as:— Oh J how blest the hour, Lord Jesus. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1864, p. 5. Another tr. is: "How great the joy, how blest the hour." By Dr. R. Maguire, 1872, p. 182. xvii. 0 wie manche schone Stunde. Cross and Consolation. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 130, in 10 st. of 4 1., entitled "Comfort." Tr. as:— 1. O how many hours of gladness, Hath the Lord. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 126, repeated, abridged, in the Book of Common Praise, 1863. 2. O how many hours of beauty. This is a good and full tr., by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 4th Ser., 1862, p. 11. Another tr. is: "O how many an hour of gladness." By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 16. xviii. Sehet, sehet, welche Liebe. The Love of the Holy Trinity. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 19, in 3 st. of 8 1., entitled " See what Love." Tr. as:— See, O see, what love the Father. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 50. Other trs. are : (1) "Behold the Father's love." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 9. (2) "See! what wondrous love, how matchless." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 33. (3) “Behold what love the Father hath—how great." By Dr. R. Maguire, 1872, p. 68. xix. Unser Wandel ist im Himmel! Wie ein Mensch in sich versenkt. The Christian Life. First pub. at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 75, in 7 st. of 8 1., entitled "Our Conversation is in Heaven," and suggested by Philipp. iii. 20. Tr. as:— As a traveller returning. In full, by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 73. This is found in two centos :— 1. Jesus, like the magnet, raises (st. iii., v., vi.) in the Methodist New Congregational Hymn Book 1863. 2. Can we have our hearts in heaven (st. v., vii.) in Adams's Church Pastorals, Boston, U.S., 1864. Another tr. is: "We are citizens of heaven." In the British Herald, January, 1866, p. 205. xx. Wandle leuchtender und schöner. Easter. First published at Pirna, 1833, as above, p. 8, in 9 st. of 8 1., entitled "Easter Festival." Tr. as:— Sun, shine forth in all thy splendour. This is a full and good tr. by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1860, p. 24. Another tr. is: "With brighter glory, Easter Sun." By Lady Durand, 1873, p. 4. xxi. Wir sind des Herrn, wir leben, oder sterben. Life in Christ. A fine hymn founded on Rom. xiv. 8. Tr. as:— 1. We are the Lord's; His all-sufficient merit. This is a good and full tr. by C. T. Astley, in his Songs in the Night, 1860, p. 32. 2. We are the Lord's, whether we live or die. Also a good and full tr. by R. Massie, in his Lyra Domestica, 1864, p. 81. Hymns not in English common use:— xxii. Ach, welche Marter, welche Flagen. Christ's Mercy. Tr. as "O Lord, what sorrows past expression." xxiii. Das Leben wird oft trübe. Spiritual Dryness. The trs. are: (1) "How weary and how worthless this life at times appears." (2) “Our life is often dark." (3) "This life is ofttimes gloomy." (4) "Life often seems so dreary.” xxiv. Der du in der Nacht des Todes. Epiphany. The trs. are: (1) "Thou Who in the night of death." (2) "Christ whose first appearance lighted." (3) "Thou who in death's night of terror." (4) "Christ, who in Death's night of darkness." xxv. Des Christen Schmuck und Ordensband. Rejoicing in Tribulation. The trs. are: (1) "The Christian's badge of honour here." (2) "The badge the Christian wears on earth." (3) "The Christian's star of honour here." (4) "The sign of faith, and love's true token xxvi. Du schöne Lilie auf dem Feld. Trust in God. The trs. are: (1) "Thou beauteous lily of the field, Who robed." (2) "Thou beauteous lily of the field! Who hath." (3) "Thou beauteous lily of the field, Thou child to Nature dear." (4) "Sweet lily of the field, declare." (5) "Thou pretty lily of the field." (6) "Thou lovely lily of the field." xxvii. Ein lieblich Loos ist uns gefallen. The Christian's Portion. xxviii. Ein Pilger schickt sich an zur Fahrt. For the Dying. Tr. as (1) "A pilgrim stands on Jordan's brink." (2) "A pilgrim for his new abode." xxix. Erhalt' in mir den Lebenstrieb, das Sehnen. The Plant of Grace. The trs. are (1) "Maintain in me the sap of life, the yearning." (2) "Excite in me, 0 Lord, an ardent thirst.” (3) "Uphold in me a living wish and longing." xxx. Es giebt ein Lied der Lieder. The Lord's Song. The trs. are: (1) "A Song of songs there is." (2) "There is a song so thrilling." (3) "There is a song now singing." (4) "One song of songs —the sweetest." (5) "A blessed Song of songs there is." xxxi. Freuet euch der schonen Erde. Joy in the Beauties of Nature. The trs. are: (1) "0 rejoice in Nature's beauties." (2) "In the beauteous earth rejoice ye." (3) "Rejoice in the beautiful earth! For well may." (4) "Rejoice in the beautiful earth For well she," &c. (5) "Joy ye o'er this earth so lovely." (6) "Rejoice in Earth's fair beauty." xxxii. Gehe hin in Gottes Namen. Before Work. The trs. are: (1) "Cheerfully to work proceed.” (2) "In the name of God advancing." (3) "In the Name of God go forward." xxxiii. Ich nehme, was du mir bestimmst. Submission to God's Will. The trs. are: (1) "What Thou appointest I receive." (2) "Give what Thou wilt oh Lord! my grateful heart." (3) "Thy will I cheerfully obey.” xxxiv. Ich steh' in xneines Herren Hand. Trust in God. Tr. as "I place myself in Jesus' hands." xxxv. In der Angst der Welt will ich nicht klagen. Christian Life. The trs. are: (1) "Amid the world's vexations." (2) "Uncomplaining, though with care grown hoary." (3) "In this earth—life's bitter anguish.” xxxvi. 0 du, den meine Seele liebt. Holy Communion. The trs. are: (1) "0 Thou, Who holdest in my heart." (2) "Oh Thou, my loving thoughts employ.” xxxvii. Still an deinem liebevollen Herzen. The Love of Christ. The trs. are: (1) "Safe on thy paternal breast." (2) "With calm repose, Oh let me lie." (3) "Still on Thy loving heart let me repose." xxxviii. Stimm' an das Lied vom Sterben. For the Dying. Sung at hisown funeral on Sunday, Oct. 1, 1859. The trs. are: (1) "I sing of death and dying." (2) "Sing now the Song of Dying." xxxix. Vom Oelberg' wogt es nieder. Christ weeping over Jerusalem. The trs. are: (1) "Hark! for loud notes of joy." (2) "Where yonder mount, with olives clad." (3) “From Olivet the surging crowd." xl. Was macht ihr dass ihr weinet. Communion of Saints. Founded on Acts xxi. 13. The trs. are: (1) "What mean ye by this wailing." (2) "What mean ye, dearly loved ones." (3) " What mean ye thus those tears to weep." (4) "How mean ye thus by weeping." (5) "Why is it that ye're weeping." xli. Weint nicht uber Jesu Schmerzen. Repentance. The trs. are: (1) "For Jesu's agony and death." (2) "Wherefore weep we over Jesus." (3) "Weep not over Jesu's sorrow." xlii. Wie wird uns sein, wenn endlich nach dent schweren. Eternal Life. The trs. are: (1) "How shall it be with us, when we, frail mortals." (2) "O what will be the day, when won at last." (3) "What shall we be, and whither shall we go?" (4) "How will it be? when past the conflict heavy.” (5) "O what shall we be, when the conflict o'er." xliii. Winter ist es. In dem weiten Reich. Winter. The trs. are: (1) "Winter is here, and none may dare intrude." (2) "It is winter. All seems dead or dying." (3) "Winter it is! o'er the mighty kingdom." (4) "It is Winter. The wide realm of Nature.” (5) "Winter is here. In Nature's wide domain." (6) "It is winter; and the wide domain.” xliv. Wohl uns, der Vater hat uns lieb. The Love of God. Founded on Rom. viii. 32. This was, according to Koch vii. 243, one of the hymns which Spitta wrote between Easter and July, 1824, while studying the Epistle to the Romans, and which on July 7, 1824, he sent to his brother Heinrich Spitta, professor of medicine at Rostock, but Ludwig Spitta dates it "Autumn, 1833." It is tr. as "How blest are we! that God of us." xlv. Wo ist göttliches Erbarmen. The Grace of Christ. The trs. are:— (1) "Oh where doth mercy dwell." (2) "Where is mercy and compassion." (3) "Where is Divine compassion, that." xlvi. Wort des Lebens, lautre Quelle. Holy Scripture. The trs. are: (1) "Word of Life! unsullied fountain." (2) "Thou word of Life, unsullied spring!" (3) "Word of Life, eternal Fountain." (4) "Word of Life, thou fountain bright.” II. From his Nachgelassene geistliche Lieder. Leipzig, 1861. Hardly any of these have come into use in Germany; and they have either remained unknown to or have been almost entirely ignored by translators into English. We need only note two, viz.:— xlvii. Die erste Ruhestatte die die Welt. Christmas. It is tr. as "The cradle which the world has drest." xlviii. 0 Herbst, du Abendstunde. Autumn. It is tr. as “0 autumn, fair pensive evening." By Miss Borthwick, in the Family Treasury, 1864, p. 191, dated September 1864, and included Thoughtful Hour, 1867, p. 181. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =================== Spitta, C. J. P. , p. 1076, ii. A new edition of the Psalter und Harfe (both parts), with biographical Introduction, was published at Gotha in 1890. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Gottfried Arnold

1666 - 1714 Person Name: Gottfried Arnold, 1666-1714 Author of "So führst Du doch recht selig, Herr, die Deinen" in Gesangbuch Arnold, Gottfried, son of Gottfried Arnold, sixth master of the Town School of Annaberg in the Saxon Harz, born at Annaberg Sept. 5, 1666. His life was varied and eventful, and although much of it had little to do with hymnody from an English point of view, yet his position in German Hymnology is such as to necessitate an extended notice, which, through pressure of space, must be (typographically) compressed. After passing through the Town School and the Gymnasium at Gera, he matriculated in 1685 at the University of Wittenberg—where he found the strictest Lutheran orthodoxy in doctrine combined with the loosest of living. Preserved by his enthusiasm for study from the grosser vices of his fellows, turning to contemplate the lives of the first Christians, he began those investigations in Church History on which his fame principally rests, and thought of preparing himself to become a lecturer and professor, the worldly spirit which pervaded the Church repelling him from seeking to become one of her ministers. Accepting in 1689 an appointment as family tutor at Dresden, he became a disciple of Spener, then Court Preacher. Seeing and testifying against the ill-living of those around him, he lost his appointment in 1693, but by Spener's recommendation obtained a similar post at Quedlinburg, the centre of a recent religious Revival, one of the leaders in which was the Senior Court diaconus, J. H. Sprogel. While at Quedlinburg he wrote and pub. his first work of importance: The First Love, i.e., a true Picture of the First Christians in their Living Faith, and Holy Life, 1696, a book glowing with faith and earnestness, which gained a rapid circulation (5th ed. 1727) and was very greatly valued by P. J. Spener. Being thus brought into notice he was in 1697 appointed by the Landgrave Ernst Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt as Professor of History at Giessen. Accepting the post in a hopeful spirit, he did not find himself at home in his surroundings, and, unable to work as he wished, was constrained to resign in 1698. Returning to Quedlinburg he found leisure in the house of his friend SprSgel to pursue the investigations for his Unparteiische Kirchen- und Ketzer-Historie (Frankfurt-am-Main, 1699-1700). This epoch-making work, the most important of all his publications, a monument of gigantic industry and based on the original sources, sought with impartiality to bring out clearly the most prominent and most beautiful features of the Church life of bygone ages, while the more important works that preceded it had been largely partisan. It was dedicated to the King of Prussia, who, Jan., 1702, named him Historiographer; it gained for him the King's help, but by the favourable views taken of the heretics, and the unfavourable light in which the action of the Church towards them was often regarded, a storm of indignation was raised against him throughout the Church. About this time he joined the "New Angel Brotherhood " (S. Matt. xxii. 30), of the followers of the mystic Jakob Bohine, wrote in 1700 his Mystery of the Wisdom of God (see below), in which Heavenly Wisdom was represented as a pure Virgin, union with whom would preclude any earthly marriage, and ceased to partake of Holy Communion in public. Thereupon the ecclesiastical authorities took action, and would have banished him from Quedlinburg had not the King of Prussia interfered and sent two commissions in 1700 and 1701 on Arnold's behalf. Now came the turning point in his life. A thief who had broken into the house of the Sprogels was appre¬hended at Allstedt, about 40 miles south. To bring the thief to justice, Sprogel's wife and her youngest daughter, Anna Maria, went thither under Arnold's care. Preaching before the widowed Duchess of Sachsen-Eisenach, Arnold was summoned by her to become preacher at her Court at Allstedt, and before entering on his duties was, on Sept. 5, 1701, married in Church at Quedlinburg to Anna Maria Sprogel—a union productive of the happiest results, and which in great measure cured him of his Separatist tendencies, but which brought the ridicule of his enemies upon him, and caused his expulsion from the Angel Brotherhood. Entering upon his duties at Allstedt in 1702, he encountered much opposition, and thus, in 1705, gladly accepted from the King of Prussia an appointment as pastor and inspector of Werben in the Altmark (near the junction of the Elbe and Havel), as successor to his father-in-law, who had removed thence from Quedlinburg. As his persecutors gave him no rest, he accepted from the magistrates of Perleberg, a few miles farther north, the pastorate there, to which the King added the inspectorate of the district, beginning his labours on the 22nd Sunday after Trinity, 1707, by a sermon on St. Matt, xiii. 45. Unwearied in word and work, by preaching, by household visitation, and by the composition of devotional manuals (one of which, entitled Paradiesischer Lustgarten, 1709, reached a 7th ed. in 1746), he sought the good of his flock and won universal love and esteem. His excessive devotion to study (publishing no less than 58 works, some being folios, within 20 years) and his sedentary habits, brought on a severe attack of scurvy. On Whit-Sunday, 1714, when barely recovered from his illness, a recruiting party burst into the church and impressed some of the young men who were in the act of receiving Holy Communion. This outrage was his death-blow. On the next day, May 21, as pre-arranged, he preached a funeral sermon, but had to be supported by the sexton to enable him to finish it, ' like a faithful soldier keeping his post till bis last gasp." Three days he lay in an armchair, and was then removed to bed. In earnest exhortation to his friends to full renunciation of self and of the world and complete dedication to God, in peaceful communion with God not unmingled with the bitterness of an early end, the days passed, till on May 30, 1714, after he had raised himself in bed and exclaimed "Frisch auf, frisch auf! Die Wagen her und fort," his spirit peacefully passed away, his mortal body being consigned to the grave on June 1—accompanied by a weeping multitude comprising nearly all the inhabitants of the place. As a poet Arnold holds a high place, though but few of his hymns (mostly written at Quedlinburg) are entirely fitted for use in public worship. Ehmann characterises his poems as full of originality, as pervaded with a deep zeal for sanctification and the fear of God, and with glowing devotion and intensity of love for Christ. All are tinged, some very deeply, with his mysticism, dealing largely in theosophic language with the marriage of the soul to God. They found admission into the hymn-books of the Separatists and the Pietists, and many of them in modern times are included in Knapp's Ev. L. S. They appeared in the following works:— (1) Gottliche Liebes-Funcken. Aus dem grossen Feuer der Liebt Gottes in Christo Jesu entsprungen. Frankfurt am Main, 1698. Containing 145 pieces, including his best hymns. (2) Anderer Theil der gottlichen Liebes-Funcken. Frankfurt, 1701. 36 pieces. (3) Das Geheimniss der gottlidien Sophia, der Weisheit, beschrieben und besungen. Leipzig, 1700. The poetical portion of this work is in two parts:—i. Poetische Lob- und Liebes-Spriiche (100); ii. Neue gottlicJie Liebes Funcken (133). (4) Das eheliche und unverehelichte Leben der ersten Christen, &c. Frankfurt, 1702, with an appendix of 19 poems. (5) Neuer Kern wahrer Geistesgebete, &c. Leipzig, 1703, with a collection of hymns appended, entitled Ein neuer Kern recht geistlicher lieblicher Lieder—211 in all. As these works contain a good many hymns by other authors, the task of discrimination is not easy, and thus it comes to pass that in the collected editions by Albert Knapp (Stuttgart, 1845) and by K. C. E. Ehmann (Stuttgart, 185G) a number of pieces are included which are not really by Arnold. Somewhat curiously, Miss Winkworth, in her Christian Singers of Germany, 1869, has selected three pieces, and only three, as favourable specimens of Arnold, and as it happens, not one is really by him. Knapp frequently abridges and alters, while Ehmann gives a valuable introduction, the unaltered text of 139 hymns, and, as an appendix, a selection from the poems not in regular form (Koch, vi. 138-159; Ehmann's Introduction, Allg. Deutsche Biographie., i. 587-588). The hymns here noted are arranged thus: I. Probably by Arnold; II. Possibly by Arnold; III. Not by Arnold, but not found earlier than in the works mentioned above. Of these the following have been rendered into English:— I. Hymns probably by Arnold, 1-9. 1. Ew'ge Weisheit, Jesu Christ. [Love to Christ.] Founded on Canticles viii. 6, and 1st pub. 1700 as above, No. 68 (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 128), in 18 stanzas of 4 lines, and included as No. 504 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1704. Translated as "Christ, thou'rt Wisdom unto me," No. 685 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754. 2. Holdseligs Gottes-Lamm. [Victory of Love.] 1701 p. 61, as above Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 173), in 11 stanzas of 8 lines, and thence as No. 484 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1704. Translated as "Thou, God's beloved Lamb," as No. 629 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754. In 1789 altered to "Thou, God's most holy Lamb," and in 1801 and later eds. to "Jehovah! holy Lamb." 3. Ihr Sions-Tochter die ihr nicht [Love to Christ.] Founded on Canticles iii. 11, and 1st pub. 1700 as above, No. 41 (Ehmann's cd. 1856, p. 107), in 13 stanzas of 4 lines. Included as No. 716 in the Herrnhut G. B. 1735. Translated as "Daughters of Zion, who're no more," No. 695 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754. 4. Komm beag' dich tief, mein Hcrz and Sinn. [Thanksgiving to Christ] 1st pub. 1702 as above, p. 549 (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 194), in 9 stanzas of 6 lines. Included as No. 744 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1705. Translated as "Ourselves, dear Lord, we now resign," from stanzas vil., ix., as st. iii., iv.of No. 695 in the Moravian Hymn Book. 1801, (ed. 1849, No. 826). 5. Mein Eonig, schreib mir dein Gesetz. [Brotherly Love.] Founded on Ps. exxxiii. and James ii. 8, and 1st pub. 1698, No. 125, as above (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 51, Knapp, 1845, p. 119), in 16 stanzas of 6 lines. Included as No. 387 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1704. Translated as "Thy law, O Lord, be my delight," as No. 451 in the Moravian Hymn Book 1789, and repeated in later eds. 6. 0 Durchbrecher aller Bande (q.v.) 7. O stillcs Lamm, ich such dein sanftes Wesen. [Love to Christ.] A poem 1st pub. 1698, No. 34, as above (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 270), in 21 lines, entitled " They are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb," Rev. xiv. 4. In pt. ii. 1714, of Freylinghausen's G. B., a recast beginning "O stilles Gottes-Lamm," in 5 stanzas of 8 lines, was included as No. 429. The translations are from the second form: (1) "Meek, patient Lamb of God, to Thee," by J. Wesley, in Psalms & Hymns, 1741 (P. Works, 1868-72, vol. ii. p. 14), repeated as No. 545 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754; (2) "Meek, patient Lamb of God, impart," as No. 434 in the Moravian Hymn Book. 1789, and later eds. 8. So ftihrst da docli recht selig, Herr, di; Deinen. [Trust in God.] 1st pub. 1698, No. 138, as above (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 69), in 13 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled "The best Guide." Included as No. 210 in Freyling¬hausen's G. B. 1704, and recently as No. 428 in the Unv. L. S. 1851. Dr. Schaff, in his Deutsches G. B., 1860, says of it: "It was the favourite hymn of the philosopher Schelling. It is, however, more suited for private use than for Public Worship." It is a beautiful hymn, marked by profundity of thought and depth of Christian experience. The only translation in common use is "How well, O Lord! art thou thy People leading," in full as No. 60l in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1751, and repeated, abridged and altered to " Well art Thou leading, Guide supreme," in 1826 (1849, No. 195). The translation of stanzas i., iii., xi. from the 1826 were included in J. A. Latrobe's Collection, 1841, No. 329. Another translation is "How blest to all Thy followers, Lord, the road," by Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 115 (ed. 1876, p. 177). 9. Wie fdion ist unsers Kdnigs Braut. [Heaven.] 1st pub. 1698, No. 139, as above (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 72, Knapp, 1845, p. 217), in 14 stanzas of 6 lines. Included as No. 584 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1704. The translation are-beginning with st. x.:—" Wie freuet sich mein gamer Sinn," (1) "I'm glad, yea, sinner—likely bold," as No. 548 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book 1754. (2) “How doth my needy soul rejoice," as No. 882 in the Moravian Hymn Book. 1789. In 1801 altered to " How greatly doth my soul rejoice," (1849, No. 1230). II. Hymns possibly by Arnold, 10-11. 10. Erschein, du Morgenstern. [Morning.] 1st pub. 1703, p. 8 (Ehmann's ed. 1856, p. 196), in 4 stanzas of 8 lines. Included as No. 751 in Freylinghausews G. B. 1705, and No. 628 in Porst's G. B. ed. 1855. Fischer, i. 174, thinks A.'s authorship very doubtful. Translated as "Thou Morning-Star appear," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 42. 11. O der alles hattf verloren. [The Heavenly Spirit.] This beautiful hymn on Self-Renunciation appeared in 1703, p. 132 (ed. Ehmann, 1856, p. 210), in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, but both Koch, vi. 159, and Fischer, ii. 138, regard A.'s authorship as very doubtful. Included as No. 719 in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1705, and recently as No. 614 in the Unv. L. S. 1851. In Knapp's ed. 1845, p. 8, beginning “O wer alles hatt' verloren," in 7 stanzas. The only translation in common use is, "Well for him who all things losing," a very good translation omitting st. iii. by Miss Winkworth, in the 1st Series of her Lyra Ger. 1855, p. 134 (ed. 1876, p. 135), and repeated in her C. B. for England, 1863, No. 132, omitting the translation of stanzas. vi. Included as No. 451 in the Pennsylvanian Luth. Ch. Bk. 1868, and, with the omission of stanzas vi.-vii., in the American Meth. Episcopal Hymnal, 1878. Other translations are: (1) "O were all things perishable," as No. 682 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754. (2) “Ah! the heart that has forsaken," by Mrs. Findlater, in the Family Treasury, 1859, pt. ii. p. 208, and thence (quoting the German as "Ach das Herz verlassend alles") in the 4th Series, 1862, of the Hymns from the Land of Luther (ed. 1862, p. 284, 1884, p. 209). (3) "O how blest who, all resigning," by Mrs. L. C. Smith, in the Sunday Magazine, 1865, p. 94C. III. Hymns wrongly attributed to Arnold, 12-14. Seven hymns of this class have been tr. into English. Of these, two are noted under Lodenstein, one under Scheffler, and one under J. L. Faber. The others are:— 12. Es gehet maticlier Weg und Bahn. [Life's Voyage.] 1st pub. in Der Weisiteit Gartengewdchs, 1703, edited by Arnold. Ehmann, 1856, p. 245, includes it in 7 stanzas of 4 lines, but says it is certainly not by Arnold. Knapp, 1845, p. 173, quotes it, beginning, "Gar mancher Wegr, gar manche Balm," as from a us. dated 1734, and included it in his Ev. L. S. 1850, No. 1583 (ed. 1865, No. 1652). Translated as "Full many a way, full many a path," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 295. 13. O du sussa Lust. [Communion with Christ.] Appeared in 1698, No. 140, as above; but distinctly marked as " by another." In Knapp, 1845, p. 78. Included in 9 stanzas of 6 lines, as No. 458, in Freylinghausen's G. B. 1704, and as No. 398 in Porst's G. B., ed. 1855. The trs. are: (1) "O thou Pleasure blest," as No. 690 in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book. 1754; (2) "Bliss beyond compare," founded on the 1751, as No. 283 in the Moravian Hymn Book 1789. In full as No. 68 in the Bible Hymn Book 1845, and as No. 672 in Reid's Praise Book 1872. 14. Salb' uns mit deiner Lieba. [The Kingdom of God.] 1st pub. 1702, p. 526, but distinctly marked as " by another." In Knapp, 1845, p. 19. included as No. 746 in Freylingliausen's G. B. 1705, and recently, as No. 198, in Knapp's Ev. L. S. 1850 (ed. 1865, No. 209). Translated as "Anoint us with Thy blessed love," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 293. Dr. Franz Dibelius in his elaborate biography (Gottfried Arnold, Berlin, 1873) at pp. 180-183, 246-248, quotes four hymns not included by Ehmann which he thinks may possibly be by Arnold. One of these is “Zum Leben ftthrt ein schmaler Weg " (q. v.). -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)