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Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

1715 - 1769 Person Name: C. F. Gellert Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Von der Selbsterkenntniß, Demuth und Wachsamkeit Author of "Nicht, daß ich's schon ergriffen hätte" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch 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)

Johann Adolf Schlegel

1721 - 1793 Person Name: J. A. Schlegel Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Von der Sorge für das Gewissen Author of "O welch ein unschäzbares gut" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch Schlegel, Johann Adolf, D.D., son of Dr. Johann Friedrich Schlegel, Appellationsrath at Meissen, in Saxony, was born at Meissen, Sept. 17, 1721. After passing through the famous school at Pforta (Schulpforta), near Naumburg, he studied, from 1741 to 1746, at the University of Leipzig, where he became acquainted with Cramer, Gellert, and Klopstgock, and was one of the principal contributors to the Bremer Beiträge (Neue Beyträge zum Vergnügen des Verstandes und Witzes). In 1746 he became a private tutor at Strehla, in Saxony, and then returned to Leipzig, where he occupied himself in literary work, until he went, in 1748, to live with his friend Cramer at Crellwitz, near Lützen. He remained at Crellwitz till 1751, when he was appointed a master in his old school at Pforta, and also diaconus of the church there. In 1754 he became chief pastor of the Holy Trinity church at Zerbst, and also professor of Theology and Metaphysics in the Academic Gymnasium in that town. He removed to Hannover in 1759, as pastor of the Markt Kirche. In 1775 he was removed to the Neustadt Church there, as chief pastor, and also as Consistorialrath and Superintendent. "While retaining his pastorate at Hannover, he was also appointed, in 1782, as General Superintendent of the district of Hoya. In 1787 he exchanged this for the General Superintendentship of the Principality of Kalenberg. The same year he received the degree of D.D. at the Jubilee Festival of the University of Göttingen. He died of fever, at Hannover, Sept. 16, 1793… Schlegel was a most prolific writer, though to the literary world at large the names of his song, August Wilhelm and Friedrich von Schlegel, are better known. He was one of the most celebrated preachers of his time, and the author of many volumes of sermons. His hymns suited the taste of the Rationalistic period, and were exceedingly popular in the end of the 18th century, but have now, in great measure, passed out of use. Many of them were merely polished and weakened versions of, or were founded upon, earlier hymns. In his strictly original hymns, he does not at all equal either Gellert or Klopstock. His hymns appeared in the following collections:— (1) Sammlung geistlicher Gesänge zur Beförderung Jer Erbauung, Leipzig, 1766; 2nd ed., revised and enlarged, Leipzig, 1772. (2) Zweite Sammlung. Leipzig, 1769. (3) Dritte Sammlung, Leipzig, 1772. (4) Yermischte Gedichte, 2 vols., Hannover, 1787 and 1789 [1, 2, 4, in British Museum; 3 and 2nd ed. of 1 in Hamburg Library.] He edited, and contributed to, the 1792 Appendix to the Hannover Gesang-Buch, 1740. One of Schlegel's hymns is a translation of, and is noted under "Veni Creator Spiritus." The others which have passed into English are :— i. Wie herrlich strahlt der Morgenstern. Love to Christ. First published in 1763, as above, p. 112, in 7 st. of 11 1., and entitled, "Longing after union with Jesus, on the model of the old hymn, Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern." The trs. in common use are :— 1. How brightly beams the Morning Star! This is a good translation, omitting st. iv., vii., by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 36. 2. How brightly shines the Morning Star! What eye descries it from afar. A good tr., omitting st. vii., contributed by J. M. Sloan to J. H. Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865, No. 282, and repeated, omitting st. iii., iv., in Wilson's Songs of Zion, 1878. Hymns not in English common use:— ii. Es lag die ganze Welt. St. John Baptist's Day. The tr. from Schlegel's recast is "The world enslav'd to sin." iii. Jauchzt! es ist eine Ruh vorhanden, Sleeping in Jesus. First published in his Vezmischte Gedich, vol. i., 178 , p. 128, in 2 stanzas of 10 lines, dated 1777, and entitled, "Of the happiness of Heaven." Translated as "Rejoice, that rest is not far distant." By Miss Manington, 1863, p. 89. iv. Mein Jesu, fur dein Herz. Passiontide. First published in 1766, as above, p. 65, in 14 st. of 6 1. Tr. "How trying to the heart." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 210. v. Schweigt Stürme! brauset nicht ihr Meere. Summer. This is an Ode, first published in the Neue Beyträge, &c, Bremen and Leipzig, vol. i., 1744, and entitled, " Praise of the Godhead. On the model of the 104th Psalm." It is translated as, "Around me all is joy-—and oh, my God." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 111. vi. Tag, der Erleuchtung uns gebracht. Whitsuntide. First published in 1769, as above, p. 42, in 9 st. In some collections, as in the Kopenhagen Gesang-Buch, 1782, No. 282, it begins "O Tag, der uns des Vaters Rath." This is translated as "O day! that hast unto our souls set forth." By Miss Fry, 1859, p. 94. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Georg Michael Pfefferkorn

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

Johann Job

1664 - 1736 Person Name: Johann Job. Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Von der Weisheit Author of "Prange, welt, mit deinem wissen" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch

Christoph Christian Sturm

1740 - 1786 Person Name: C. C. Sturm Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Von Richtung der Gedanken und Neigungen aufs Ewige Author of "Ein pilger bin ich in der welt" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch Sturm, Christoph Christian, son of Johann Jakob Sturm, lawyer (Imperial notary) at Augsburg, was born at Augsburg, Jan. 25, 1740. He studied at tlie universities of Jena (M.A. 1761) and Halle. He was then appointed, in 1762, as one of the masters in the Paedagogium at Halle, and in 1765 became Conrector of the school at Sorau, in Brandenburg. In 1767 he returned to Halle as fourth pastor of the Market Church, and became third pastor in the same year. He left Halle in 1769, to become second pastor of the church of the Holy Spirit at Magdeburg, where he passed the happiest part of his professional life, and where he wrote most of his devotional works. Finally, in 1778, he was appointed chief pastor of St. Peter's Church at Hamburg. Here he at first lived happily, beloved and respected as a preacher and author, until, in 1782, his views on the Salvation of the Heathen led J. M. Goetze, chief pastor of St. Katherine's Church in Hamburg, to accuse him of nationalism, &c. The resulting controversy embittered and shortened Sturm's life. In his latter years he suffered from a weak chest; and in the night of Aug. 10-11, 1786, he was seized with an attack of spitting of blood, from which he never recovered. He died at Hamburg, on Aug. 26, 1786 (Koch, vi., 357; Bode, p. 158, &c). Sturm is best known to English readers by his devotional works, which were for some time very popular, viz., his "Conferences with God in the Morning Hours " (Unterhaltungen mit Gott in der Morgenstunden, &c, Halle, 1768), and his "Reflections on the Works of God" (Betrachtungen über die Werke Gotte, &c, Halle, 1772-76). He was one of the most prolific hymnwriters of the Rationalistic period, being the author of more than 400 hymns. His productions are less dreary than most of the time, and are not without earnestness, devoutness, and lyric power; but they are often too rhetorical, and not sufficiently simple. They found great favour with the compilers of hymnbooks from 1765 to 1845, but not many of them are retained in later collections. His specialities were hymns on the Works of God in Nature, and hymns for Children. We need only note the following:—(1) Der Christ am Sonntage, Halle & Leipzig, 1764-65 [Hamburg Library]. This was a weekly paper, which contained 88 hymns by Sturm. (2) Sammlung geistlicher Gesänge über die Werke Gottes in der Natur, Halle, 1775 [British Museum and Wemigerode Library]. Over 40 of the hymns are originals by Sturm. (3) Volständiges Gesangbuch für Kinder, Halle, 1777 [Hamburg Library]. More than 60 hymns seem to have been written by Sturm for this work. (4) Predigtentwürfe, Hamburg, 1779-86 [British Museum]. An eight years' course of sermon outlines on the Gospels for Sundays and Festivals; with over 80 hymns by Sturm, some being recasts from other authors. (5) Lieder und Kirchengesängen, Hamburg, 1780 [Royal Library, Hannover]. With 54 hymns, many being recasts of his earlier hymns, made by himself or by J. S. Diterich. (6) Gesangbuch für Gartenfreunde und Liebhaber der Natur, Hamburg, 1781 [Hamburg Library]. More than 60 of the hymns seem to have been written by Sturm for this work. The hymns by Sturm which have passed into English are:— i. Auferstanden, auferstanden, Ist der Herr, der tins versöhnt. Easter. In his Predigtentwürfe, vol. iii., 1781, p. 144, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines. ii. Dank, Dank, sey dir für dein Erbarmen. iii. Ein Pilgrim bin ich in der Welt. Christian Pilgrimage. In his Christ am Sonntage, vol. ii., p. 359 (number for Sunday, Nov. 18, 1764), in 7 stanzas of 7 lines, entitled "The Consolation of Eternity." Translation as "I'm but a weary pilgrim here." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 168. iv. Gott, wenn mein Aug', der Welt entrückt. For the Dying. In his Christ am Sonntage, vol. iii., p. 30 (at the end of a meditation in a churchyard on the Last Judgment, for Sunday Dec. 9, 1764), in 5 st. of 12 lines. This form is repeated by Sturm, in 1780, as above, p. 18, and has been translation as "Dear Saviour, while I here am blest." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845, p. 131. v. Heut öffhet sich die neue Bahn. New Year. In his Predigtentwürfe, vol. vi., 1784, p. 40, in 4 stanzas of 7 lines, given for New Year's Day, 1784. The translations are:— (1) "Life's course must recommence today." By Miss Cox, 1841, p. 49. (2) "I now commence a separate stage." By Lady E. Fortescue, 1843, p. 18. vi. Schmal ist der Weg, auf welchem Christen gehen. Christian Pilgrimage. In his Christ am Sonntage, vol. i., p. 130 (for Sunday, Jan. 22, 1764), in 9 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled, "The Way to Heaven." vii. Wenn der Erde Gründe beben. Second Advent. In his Lieder und Kirchengesänge, 1780, p. 73, in 5 st. of 5 lines., entitled, "The Day of the World's Judgment” and beginning. "Wamn der Erde." In the Württemberg Gesang-Buch, 1791, No. 363. Translation as "When the solid earth is quaking." By C. W. Shields, in Sacred Lyrics from the German, Philadelphia 1859, p. 215. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Johann Samuel Diterich

1721 - 1797 Person Name: J. Dietrich Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Von der wohlgeordneten Selbstliebe Author of "Du willst es, Herr, mein Gott" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch Diterich, Johann Samuel, eldest son of A. M. Diterich, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Berlin, was born at Berlin, Dec. 15, 1721. After studying at the Universities of Frankfurt a. Oder, and Halle, he was for some time a private tutor in Berlin. He was, in 1748, appointed diaconus of St. Mary's Church in Berlin, and regimental chaplain, becoming, in 1751, archidiaconus, and, in 1754, pastor of St. Mary's. In 1763 he was appointed private Chaplain to the Queen, and in 1770 a member of the Supreme Consistory. He died at Berlin, Jan. 14, 1797 (Koch, vi. 228-231; Allg. Deutsche Biog., v. 258-259). His hymns appeared in the following works:— (1) Lieder für den offentlichen Gottesdienst Berlin, 1765, with 23G hymns, edited by himself and his col¬leagues in Stanzas Mary's Church. Designed as a supplement to Porst's Gesang-Buch of 1713. (2) Gesangbuch zum (foltesdienstlichen Gebrauch in den Königlich-Preus-sischen Landen, Berlin, 1780, with 447 hymns principally edited by himself. (3) Gesangbuch für die häusliche Andacht. Berlin, 1787, with 421 hymns, principally of recent date. None of these books give names of authors. Diterich seems to have contributed about 100 hymns either original or entirely recast, besides rewriting portions of many others. He distinguished himself as a leader in the unhappy process of “modernising" and "improving" the older German hymns, by which they were reduced to 18th cent. "correctness," and had all the life polished out of them. His 1765 collection formed the model of many wretched hymn-books, and his influence is even seen in such recent collections as the Hamburg Gesang-Buch 1842, the Nassau Gesang-Buch, 1844, and the Gesang-Buch für die evang. Landeskirche im Grossherzogtum Sachsen, Weimar, 1883. A number of the recasts from the older hymns which appear under Diterich's name are noted in this Dictionary under the names of their original authors. The following may be regarded as practically original:— i. Schon ist der Tag von Gott bestimmt. [Second Advent.] 1765, as above, No. 129, in 8 stanzas of 7 lines. Included as No. 390 in the Nassau Gesang-Buch, 1844. The only translation in common use is:— The trumpet sounds! the day is come! A full and good translation in Dr. H. Mills's Horae Germanica, 1845 (ed. 1856, p. 332). Dr. Hatfield included stanzas i., iv., vi., vii., altered, in his Church Hymn Book, 1872. The following, although not in English common use, are available for hymnological purposes :— ii. Auf Erden Wahrheit auszubreiten. Christ's Ministry. 1787, as above, No. 79, in 10 stanzas. Translated by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (ed. 1856, p. 283), as "That men to truth might not be strangers." iii. Auf! Jesu Jünger! freuet euch! Ascension. 1765, as above, No. 79, in 12 stanzas, and is based on E. Alber's hymn "Nun freut euch Gottes Kinder all" (q. v.). Two forms have been translated (1) “Auf, Christen, auf und freuet euch," in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1780, No. 114; tr. as "Rejoice, ye saints, your fears be gone," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (ed. 1856, p. 324); and (2) "Ihr Jünger Jesu, freuet euch," in the Trier Gesang-Buch. (R. C), 1846, p. 94. Tr. as "Rejoice, ye saints, in glad accord," by Dr. R. F. Littledale, in Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 371. iv. Herr, meiner Seele grossen Werth. Greatness of the Soul. 1765, as above, No. 195, in 9 stanzas. Translated by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (ed. 1856, p. 30), as “Lord, on the soul's enduring worth." v. Mein Heiland lebt. Er hat die Macht. Resurrection of the Dead. 1765, as above, No. 123, in 8 stanzas. Translated by Miss Manington, 1863,p. 75, "My Saviour lives, and He the might." vi. O Jesu, wahrer Frömmigkeit. Jesus our Example. Seems to have been suggested by J. J. Rambach's "Du wesentliches Ebenbild " in his Haus Gesang-Buch, 1735, No. 84. First published 1789, as above, No. 59, in 8 stanzas. Translated by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (ed. 1856, p. 285), as "Jesus, of what we should approve." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Heinrich E. Heeren

1728 - 1811 Person Name: H. J. Heeren Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Besonders von der Sparsamkeit, Vermeidung der Ueppigkeit, der Ehrsucht und des Geizes Author of "Laß Herr, nach eitlen ehren" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch Heeren, Heinrich Erhard. (Wremen, February 16, 1728--March 8, 1811, Bremen). At the time of his death, he was pastor emeritus of the cathedral in Bremen. Wrote 32 hymns. --Theo. DeLaney, DNAH Archives

J. W. Reche

1764 - 1835 Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Rechtmäßige Sorge für das Eigenthum Author of "Unendlich reich, o Gott, bist du" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch Reche, Johann Wilhelm. (1764--1835). Preacher at Muelheim-am-Rhein. Published a collection of 606 texts, mostly recasts of the work of earlier German hymn writers. --Theo. DeLaney, DNAH Archives =============================== Reche, Johann Wilhelm, the main representative of the Kantian rationalism in the Lutheran Church of the Rhine countries, was born Nov. 3, 1764, at Lennep. In 1786 he became pastor of the newly organized Lutheran church at Hückeswagen, and in 1796 pastor at Mülheim-on-the-Rhine, where, during the Revolution, he published a translation of Marcus Aurelius' philosophical treatise . . . in order to show how a man should become a stoic. After the taking of the Rhine countries by Prussia, he became a member of the consistory of Cologne, which in 1826 was dissolved. In 1830 he retired from the ministry to his country-seat at Wesseling, between Cologne and Bonn, being dissatisfied with the new religious movement of his time, and died as an angry philosopher Jan. 9, 1835. He published some hymns, which, though of little value, are, however, found in some of the modernized German hymn-books. He also published a collection of sermons in two volumes, which are enumerated in Zuchold, Biblioteca Theologica, ii, 1035 (comp. also Koch, Geschichte des deutschen Kirchenliedes, vi, 259). (B.P.) --M’Clintock, John and Strong, James. (1867-1894). Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. New York: Harper Brothers.

V. A. Teller

Topics: Von den Pflichten gegen uns selbst Besonders von der Sparsamkeit, Vermeidung der Ueppigkeit, der Ehrsucht und des Geizes Author of "Wie mannigfaltig sind die gaben" in Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch

Johann Burchard Freystein

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

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