Part 7

Dein Lob, das wir gerührt verkünden, Nimm es, o Vater, gnädig an, Und tiefer stets lass uns empfinden, Wie viel du Gutes uns gethan, Auf dass der Dank für deine Treu Ein dir geweihtes Leben sei.

Und wie du selber nur aus Liebe Uns schenkest unser täglich Brod; So weck in uns des Mitleids Triebe, Lass fühlen uns der Brüder Noth: Und weil du Reich und Arme liebst, So dien auch beiden was du giebst.

Durch dich ist alles wohl gerathen Auf dem Gefild, was wir bestellt; Doch reifen auch des Glaubens Saaten Auf deines Sohnes Erndtefeld? Sind wir auch, wenn er auf uns sieht, Ein Acker, der ihm grünt und blüht?

Der List des Feindes wollst du wehren, Wenn er geschäftig Unkraut streut; Die Frucht des Wortes lass sich mehren Zu deinem Ruhme weit und breit, Damit am grossen Erndtetag Ein Jeder Garben bringen mag.

Ehrenfried Liebich. 1713-1780.

HYMN FOR HARVEST.

Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

Psa. cxlv. 16.

Oh that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness!

Psa. cvii. 8.

We come, our hearts with gladness glowing, Thee, Lord of Harvest, to adore, For garners fill'd to overflowing With treasured heaps and plenteous store; To thank Thee that thy Father-hand Has blest anew our happy land.

Our praise for this abundant blessing With favour, gracious Father, hear, More deeply on our minds impressing Thy mercies each successive year, That so our thankful praise may be A life devoted all to Thee.

Since Thou, on us compassion taking, With daily bread our wants dost feed, So, pity in our breasts awaking, Make us to feel for others' need: Thou rich and poor alike dost love, Then let them both thy bounty prove.

Thy heavenly dews our seed have nourish'd, And plenteous fruit our harvests yield; But have the fruits of faith too flourish'd Within thy Son's own harvest-field? And when his eye o'erlooks the ground, Shall thriving plants therein be found?

Defeat our foe, his craft confounding, When tares within thy field he'd sow; And let thy word's good fruit abounding, To thy great fame and glory grow, That all full sheaves may carry home, When that great Harvest-day shall come.

BIBELLIED.

Mein Wort soll nicht wieder zu mir leer kommen; sondern thun, das mir gefällt, und soll ihm gelingen, dazu ich es sende.

Walte, walte nah und fern, Allgewaltig Wort des Herrn, Wo nur seiner Allmacht Ruf Menschen für den Himmel schuf.

Wort vom Vater, der die Welt Schuf und in den Armen hält, Und der Sünder Trost und Rath Zu uns hergesendet hat!

Wort von des Erlösers Huld, Der der Erde schwere Schuld Durch des heilgen Todes That Ewig weggenommen hat!

Kräftig Wort von Gottes Geist, Der den Weg zum Himmel weist, Und durch seine heilge Kraft Wollen und Vollbringen schafft!

Wort des Lebens, stark und rein, Alle Völker harren dein: Walte fort, bis aus der Nacht Alle Welt zum Tag erwacht.

Auf zur Erndt in alle Welt! Weithin wogt das reife Feld, Klein ist noch der Schnitter Zahl, Viel der Garben überall.

Herr der Erndte, gross und gut, Weck zum Werke Lust und Muth: Lass die Völker allzumal Schauen deines Lichtes Stral.

BIBLE HYMN.

My word shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isa. lv. 11.

Far and near, almighty Word, Spread the knowledge of the Lord; Far and near extend your leaven, Where there dwells an heir of heaven.

Word by God the Father sent, Lord of all, Omnipotent! Word for sinners' need supplied, As their comfort and their guide!

Word of our Redeemer's grace, Who, to save our sinful race, Of our guilt to pay the price, Gave Himself a sacrifice!

Word of God the Spirit's might, Who our heaven-ward course doth light, Prompteth good, and, by his breath, What He prompts accomplisheth.

Word of life, both pure and strong! Word for which the heathen long! Spread abroad, till out of night All the world awake to light.

Up! for lo! earth's surface o'er Waving fields with rip'ning store! Countless sheaves are spread around, Few, oh! few the reapers found!

Lord of Harvest, great and kind! Rouse to action heart and mind; Let the gath'ring nations all See thy light, and hear thy call.

LIED FÜR DAS REFORMATIONSFEST.

Hilf, Herr, die Heiligen haben abgenommen.

Ihr den Schlüssel der Erkenntniss weggenommen habt.

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein, Und lass dich des erbarmen! Wie wenig sind der Heilgen dein, Verlassen sind wir Armen: Dein Wort man lässt nicht haben wahr, Der Glaub ist fast verloschen gar Bei allen Menschenkindern.

Sie lehren eitel falsche List, Was eigner Witz erfindet: Ihr Herz nicht Eines Sinnes ist, In Gottes Wort gegründet: Der wählet diess, der andre das, Sie trennen uns ohn alle Mass Und gleissen schön von aussen.

Gott woll ausrotten alle gar, Die falschen Schein uns lehren, Und deren Zung stolz offenbar Spricht: Trotz! wer wills uns wehren? Wir haben Recht und Macht allein, Und was wir setzen, gilt gemein: Wer ist, der uns sollt meistern?

Darum spricht Gott: ich muss auf sein, Die Armen sind verstöret; Ihr Seufzen dringt zu mir herein, Ich hab ihr Klag erhöret: Mein heilsam Wort soll auf dem Plan Getrost und frisch sie greifen an, Und sein die Kraft der Armen.

Das Silber durchs Feur siebenmal Bewährt wird lauter funden, An Gottes Wort man halten soll Desgleichen alle Stunden: Es will durchs Kreuz bewähret sein, Da wird sein Kraft erkannt und Schein, Und leucht stark in die Lande.

Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein Vor denen, die's verwirren, Uns lassen dir befohlen sein, Dass nichts uns möge irren: Gar leicht der böse Hauf sich findt, Wo diese losen Leute sind In deinem Volk erhaben.

Doctor Martin Luther. 1483-1546.

HYMN FOR THE REFORMATION.

Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth.

Psa. xii. 1.

Ye have taken away the key of knowledge.

St. Luke, xi. 52.

Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold, And let thy pity waken! How few the flock within thy fold, Neglected and forsaken! Almost Thou'lt seek for faith in vain, And those who should thy truth maintain, Thy word from us have taken.

With frauds which they themselves invent Thy truth they have confounded: Their hearts are not with one consent On thy pure doctrine grounded; And, whilst they gleam with outward show, They lead thy people to and fro, In error's maze astounded.

God surely will uproot all those With vain deceits who store us, With haughty tongue who God oppose, And say, "Who'll stand before us? By right or might we will prevail; What we determine cannot fail, For who can lord it o'er us?"

For this, saith God, I will arise, These wolves my flock are rending; I've heard my people's bitter sighs To heaven my throne ascending: Now will I up, and set at rest Each weary soul by fraud opprest, The poor with might defending.

The silver seven times tried is pure From all adulteration; So, through God's word, shall men endure Each trial and temptation: Its worth gleams brighter through the cross, And, purified from human dross, It shines through every nation.

Thy truth Thou wilt preserve, O Lord, Pure from their artful glozing; Oh! make us lean upon thy word, With hearts unmov'd reposing, Though bad men triumph and their crew Are gather'd round, the faithful few With crafty toils enclosing.

SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHORS.

Angelus, Johann--1624-1677--whose real name was Scheffler, native of Breslau, physician in ordinary to the Emperor Ferdinand the Third. In the year 1653 he resigned this post, went over to the Romish Church, and became a priest, having previously, by a singular fancy, assumed the name of Angelus.

Arndt, Ernst Moritz--born in Pomerania; in 1806 professor of philosophy at Greifswald, in 1816 professor of history at Bonn. From having been a writer of popular songs, he became a writer of sacred ones. The hymn 'Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab,' here selected, must be reckoned one of the greatest gems of sacred poetry of the century.

Brunswick, Anton Ulrich, Duke of--1633-1714--pupil of the learned Schottelius; a learned prince, who was a popular writer of his time.

Bürde, Samuel Gottlieb--1763-?--native of Breslau, royal secretary to the board of finances at that place.

Dach, Simon--1605-1659--a Prussian, born at Memel, professor of poetry at Königsberg.

Denicke, David--1603-1680--a Saxon, native of Zittau, a member of the Consistory at Hanover.

Edeling, Christian Ludwig, a Saxon, native of Löbegün, in Saalkreis, tutor to Count Zinzendorf, afterwards a clergyman at Schwanebeck, near Halberstadt, where he died in 1742.

Fouqué, Friedrich Freiherr, de la Motte, born, in 1777, at Neubrandenberg. He is still living at Berlin, the worthy and distinguished descendant of the brave, intellectual, and pious general of Frederick the Great; he has given a beautiful and lasting memorial of his poetical spirit, and his Christian mind, in the hymn 'Was du vor tausend Jahren.'

Freylinghausen, Johann Anastasius--1670-1739--born at Gandersheim, in Wolfenbüttel; a clergyman, and director of the Orphan Asylum at Halle.

Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott--1715-1769--a Saxon, native of Haynichen, in Erzgebirge, and son of the minister of that place. He studied theology, in distressed circumstances, at Leipzig, but his bad health did not allow him to preach. He lived at Leipzig, and gave lectures (first as a master of arts and afterwards as extraordinary professor) on eloquence and moral philosophy, and gained as universally the reputation of an author and a pattern of pure taste, as he did love and esteem as a man and a Christian, by his integrity of conduct, and his unaffected piety and humility. Composing hymns was his favourite employment, in which, together with prayer, he spent the happiest hours of his life of suffering. All his hymns speak the simple Christian poet of the people, and many of them have lasting classic merit. His death, as was his life, was worthy of a Christian. When, in his last illness, his friends told him, in answer to his question, that the struggle between life and death might probably last an hour, he lifted up his hands with a cheerful countenance, exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, only an hour!" turned on his side, his eyes gleaming with joy, and gently breathed his last.

Gerhard, Paul--1606-1676--native of Gräfenhaynichen, in the circle of the Electorate; a zealous preacher of the gospel, and a devout Christian. That personality of expression which stamps his hymns, represents most completely the character of the German people; profound and cheerful, firm and full of repose; for which reason his hymns are the most popular. If the Church had to select only one psalmist, it must be Paul Gerhard, whose hymns are so numerous, that they would almost alone form a hymn-book.

Heermann, Johann--1585-1647--a native of Silesia, born at Rauden, the son of a furrier, early destined for the Church by his pious mother. He was minister at Koban, in Fürstenthum Glogau, but his bad health obliged him to resign his appointment, and he spent the last thirteen years of his life at Lissa. Being much tried during the horrors of the thirty years' war, in which he several times almost miraculously escaped being murdered, his mind became more spiritually enlightened through his bodily sufferings, in the midst of which he wrote the greater number of his hymns, which are a true picture of his pious, humble, and prayerful soul. He dedicated them 'Seinen lieben Kindern' (to his dear children).

Hermann, Nicolaus, called the pious old 'Cantor'[2] of Joachimsthal (in Voigtland), a devout writer of hymns. He was the intimate friend of the pious minister of Joachimsthal, Matthesius, whose sermons often inspired him with a hymn on the same text. He died in 1561, at a very advanced age.

[2]Cantor is, in some parts of Germany, a title given to the village schoolmaster, who, as parish clerk, leads the singing in church.

Lange, Ernst--1650-1727--of Dantzic, member of the town-council of that place. His hymns appeared in 1701.

Lavater, Johann Caspar--1741-1801--minister in his native town, Zuric, who, with many infirmities and peculiarities, was an active and sincere Christian, and a talented orator, writer, and sacred poet. He died, after having performed the most blessed actions, and having been tried with many afflictions, which he bore with piety and constancy, in consequence of a fatal shot, which a French soldier maliciously aimed at him, after the storming of Zuric in 1799, as he was consoling and administering to the wants of the sufferers, in the streets. His hymns are numerous, and have been repeatedly printed.

Liebich, Ehrenfried--1713-1780--born at Liegnitzischen, minister at Jauerschen, who wrote two hundred and thirty-six hymns. They are very beautiful, and resemble those of Schmolck, but have not his peculiar vigour.

Löwe, Johann Friedrich--1729-1771--native of Clausthal, on the Harz; a poet and a learned jurist, who lived at Hamburg; his hymns, which resemble those of Gellert, were published in 1770.

Luther, Doctor Martin--1483-1546--the great instrument of God, father and master of the art of hymn-writing, and of German poetry. 'Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein,' here selected, is a free paraphrase of the 12th Psalm, a call of the Church, founded on God's word, for aid and protection against those who despised and corrupted it, written in 1523.

Müller, Michael--1673-1704--native of Blankenberg, who lived at Wirtemburg.

Neander, Joachim--1610-1680--latterly minister of his native town, Bremen, previous to which he was a professor at Düsseldorf, where his love for the Lord Jesus, and his preaching vital Christianity raised persecution against him. He is the first writer of hymns of any importance of the reformed Church, and may be called the psalmist of the New Covenant, as his sacred songs are entitled, 'Bundeslieder' (Songs of the Covenant). Like David and Luther, he was great in the composition of tunes as well as words.

Neumann, Gottfried--1740-1815--a friend of "the community of Brethren," who was living in 1778, at Meerholz.

Neuss, Heinrich Georg--1664-1716--native of Elbingerode, superintendent[3] at Wernigerode. He published one hundred and thirty-four hymns in his 'Hebopfer,' (heave-offering).

[3]That is, in the Lutheran Church, one who has the ecclesiastical direction of a certain district.

Olearius, Johann--whose real name was Oelschläger--1611-1684--of Halle, chaplain to the king and superintendent-general at Weissenfels, a learned theologian. His numerous hymns stamp him as the Gellert of his time. With true scriptural singleness of heart, an ardent Christian mind, and great abilities, he endeavoured to restore the sublime simplicity of the church-hymns, and to put fresh vigour into their style. This gave him, as it did Gellert eighty-six years later, a great influence over the hymn-books, in which many of his writings were soon adopted.

Oswald, Heinrich Siegmund--who published in 1793, "Gedichte und Lieder fürs Herz," which shew a beautiful Christian mind; he was still living in Breslau, as king's privy counsellor, in 1827. From the "Schwanen-lieder," (swan's songs) of this venerable old man, is taken "Wem in Leidenstagen."

Rist, Johann--1607-1667--of the province of Holstein, born at Ottensen, near Altona, member of the ecclesiastical council and minister at Wedel; one of the most celebrated and influential poets of his time. He was, in the pulpit, as well as in sacred poetry, a zealous preacher of Christianity, and was consequently attacked by the zealots of his time, because he did not preach enough upon matters in dispute, and against erroneous doctrine. To this he replied, that, "In his parish there were scarcely two persons who held erroneous doctrine, but there were many who led sinful lives." He had great trials in his youth, and in his later years he suffered from pillage, pestilence, and all the horrors of war. "The blessed cross," he says, "has produced from me many hymns." Though a great number of his hymns were adopted by many churches even during his life-time, he would never suffer them to be sung in his own church, with the exception of a Christmas hymn, which, on one occasion, he allowed the children of the school to practise, and to begin to sing on that festival, "wenn das Volk aus der Kirche zu gehen beginnt," as the people were beginning to go out of church.

Ritter, Jacob--1627-1669--a native of Magdeburg, and a secretary at Halle.

Sacer, Gottfried Wilhelm--1635-1699--a native of Naumburg, who was at his death an advocate and privy-counsellor at Wolfenbüttel, distinguished in his official duties by a strict conscientiousness, and the most unbounded benevolence. He wrote the greater number of his hymns whilst a student at the university of Greifswald. Only a part of them appeared during his life-time: they were collected and published in 1714, and immediately procured him the reputation of a distinguished poet.

Schenk, Theodor--born at Alsfeld, died in 1727 whilst minister of the town of Giessen.

Schiebeler, Daniel--1741-1771--an advocate and a poet, who resided in his native city, Hamburg.

Schmolck, Benjamin--1672-1737--a Silesian, born at Brauchitschdorf, minister at Schweidnitz; a man of great piety, and very influential in his day. Most of his hymns (and they were above a thousand in number) are distinguished by a truly poetical and peculiar genius. Their characteristic is a simplicity and sincerity, which emulates that of Paul Gerhard, but without his sublimity.

Schröder, Johann Heinrich--native of Calenberg; in 1696 he was minister at Magdeburg.

Stark, Johann Friedrich--1680-1756--born at Hildesheim, a member of the Consistory at Frankfort. His hymns are very numerous; he was likewise a very popular writer of religious tracts.

Tersteegen, Gerhard--1697-1769--born at Mörs; he resided at Mülheim an der Ruhr, as a ribbon-maker; a gentle heaven-inspired soul, whose hymns are the reflection of a heavenly, happy life, his mind being full of a childlike simplicity.

Wegleiter, Christoph--1659-1709--born at Nuremburg, professor of Theology at Altorf.

Wülffer, Daniel--1617-1685--born at Nuremburg, a professor and minister in that city. The hymn "O Ewigkeit, O Ewigkeit," is a serious and pious consideration of, and apostrophe to, Eternity, which in the last verse replies to man. The first seven verses, as far as the words "O lange Freud, O langes Leid," Wülffer found in an old hymn-book, perhaps the Catholic hymn-book of Cologne; he improved them, and added the spirited conclusion.

Zinzendorf und Pottendorf, Nicolaus Ludwig, Count of--1708-1760--the great founder of "the Community of Brethren," who was born a sacred poet.

Zwick, Johann--of Kostnitz, who died about 1542; he was first a jurist, and afterwards a theologian and minister in his native city; a pious and learned man.

ALPHABETISCHES REGISTER.

Seite Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein 206 Ach, treuer Gott, ich ruf zu dir 176 Ach, wie so sanft entschläfest du 74 Auf! Auf! weil der Tag erschienen 2 Auf, schicke dich 16

Beschwertes Herz, leg ab die Sorgen 58

Da Jesus an des Kreuzes Stamm 30 Der du noch in der letzten Nacht 146 Du weinest für Jerusalem 158

Ein reines Herz, Herr, schaff in mir 152 Eins ist Noth: ach Herr, dies Eine 136 Erhebt euch, frohe Jubellieder 70 Erlassen ist der Sünden Schuld 66

Freut euch, Sünder, allerwegen 20

Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud 168 Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab 82 Gott fähret auf gen Himmel 38 Gott, wann erquickt dein süsser Friede 148 Guter Hirte, willst du nicht 100

Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen 24 Heut öffnet sich die neue Bahn 48 Himmelan geht unsre Bahn 116 Himmel, Erde, Luft und Meer. 194 Hinunter ist der Sonne Schein 56 Hochheilige Dreieinigkeit 44

Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennt 120 Im Abend blinkt der Morgenstern 22

Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich 34

Keine Schönheit hat die Welt 164

Liebster Jesu, hier sind wir 62

Mein Herzenstrost ist Jesus Christ 184

Nach dir, O Gott, verlanget mich 96 Nimm dich, o meine Seel, in Acht 132 Nun so will ich denn mein Leben 124

O Ewigkeit! O Ewigkeit! 186 O Geist des Herrn, nur deine Kraft 42 O liebe Seele, könntst du werden 112

Sieh! wie lieblich und wie fein 142 So hab ich obgesieget 76 Steil und dornig ist der Pfad 108

Verbinde mich, mein Heil, mit dir 52 Vom Himmel kommt der starke Held 12

Wach auf, wach auf, du sichre Welt 8 Walte, walte nah und fern 202 Was du vor tausend Jahren 104 Wem in Leidenstagen 180 Wenn dich Unglück hat betreten 128 Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne? 88 Wie oft hab ich den Bund gebrochen 154 Wir kommen deine Huld zu feiern 198

ALPHABETICAL INDEX.

Page A new and contrite heart create 153 A thousand years have fleeted 105 At length released from many woes 75

Christ to my heart true joy can give 185 Come forth, my heart, and seek delight 169 Come, tune your heart 17

Earth has nothing sweet or fair 165 Encumber'd heart! lay by thy sorrow 59 Eternity! Eternity! 187

Far and near, almighty Word 203

Go! and let my grave be made 83 Good and pleasant 'tis to see 143

Heaven and earth, and sea and air 195 Heavenward still our pathway tends 117 How oft have I the covenant broken 155