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Georg Friedrich Philipp von Hardenberg

1772 - 1801 Person Name: Friedrich von Hardenberg (1772-1801) Author of "I say to all men, far and near" in Carmina Sanctorum, a selection of hymns and songs of praise with tunes Pseudonym: Novalis. See also Novalis, 1772-1801 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hardenberg, Georg Friedrich Philipp von, was son of Baron Heinrich Ulrich Erasmus von Hardenberg, director of the Saxon Saltworks at Weissenfels. He was born May 2, 1772, at his father's estate of Widerstedt or Ober-Wiederstäd, near Eisleben. In the autumn of 1790 he entered the University of Jena, then went to Leipzig, and finally to Wittenberg. After concluding his studies, he went, in the end of 1794, to Tennstädt, near Erfurt, in order to learn administrative business under Kreisamtmann Just. In the autumn of 1797 he entered the School of Mines at Freiberg in Saxony, and in the autumn of 1799 went to Artern, at the foot of the Kyffhäuser-Berg, to be employed in the saltworks there. Soon after he began to spit blood, and while on a visit to Dresden the news of the sudden death of a younger brother, in Nov. 1800, brought on a hemorrhage which destroyed all hopes of his recovery. In January, 1801, he was removed to the house of his parents at Weissenfels, and died there March 25, 1801. (Koch, vii. 4-9; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, x. 562-570; Blätter für Hymnologie, 1884, 3-6, &c.) Hardenberg's various writings appeared under the name of Novalis (apparently taken from the name of one of the family estates), which he first adopted in his Blüthenstaub, published in the Athenæum, Brunswick, 1798; and it is as Novalis that he is best known. He was one of the leaders of the Romantic School which arose in Germany in the last years of the 18th century, and of which his friends F. and A. W. Schlegel, Fouque and Tieck are the best known members. It is, however, by his hymns that he will probably best be remembered. They arose in the time of deep sorrow into which he was cast on the death of his betrothed Sophie von Kühn, when his thoughts turned to the faith of his childhood (his father and mother were Moravians, and his early education was imparted by a Moravian pastor); and when from the barren religiosity of the latter days of Illumination his soul found its strength and solace in loving surrender to the Person of our Blessed Lord. His hymns, 15 in all, are distinguished by beauty of rhythm and lyric grace. While some have been included in recent German hymn-books (e.g. Nos. ii.-iv. in the Berlin Gesang-buch, 1829, through the influence of F. Schleiermacher), yet for Church use they are too subjective, and in some cases even too sentimental. They must be regarded as beautiful and deeply spiritual poems, rather than as hymns suited for public worship. Some of them are not altogether free from Pantheistic tendencies. The Marienlieder (i.e. the hymns to the B. V. M.) were not intended by himself to be published among his hymns, but were meant to be inserted in his unfinished romance of Heinrich von Ofterdingen, as hymns of pilgrims to the shrine of the B. V. M. at Loretto in Italy. Seven of his hymns were sent, on Jan. 20, 1800, to P. Schlegel for publication in the Athenæum. They did not however appear till in the Musenalmanach für das Jahr, 1802, published at Tübingen, 1802. The rest of his hymns were published in his Schriften, Berlin, 1807. A handy little edition of his Gedichte, with a critical and biographical sketch by W. Beyschlag, appeared in 1869 (2nd ed. 1877). Since the publication of T. Carlyle's Essay on Novalis in 1829, numerous "Studies" have appeared in English and American reviews and magazines; and some of these may contain translations not noted below. Hardenberg's hymns, all of which have been rendered into English, are as follows :— I. Hymns in English common use:-- i. Ich sag' es jedem, das er lebt. Easter. In his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 143, in 8 st. of 4 l. Repeated in the Württemberg Gesang-buch, 1842, No. 165. Translated as :-— I say to all men, far and near, in full, by Miss Winkworth in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 40. In full in Kennedy, 1863 ; and in varying centos in America in the Dutch Reformed Hymns of the Church, 1869; Baptist Praise Book, 1871; Hymns & Songs of Praise, N. Y., 1874, &c. Other translations are: (1) "I say to every one, He lives," by Helen Lowe, in her Zareefa, 1844, p. 166. (2) "To every one I say," by Dr. J. F. Hurst, in his translation of K. R. Hagenbach's History of the Church 18 and 19 centuries, N. Y., 1869, vol. ii. p. 283. (3) "I say to each man that He lives," by M. E. Bramston, in theDay of Rest, 1875, p. 69. (4) "He lives! He's risen from the dead," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in his Exotics, 1876, p. 22. [The hymn "He lives! He lives! let joy again," by Sir John Bowring, in J. R. Beard's Collection, 1837, No. 145, seems based on this German.] ii. Was wär ich ohne dich gewesen. The Love of Christ. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 189, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 123, in 10 st. of 8 1. Included in various German hymn-books, and is No. 1562 in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. It is said that shortly after the death of Novalis his father was present at a Moravian service at Herrnhut during which this hymn was sung. When he asked who was the author of this wonderfully beautiful hymn, he was greatly moved on receiving the reply, "Your son." And then in a moment it became clear to him that the Christ who had been the Crown and Star of his heart ever since his youth, was also his son's Saviour and Deliverer, though he had sought and found Him by a different way. The translations in common use are :— 1. What had I been if Thou wert not, a free translation of st. i.-iii., viii., v., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 96. Centos from this are:— (1) Lord! when Thou mak'st Thy presence felt (st. iii.) in the Swedenborgian Collection, 1880. (2) Thou strong ana loving God in man (st. iv.), in Hymns of the Spirit, Boston, U.S., 1864. (3) Thou strong and loving Son of Man (st. iv.), in H. L. Hastings's Hymnal, Boston, U.S., 1880. 2. Without Thee, Lord, what had we been, a paraphrase or transfusion in 3 st. of 8 1., by Dr. W. L. Alexander, written about 1830, but first published in the second edition, 1858, of his Selection of Hymns, No. 323. Other translations are: (1) "What might I not have been without Thee," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 216. (2) "What without Thee, would I have been," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 78). (3) "Without Thee, what were I worth being", by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1871, p. 846. Thence (as “Without Thee what were all my being"), in his Exotics, 1876, p. 3. iii. Wenn alle untreu werden. Love to Christ. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 200, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 136, in 4 st. of 8 1. Included in the Berlin Gesangbuch, 1829 ; the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1563, &c. Translated as:— Though all the world forsake Thee, a free translation, in 6 st. of 4 1., by J. S. Stallybrass, as No. 417 in Curwen's Sabbath Hymnbook, 1859. Other translations are: (1) Tho' all men faith had banished," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 222; and thence in Lyra Eucharistica, 1864, p. 100. (2) "Though all to Thee were faithless," by Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 165. (3) Though all were faithless to Thee," by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 68. (4) "My faith to Thee I break not," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in his Exotics, 1876, p. 15. iv. Wenn ich Ihn nur habe. Jesus only. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 199, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 134, in 5 st. of 6 1. In various recent German hymnbooks, as the Württemberg Gesang-buch, 1842, the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1564, &c. Translated as:— If I Him but have, by Dr. G. Macdonald, as No. 172 in the Manchester Sunday School Hymnbook, 1855 (see Bubier), and in his own Exotics, 1876, p. 13. Other translations are: (1) "If I have only Him," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 221, repeated in Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 207. (2) "Oh! could my soul possess His love,” by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 114. (3) “If I only have Thee,” by Dr. G. W. Bethune, in his Lays of Love and Faith, 1847, p. 139. (4) "If only He is mine," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 54. (5) "If I have Christ, and Christ be mine," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 52. (6) “If I trust in God alone," by Frederica M. Rowan, in her Meditations on Death and Eternity, 1862, p. 88. II. Hymns not in English common use: -- v. Es giebt so bange Zeiten. The Unchanging. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 145, in 7 st. The translations are: (1) "How dark the seasons lour," by Helen Lowe, in her Zareefa, 1844, p. 164. (2) “There are dark hours of sadness," by Madame L. Davésiés de Pontès, in her Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, ii. p. 408. (3) “There be such dreary seasons," by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 55. (4) "The times are all so wretched," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 24. vi. Fern im Osten wird es helle. Christmas. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 193, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 128, in 6 st. The translations are: (1) "Afar the Eastern sky is glowing," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 218, and Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 87. (2) "Dawn, far Eastward on the mountain," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1872, p. 216, and his Exotics, 1876, p. 7. vii. Ich sehe dich in tausend Bildern. B. Y. M. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 157, in 8 1. Translated as: (1) "In many a form I see thee oft," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 229. (2) "In countless pictures I behold thee," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 36. viii. Ich weiss nicht was ich suchen könnte, Desire for Christ. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 147, in 12 st. The translations are: (1) "I know not what I could desire," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 223, and Lyra Mystica, 1864, p. 218. (2) "How could I wish a greater treasure," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 72). (3) "I know not one hope left to draw me," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 26. (4) "What better good could e'er befall me," by R. Massie, in the Day of Rest, 1878, p. ill. (5) "I know not what I more should long for," by F. W. Young, in the Christian Monthly, 1880, p. 559. ix. Unter tausend frohen Stunden. Communion with God. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 197, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 132, in 4 st. The translations are: (1) "Of all the golden hours whose light," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 220. (2) "All my world was struck with storm" (st. ii.), by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 55. (3) "Of a thousand hours me meeting," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 11. x. Weinen muss ich, immer weinen. Passiontide. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 141, in 7 st. Translated as, "Weep I must—-my heart runs over," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 20. xi. Wenige wissen das Geheimniss der Liebe. Holy Communion. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 202, and Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 138, in 2 stanzas. Translated as, "Few understand the mystery of love," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 17. xii. Wenn in bangen, trüben Stunden . In sorrow. Schriften , 1802, pt. ii. p. 153, in 2 st. The translations are: (1) "When in hours of pain and anguish," by Madame L. Davésiés de Pontès, in her Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, ii. p. 407. (2) "When in dreary, mournful hours," by Lady John Manners, in her Gems of German Poetry, 1865, p. 14. (3) "When in hours of fear and failing," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 32. xiii. Wer einmal, Mutter dich erblickt. B. V. M. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 154, in 8 st. Translated as, "Who once hath seen thee, mother fair," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 33. xiv. Wer einsam sitzt in seiner Eanuner. Christ the Consoler. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 195, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 130, in 9 st. Translated as, "Who in his chamber sitteth lonely," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1872, p. 234, and his Exotics, 1876, p. 9. xv. Wo bleibst du, Trost der ganzen Welt. Advent . Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 150, in 12 st. Translated as, "Earth's Consolation, why so slow," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 29. Besides the above he had previously published a series of poems entitled "Hymnen an die Nacht" in the Athenæum, a magazine edited by A. W. Schlegel and F. Schlegel, where they appear in vol. iii., pt. ii., pp. 188-204, Berlin, 1800. They are a wonderful picture of the "night" of sorrow into which he was plunged at the death of his betrothed on March 19, 1797. There are five poems "in prose, with interspersed verse, the sixth being in verse. The longer poems in verse-form are:— 1. Das furchtbar zu den frohen Tischen trat. 2. Geboben ist der Stein. 3. Hinüber wall'ich. 4. Hinuntcr in der Erde Schoos. There is a complete translation by Henry Morley in his Dream of the Lilybell, &c, London, 1845. No. 2 has also been translated by Dr. G. Macdonald in his Threefold Cord, 1883, p. 256; and No. 4 by Helen Lowe in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 226 (Lyra Mystica, 1864, p. 220). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) See Novalis, 1772-1801

Catherine Winkworth

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

Samuel Johnson

1822 - 1882 Author of "City of God, how broad and far" in Hymns of the United Church Johnson, Samuel, M.A, was born at Salem, Massachusetts, Oct. 10, 1822, and educated at Harvard, where he graduated in Arts in 1842, and in Theology in 1846. In 1853 he formed a Free Church in Lynn, Massachusetts, and remained its pastor to 1870. Although never directly connected with any religious denomination, he was mainly associated in the public mind with the Unitarians. He was joint editor with S. Longfellow (q. v.) of A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion, Boston, 1846; the Supplement to the same, 1848; and Hymns of the Spirit, 1864. His contributions to these collections were less numerous than those by S. Longfellow, but not less meritorious. He died at North Andover, Massachusetts, Feb. 19, 1882. His hymns were thus contributed:— i. To A Book of Hymns, 1846. 1. Father [Saviour] in Thy mysterious presence kneeling. Divine Worship. 2. Go, preach the gospel in my name. Ordination. 3. Lord, once our faith in man no fear could move. In Time of War. 4. O God, Thy children gathered here. Ordination. 5. Onward, Christians, [onward] through the region. Conflict. In the Hymns of the Spirit, 1864, it was altered to "Onward, onward through the region." 6. Thy servants' sandals, Lord, are wet. Ordination. 7. When from Jordan's gleaming wave. Holy Baptism. ii. To the Supplement, 1848. 8. God of the earnest heart. Trust. iii. To the Hymns of the Spirit, 1864. 9. City of God, how broad, how far. The Church the City of God. 10. I bless Thee, Lord, for sorrows sent. Affliction— Perfect through suffering. 11. Life of Ages, richly poured. Inspiration. 12. Strong-souled Reformer, Whose far-seeing faith. Power of Jesus. 13. The Will Divine that woke a waiting time. St. Paul. 14. Thou Whose glad summer yields. Prayer for the Church. 15. To light that shines in stars and souls. Dedication of a Place of Worship. Of these hymns No. 8 was "Written for the Graduating Exercises of the Class of 1846; in Cambridge Divinity Schools ; and No. 10 “Written at the request of Dorothea L. Dix for a collection made by her for the use of an asylum." It is undated. A few only of these hymns are in use in Great Britain. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Ann Taylor

1782 - 1866 Author of "Lord, I would own Thy tender care" in Evangelical Lutheran hymnal Gilbert, Ann, nèe Taylor, the elder of the two sisters, and daughter of Isaac Taylor, was born at London, Jan. 30, 1782, her father at that time being engaged in London as an engraver. Subsequently her father became a Congregational Minister, and resided, first at Colchester and then at Ongar. In 1813 she was married to the Rev. Joseph Gilbert, Classical and Mathematical Tutor at the Congregational College, Masborough, near Rotherham, Yorkshire. From Masborough they passed to Hull, and then to Nottingham, where Mr. Gilbert died in 1852. Mrs. Gilbert remained at Nottingham, and died there Dec. 20, 1866. In addition to contributing hymns to the joint works of herself and her sister Jane, a few were given in Collyer's Collection, 1812, signed " A." or "A. T.," and about 100 of her hymns appeared in Dr. Leifchild's Original Hymns, 1842, and a few in the Nottingham Hymn Book (1812, 20th edition, 1861). She published independently, Hymns for Sunday School Anniversaries, 1827; Hymns for Infant School, 1827; and The Wedding among the Flowers. Her Memoirs by her son, Josiah Gilbert, were published in 1874. Mrs. Ann Taylor Gilbert is the author of the following (the date in brackets indicates the book in which each hymn appeared):— 1. Among the deepest shades of night (1812). Omniscience. 2. As Mary sat at Jesus' feet (1809). On repeating the Catechism. 3. Father, my spirit owns (1342). Resignation. 4. God is in heaven! Can he hear? God's care of Little Children. 5. Good Daniel would not cease to pray (1812). Prayer. 6. Hark the sound of joy and gladness (1842). Universal Peace. 7. How long, sometimes a day appears (1809). Time and Eternity. 8. I faint, my soul doth faint (1842). Contrition. 9. I thank the goodness and the grace (1809). Praise. 10. Jesus, that condescending King (1809). Coming to Jesus. 11. Jesus was once despised and low (1809). The Love of Jesus. 12. Jesus Who lived above the sky (1812). The Love of Jesus. 13. Lo, at noon, 'tis sudden night. Good Friday. 14. Lord, help us as we hear. Opening of Divine Service. 15. Lord, what is life? 'tis like a flower [the bow] (1809). Life. 16. My Father, I thank Thee for sleep (1809). Morning. 17. O [How] happy they who safely housed (1842). Death. 18. Spared to another spring (1827). Spring. 19. The God of heaven is pleased to see (1809). Brotherly Love. 20. This year is just going away (1810). New Year's Eve. 21. Wearied with earthly toil and care (1843). Sunday. 22. When I listen to Thy word. Comfort of the Scripture. 23. When little Samuel woke (1809). About Samuel. 24. Why should we weep for those who die (1843) . Death. Mr. Gilbert's edition of the Hymns for Infant Minds, 1886, together with manuscript notes, are our authorities for the foregoing ascriptions of authorship. Mr. Gilbert cannot distinguish the authorship of the following hymns by her or her sister, Jane Taylor:— 1. Good David, whose Psalms have so often been sung (1812). Concerning David. 2. If Jesus Christ was sent (1812). Repentance. 3. King Solomon of old (1812). Concerning Solomon. Taken as a whole, her hymns are somewhat depressing in tone. They lack brightness and warmth. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

William Horn

1839 - 1917 Person Name: W. Horn Translator of "Mein Heiland ist der Sünder Freund" in Evangelisches Gesangbuch mit vierstimmigen Melodien Horn, William. (Germany, May 1, 1839--April 27, 1917). Evangelical. Come to United States in 1855, settled in Wisconsin. Licensed in 1861, ordained elder 1866, presiding elder 1871, bishop 1891. Editor of various Evangelical German-language publications, including Das Evangelische Magazin and Christliche Kinderfreund. Editor of German weekly of the Evangelical Association, 1883, Christliche Botschafter. Editor of Evangelisches Gesangbuch, 1877, for which he supplied a number of hymns. His most famous hymn was "Pure and free from all corruption." He wrote 24 hymns in all, and has been called one of the greatest of the German writers in America. Translated many English hymns into German. Retired as bishop in 1915. --Robert S. Wilson, DNAH Archives --Ellen Jane Lorenz, DNAH Archives William Horn was born in Germany May 1, 1839. He died in 1917. He came to U.S. in 1855 and settled in Wisconsin. Licensed in 1861, he rose through the ranks of ordained elder and bishop. He retired as Bishop in 1915 and died April 27, 1917. He was the editor of various Evangelical German-lanuage publications including EVANGELISCHES GESANGBUCH of 1877, for which he supplied a number of hymns. Of his twenty-four hymns the most famous, according to Ellen J. Lorenz, was "Pure and free from all corruption". He also translated many English hymns into German. —Mary L. VanDyke for Dictionary of American Hymnology, Oberlin College Library (14 December 2003)

Lowell Mason

1792 - 1872 Composer of "CHIMES" in The National Hymn Book of the American Churches Dr. Lowell Mason (the degree was conferred by the University of New York) is justly called the father of American church music; and by his labors were founded the germinating principles of national musical intelligence and knowledge, which afforded a soil upon which all higher musical culture has been founded. To him we owe some of our best ideas in religious church music, elementary musical education, music in the schools, the popularization of classical chorus singing, and the art of teaching music upon the Inductive or Pestalozzian plan. More than that, we owe him no small share of the respect which the profession of music enjoys at the present time as contrasted with the contempt in which it was held a century or more ago. In fact, the entire art of music, as now understood and practiced in America, has derived advantage from the work of this great man. Lowell Mason was born in Medfield, Mass., January 8, 1792. From childhood he had manifested an intense love for music, and had devoted all his spare time and effort to improving himself according to such opportunities as were available to him. At the age of twenty he found himself filling a clerkship in a banking house in Savannah, Ga. Here he lost no opportunity of gratifying his passion for musical advancement, and was fortunate to meet for the first time a thoroughly qualified instructor, in the person of F. L. Abel. Applying his spare hours assiduously to the cultivation of the pursuit to which his passion inclined him, he soon acquired a proficiency that enabled him to enter the field of original composition, and his first work of this kind was embodied in the compilation of a collection of church music, which contained many of his own compositions. The manuscript was offered unavailingly to publishers in Philadelphia and in Boston. Fortunately for our musical advancement it finally secured the attention of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, and by its committee was submitted to Dr. G. K. Jackson, the severest critic in Boston. Dr. Jackson approved most heartily of the work, and added a few of his own compositions to it. Thus enlarged, it was finally published in 1822 as The Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music. Mason's name was omitted from the publication at his own request, which he thus explains, "I was then a bank officer in Savannah, and did not wish to be known as a musical man, as I had not the least thought of ever making music a profession." President Winchester, of the Handel and Haydn Society, sold the copyright for the young man. Mr. Mason went back to Savannah with probably $500 in his pocket as the preliminary result of his Boston visit. The book soon sprang into universal popularity, being at once adopted by the singing schools of New England, and through this means entering into the church choirs, to whom it opened up a higher field of harmonic beauty. Its career of success ran through some seventeen editions. On realizing this success, Mason determined to accept an invitation to come to Boston and enter upon a musical career. This was in 1826. He was made an honorary member of the Handel and Haydn Society, but declined to accept this, and entered the ranks as an active member. He had been invited to come to Boston by President Winchester and other musical friends and was guaranteed an income of $2,000 a year. He was also appointed, by the influence of these friends, director of music at the Hanover, Green, and Park Street churches, to alternate six months with each congregation. Finally he made a permanent arrangement with the Bowdoin Street Church, and gave up the guarantee, but again friendly influence stepped in and procured for him the position of teller at the American Bank. In 1827 Lowell Mason became president and conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society. It was the beginning of a career that was to win for him as has been already stated the title of "The Father of American Church Music." Although this may seem rather a bold claim it is not too much under the circumstances. Mr. Mason might have been in the average ranks of musicianship had he lived in Europe; in America he was well in advance of his surroundings. It was not too high praise (in spite of Mason's very simple style) when Dr. Jackson wrote of his song collection: "It is much the best book I have seen published in this country, and I do not hesitate to give it my most decided approbation," or that the great contrapuntist, Hauptmann, should say the harmonies of the tunes were dignified and churchlike and that the counterpoint was good, plain, singable and melodious. Charles C. Perkins gives a few of the reasons why Lowell Mason was the very man to lead American music as it then existed. He says, "First and foremost, he was not so very much superior to the members as to be unreasonably impatient at their shortcomings. Second, he was a born teacher, who, by hard work, had fitted himself to give instruction in singing. Third, he was one of themselves, a plain, self-made man, who could understand them and be understood of them." The personality of Dr. Mason was of great use to the art and appreciation of music in this country. He was of strong mind, dignified manners, sensitive, yet sweet and engaging. Prof. Horace Mann, one of the great educators of that day, said he would walk fifty miles to see and hear Mr. Mason teach if he could not otherwise have that advantage. Dr. Mason visited a number of the music schools in Europe, studied their methods, and incorporated the best things in his own work. He founded the Boston Academy of Music. The aim of this institution was to reach the masses and introduce music into the public schools. Dr. Mason resided in Boston from 1826 to 1851, when he removed to New York. Not only Boston benefited directly by this enthusiastic teacher's instruction, but he was constantly traveling to other societies in distant cities and helping their work. He had a notable class at North Reading, Mass., and he went in his later years as far as Rochester, where he trained a chorus of five hundred voices, many of them teachers, and some of them coming long distances to study under him. Before 1810 he had developed his idea of "Teachers' Conventions," and, as in these he had representatives from different states, he made musical missionaries for almost the entire country. He left behind him no less than fifty volumes of musical collections, instruction books, and manuals. As a composer of solid, enduring church music. Dr. Mason was one of the most successful this country has introduced. He was a deeply pious man, and was a communicant of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Mason in 1817 married Miss Abigail Gregory, of Leesborough, Mass. The family consisted of four sons, Daniel Gregory, Lowell, William and Henry. The two former founded the publishing house of Mason Bros., dissolved by the death of the former in 1869. Lowell and Henry were the founders of the great organ manufacturer of Mason & Hamlin. Dr. William Mason was one of the most eminent musicians that America has yet produced. Dr. Lowell Mason died at "Silverspring," a beautiful residence on the side of Orange Mountain, New Jersey, August 11, 1872, bequeathing his great musical library, much of which had been collected abroad, to Yale College. --Hall, J. H. (c1914). Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company.

Johann Andreas Rothe

1688 - 1758 Person Name: Joh. Andreas Rothe, 1688-1758 Author of "Lobsingt dem Heiland aller Welt" in Gesangbuch der Bischöflichen Methodisten-Kirche Rothe, Johann Andreas, son of Aegidius Rother, pastor at Lissa, near Görlitz, in Silesia, was born at Lissa, May 12, 1688. He entered the University of Leipzig in 1708, as a student of Theology, graduated M.A., and was then, in 1712, licensed at Gorlitz as a general preacher. In 1718 he became tutor in the family of Herr von Schweinitz at Leube, a few miles south of Gorlitz, and while there frequently preached in neighbouring churches. During 1722 Count N. L. von Zinzendorf, happening to hear him preach at Gross-Hennersdorf, was greatly pleased with him, and when the pastorate at Berthelsdorf became vacant shortly thereafter, gave him the presentation. He entered on his duties at Berthelsdorf Aug. 30, 1722. There he took a great interest in the Moravian community at Herrnhut, which formed part of his parish. But when, in 1737, he had to report to the higher ecclesiastical authorities regarding the doctrinal views of the Moravians, Zinzendorf showed his resentment in various ways, so that Kothe was glad to accept a call to Hermsdorf, near Gorlitz. Finally, in 1739, Count von Promnitz appointed him assistant pastor at Thommendorf, near Bunzlau, where he became chief pastor in 1742, and died there July 6, 1758. (Koch, v. 240; Wetzel’s Analecta Hymnica, ii. 756, &c.) Rothe was a man of considerable gifts and of unbending integrity, a good theologian, and an earnest, fearless, and impressive preacher. His hymns, about 40 in number, though they can hardly be said to rank high as poetry, are yet often characterised by glow and tenderness of feeling, and by depth of Christian experience. They are somewhat akin to Zinzendorf s better productions, but this resemblance may arise from the alterations which Zinzendorf seems to have made in them. The be6t known of them first appeared in Zinzendorf's hymn-books, and were for a time looked upon with suspicion, because as Zinzendorf did not affix authors' names, the new hymns were at first all ascribed to himself. Those of Rothe's hymns which have passed into English are:— i. Ich habe nun den Grand gefunde. Joy in Believing. …At first the Lutherans suspected it, thinking that it was by Zinzendorf, but on discovering that it was by Rothe, soon adopted it. It is a powerful and beautiful hymn, is found in many recent German collections (e.g. the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 78), and in its English forms has found a very wide acceptance, and proved a comfort and blessing to many. It was doubtless suggested by Heb. vi. 19. Rothe's hymn under consideration ("Ich habe nun ") has been translated as:— 1. Now I have found the ground wherein. A fine but somewhat free translation of st. i., ii., iv., v., vi., x., by J. Wesley. It has also appeared in full, or abridged, under the following first lines:— (1) Now I have found the blessed ground (st. i ). Lady Huntingdon's Selections, 1780. (2) Now have I found the ground wherein (st. i.). W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for Church & Home, 1873. (3) 0 Lord I Thy everlasting grace (st. ii.). Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884. (4) Father, Thine everlasting grace (st. ii.). J. Bickersteth's Psalms & Hymns1832. (5) 0 Love, thou bottomless abyss (st. iii.). Evangelical Union Hymnal, 1878. (6) Jesus, I know hath died for me (st. iv.). Pennsylvanian Lutheran Church Book, 1868. (7) Though waves and storms go o'er my head (st. v.). Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858. 2. I now have found, for hope of heaven. In full, by Dr. H. Mills, in theEvang. Review, Gettys¬burg, Jan. 1850, and in his Horae Germanica, 1850, p. 68. 3. My soul hath now the ground attained. A good tr. of st. i., iii., v., x., by A. T. Russell, as No. 167 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 4. My soul hath found the steadfast ground. A good tr, (omitting st. v.-ix., and with a st. iv. not by Rothe), by Mrs. Bevan, in her Songs of Eternal Life, 1858, p. 55. 5. Now I have found the firm foundation. By G. F. Krotel, as No. 251 in the OhioLutheran Hymnal, 1880, omitting st. vi.-viii. 6. Now I have found the ground to hold. By J. Sheppard, in his Foreign Sacred Lyre, 1857, p. 91. ii. Vor wahrer Herzensanderung. The Forgiveness of Sin. first pub. as No. 448 in the 3rd ed., 1731, of Zinzendorf's Sammlung as above, and in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. In the Brüder Gesang-Buch , 1778, it is No. 392. The translations are:— (1) "Thanks be to Thee, Thou slaughtered Lamb!" (st. vii.). This is No. 345 in pt. ii., 1746, of the Moravian Hymn Book, (2) "Before conversion of the heart." A tr. of st. i., iv., by B. Latrobe, as No. 255 in the Moravian Hymn Book,1789, with the above tr. of st. vii. added. In the 1801 and later eds. (1886, No. 426) the tr. of st. vii. was alone retained. iii. Wenn kleine Himmelserben. Death of a Child. Written on the death of one of his daughters. The trs. are:— (1) "When children, bless'd by Jesus." This is No. 1196 in the Supplement of 1808 to the Moravian Hymn Book, 1801 (1886, No. 1258). (2) "When summons hence by Death is given." By E. Massie, 1867, p. 105. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Anonymous

Person Name: Unknown Author of "Dark was the night, and cold the ground" in New Christian Hymn and Tune Book In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries.

John Wesley

1703 - 1791 Person Name: John Wesley (?) Author of "O Sun of Righteousness, arise" in The Wesleyan Methodist Hymnal John Wesley, the son of Samuel, and brother of Charles Wesley, was born at Epworth, June 17, 1703. He was educated at the Charterhouse, London, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He became a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, and graduated M.A. in 1726. At Oxford, he was one of the small band consisting of George Whitefield, Hames Hervey, Charles Wesley, and a few others, who were even then known for their piety; they were deridingly called "Methodists." After his ordination he went, in 1735, on a mission to Georgia. The mission was not successful, and he returned to England in 1738. From that time, his life was one of great labour, preaching the Gospel, and publishing his commentaries and other theological works. He died in London, in 1791, in his eighty-eighth year. His prose works are very numerous, but he did not write many useful hymns. It is to him, however, and not to his brother Charles, that we are indebted for the translations from the German. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872 ====================== John Wesley, M.A., was born at Epworth Rectory in 1703, and, like the rest of the family, received his early education from his mother. He narrowly escaped perishing in the fire which destroyed the rectory house in 1709, and his deliverance made a life-long impression upon him. In 1714 he was nominated on the foundation of Charterhouse by his father's patron, the Duke of Buckingham, and remained at that school until 1720, when he went up, with a scholarship, from Charterhouse to Christ Church, Oxford. Having taken his degree, he received Holy Orders from the Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Potter) in 1725. In 1726 he was elected Fellow of Lincoln College, and remained at Oxford until 1727, when he returned into Lincolnshire to assist his father as curate at Epworth and Wroot. In 1729 he was summoned back to Oxford by his firm friend, Dr. Morley, Rector of Lincoln, to assist in the College tuition. There he found already established the little band of "Oxford Methodists" who immediately placed themselves under his direction. In 1735 he went, as a Missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, to Georgia, where a new colony had been founded under the governorship of General Oglethorpe. On his voyage out he was deeply impressed with the piety and Christian courage of some German fellow travellers, Moravians. During his short ministry in Georgia he met with many discouragements, and returned home saddened and dissatisfied both with himself and his work; but in London he again fell in with the Moravians, especially with Peter Bohler; and one memorable night (May 24, 1738) he went to a meeting in Aldersgate Street, where some one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. There, "About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." From that moment his future course was sealed; and for more than half a century he laboured, through evil report and good report, to spread what he believed to be the everlasting Gospel, travelling more miles, preaching more sermons, publishing more books of a practical sort, and making more converts than any man of his day, or perhaps of any day, and dying at last, March 2, 1791, in harness, at the patriarchal age of 88. The popular conception of the division of labour between the two brothers in the Revival, is that John was the preacher, and Charles the hymnwriter. But this is not strictly accurate. On the one hand Charles was also a great preacher, second only to his brother and George Whitefield in the effects which he produced. On the other hand, John by no means relegated to Charles the exclusive task of supplying the people with their hymns. John Wesley was not the sort of man to depute any part of his work entirely to another: and this part was, in his opinion, one of vital importance. With that wonderful instinct for gauging the popular mind, which was one element in his success, he saw at once that hymns might be utilized, not only for raising the devotion, but also for instructing, and establishing the faith of his disciples. He intended the hymns to be not merely a constituent part of public worship, but also a kind of creed in verse. They were to be "a body of experimental and practical divinity." "In what other publication," he asks in his Preface to the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780 (Preface, Oct. 20,1779), "have you so distinct and full an account of Scriptural Christianity; such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, speculative and practical; so strong cautions against the most plausible errors, particularly those now most prevalent; and so clear directions for making your calling and election sure; for perfecting holiness in the fear of God?" The part which he actually took in writing the hymns, it is not easy to ascertain; but it is certain that more than thirty translations from the German, French and Spanish (chiefly from the German) were exclusively his; and there are some original hymns, admittedly his composition, which are not unworthy to stand by the side of his brother's. His translations from the German especially have had a wide circulation. Although somewhat free as translations they embody the fire and energy of the originals. It has been the common practice, however for a hundred years or more to ascribe all translations from the German to John Wesley, as he only of the two brothers knew that language; and to assign to Charles Wesley all the original hymns except such as are traceable to John Wesley through his Journals and other works. The list of 482 original hymns by John and Charles Wesley listed in this Dictionary of Hymnology have formed an important part of Methodist hymnody and show the enormous influence of the Wesleys on the English hymnody of the nineteenth century. -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =================== See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church