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 Furstenthum 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).
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 afflicitons, 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.
Luther, Doctor Martin-1483-1546-born at Eisleben-the bold and uncompromising Reformer, whose simple yet vigorous hymns, full of evangelical doctrine, (for many of which he himself composed the tunes), found their way to the hearts of his countrymen; and had, perhaps, as much influence as his polemical writings in furthering the great work of the Reformation.
Meyfart, Johann Matthias-1590-1642-born at Wahlwinkel in the Duchy of Gotha, a learned and talented theologian. His hymn "Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt," in point of simplicity and sweetness has few equals.
Neuss, Heinrich Georg-1664-1716-native of Elbingerode, superintendent[2]
at Wernigerode. He published one hundred and thirty-four hymns in his "Hebopfer," (heave-offering).
[2]That is, in the Lutheran Church, one who has the ecclesiastical direction of a certain district.
Nicolai, Philipp-1556-1608-a native of Waldeck, a learned theologian, and a parish priest a Hamburgh. His hymns "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme,"
and "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern," with their incomparable tunes, will ever remain favourites with the German nation. The latter was, in earlier times, almost always sung at weddings, especially of the country people.
Oswald, Heinrich Siegmund-privy-counsellor at Breslau, who published, in 1793, "Gedichte und Lieder furs Herz!" He lived to a great age. From the "Schwanen-lieder," (swan"s songs) of this venerable old man, is taken "Wem in Leidenstagen."
Rambach, Johann-1693-1735-born at Halle, professor and superintendent at Giessen, a learned and truly pious man. His hymns combine the simplicity of the old with the fervour of the later school. They formed a much needed counterpoise to the preponderance of most hymn-writers of his day to sentimental and egotistic effusions.
Richter, Christian Friedrich-1676-1711-a distinguished and pious physician of Soran, in Lower Lusatia; he died in the prime of life, as he had himself predicted, while physician in the Orphan Asylum at Halle.
Rinckart, Martin-1585-1649-a Saxon of Eilenburg in Misnia, where he was an archdeacon. His hymn "Nun danket alle Gott," with the fine tune appropriated to it, has been called the national Te Deum of Germany.
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 day. He was, in the pulpit, as well as in sacred verse, an earnest 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 lifetime, 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.
Sacer, Gottfried Wilhelm-1635-1699-a native of Naumburg, who was at his death an advocate and privy-counsellor at Wolfenb.u.t.tel, 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 lifetime: 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.
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.
Schroder, Johann Heinrich-native of Calenberg; in 1696 he was minister at Magdeburg.
Schutz, Johann Jacob-1640-1690-native of Frankfort, an attorney and member of the council of that city. His one single hymn "Sei Lob und Ehr dem hochsten Gut," appeared anonymously in 1673, and at once excited much interest, being ascribed to Hugo Grotius and others. It has ever since been considered one of the chief ornaments of German hymnology.
Tersteegen, Gerhard-1697-1769-born at Mors; he resided at Mulheim 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.
Wiesenmayer (or Wiedemayer), Burchard, the author, not otherwise known, of several hymns. The first line of his Morning Hymn is in imitation of Nicolai"s more celebrated hymn, "Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern."
Wulffer, 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," Wulffer found in an old hymn-book, perhaps that of Cologne; he improved them, and added the spirited conclusion.
Zihn, Johann Friedrich-1650-1719-Archdeacon at Suhla, in the province of Henneberg, of which place he was a native. He was the author of six hymns, of which "Gott lebet noch" is the best known.
Zwick, Johann-of Kostnitz, who died 1542; he was first a jurist, and afterwards a theologian and minister in his native city; a pious and learned man.