Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-12-31
PAUL. GERUARDT.

PAUL. RDT.
The HTiai Etsitor says this man Vas .
singuiar,y faitLful preacher of the Gospel
in Germany during the Thirty Year.
War. He was minister of the Nicolai-
kirche in Berlin, and afterwards Arch.
deacon Of Lubben. He was the author
of that beautiful hymn, 40 sacred head,
now wounded" and of many others, writ
ten for the festivals Of the church which
commemorate tire events of our Savior.
life on earth. He loved to preach the
pure and simple doctrines of the Word Of
God, which be had found precious to lis
own soul but these doctrines gave offence
to tie Elector of Brandenburg, in whose
dominions Gerbardt lived. One day he
received this message from that Prince
" Paul Gerbardt, if you can not preach
differently, you must leave this country"
Gerharit replied that it would be hard for
him to leave bis home, bis people, bis coun-
try, and his livelihood, but be could only
ItCdCH " Sdl NC iO.Au III btu W Otu, auu
as long as be Lived he would preach that.
Then, With bis wife and little ones, be
went cat Of the c1untry. At the end of
the first days journey they stopped at
little inn in forest, when the sigh; Of his
weeping wife and children so distressed
him, that he went alone in the dark wood
to think and pray. Here he was gently
confOrtei by the text, " Commit thy way
unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to
pass" As lie paced beneath the trees, he
turned these words into HYMN. and uhsn
be repeated the text and hymn to his wife,
she dried her tears, and they retired to
rest, full of hope aud confidence in God.
They were scarcely asleep, when a mcssen.
ger On horseback, who had been in search
Of them, arrived at the inn with letter for
Gerhardt from Duke Christian of Mures-
burg, which contained these words: Come
into my country: and you shall have church,
and people, and house and home, and live
lIhood aud liberty to preach the Gospel to
your hearts content" We have never
met with the hymn here spoken Of, aud
would much ike to see it, either in Ger
man or English, if any reader of this pa
per can direct US where to find it. The
is one of his hymns:
The HEART LONGING FOs THE INNER ADVENT.
49, ~tv'S oVS. 's.Ou rUusoI tasTy,
Blessed of the Lord, afar
Would II were thy will to enter
To my heart, o thou my star;
Thou. my Jesus. Fount of power
Helper IN the neetfui hour;
Sharpest wounds my heart is feeling:
Touch them, Savior, with Thy healing,
For shrink beneath the terrors
Of the Laws tremendous sway;
All nv countless crimes and errors
Stand before me night and day.
o. the heavy, fearful load.
or the righteous wrath of God,
Oh the awful voice of thunder.
Cleaving heart and soul asunder,
While the foe my soul is telling.
There Is grace no more for thee;
Thou must make thy endle: S dwelling
In the pains lhat torture me-
Yes, and kseHer still thy smart.
Conscience! IN my angulshed heart;
By tiny yenomed tooth tormented,
Long past sins are sore repented.
Would |, then, 10 sooth my sorrow
Aud my PAIN awhile forget,
From the world comfort borrow,
but SInk the deeper yet;
She hath comforts that but srieve,
JOYS that singing memories leave,
Helpers that my heart are breaking.
Friends that do but mark lis aching.
All delight. all consolation,
Lies IN thee, Lord Iesus Christ,
Feed NY soul with rhy salvation,
o thou Bread of Life unpriced.
Blessed Light, within me glow,
Ere nv heart breaks in its woe;
Oh, refresh me and uphold ne
Jesus, come. let me behold thee.
Joy. nv soul. for he hath heard thee.
He viii come and enter in;
Lo, He tarns and draweth toward thee,
Let thy welcome song begin;
On, prepare thee for such guest,
Give thee wholly to thy rest,
With an opened heart adore Him,
Pour thy grefs and fears before Him.
DorGIXS 0ppoSrD To ppOTrcrIoy