Erdmann Neumeister

Erdmann Neumeister
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Short Name: Erdmann Neumeister
Full Name: Neumeister, Erdmann, 1671-1756
Birth Year: 1671
Death Year: 1756

Neumeister, Erdmann, son of Johann Neumeister, schoolmaster, organist, &c, at Uechteritz, near Weissenfels, was born at Uechteritz, May 12, 1671. He entered the University of Leipzig in 1689, graduated M.A. in 1695, and was then for some time University lecturer. In June 1697 he was appointed assistant pastor at Bibra, and in 1698 pastor there, and assistant superintendent of the Eckartsberg district. He was then, in 1704, called by Duke Johann Georg, to Weissenfels as tutor to his only daughter, and assistant court preacher, and shortly afterwards court preacher. After the death of this princess, Neumeister was invited by the Duke's sister (she had married Count Erdmann II. von Promnitz) to Sorau, where on New Year's Day, 1706, he entered on the offices of senior court-preacher, consistorialrath, and superintendent. Finally, in 1715, he accepted the appointment of Pastor of St. James's Church at Hamburg, entering on his duties there Sept. 29, 1715. He died at Hamburg, Aug. 18 (not 28), 1756 (Bode, p. 120; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. xxiii. 543, &c).

Neumeister was well known in his day as an earnest and eloquent preacher, as a vehement upholder of High Lutheranism, and as a keen controversialist against the Pietists and the Moravians by means of the pulpit as well as the press. His underlying motive was doubtless to preserve the simplicity of the faith from the subjective novelties of the period. He was the author of one of the earliest historico-critical works on German Poetry (1695"); and of many Cantatas for use in church, of which form of Fervice he may be regarded as the originator. He had begun to write hymns during his student days, and in later years their composition was a favourite Sunday employment. He takes high rank among the German hymn-writers of the 18th century, not only for the number of his productions (over 650), but also for their abiding value. A number are founded on well-known hymns of the 16th and 17th century; and many of his later productions are inferior. Of his earlier efforts many soon took and still hold their place as standard German hymns; and deservedly so, for their simple, musical style, scripturalness, poetic fervour, depth of faith and Christian experience, and for their clear-cut sayings which have almost passed into proverbial use. They appeared principally in the following works:—
1. DerZugang zum Gnadenstuhle Jesu Christo. This was a devotional manual of preparation for Holy Communion, with interspersed hymns. The first edition appeared at Weissenfels in 1705, the 2nd 1707, 3rd 1712, 4th 1715. The earliest edition of which precise details are available is the 5th edition 1717, from which Wetzel, ii. 231, quotes the first lines of all the 77 hymns (the page references to the earlier eds. given by Fischer appear to be conjectural); and the earliest ed. available for collation was the 7th edition, 1724 [Göttingen University Library]. In the later editions many hymns are repeated from his other works.
2. Fünffache Kirchen-Andachten, Leipzig 1716 [Wernigerode Library], a collected edition of his Cantatas (Wernigerode Library has the 1704 ed. of his Geistliche Cantaten), and similar productions. A second set (Fortgesetzte) appeared at Hamburg in 1726 [Hamburg Town Library]; and a third set (Dritter Theil) at Hamburg in 1752 [Hamburg Town Library].
3. Evangelischer Nachklang, Hamburg, 1718 [Hamburg Town Library], with 86 hymns on the Gospels for Sundays and Festivals, originally written to form conclusions to his sermons. A second set of 86 appeared as the Anderer Theil at Hamburg, 1729 [Hamburg Town Library].

Those of Neumeister’s hymns which have passed into English are:—
i. Gott verlasst die Seinen nioht, Ei so fahret hin ihr Sorgen. Cross and Consolation. In his Evangelical Nachklang, 1718, No. 71, p. 149, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines, appointed for the 25th Sunday after Trinity, in Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, it appears in two forms. No. 127 is the original with alterations, and arranged in 11 stanzas of 4 lines, with the refrain "Gott verlässt die Seinen nicht." No. 128 is a form in 3 stanzas of 6 lines, rewritten to the melody, "Jesus meine Zuversicht", and beginning with stanza iii. line 5, of the original, viz. "Gott verlässt die Seinen nicht, Nach dem Seufzen, nach dem Weinen."
ii. Jesu, grosser Wunderstern. Epiphany. In his Kirchen-Andachten, 1716, p. 646, in 4 st. of 6 1., with the motto,

Auf ihr Christen insgemein!
Stellt euch mit den Weisen ein.
Jesus muss geschenket sein."

It is a hymn on the Gifts of the Magi, and the spiritual sense in which we can offer the same—-the Gold of Faith, the Frankincense of Prayer, the Myrrh of Penitence. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 208. Translated as:—

1. Jesus! great and wondrous star. A good and full translation by E. Cronenwett, as No. 52 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880.
iii. Jesus nimmt die Sünder an! Saget doch dies Trostwort Allen. Lent. The best hymn of its author. First published in his Evangelical Nachklang, 1718, No. 47, p. 96, in 8 stanzas of 6 lines, founded on the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday after Trinity (St. Luke xv. 1-7), and also suggested by St. Matt. xi. 28, and Isaiah i. 18. It has come into very extensive German use, especially at Mission services at home and abroad. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 110. The translations are:—
1. This man sinners doth receive. In full by Dr. H. Mills, in his Horae Germanicae, 1845 (1856, p. 73). His translations of stanzas i., ii., iv., v. are included in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection, 1850-52, No. 844.
2. Jesus sinners doth receive! Spread the word of consolation. A good translation of stanzas i., iii.—v., by A. T. Russell, as No. 47 in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book, 1848, repeated in his own Psalms & Hymns, 1851.
3. Jesus is the sinner's Friend. A good and full translation by Miss Dunn in her Hymns from the German, 1857, p. 82. Her translations of stanzas i., ii., iv. are No. 46 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864.
4. Sinners Jesus will receive. A full and good translation by Mrs. Bevan in her Songs of Eternal Life,
1858, p. 23. Repeated in full in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 50, and, abridged, in the English Presbyterian Psalms & Hymns, 1867, and Flett's Collection, Paisley, 1871. In Dr. W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for Church & Home, 1873, stanzas i., v., vi., vii. are included, altered, and beginning "Jesus sinners will receive; Say this word of grace to all;" and this form is also in the Baptist Hymnal, 1879.

Other translations are :—
(l) "My Jesus the sinner receives." By Miss Warner, 1869, p. 51. (2) "Jesus sinners doth receive! Tell to all." By R. Massie in the Day of Rest, 1811.
The hymn "Jesus sinners will receive, When they fall," by E. Cronenwett, in 5 stanzas, in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, is marked as a translation of Neumeister. It follows Neumeister in metre, but seems rather a paraphrase of the hymn "Jesus nimmt die Sünder an, Drum so will ich nicht verzagen." This hymn is by Ludwig Heinrich Schlosser [b. Sept. 1, 1663, at Darmstadt; d. Aug. 18,1723, as pastor at Frankfurt am Main], and appeared in the Appendix to the Frankfurt ed., 1693, of Crüger's Praxis, and in his own Stilles Lob Gottes in dern geistlichen Zion, Frankfurt a. M , 1724 (see Wetzel, iv. 433; Kambach's Anthologie, vi p. xi., &c). In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, the Neumeister hymn is given as No. 1593 and marked as by G. G. Hofmann, and the Schlosser hymn as No. 1592 and marked as by Neumeister. Hence perhaps the confusion.

Hymns not in English common use:--.
iv. Bleib, Jesu, bleib bei mir. For the Dying. In his Evangelical Nachklang, 171S, No. 31, p. 64, in 7 st., entitled "For the Second Day of Easter." In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1434. Translated as "Jesus, near me still abide." By Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 117.
v, Herr Jesu Christ, mein höchstes Gut. Love to Christ. One of his best and most popular hymns, apparently written for use at the Sunday celebration of Holy Communion in the castle at Weissenfels. It seems to have appeared in his Zugang, 1705 (Wetzel, ii. 232, cites it as in the 5th edition 1717. In the 8th ed. 1724, p. 17, entitled “Hymn of Consolation from Ps. lxxiii. 23-28 ), and is included in the Halle Stadt Gesang-Buch,1711, No. 524 in 6 st. In Freylinghausen, 1714, it begins "Herr Jesu Christ, mein Fleisch und Blut." In Porst's Gesang-Buch,ed. 1855, No. 546. The translations are (1) "All my desires are fix'd on Thee" (st. iii.). By P. H. Molther as pt. ot No. 401 in the Moravian Hymn Book 1801 (1886, No. 448). (2) "Lord Jesus Christ, my spirit's health." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 115).
vi. Herr Jesu, meines Lebens Heil. Evening. Apparently in his Zugang, 1705 (Wetzel, ii. 232, as in ed. 1717. In ed. 1724, p. 284 in 10 st), and included in the Halle Stadt Gesang-Buch, 1711, No. 426. In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 1844. Translated as (1) "Now I'll lie down and sleep in Thee"(st. vi.), as pt. of No. 750 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1789 (1849, No. 1137). (2) "Lord Jesu! Thou my life's true health." By H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 92.
vii. Ich bin bei allem Kummer stille. Trust in God. Included in the 5th ed. 1717 of his Zugang (Wetzel, ii. 232), and in the ed. 1724, p. 594, in 6 stanzas, founded on Ps. lxxvii. 11. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 911. It has been translated into English through the recast by J. S. Diterich "Herr, mache meine Seele stille," which is No. 169, in 7 stanzas, in the Berlin Gesang-Buch,1765 (Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829, No. 599). Translated as "Lord, make my spirit still." By Miss Warner, 1869, p. 26.
viii. Ich weiss dass mein Erlöser lebet. For the Dying. In his Evangelical Nachklang, 1718, No. 32, in 5 st., entitled "On the Third Day of Easter." In Bunsen's Allgemeine Gesang-Buch, 1846, No. 437, in 4 stanzas. Translated as "I know that my Redeemer liveth, And as He lives." A good translation from Bunsen in Reid's Praise Book, 1872.
ix. Ob Menschen klug und weise sein. Spiritual Wisdom. In his Evangelical Nachklang, 1718, No. 12, p. 24, in 6 stanzas, for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. Translated as “Here many wise and prudent grow." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 109).
x. So ist die Woche nun geschlossen. Saturday Evening. Apparently in his Zugang, 1705 (Wetzel, ii. 233, cites it as in ed. 1717. In the ed. 1724, p. 552, in 9 st. entitled "Hymn for the close of the Week"). In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. Translated as “Thou, Lord, Thy love art still bestowing." By H. J. Buckoll, 1842.
xi. Wie Gott will, also will ich sagen. Trust in God. Wetzel ii. 214, cites this as in his Zugang, 1717 (ed. 1724, p. 570, in 8 stanzas). In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 919. Translated as “As Thou wilt, my God! I ever say” By Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1858, p. 44 (1884, p. 166), and thence in Bishop Ryle's Collection 1860, No. 163. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Wikipedia Biography

Erdmann Neumeister (12 May 1671 – 18 August 1756) was a German Lutheran pastor and hymnologist. He was born in Uichteritz near Weißenfels in the province Saxonia of Germany. As a fifteen-year-old boy he started his studies in Schulpforta, an old humanistic gymnasium. He became a student of poetology and theology in the University of Leipzig between 1691 and 1697. He began his career as a minister of religion in the spa town of Bibra. He became diaconus (deacon) for the duke of Saxonia-Weissenfels. From 1705 to 1715, he was superintendent in Sorau (today Zary in Poland). He left for Hamburg because of theological disputes. (As an adult, he would become a vehement opponent of Pietism). He died in Hamburg as an honoured main pastor. His grave in the St. Jacobi Church was destroyed during Worl

Texts by Erdmann Neumeister (67)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein (Neumeister)Erdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Ach Gott, wie mancher Kummer machtErdmann Neumeister (Author)German3
Acogida da JesúsErdmann Neumeister (Author)Spanish3
Al que en busca de la luzNeumaster (Author)Spanish10
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, Dass er sein eingebornes KindE. Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)German23
Another day is at an endErdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)1
As Thou wilt, my God, I ever sayNeumeister (Author)English4
Be content, my soul, and neverErdmann Neumeister (Author)English2
Bienvenida da Jesús, Cree, pobre pecadorErdmann Neumeister (Author)Spanish1
Bienvenida da Jesús en los brazoasErdmann Neumeister (Author)Spanish2
Bleib, Jesu, bleib bei mirErdmann Neumeister (Author)German11
Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit Ist meinen Glaubens SicherheitErdmann Neumeister (Author)German7
Du wirst doch nichts gewinnenE. Neumeister, g. 1670 † 1756 (Author)German4
Eins, das bitt' ich mir vom HerrnE. Neumeister (Author)German4
Eitle Welt, ich ben dein müdeErdmann Neumeister (Author)German7
Gib mir ein frommes Herz, Du Geber aller GabenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German17
God's own child, I gladly say itErdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)English8
Gott macht ein großes AbendmahlErdmann Neumeister (Author)German8
Gott Vater, deine LiebesflammenE. Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)German2
Gottlob, der Tag is nun beschlossenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Herr Christ, ich danke Dir, ich danke Dir von HerzenNeumeister, g. 1670 † 1756 (Author)German3
Herr Jesu Christ, mein Fleisch und BlutErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Herr Jesu Christ, mein höchstes GutErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Herr Jesu, meines Lebens HeilErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Höchster Gott durch deinen SegenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German4
I a sinner now draw nearErdman Neumeister (Author)3
I know my faith is foundedErdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)English8
I know that my Redeemer liveth, And as He lives, His life is mineErdmann Neumeister (Author)English2
I know whom I'm believingErdmann Neumeister (Author)English1
Ich bin bei allem Kummer stilleErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Ich bin der Erde müdeErdmann Neumeister (Author)German1
Ich trete, großer Gott, vor DichErdmann Neumeister (Author)German4
Ich weiß, an wen ich gläube, mein Jesus ist des Glaubens GrundErdmann Neumeister (Author)German12
Jakubowa gwiazdo TyErdmann Neumeister (Author)Polish2
Jauchzet [Preiset] Gott in allen LandenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German27
Jesu, großer WundersternErdmann Neumeister (Author)German34
Jesu, wirst du bald erscheinenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German6
Jesus, great and wondrous StarErdmann Neumeister (Author)English4
Jesus han er syndres venErdmann Neumeister (Author)Norwegian1
Jesus nimmt die Sünder an, Saget doch dies Trostwort AllenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German90
Jesus, O thou wondrous starErdmann Neumeister (Author)English4
Jesus sinners doth receive, Word of consolation thisErdman Neumeister (Author)English3
"Jesus sinners doth receive," Word of surest consolationErdmann Neumeister (Author)English7
Jesus sinners doth receive! Let the lost and sorrowing hear itErdmann Neumeister (Author)English1
Jesus sinners doth receive, O may all this saying ponderErdmann Neumeister (Author)English27
Jesus undfår syndareErdmann Neumeister (Author)Swedish3
Jesus, wondrous, wondrous StarNeumeister (Author)English3
Jezus grzesznych przyjąć chce!ks. Erdmann Neumeister (Author)Polish2
Lass irdische Geschäfte stehenE. Neumeister, 1671-1756 (Author)German19
Lasset mich voll Freuden sprechenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German5
Let me say in jubilationErdmann Neumeister (Author)English3
Mach's lieber Gott wie dir's gefältErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Mein lieber Gott, gedenke meiner im besten jetztErdmann Neumeister (Author)German3
Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht, weil er sich für mich gegebenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German2
Merkt auf, ihr Menschenkinder, Denn Jesus rufet euchErdmann Neumeister (Author)German3
Schicke dich, erlöste SeeleMag. E. Neumeister (Author)German1
Selig, wer mit Recht kann sprechenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German7
Sing it over and over againNeumeister (Author)English8
Jesus sinners will receive; May they all the saying ponderE. Neumeister (Author)English4
Sinners Jesus will receiveErdmann Neumeister (Author)English205
Sinners may to Christ draw nearErdmann Neumeister (Author)English2
So ist die Woche nun geschlossenErdmann Neumeister (Author)German22
This Man receiveth sinnersErdmann Neumeister (Author)3
This Man sinners doth receiveErdmann Neumeister (Author)4
Was hilfts, dass ich mich quäleE. Neumeister (Author)German2
Yesu hukaribishaErdmann Neumeister (Author)Swahili2
Yesu, u nyota kubwaErdmann Neumeister (Author)Swahili2

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