| Author: | Martin Luther | ISBN: | 1230001941197 |
| Publisher: | CrossReach Publications | Publication: | September 28, 2017 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Martin Luther |
| ISBN: | 1230001941197 |
| Publisher: | CrossReach Publications |
| Publication: | September 28, 2017 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
The Hymns of Luther are regarded by us with no common interest as emanations of a spirit that shone forth with peculiar strength and lustre in the days of the Protestant Reformation. Hitherto however, this portion of his writings has, it is believed, been known to British Christians, only in a fugitive and often in a dubious form; a fact which the author of the present version is anxious to countervail by her unpretending efforts at something like a complete collection.
In venturing thus to interpret the mind of Luther to the English ear, the translator would acknowledge her inability to convey the rich, deep and brilliant tone of the original, a task requiring a master-hand. She has meanwhile, made fidelity her aim; and with this view, her versification has been submitted to the criticism of a learned German Professor and the reader is referred to the works of Luther himself for the subjects of most of the following compositions: those given without any reference have been attributed to him, and one on “Christian Martyrdom” is, we understand, generally ascribed to Maria, Queen of Hungary, sister of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, or it was possibly written by Luther, and dedicated to her.
In this, their novel guise, the hymns of Luther are now presented to the lovers of sacred lore in our own land. May they still have power to waken the remembrance of Him who is their prevailing theme; and thus speaking to the hearts and minds of the people of God, quicken them afresh to the adoration and service of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.
Bristol, 5th Month, 1845.
The Hymns of Luther are regarded by us with no common interest as emanations of a spirit that shone forth with peculiar strength and lustre in the days of the Protestant Reformation. Hitherto however, this portion of his writings has, it is believed, been known to British Christians, only in a fugitive and often in a dubious form; a fact which the author of the present version is anxious to countervail by her unpretending efforts at something like a complete collection.
In venturing thus to interpret the mind of Luther to the English ear, the translator would acknowledge her inability to convey the rich, deep and brilliant tone of the original, a task requiring a master-hand. She has meanwhile, made fidelity her aim; and with this view, her versification has been submitted to the criticism of a learned German Professor and the reader is referred to the works of Luther himself for the subjects of most of the following compositions: those given without any reference have been attributed to him, and one on “Christian Martyrdom” is, we understand, generally ascribed to Maria, Queen of Hungary, sister of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, or it was possibly written by Luther, and dedicated to her.
In this, their novel guise, the hymns of Luther are now presented to the lovers of sacred lore in our own land. May they still have power to waken the remembrance of Him who is their prevailing theme; and thus speaking to the hearts and minds of the people of God, quicken them afresh to the adoration and service of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.
Bristol, 5th Month, 1845.
