[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 schön 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 fürs 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.