§ 160.3. =Sacred Song= (§ 142, 3).--The first epoch of the development of sacred song in this century corresponds to the period of the Thirty Years’ War, A.D. 1618-1648. The Psalms of David were the model and pattern of the sacred poets, and the profoundest songs of the cross and consolation bear the evident impress of the times, and so individual feeling comes more into prominence. The influence of Opitz was also felt in the church song, in the greater attention given to correctness and purity of language and to the careful construction of verse and rhyme. Instead of the rugged terseness and vigour of earlier days, we now find often diffuse and overflowing utterances of the heart. =John Hermann= of Glogau, who died in A.D. 1647, composed 400 songs, embracing these: “Alas! dear Lord, what evil hast Thou done?” “O Christ, our true and only Light;” “Ere yet the dawn hath filled the skies;” “O God, thou faithful God.” =Paul Flemming=, a physician in Holstein, who died in A.D. 1640, wrote on his journey to Persia, “Where’er I go, whate’er my task.” =Matthew Meyffart=, professor and pastor at Erfurt, who died in A.D. 1642, wrote “Jerusalem, thou city fair and high.” =Martin Rinkart=, pastor at Eilenburg in Saxony, who died A.D. 1648, wrote, “Now thank we all our God.” =Appelles von Löwenstern=, who died A.D. 1648, composed, “When anguished and perplexed, with many a sigh and tear.” =Joshua Stegmann=, superintendent in Rinteln, who died A.D. 1632, wrote, “Abide among us with thy grace.” =Joshua Wegelin=, pastor in Augsburg and Pressburg, wrote, “Since Christ is gone to heaven, his home.” =Justus Gesenius=, superintendent in Hanover, who died in A.D. 1673, wrote, “When sorrow and remorse.” =Tob. Clausnitzer=, pastor in the Palatinate, who died A.D. 1648, wrote, “Blessed Jesus, at thy word.” The poets named mostly belong to the first Silesian school gathered round Opitz. A more independent position, though not uninfluenced by Opitz, is taken up by =John Rist=, who died in A.D. 1667. He composed 658 sacred songs, of which many are remarkable for their vigour, solemnity, and elevation; _e.g._ “Arise, the kingdom is at hand;” “Sink not yet, my soul, to slumber;” “O living Bread from heaven;” “Praise and thanks to Thee be sung.” At the head of the Königsberg school of the same age stood =Simon Dach=, professor of poetry at Königsberg, who died in A.D. 1659. He composed 150 spiritual songs, among which the best known are, “O how blessed, faithful souls, are ye!” “Wouldest thou inherit life with Christ on high?” The most distinguished members of this school are: =Henry Alberti=, organist at Königsberg, author of “God who madest earth and heaven;” and =George Weissel=, pastor in Königsberg, who died in A.D. 1655, author of “Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates.”