Mein Jesu, wie du willt! Soll ich in Tränen schwimmen, So lass mein Fünklein Trost Nicht ganz und gar verglimmen. Hast du doch selbst geweint; Drum, wenn’s nicht anders gilt, So wein’ ich auch mit dir. Mein Jesu, wie du willt! Mein Jesu, wie du willt! Soll ich denn endlich sterben, Ich weiss, du lässt mich auch Im Sterben nicht verderben, Wenn meine Seele sich In deine Wunden hüllt; Drum soll’s gestorben sein, Mein Jesu, wie du willt! Mein Jesu, wie du willt! So bin ich auch zufrieden; Hast du mir Lieb’ und Leid, Not oder Tod beschieden, So nehm’ ich’s auf dein Wort, Dein Wille werd’ erfüllt. Drum sag’ ich noch einmal: Mein Jesu, wie du willt! Schmolck was known all over Germany for his many hymns and spiritual songs. A number of them have been translated into English. This one reflects his fervent love for Christ and bears a message of trust and comfort which grew out of his own exhausting labors and physical suffering. For further comments on Benjamin Schmolck see Hymn 505. The translation is by Jane Borthwick in her _Hymns from the Land of Luther_, 1854. For comments on Jane Borthwick see Hymn 54. _MUSIC._ JEWETT is from a melody in Weber’s opera _Der Freischütz_. The present arrangement was made by Joseph Holbrook, in 1862. The tune has become associated almost exclusively with this hymn in America. Joseph Holbrook, 1822-88, born near Boston, was a tune writer of the school of Mason, Hastings, and Bradbury. He compiled several hymn books and was musical editor of _Songs of the Sanctuary_, a popular Methodist book under the editorship of the eminent hymnologist, Charles S. Robinson. 251. Father, whate’er of earthly bliss _Anne Steele_, 1716-78 Based on I Tim. 6:6-8: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Anne Steele was the first woman writer of English hymns. Her father was a timber merchant who for 30 years was deacon and occasional preacher in the Baptist Church in Hampshire, England, and then for 30 years more he was pastor, without salary, of the same church. On the day before Miss Steele was to be married, at the age of 21, her fiance met accidental death through drowning. Out of this bitter experience in her early life and a succession of other trials, came this lyric of resignation and hope. The original has 10 stanzas, the last three of which have been edited by Augustus Toplady to make this her best hymn. Miss Steele is the foremost of Baptist hymn writers. _MUSIC._ NAOMI, a tune brought to America by Lowell Mason, was set to this hymn in his _Modern Psalmist_, 1839. It at once gained popularity and was included in many hymn books. For comments on the composer, Hans Nägeli, see Hymn 41. 252. Thy way, not mine, O Lord _Horatius Bonar_, 1808-89