Another contemporary of these writers, and perhaps the most prominent of the group, was Theodore Vilhelm Oldenburg. Oldenburg was born at Copenhagen in 1805, son of the Royal Chamberlain, Frederik Oldenburg. His mother died while he was still a boy, but his excellent father managed to give him a most careful training and a splendid education. He graduated "cum laude" from the University of Copenhagen in 1822, obtained the degree of Master of Arts during the following year, entered the department of theology and graduated from there three years later, also "cum laude." In 1830 he accepted a call to become pastor of the parish of Otterup and Sorterup on the island of Fyn. Here he won high praise for his conspicuously able and faithful work. Together with the gifted Bishop P. C. Kirkegaard, he was editor for a number of years of the influential periodical "Nordisk Tidsskrift for Kristelig Teologi," and also of the outstanding foreign mission paper, "Dansk Missionsblad." Through these papers he exerted a powerful and always beneficent influence upon the churches of both Denmark and Norway. His outstanding and richly blest service was cut short by death in 1842 when he was only 37 years old. He was carried to the grave to the strains of his own appealing hymn: "Thine, O Jesus, Thine Forever." Oldenburg's quite numerous hymns were printed from time to time in various periodicals. They express in a noble and highly lyrical style the firm faith and warm religious fervor of his own consecrated life. The hymn given below was written for a foreign mission convention shortly before his death. Deep and precious, Strong and gracious Is the word of God above, Gently calling Sinners falling, To the Savior's arm of love. Unto all the word is given: Jesus is the way to heaven. Blessed Savior, Wondrous favor Hast Thou shown our fallen race! Times may alter, Worlds may falter, Nothing moves Thy word of grace. With Thy word Thy grace abideth, And for all our needs provideth. By Thy merit, Through the Spirit Draw all sinners, Lord, to Thee. Sin and error, Death and terror By Thy word shall vanquished be. Guide us all through life's straight portal, Bear us into life immortal.