Martin Rinckart. 1585-1649. Hymn of Praise. II. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever. _Ps._ cxxxvi. 1. Lift heart, and hands, and voice To God’s bright throne of glory; In grateful songs rejoice, And tell aloud the story, How from our natal day His mercies numberless Have blest us on our way, And still unnumbered bless. The ever bounteous Lord, Throughout our life’s duration, Wilt joy of heart afford, Through hope of his salvation: In trial’s grievous hour His Arm will hold us fast, And from temptation’s power Will set us free at last. To Father and to Son Be praise and glory given, And to that Holy One Who reigns with them in heaven: To God, the One in Three, The God Who is, and was, And evermore shall be:— The One Eternal Cause! SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHORS. Angelus, Johann—1624-1677—whose real name was Scheffler, native of Breslau, physician in ordinary to the Emperor Ferdinand the Third. In the year 1653 he resigned this post, went over to the Church of Rome, and became a priest, having previously, by a singular fancy, assumed the name of Angelus. Arndt, Ernst Moritz—1769-1860—born in the Isle of Rugen; in 1806 professor of philosophy at Greifswald, whole political writings so aroused the national spirit against the hated dominion of Napoleon, that they may be regarded as having mainly influenced the combination which eventually restored the independence of Germany. After the restoration, he was appointed professor of history at Bonn, in 1816; but in a few years having become an object of suspicion to the government, he was suspended, and ultimately deprived of his professorship. From being a writer of popular songs, he became a writer of sacred ones. His hymn “Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab,” must be reckoned one of the greatest gems of sacred poetry of the century. Brandenburg, Luise Henriette, Electress of—1627-1667—the daughter of Frederick Henry, and wife of Frederick William, Princes of Orange. A Princess distinguished for her gentleness and charity. She was the foundress of the Oranienburg Orphan Asylum. Brunswick, Anton Ulrich, Duke of—1633-1714—pupil of the learned Schottelius; a learned Prince, who was a popular writer of his time. Bürde, Samuel Gottlieb—1753-?—native of Breslau, royal secretary to the board of finances at that place. Fouqué, Friedrich Freiherr, de la Motte, born, in 1777, at Neubrandenberg. The worthy and distinguished descendant of the brave, intellectual, and pious general of Frederick the Great; he has given a beautiful and lasting memorial of his poetical spirit and his Christian mind, in the hymn “Was du vor tausend Jahren.” He died at Halle in 1843.