Of the more modern hymn-writers of Germany the best known is Karl von Gerok, chief court preacher at Stuttgart, where he died as recently as 1890. An eloquent preacher and able writer, he attained fame principally through the publication in 1857 of a collection of poems known as "Palmblaetter." This work received a marvelous circulation in Germany, and by 1916 no less than 130 editions had been printed. Although most of Gerok's compositions are poems rather than hymns, a few have found their way into hymn-books. A devotional hymn by von Gerok reads: Holy, holy, holy, blessed Lord, All the choirs of heaven now adore Thee; O that I might join that great white host, Casting down their golden crowns before Thee. Look on me, a creature of the dust, Pity me, though I have naught of merit; Let me bring to Thee for Jesus' sake Humble praises of a contrite spirit. Bend Thine ear, dear Lord, and hear my prayer; Cleanse me in Thy blood for sinners given; Deck me in the robe of spotless white Thou hast promised to Thy bride in heaven. PART III Scandinavian Hymnody A Hymn in Luther's Style Our Father, merciful and good, Who dost to Thee invite us, O cleanse us in our Saviour's blood, And to Thyself unite us! Send unto us Thy Holy Word, And let it guide us ever; Then in this world of darkness, Lord, Shall naught from Thee us sever: Grant us, O Lord, this favor! O God and man, Christ Jesus blest! Our sorrows Thou didst carry. Our wants and cares Thou knowest best, For Thou with us didst tarry. O Jesus Christ, our Brother dear, To us and every nation Thy Spirit send, let Him draw near With truth and consolation, That we may see salvation. Come, Holy Ghost, Thy grace impart, Tear Satan's snares asunder. The Word of God keep in our heart, That we its truth may ponder. Then, sanctified, for evermore, In Christ alone confiding, We'll sing His praise and Him adore, His precious Word us guiding To heavenly joys abiding. Olavus Petri, 1530. THE SWEDISH REFORMERS AND THEIR HYMNS The Reformation fires kindled by Luther and his contemporaries in Wittenberg spread with amazing rapidity to all parts of Europe. In the year that Luther nailed his famous theses on the chapel door at Wittenberg, two brothers--Olavus and Laurentius Petri--arrived from Sweden to study at the university made famous by Luther and Melanchthon. They were sons of a village blacksmith at Orebro, Sweden.