21
December 1672 A.D. Benjamin
Schmolck Born—German Lutheran Pastor in Romish Silesia
As usual, Mr. Graves does not know how to use the term
“Catholic” as if Reformtion Christians were not “Catholic.” He probably wasn’t reared on the Apostles,
Nicene or Athanasian Creed. Here’s the
story from an evangelical-type.
Graves,
Dan. “Daniel Schmolck in Catholic Silesia.” Christianity.com.
Jul 2007. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1601-1700/benjamin-schmolck-in-catholic-silesia-11630154.html. Accessed 23 Jun 2014.
One day, while Benjamin Schmolck was still a school
boy, he came home and preached a sermon. His father was so pleased with it,
that he vowed to find the money to equip his son with a theological education.
Born on this day, December 21, 1672, at
Brauchitzchdorf, Germany, Benjamin was the son of a Lutheran minister. He
became a Lutheran pastor and hymn writer himself.
At the University of Leipzig,
Benjamin came under the influence of godly instructors who passed their own
deep faith on to him. While at university, he began to write poems for rich
clients, a practice which provided him with extra income.
After graduation, he returned
home in 1694, was ordained, and took his father's place. Eight years later, he
went to Catholic Silesia, an Austrian-German region. The Catholic majority
restricted the number of churches Lutherans could own. The church where
Benjamin pastored was outside Schweidnitz. It served 36 villages and was not
allowed to erect a steeple or tower.
There Benjamin worked for 35
years until his death. There he tangled with Catholic authorities and wrote
many hymns--over 900. Many were sentimental or else strained too hard for grand
effects. But a few were excellent. Bach used a text by Benjamin Schmolck in his
cantata #35. All of Benjamin's hymns showed that Jesus was real in his life.
My
Jesus, as you will! Oh, may your will be mine!
Into your hand of love, I would my all resign;
Through sorrow, or through joy, conduct me as your own,
And help me still to say, my Lord, your will be done!
Into your hand of love, I would my all resign;
Through sorrow, or through joy, conduct me as your own,
And help me still to say, my Lord, your will be done!
At the age of 58, he was seated
at home one Sunday in Spring when a stroke paralyzed him. Benjamin recovered
enough to carry on his work, which he did for another five years. A second
stroke then felled him for good.
The last seven years of his life
he lay patiently in bed, blind and unable to speak. Still, he mustered the
strength to place his hands on the heads of those who came for his blessing.
Blessings and silent prayer were all he could do.
Benjamin died in February, 1737.
He was much loved by his people because of his warm personality and genuine
concern for spiritual things.
Bibliography:
"Benjamin Schmolck." http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Schmlock.htm
"Benjamin Schmolck."
http://www.cyberhymnal.org
Schaff, Philip. New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1954.
"[Texts used by Bach]"
http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/ bach/BWVanna.html
Various internet articles.
Last updated July,
2007
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