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 74 DUE HYMNS :

cution. The count was deeply grieved by this confession of un worthy fear, and made a strong and successful protest. Thus the breach was widened between him and Eothe, and at length, in 1737, Rothe resigned, and took another charge as Lutheran pastor in a village of Silesia, where he died July 6, 1758. Though sometimes differing from him, Zinzendorf treated Rothe with continual kindness, and always held him in honour. Of him he spoke in the following generous and admiring terms : &quot; Rothe was profoundly learned, and possessed in a high degree the talent of teaching ; he so clearly comprehended everything which he discussed, that he preached without the slightest hesi tation, and in the most systematic manner, as the notes taken while he was delivering his discourses show. For an extem poraneous preacher, he had a wonderful precision, and although he spoke rather like a professor giving his lectures, he was never dry, nor did he ever appear long and tedious. This might arise partly from the rapidity of his utterance, but more from the extra ordinary gift of eloquence which he possessed ; the talents of Luther, Spener, Francke, and Schwedler, were united in him. The lowest peasant understood him, and the greatest philosopher heard him with attention and respect. He was admired even by his enemies, and the brethren acknowledged that of all the apostolic discourses which were ever delivered among them at that time, none were to be compared for solidity of thought, spiritual unction, or wise admonition with those of Rothe.&quot; &quot; On Lord s-day morning, Rothe preached with great power ; he seemed as if he would exhaust every subject, and collect together a treasure of comfort against the evil times which were coming upon the church. If three or four festivals occurred in succession, it was not too much either for the preacher or the church ; on the contrary, the last day was generally the most glorious, and the minister seemed to possess in a high degree the gift of presenting the doctrine of salvation in a fresh aspect, and with a grace and savour ever new; no one was weary.&quot;

Some of the count s poems were dedicated to Rothe, and he in

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