Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/71

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 59

the works of Mystic writers and to spread the teaching of the Mystics. He travelled over Prussia, and visited Holland every year to promote the spread of spiritual religion. He died in 1769.

Gott ist gegenwrirtig is the most popular of his hymns, and is a poetical reflex of his inner nature, a beautiful ex pression of the characteristics of his peculiar vein of mystical piety. Wesley s translation is Hymn 653.

The translation as it appeared in A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Protestant Church of the United Brethren, edited by J. Swertner, will show what changes were made by W. Mercer.

God reveals His presence,

Let us now adore Him, And with awe appear before Him ;

God is in His temple,

All in us keep silence, And before Him bow with rev rence : Him alone, God we own ;

He s our Lord and Saviour j

Praise His name for ever.

God reveals His presence,

Whom th angelic legions Serve with awe in heav nly regions :

Holy, holy, holy !

Sing the hosts of heaven ; Praise to God be ever given : Condescend To attend

Graciously, O Jesus I

To our songs and praises.

O majestic Being 1

Were but soul and body Thee to serve at all times ready.

Might we, like the angels,

Who behold Thy glory, Deep abased sink before Thee, And through grace Be always,

In our whole demeanour,

To Thy praise and honour.

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