AND OTHER
TRANSLATIONS OF GERMAN HYMNS.
BY
JAMES W. ALEXANDER, D.D.
NEW-YORK:
RANDOLPH, 683 BROADWAY.
MDCCCLXI.
AND OTHER
TRANSLATIONS OF GERMAN HYMNS.
BY F. HARTMANN.
1 Now the crucible is breaking;
Now my faith its seal is taking;
Molten gold, unhurt by fire,
Only thus, ’tis ever given,
Up to joys of highest heaven,
For God’s children to aspire.
2 Thus by griefs the Lord is moulding
Mind and spirit, here unfolding
His own image, to endure.
Now he shapes our dust, but later
Is the inner man’s creator;
Thus he works by trial sure.
3 Sorrows quell our insurrection,
Bring our members to subjection,
Under Christ’s prevailing will;
While the broken powers he raises
To the work of holy praises
Quietly and softly still.
4 Sorrows gather home the senses,
Lest, seduced by earth’s pretenses,
They should after idols stroll,
Like an angel-guard, repelling
Evil from the inmost dwelling,
Bringing order to the soul.
5 Sorrow now the harp is stringing
For the everlasting singing,
Teaching us to soar above;
Where the blessed choir, palm-bearing,
Harps are playing, crowns are wearing,
Round the throne with songs of love.
6 Sorrow makes alert and daring;
Sorrow is our clay preparing
For the cold rest of the grave;
Sorrow is a herald, hasting,
Of that springtide whose unwasting
Health the dying soul shall save.
7 Sorrow makes our faith abiding,
Lowly, childlike, and confiding;
Sorrow! who can speak thy grace?
Earth may name the tribulation,
Heaven has nobler appellation;
Not thus honored all our race.
8 Brethren these our perturbations,
Step by step, through many stations,
Lead disciples to th