TRUST IN GOD;

OR,

THREE DAYS

IN

THE LIFE OF GELLERT

1874.

Christian Furchtegott Gellert was born A. D. 1715, at Haynichen, in Germany, where his father was the pastor for fifty years. After a life of many trials and great bodily infirmities, he fell asleep in the Lord on the 13th of December, A. D. 1769, aged fifty-four years. He was in his forty-eighth year at the close of the Seven Years’ War.
His name is famous in his native land as a writer of sacred hymns, distinguished for their simplicity, fervor, and true devotional feeling, and which of late years have become widely known and appreciated in this country and in England, through the translations of Mrs. Winkworth and other congenial admirers. (From the preface)

It was in the midst of all the horrors of the Seven Years' War, that in a little room in a house in Leipsig called the Black Post, a man might have been seen seated before his table, his head resting on his hands. He appeared sick and weak. A cotton cap covered his head, and his emaciated body was wrapped in a well-worn calico dressing-gown.

It was easy to perceive at the first glance that this closet was the study of a scholar, so many books were piled up all around him, from the enormous folio to the smaller duodecimo. There were, however, only a few on the table, and among them a Bible, which bore the marks of frequent use. It was open at the second chapter of the book of Job, and these words of the tenth verse, "What! shall we receive good

at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil ?" were underscored.

This man was Christian Fiirchtegott Gellert. He was reading over a hymn, with which this passage of Job, just quoted, had that moment inspired him. Gellert  shared the lot of many other generous minds. It was often low tide with his revenues—never very considerable. Such was the case at this time ; and to tell the truth, he did not possess a single kreutzer. The day before, however, he had possessed thirty thalers, which he had put aside to buy wood, for it was freezing hard enough to crack the very stones, and all that he had would last him but a week. As for receipts, he did not expect any. This prospect was not very pleasing to a chilly invalid. The temperature of his room seemed to realize his fears, and the window panes began to be covered with the crystal flowers, without color or 23erfame, which recall few cheerful thoughts to those whose windows they adorn. But when the Tempter, armed with cares, came to disturb his peace, Gellert was accustomed to meet him with. another weapon, always victorious— the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. He had done s^- at this time, and lighting on this beautiful passage in the book of Job, "bad meditated upon it with prayer, and under the influence of these words, had written his beautiful hymn.
 " I have had my days of blessing," etc.
a true echo of his scriptural thoughts, and of his present frame of mind.

He had just laid down his pen, and, his head resting on his hands, he said to himself, " No, I have no reason to repent of the use of those thirty thalers. Thou knowest it, O Lord, who canst read my soul! This gloom was a temptation, a want of faith! Pardon me; O Lord! I believe—help thou mine unbelief."

At this moment a knock was heard at the door, and before he could say " Come in ! ''' a stout little man entered, and cordially saluted Gellert. " Good morning, doctor,'' said the latter, extending his hand.

The little man seized this emaciated hand, pressed it warmly, put down his hat and cane, rubbed his hands, and cried, "Whew! how cold you are, my dear professor ! This won't do ! You must have more heat. Put on some wood ! Such cold weather ! Do you want to be really ill?"

'' My wood is out," said Gellert, sadly.

*' Well, buy some more!"

"My money is out, too," stammered Gellert, yet more embarrassed. "But —never mind—I will think of it.''

The doctor, who never stopped long at one thing, then cast his eyes on the paper. "Ah !" said he, ''a new

hymn?"

Gellert bowed, but he was evidently vexed. Without more ceremony, the doctor took the sheet and went to the window. “What! frosty panes, too? This is too bad!" Then, after having read it; "What fervor! What energy! What true Christian feeling! My dear sir, I must carry this off to take a copy. I will bring it back to you tomorrow. My wife, who honors you so much, must have the first sight of it. You will allow me?" And without waiting for an answer, he put it in his pocket. Then approaching the professor, whose looks protested in vain against this summary proceeding, lie felt his pulse. "No improvement! Did you sit up too late last night? Decidedly there is something wrong! You must go out—take rides on horseback. This exercise will be good for you. Buy a little horse ; do you hear?”

Gellert smiled. "Buy, always buy! Have you any more prescriptions as economical as this one ? They will be just as much to the purpose!"

"And this stove," said the doctor; “it must be heated if the last faggot goes in it. I will give my orders below. Now, my dear professor, God be with you!" Saying these words, he bowed hastily, and went out, before Gellert; had time to rise to accompany him to the door.

"Kind and skilful man!" said the latter; "but if I followed all his prescriptions, all old Neidhardt's money

would scarcely suffice."

The remembrance of this name gave another direction to Gellert's thoughts. The melancholy expression of his face disappeared, and his features betrayed more pleasant emotions. He was so much absorbed, that, having gone to the window, he did not even hear the noise made by the landlady in putting into the stove the wood ordered by the doctor.

Now, we must relate the history of those thirty thalers which Gellert had set apart to replenish his provision of wood. The day before he had made use of them, which, although it showed the goodness of his heart, rendered his enjoyment of a warm stove during that winter extremely uncertain.

The “Three Days” are about true humility, faith and giving and receiving.

The whole book is only 122 pages.

The man wrote hymns.