The Central Presbyterian

The Author of "God Calling Yet."

The beautiful hymn which has lately become a favorite in the Sunday Schools, Young People's Meetings, and Inquiry Meetings, beginning, "God calling yet," was written by Gerhard Tersteegen. Thousands who sing this hymn, and who also love to sing another precious stanza from a hymn by the same author, beginning

"Is there a thing beneath the sun,
That strives with Thee my heart to share?"

know but a little of the personal history of the writer. Others who love to read,

"Thou hidden love of God, whose height"—

have never heard of the great religious happiness and elevation of soul that its German author enjoyed.

Gerhard Tersteegen, the original author of the hymns to which we have alluded, and one of the most eminent religious poets of the Reformed German Church in its early days, was born in 1697, in the town of Mors, in Westphalia. He was left an orphan in boyhood by the death of his father, and, as his mother's means were limited, he was put to work as an apprentice when very young, at Muhlheim, on the Rhur. Here, when about fifteen years of age, he became deeply concerned for his soul, and experienced a deep and abiding spiritual work. He was riding one day to Duisburg in a deep forest alone, when he suddenly fell ill, being thrown into violent convulsions that threatened his life. He fell upon his knees and implored God to spare his life, that he might prepare for eternity. He experienced almost immediate relief, and at once dedicated his life to Christ. An inward conflict followed, for his early religious comforts seem to have been like wandering lights, now vanishing, now appearing. He used to express this state of his experience in the words of St. Augustine:

"My heart is pained, nor can it be
At rest, till it finds rest in thee."

But his religious perceptions became clearer; the fountains of heavenly refreshment were opened; his soul entered into the rest of divine love, and found in it a present heaven. He thus gracefully writes of the change: "He took me by the hand, he drew me away from perdition's yawning gulf, directed my eye to himself, and opened to me the unfathomable abyss of his loving heart." He seemed to be drawn into closer fellowship with God as youth ripened into manhood, and to live, as it were, on the heavenly confines as manhood fruited in a serene and cloudless old age. At the age of 27, he dedicated all his resources and energies to the cause of Christ, writing the dedication in his own blood. "God graciously called me," he says, "out of the world, and granted me the desire to belong to him, and to be willing to follow him. I long for an eternity that I may suitably glorify him for it."

When he was thirty years of age, a great spiritual awakening was experienced at Muhlheim, and although Tersteegen shrank from public notice, he was prevailed upon to address the people on themes relating to religious experience. He began to preach in private houses, but was soon compelled to enter upon more public labors. He gave up secular employments altogether, and devoted his whole time to religious instruction and to the poor. His house became famous as the Pilgrim's Cottage, and was visited, not only by the most eminent Christians of Germany but by multitudes of people from foreign lands. Thus spending his time in communion with God and in humble charities, and speaking to the spiritually minded people who flocked to visit him, of the consolations of his own luminous experience, and of the new discoveries that grace was constantly making to his soul, beloved at home and revered and respected in foreign lands, his life drew near a triumphant exit, which took place April 3d, 1769. He lived an ascetic life in his best years, practising austerities, that no physical impediment might shut out the heavenly light or hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in conforming his soul to the will of God. He produced one hundred religious poems and spiritual songs, some of the best of which Wesley translated, and whose authorship is attributed to Wesley in most American collections of hymns. The following is a very literal translation of Tersteegen's hymn beginning,

GOD CALLING YET.

God calling yet—and shall I never hearken?
But still earth's witcheries my spirit darken;
This passing life, these passing joys, all flying,
And still my soul in dreamy slumbers lying.

God calling yet!—and I not yet arising?
So long his loving, faithful voice despising;
So falsely his unwearied care repaying;
He calls me still—and still I am delaying.

God calling yet!—loud at my door is knocking
And I, my heart, my ear, still firmer locking,
He still is ready, willing to receive me,
Is waiting now, but ah! he soon may leave me.

God calling yet!—and I no answer giving;
I dread his yoke, and am in bondage living;
Too long I linger, but not yet forsaken,
He calls me still—O my poor heart awaken!

Oh, calling yet! I can no longer tarry,
Nor to my God a heart divided carry;
Now, vain and giddy world, your spells are broken,
Sweeter than all the voice of God hath spoken.