8.
Jesus nimmt die Sünder an,
Mich hat er auch angenommen
Und den Himmel aufgetan,
Dass ich selig zu ihm kommen
Und auf den Trost sterben kann:
Jesus nimmt die Sünder an.
The four stanzas of our text correspond to stanzas 1, 4, 7, and 8 of the original. The translation is by Mrs. Emma Frances Beaven, 1827-1909, concerning whom no biographical information has been traced. Her work was altered somewhat to fit McGranahan’s tune.
Erdmann Neumeister was a distinguished student and afterwards lecturer at Leipzig University. Later he achieved fame as a court preacher and as pastor of St. James’ Church, Hamburg. An eloquent preacher and a strong High Lutheran, he opposed the Moravians and the Pietists of his day, holding that their teachings were too subjective. Besides being a gifted preacher, he was also a musician of ability and eminence. He originated the cantata form of church music and composed a number of works in that form. He is the author of 650 hymns, many of them of the highest rank and still in general use in Germany though only a few have been translated into English.
MUSIC. NEUMEISTER. For comments on the composer of this popular gospel tune with its change of rhythm in the refrain, James McGranahan, see [Hymn 450].