Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

JANE BORTHWICK.

MISS JANE BORTHWICK is of Scotch birth and descent. The name of Borthwick is purely Scotch. Her sister is the wife of the Rev. Eric J. Findlater, minister of the Free Church of Balquhidder, in the Presbytery of Dunblane, of a family well known in the annals of the Scotch Church. The two sisters early became interested in German hymnology. Several excellent translations from the German were given to the public, with the title of "Hymns from the Land of Luther," through the press of Kennedy, Edinburgh, in 1854. Others followed in four series. The whole were published together in 1862. Miss Borthwick in 1859 published, also, her "Thoughts for Thoughtful Hours." She has also contributed, under the signature of "H. L. L.," frequent poetic articles to "The Family Treasury." Her latest work, "Alpine Lyrics: a Selection from the Poems of Meta Heusser-Schweizer," appeared in November, 1874.

The translations occupy "a somewhat different field from the Lyra Germanica," by Miss Winkworth, "dealing mostly with hymns of a more modern and less congregational cast, and representing several writers whose names do not appear in the Lyra Germanica." "A few of" them "may be considered as rather imitations than translations, although the ideas and structure are too much borrowed to allow them to be called original."

The hymn, "Jesus, Son of Righteousness," is a translation of

"Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit," etc.,

by Christian Knorr von Rosenroth (1616-1689), of Silesia. "A pilgrim and a stranger," is a version of

"Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden," etc.,

by Paul Gerhardt (1606–1676), of Saxony. "My Jesus, as thou wilt," is a version of

"Mein Jesu! wie du willst," etc.,

by Benjamin Schmolke (1672-1737), also of Silesia. This favorite with the late Rev. Dr. New York, as it is with many

translation was a great Thomas H. Skinner, of

other devout Christians. "Rejoice, all ye believers," is a popular version of

"Ermuntert euch, ihr Frommen,” etc.,

by Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722), of Holstein. [See RoSENROTH, GERHARDT, SCHMOLKE, LAURENTI.]

The subjoined stanzas are Miss Borthwick's version of Spitta's

"Der Christen Schmuck und Ordensband," etc.:

[blocks in formation]

ANTOINETTE BOURIGNON was a French mystic of the seventeenth century. She was the daughter of Jean Bou

rignon and Marguerite Beckwart, of Lisle, Flanders, where she was born, January 13, 1616. Her deformity as an infant was so great as to create an aversion to her, even in the minds of her parents. But, with advancing years, she developed no little sprightliness of mind. At an early age she became fascinated with books of devotion, and was attracted to a life of celibacy. At twenty, she was promised by her parents, in marriage, to a French merchant. To escape it, she fled from home, in male disguise, to the village of Basseck. Her disguise being discovered, she was exposed to indignities, but was protected by the parish priest. By his advice and that of the Archbishop of Cambray, she returned home.

Another attempt to give her in marriage, three years later, induced her to leave her parents again, and take refuge at Mons, under the protection of the Archbishop. On the occasion of her mother's fatal illness, she once more returned home, and remained until her father's death, in 1648. New suitors now sought her hand and wealth, but she resisted their importunities, and devoted herself to a single life.

Desirous of doing good with her worldly means, she took charge (1653) of a foundling hospital at Lisle. In 1658, she joined the order of Augustines. Not long after, with others of the house, she was accused of sortilege, and, in 1662, she again left home. Four years were spent at Ghent and Malines. Thence, in 1667, she repaired to Amsterdam, where, by her numerous tracts and discourses, she soon attracted great attention. Renouncing her connection with the Church of Rome, she claimed a divine commission to found a new and pure communion. Among her converts was Christian de Cordt, a Jansenist priest, who purchased, as a retreat for her community, the island of Noordtstrandt, in the Holstein, bequeathing it to her at his death, in 1669. Thither she retired in 1671, and established a printing press, by means of which she issued a large number of tracts in French, Dutch, and German. Her opposition to the priesthood, and the extravagance of some of

her mystic theories, made her an object of persecution. She withdrew in consequence (1676) to Hamburg, and then to East Frisland. But, finding no rest, she set out to return to Holland. On the way, she was overtaken with a fatal disorder, and died, October 30, 1680, at Frankfort. Her "Works" were published (1686) in nineteen volumes. Peter Poiret, a Cartesian, one of her admirers, reduced her mysticisms to a systematic form, and published them, in 1705, at Frankfort, by the name of "Oeconomiæ Divinæ libri VI." An English translation of one of her most important works, "La Lumiere du Monde "-"The Light of the World: a most True Relation of the Pilgrimess M. Antonia Bourignon, Travelling towards Eternity," (London, 1696)-met with a ready sale in Great Britain, and gained her adherents even in Scotland. one time, such was the influence of her doctrines, candidates for the Presbyterian ministry were required to denounce Bourignonism. For twenty years, it was her boast, that she had not read a word of the Holy Scriptures.

At

The hymn, "Venés, Jesus! mon Salutaire," was written at an early period of her career (1640), when she renounced the world for a religious life. In the original it has five double stanzas. It has much of the spirit of the Gospel. The translation has been erroneously claimed for Dr. John Byrom (1723-1786). John Wesley's translation has eight stanzas the third, sixth, and seventh being usually omitted. They are as follows:

"While in this region here below,

No other good will I pursue;
I'll bid this world of noise and show,
With all its glittering snares, adieu.

"Wealth, honor, pleasure, and what else
This short-enduring world can give,
Tempt as ye will, my soul repels;

To Christ alone resolved to live.

"Thee I can love, and thec alone,

With pure delight and inward bliss;
To know thou tak'st me for thine own,
Oh! what a happiness is this!"

HUGH BOURNE.

1772-1852.

HUGH BOURNE was born, April 7, 1772, at Fordhays, Staffordshire, England. At an early day, his parents, who were Methodists, removed with him to Bemersley, in the same county. He, too, joined the Methodists at Ridgway, in 1799. He had become a timber-merchant, but now gave much time to the study of the Bible and theological books. In 1801, he began to preach as an evangelist, and three years later, in company with William Clowes, he went everywhere, preaching the word, throughout the district.

Having heard, from America, what a gracious work had been accomplished there by Camp-Meetings, he introduced the system into Staffordshire. The measure was opposed by the Wesleyan Conference, and Bourne, in consequence, was expelled (1808),—as was Clowes, in 1810. The year following, they organized the first Primitive Methodist Society at Tunstall. The enterprise met with favor. Societies multiplied. A magazine was started in 1818, and a book-room opened in 1821, at Bemersley. In 1822, was published, "A Collection of Hymns for Camp-Meetings, Revivals, etc., for the Use of the Primitive Methodists. By Hugh Bourne." It contained 154 hymns, fifteen of which were from Mr. Bourne's pen. Three years later a "Large Hymn Book, for the Use of the Primitive Methodists, by Hugh Bourne," was issued, containing 536 hymns, nineteen of which are attributed to "Bourne," and 148 to "Bourne and Wm. Sanders." Mr. Bourne's poetry has little save its fervor and piety to commend it. After a laborious and very successful ministry, he died, October 11, 1852, at Bemersley, at the age of fourscore years. The following stanzas from his pen might be used of himself:

"Enoch, the seventh, walked with God,

Through a long course of years;

He rested on the Saviour's blood,
While in this vale of tears.

« AnteriorContinuar »