CHAPTER VI.
George Weiss: Writer and Compiler of Hymns.
Our bibliographical account of Rev. George Weiss, the first minister of the Schwenkfelders in America, has been reduced to the minimum, both in order to save space, and also because the sources cited in the footnote below will furnish the reader a sufficient life-sketch of the subject of our study in this chapter. As already noted, he was the son of Caspar Weiss, whose work on behalf of Schwenkf elder hymnology we have just considered. He was born at Harpersdorf, in Silesia, 1687, and died within the present limits of Lower Sal ford township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on the eleventh of March, 1740.
Like his father, he was admirably fitted for the work of a hymnodist. He had a natural bent for the writing of poetry, although unfortunately he never received training in the poetic art—a fact which he himself lamented frequently, both in his efforts as a compiler of hymns, as well as when acting in the role of a hymn writer. He had rendered his father much assistance in transcribing and compiling the hymns of the collection of 1709. He was versed in three of the ancient languages—Hebrew,' Greek and Latin. Being of pious parentage, he was early indoctrinated with Biblical principles, as well as grounded in the creed and tenets of Caspar von Schwenkfeld. Indeed, it may safely be said that there has never been a more intensely spiritual Schwenkfelder than George Weiss.[1]
The following brief account of George Weiss, extant in manuscript, may be submitted in this connection; inasmuch as it is here published for the first time, and also because it was penned by his co-eval and lifelong bosom friend, Rev. Balthaser Hoffmann. It bears the date of 1753.
- ↑ For an account of the literary and ministerial activity of Rev. George Weiss, see: H. W. Kriebel, The Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania, pp. 56ff. and 186ff. Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders, pp. xxiii and 1-3.
