Timeless Christians

Rinkart, Martin

Martin Rinkart was a beloved German minister, musician, and poet in Eilenburg, Saxony, famous for his godly attitude in a time of terrible crisis.

Much of his life was lived amid the horrors of the Thirty Years' War. This was a long conflict between Protestants and Catholics which wiped out a third of the German people.

Eilenburg, being a small walled town, became a refuge for fugitives from all around. It became overcrowded and suffered from plague and famine. At one point, Rinkart was the only pastor able to work, and people were dropping dead so fast that he had to conduct fifty funerals a day. Hungry refugees fought for dead cats and birds. Although he and his family were hungry, Rinkart shared what food he had and borrowed against his salary for years ahead in order to be able to do more for others.

Once a Swedish general demanded 30,000 florins from Eilenburg. There was no way the people could raise that sum, and Rinkart pleaded in their behalf. When the general would not relent, the pastor and his people fell to their knees and prayed earnestly. The general was moved and reduced the amount to 2,000 florins.

Rinkart suffered many trials. His food was confiscated by soldiers, and he was forced to quarter them in his house. Yet he maintained a cheerful spirit. When the Thirty Years' War ended, Rinkart and his people held a grand celebration for which he wrote a beloved hymn.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

Johann Sebastian Bach used the tune and words for one of his great chorales. The hymn will always be remembered for that, but Rinkart is remembered for his faithful love to God and service to his countrymen.

by Dan Graves