Moravian
Hymn #Appendix 38.
This writer was born on July 15, 1704 at a place called Klettenberg, being south of the Harz Mountains, Brunswick, Germany. His father, Georg, was a court preacher under the Count of Hohenstein. He was left an orphan at age 13 and was sent to Ilefeld and from there in poor circumstances, in 1722, to the University of Jena to study law. He soon gave up law for the study of “theology.” In 1728 that faithful proclaimer of the gospel, Count VonZinzendorf, came to Jena and he and Spangenberg met. This could have been when the work of God’s grace wrought first solidly in his soul, for in 1730 he visited the Moravian colony at Herrnhut from which center the Moravians sent forth the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. He there set up a work for the care of the sick and poor. He also gave free lectures at Jena which were well attended. People in those days wanted to hear the Word of God and would travel distances for it.
Later he was expelled from Halle where he had served as assistant professor of “theology,” because of his connection with the gospel preachers of Count Zinzendorf. He then went to Herrnhut and continued his work there. He was devoted to the extensive missionary work in Germany, England, Denmark, Holland, Surinam, Georgia and other places. It was he that first awakened John Wesley in Georgia as to his true state. John, still unsaved, had gone to Georgia to preach to the Indians! Both John and Charles were really brought to Christ through the Moravian gospel testimony.
Spangenberg succeeded Count Zinzendorf as the leader at Herrnhut. He died at Berthelsdorf on the 18th of September, 1792. His name is associated with the list of German hymn writers such as Zinzendorf, Spener, Augustus H. Franke, Friederich VonHardenberg and others. We here repeat his hymn showing to Whom he had looked for salvation and Whom he praised for it!
“We adore Thee evermore, Hallelujah!
Savior, for Thy boundless grace, Hallelujah!
For the cross, whereby to us,—Hallelujah!
Sure is made eternal bliss. Hallelujah!
For Thy death which set us free,—Hallelujah!
From sin’s cruel slavery,—Hallelujah!
For Thine all-atoning blood,—Hallelujah!
Which hath brought us nigh to God. Hallelujah!”