Above:  Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1902

Photographer = T. E. Dillon

H19648 U.S. Copyright Office

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-USZ62-127366

John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948) served as pastor of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Scranton, from 1915 to 1927, and as assistant pastor then as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Scranton, from 1927 to 1938, before becoming a Professor of Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, in 1939.  He translated hymns, especially German ones, and served on the committee which produced the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917).

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The Royal Standard Forward Goes:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/the-royal-standard-forward-goes/

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/o-spirit-of-life-o-spirit-of-god/

Smite Us Not in Anger, Lord:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/smite-us-not-in-anger-lord/

Friend of the Weary, O Refresh Us:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/friend-of-the-weary-o-refresh-us/

Deck Thyself with Joy and Gladness:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/deck-thyself-with-joy-and-gladness/

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Above:  A Clipping from the Mason City Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, June 18, 1945, Page 5

Accessed via newspapers.com

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Above:  Christ the Merciful

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessors

Original German Text by Ludwig Andreas Gotter (1661-1735)

English Translation (1914, 1917) by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948)

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1.  Friend of the weary, O refresh us,

And turn to us Thy loving face,

With Thy sweet peace and pardon bless us,

That sin may be destroyed by grace;

O come, Thy sweet compassion showing,

On our poor souls Thy grace bestowing.

2.  From Thee our only comfort cometh,

Our strength and hope, O Lord of all;

To Thee all power still belongeth

To save and help us in each fall;

Thy grace and pardon will deliver,

And set us free from shame forever.

3.  And Thou did’st help the sick and weary,

Who once were gathered at Thy side,

‘Mid earthly deserts, waste and dreary,

In Thy sure aid we still confide;

When evils come, our souls assailing,

Send us Thy Word of grace unfailing.

Above:  The Missal, by John William Waterhouse

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessors

Original German Text by Johann Georg Albinus (1624-1679)

English Translation (1914) by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948)

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1.  Smite us not in anger, Lord,

But in mercy spare us,

Save us from our just reward,

In Thy pity hear us.

Through our sin,

Great hath been,

Let Christ’s intercession

Cover our transgression.

2.  Strengthen us in love, O Lord,

Gently as a Father;

When Thou dost Thy help afford

All our fears are over.

Weak indeed,

We have need

That Thy love correct us,

And Thy grace protect us.

3.  Glorious God, Thy Name we praise:

Father, Son, and Spirit;

Now and through eternal days,

And Thy mercies merit.

Glory be

Unto Thee

Who hast pity on us,

And with love hast won us.

Above:  Pentecost, by El Greco

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessors

Original German Text (1651) by Johann Niedling (1602-1668)

English Translation (1913) by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948)

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1.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

In ev’ry need Thou bringest aid,

Thou comest forth from God’s great throne,

From God, the Father and the Son;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

2.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

Make us to love Thy sacred Word;

The holy flame of love impart,

That charity may warm each heart;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

3.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

Increase our faith in our dear Lord;

Unless Thy grace the power should give,

None can believe in Christ and life;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

4.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

Enlighten us by Thy blest Word;

Teach us to know the Father’s love,

And His dear Son, Who reigns above:

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

5.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

By Whom our souls to heaven are led,

Make us to fight so valiantly

That we may reign eternally;

O Spirit, O Spirit of God.

6.  O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

Forsake us not in death or need.

We’ll sing Thy praise and honor Thee

With grateful hearts eternally;

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

Above:  One of My Crucifixes, July 15, 2014

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessors

Original Latin Text by St. Venantius Honorius Clementius Fortunatus (Died 600/609)

English Translation (1913) by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948)

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1.  The royal standard forward goes,

The holy Cross with mystery glows,

Where death by life was put to shame,

And life from death triumphant came.

2.  Here from my Saviour ‘s pierced side

Flows forth the purifying tide,

That lets no sinful spot remain,

As blood and water cleanse each stain.

3.  Fulfilled is now the hope foretold,

That faithful prophets sang of old;

When God His wondering people see,

Ruling all nations from the Tree.

4.  Hail! only source of hope and life;

In this sad time of pain and strife,

To faithful souls Thy grace increase,

And to the guilty give Thy peace.

5.  And now, O Blessed Trinity,

Let endless praises be to Thee,

Who through the triumph of Thy love,

Hast gained for us a crown above.

Above:  Icon of Jesus

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Common Service Book (1917), of the predecessor bodies of the United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962), itself a forerunner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1987-)

Original German words by Johann Franck (1618-1677), 1649 and 1653

English translation by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948), 1913

There is also a Catherine Winkworth translation, “Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness.”

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1.  Deck thyself with joy and gladness,

Dwell no more, my soul in sadness;

Let the daylight shine upon thee,

Put thy wedding garment on thee,

For the Lord of life unending

Unto thee His call is sending:

Come! for now the King most holy

Stoops to thee in likeness lowly.

2.  Hasten, then, my soul, to meet Him,

Eagerly and gladly greet Him.

As without He standeth knocking,

Quickly thy soul’s gate unlocking,

Open wide the fast closed portal,

Saying to the Lord immortal,

“Come, and leave Thy servant never,

Dwell within my heart forever.”

3.  Now in faith I humbly ponder

Over the amazing wonder

That the Bread of Life remaineth,

Though it countless souls sustaineth;

That with the blest wine of heaven,

Christ’s own Blood to us is given.

O most glorious consolation,

Pledge and seal of my salvation!

4.  Jesus, source of life and pleasure,

Truest Friend and dearest Treasure,

Thou from Whom all life outgoeth,

Thou from Whom my being floweth,

Humbly now I bow before Thee,

And in penitence adore Thee;

Worthily let me receive Thee,

Perfect peace and pardon give me.