A Testimony to My Son by Paul Gerhardt
Note: This was written by the great hymnwriter, the Rev. Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) in the year of his death at the age of 69. It is addressed to his son Paul Friedrich Gerhardt (1662-1716), who did go on to become a pastor and theology professor. This text is quoted in Paul Gerhardt 1607-1676: An Illustrated Biography by Hans-Joachim Beeskow (2007), 92-94. ~ Ed.
Now that I have reached the seventieth year of my life, I have with it the joyous hope that my devout and loving God will shortly release me from this world and lead me in a better life than I have had thus far on earth. I thank Him firstly for all His goodness and faithfulness, which He has afforded me right from being in my mother’s womb up until the current hour, in body and spirit, and for everything, which He has given me. In addition, I ask Him from the bottom of my heart, if he so desires, to give me a peaceful departure when my time comes, to take my soul in his fatherly hands and to bless my body with peaceful rest in the earth until the day of God comes, when I will awake again with all my friends and family, those who were before me and also those who remain after me, and my beloved Lord Jesus Christ, in whom I have believed and yet never seen, I will look at face to face. My own son, whom I leave behind, I leave you little by way of earthly possessions, but nevertheless, an honest name, of which you have nothing to be ashamed.
You know, my son, that I entrusted you from your tender childhood to the Lord my God, that you should become a minister and preacher of His Holy Word. You should remain true to this and do not worry, that you will not always have good days, for in those times the love of God knows what to do and can sufficiently replace the external misery with inner pleasure and the joy of the spirit.
Study the holy theology in true universities and be on your guard for syncretists, for they look only at the here and now and are faithful neither to God nor people. In your daily life, do not follow evil, but the will and command of your God. In particular:
1) Do not do anything evil in the hope that it will remain undiscovered, for it will come to light.
2) In your work and jobs, do not be wrathful. Take note, then, if you become filled by anger, to remain stock still and don’t utter a word until you have seriously considered the Ten Commandments and the Christian faith.
3) Be ashamed of the lust of the flesh, and when you come to such an age that you can marry, so marry with God and good advice from devout, faithful, and understanding people.
4) Do good to people, whether or not they have done the same to you, for what people cannot repay, the Creator of heaven and earth has long since paid, as He created you, as He sent you His own beloved Son, and as He has adopted you through Holy Baptism as His child and heir.
5) Flee from avarice like hell; be satisfied in what you have acquired with honor and good conscience, whether or not it is much. But you are blessed that the loving God gives more than you expect, so ask Him, that He protect you from the misuse of worldly possessions.
In conclusion, pray diligently, study what is true, live peacefully, minister earnestly, and remain steadfast in your faith and beliefs. So will you some day also die and part from this world willingly, joyfully, and blessed. Amen.
