THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 161
tions for which he chose an epistolary form. And in 1754 he sent forth his " Didactic Poems." Year by year he continued writing, teaching, and lecturing, with only such intermission as his attacks of melancholy rendered necessary.
In the year 1757 the calamities of war led him to wish to leave Leipsic, and he retired for a time to Bonan, and afterwards to Eisenberg. At length, his services were publicly recognized by the bestowment on him of a pension, which served to recruit his resources, so often reduced by his benefactions. In the year of his death, 1709, he occupied himself with revising his moral lessons, which are entitled " Thoughts on Religion," but it was left to others to publish them. After much affliction, he at length died in prayer, an appropriate ending of his holy life. His bio grapher says, " Perhaps no grave has ever been watered with so many and such sincere tears."
His " Sacred Odes and Hymns " bear date 1757. Of these his biographer says : " These sacred songs bear the faithful impres sion of Gellert s character ; they show how deeply his mind was penetrated with the precepts of religion, how readily he acqui esced in its mysteries, how much he desired to be as good as this heavenly guide invites us to become ; they show his unfeigned humility, the moderation of his wishes, his love for his fellow- creatures, his efforts to promote their happiness, and to subdue them to the benevolent empire of virtue and true piety. He frequently uses the language of Scripture. He prefers to meta phorical expressions those which address themselves directly to the heart. The same choice appears in his hymns, which con tain more reasoning than warmth, and are more intended to instruct, than to display sentiment."
Gellert s hymns were not mere literary performances. He pre ceded their composition by prayer and careful heart-preparation ; and if he felt that his heart was not in tune, he refrained from composition. He says on one occasion, " I will for a time lay aside this work ; perhaps God of His grace will inspire my mind with new vigour, and improve my present dispositions." Gellert
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