Feast of Richard Massie (June 18)

Above:  The Groves, Chester, England, Between 1890 and 1900

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-ppmsc-08174

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RICHARD MASSIE (JUNE 18, 1800-MARCH 11, 1887)

Hymn Translator

Richard Massie (1800-1887) was an independently wealthy man, an avid gardener, and a translator of hymns from the German language.  He was fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue his avocations, which were positive.  He was also the first of twenty-two children of the Reverend Richard Massie and Hester Massie.  Our saint grew up in the rectory of St. Bride’s Parish, Chester, England.  On January 7, 1834, he married Mary Ann Hughes of Chester.  Their marriage ended seven years later, when she died.

Massie’s first interest was gardening.  He was unusual among English gardeners of the time in that he had a rock garden.  Our saint’s other great hobby was translating German-language hymns.  He contributed translations to publications, such as the Reverend William Reid’s British Herald (1864-1875) and to hymnals, such as William Mercer’s Church Psalter and Hymn Book (1862 and 1864).  Our saint also published books, such as Martin Luther’s Spiritual Songs (1854) and the two volumes (1860 and 1864) of Lyra Domestica.

My research has indicated that Massie’s texts, to the extent that they appeared in twentieth-century hymnals, did so in altered forms.  Regardless of the reasons for altering the original translations and what one thinks of the changes themselves, the best way to read the original translations is from Massie’s books and the publications to which he contributed texts.  One can also read a few of these texts at my GATHERED PRAYERS weblog.

Massie died at Cheshire, on one of his two estates, on March 11, 1887.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 15, 2015 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear God of beauty,

you have granted literary ability and spiritual sensitivity to

Richard Massie and others, who have translated hymn texts.

May we, as you guide us,

find worthy hymn texts to be icons,

through which we see you.

In the Name of God:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 44:1-3a, 5-15

Psalm 147

Revelation 5:11-14

Luke 2:8-20

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 20, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS AMATOR OF AUXERRE AND GERMANUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; SAINT MAMERTINUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT; AND SAINT MARCIAN OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONK

THE FEAST OF JOHANNES BUGENHAGEN, GERMAN LUTHERAN PASTOR

THE FEAST OF SAINT MARCELLINUS OF EMBRUN, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF OLAVUS AND LAURENTIUS PETRI, RENEWERS OF THE CHURCH

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++