Martin Rinkart

The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) was the most destructive war ever fought in Germany, including the two World Wars.  While a lot of political drama added to the tinder, the main conflict was between the fragmented Catholic states of the Holy Roman Empire and the various Protestant states.  The war began when Ferdinand II, the Holy Roman Emperor, made moves to conquer the various Protestant states in Bohemia, precipitating this deadly conflict which eventually drew in most of the states in Europe, including Denmark, Sweden, and France.  Complex alliances were formed: the Catholics in France supported the Protestants in Germany, the Swedes and Danes allied with the Lutherans, Spain sided with the Emperor, France got involved to weaken their rival Spain.

Eilenburg, in today’s Eastern Germany, was a walled city and therefore a refuge for war-displaced people.  As soldiers from each side came through, they compelled the citizens of Eilenburg to quarter and provision them.  As you can imagine, food was scarce and times were very hard.

When the Thirty Years’ War began Eilenburg had a new pastor, Martin Rinkart.  Martin did his very best to tend to his flock as well as provide for his young family.  Overcrowding and hunger led to plague in 1637.  Of the four pastors in Eilenburg one fled and two others succumbed to disease, leaving Martin the sole pastor for the town.  In addition to giving spiritual counsel, he performed as many as 50 funerals a day, including that of his wife.  At times, large trenches were dug for mass burials.  Over 8,000 died in the city.  Following the plague came famine.

In the midst of this famine the Swedish army returned in 1639, demanding 300,000 florins (roughly $2-3M) as a tribute.  Rinkart, now the leading spokesman for the city, spoke with the General requesting they lower their demands.  Up the general’s refusal, Martin returned to the town and addressed the survivors saying, “Come, my children, we can find no hearing, no mercy with men, [so] let us take refuge with God.”  The sight of this pastor leading his town in prayer so moved the General that he lowered his demand to 2,000 florins.

The war continued.  As the long war finally drew to a close, Martin found himself the object of much criticism from his own townspeople.  He has indebted himself tremendously to be able to feed himself and his children, all the while giving generously.  He had also indebted the town in his efforts to feed those survivors in his city.  When a permanent peace finally came in 1648, Martin Rinkart was exhausted and the following year the 63-year-old pastor passed away.

Sometimes, the most trying times drive God’s people to the deepest faith.  It was in the midst of literal war, famine, and plague that Martin penned a hymn of Thanksgiving for his church:

Now thank we all our God; With heart and hands and voices;

Who wondrous things hath done; In whom His world rejoices;

Who, from our mother’s arms; Hath blest us on our way;

With countless gifts of love; And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God; Thro’ all our life be near us;

With ever joyful hearts; And blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us in His grace; And guide us when perplexed;

And free us from all ills; In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God; The Father now be given;

The Son and Him who reigns; With them in highest Heaven;

The one eternal God; Whom earth and heav’n adore;

For thus it was, is now; And shall be evermore.

 

https://historyguild.org/the-thirty-years-war/

https://g3min.org/thanksgiving-during-a-plague-martin-rinkart-1586-1649/

https://breakpoint.org/giving-thanks-in-dark-times-the-life-and-labors-of-martin-rinkart-1586-1649/