Mentzer, Johann

Mentzer, Johann a Lutheran theologian of Germany, was born at Jahmen, in Upper Lusatia, July 27, 1658. He studied at Wittenberg, was in 1691 preacher at Merzdorf, in 1693 at Hauswalde, in 1696 at Kemnitz, near Bernstadt, and died Feb. 24,1734. He wrote about thirty-four hymns, some of which are translated into English, as Lob sei dir, treuer Gott und Vater (in Chorale Book for England, No. 8, "I praise Thee, O my God and Father"); O dass ich tausend Zungen hatte (by Mills, in Horae Germanicae, page 189, "Oh that I had a Thousand Voices!"); Wer das Kleinod will erlangen (in Lyra Germanica, 2:222, "He who'd make the Prize his Own"). See Otto, Lexikon der oberlausitzischen Schriftsteller, 2:581-584; Koch; Geschichte des deutschen Kirchenliedes, 5:220 sq. (B.P.)