Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script; Roman script
Language: German; English
Weiser Number: 237
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Ich danck dir schön durch dei= \ nen Sohn O Herr Gott vir deine güede Daß du uns hein diese nacht so guetig hast O 1767 \ behüdet In welcher nacht ich lag so hard der füsterniß entfangen Jauch in [ill.] angst \ Der Sinden wahr Die ich mein dag begangen, Darum bitt ich aus hertzen grund Du wollest \ O mir vergäben all meine sünd die Ich begung In meinem gantzem leben? \ Und wollest mich auch diesen dag In deinen schutz Erhalten [daß mir der Feind nicht schaden] Mag Mir Listen \ manig faltig Regiere mich mach dein Leiden dein laß Mich Sind nicht 1767

Beauty without virtue is like a painted Sepulchre Contendmend makes amany hapy without a fortune \ Down with vice and Serve the living god with fear Evil communication Corrupts good meaners 1767 \ Fair faices often hide what the false heart doth know Great good you Sure will faind if you are \ will inclind. How much you write regart not but how well If you afenlt (?) have done for which you \ are chid take cer Judge not that ye be not judged for wit with what measare Knowledge s Sublime is \ geanet by much time Labour for that which goeth not to decay Most precious Time floone (?) wich now [text breaks off]

Christian Stauffer in L Lowr Solforth Taunschip Philatelphia Caunty I Im Jahr 1767

Jilles Kassel du Ich nennen und dhu ihn auch gar wohl kennen Christian Stauffer bin ich g genan und bin dier auch nicht unbekand

Translation:

I thank you well through your son, O Lord God, for your goodness, that you have in this night so graciously, O 1767, protected. In which night I lay so hard in darkness. I know the fear of sin which I have committed this day, for this I plead from the bottom of my heart that you will forgive, o me, all my sins that I have committed in my entire life. And that on this day you will keep me under your protection, [that the enemy will not shame me] with lists of my many faults. Rule over me, make your suffering mine, do not let me sin. 1767.

Beauty without virtue is like a painted sepulcher. Contentment makes many happy without a fortune. Down with vice and serve the living God with fear. Evil communication corrupts good manners. 1767. Fair faces often hide what the false heart does know. Great good you sure will find if you are well inclined. How much you write regard not but how well. If you afenlt (?) have done for which you are chided take care. Judge not that you be not judged for with what measure. Knowledge sublime is earned by much time. Labor for that which goes not to decay. Most precious time floone (?) which now [text breaks off]

Christian Stauffer in Lower Solforth Township, Philadelphia County, in the year 1767.

Jilles Kassel I call you and you also know him well. Christian Stauffer is me and am also not unknown to you.

Category: Religious Text
Media Type: Lithographs
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The text in Fraktur and German and Roman script extends across the entire document. The first five lines are in Fraktur, with the first line in particularly prominent and decorative calligraphy. The first letter is especially large and richly decorated with leafy stems and flowers. Two lines in German script are below the Fraktur. The English text in Roman script within a rectangular border is in the lower portion of the item. The names and place in Fraktur are within the border on the bottom of the page. The entire document is enclosed in a decorative frame. The German text is a hymn that was written in Leipzig, Germany, in 1586. The scribe apparently inadvertently omitted one line [noted in brackets].
For another religious text made by Christian Stauffer and dated 1769, see Dennis Moyer, p. 6.

Associated Names: Stauffer, Christian
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

Dennis K. Moyer, Fraktur Writings and Folk Art Drawings of the Schwenkfelder Library Collection (Kutztown, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1997), p. 6.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on inscription on document
Region/County:Philadelphia [now Montgomery]
City/Town/Township:Lower Salford Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1767
Image Dimensions Width: 18.3 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 373
Creator Name: Christian Stauffer (?-?) - Decorator
Christian Stauffer (?-?) - Scrivener