Item Details
Unpublished manuscript diary of Lutheran minister, Franz Heinrich Härter.
Ittenheim, Bas-Rhine, France: Mss, c.1823-1824. Unique. Hardcover. François-Henri Haerter (or Franz Heinrich Härter in German), born in Strasbourg on August 1, 1797 and died in the same city on August 5, 1874, is a Lutheran pastor, founder of works, notably the Deaconesses of Strasbourg. He played a leading role in the Pietist Revival in Alsace. He studied at the Jean-Sturm Gymnasium, then at the theological seminary, which he entered more to please his father than out of conviction. During his studies, he became friends with Professor Frédéric Emmerich, who gradually became his spiritual mentor. Shaken by the deaths of his father and mentor, he left to further his studies in Germany, despite his fragile health. Ordained a pastor in 1822, he married the following year. The new couple settled in Ittenheim, where the pastor was appointed. During Haerter's six years of ministry in this parish, he distinguished himself as a preacher and established an association of local schoolteachers. He visited Pastor Oberlin at Ban de la Roche several times, feeling close to his ideas.
Apart from his parish work, Härter is best known for creating and leading diaconal and evangelization institutions, the most prominent of which today are the Strasbourg Deaconesses' Clinic and the Lucie Berger College. In 1834, he contributed to the creation and subsequent missions of the Strasbourg Evangelical Society. He played a fundamental role in the founding and organization of the Congregation of Deaconesses in 1842, initially called the "Servants of the Poor."
The head of title on the manuscript translates to "My Pastoral Experience, or Insight." The entries begin in 1823, at that time, Härter was young in his ministry career. The text is arranged chronologically and runs from März/March 1823 to 1829 – the period from Härter’s ordination to the beginning of his pastorate in Strasbourg. As Rationalist and Revivalist, Härter became deeply involved in community affairs in this period, participating in school reform, medical practice and moral instruction. In 1828 Härter’s wife died, plunging him into a depression, and deeper into his pastoral work which might the entries cease in 1829. In May 1829, Härter became the fourth pastor at the Lutheran New Church, Strasbourg.
Of note in 1826, writes of a medical mixture or treatment: "Rx: Aquaforte (strong mixture or solution) with water, Camphor, Tinct. cinnamomum (sp?). for Kranke (sickness) at night. He also took on medical duties, strove for a stricter, more spiritual morality within his congregation, and cared for the weaker members of the parish. Previously beginning in 1820, Franz Heinrich Härter himself fell ill and went to Bad Hub for clinical treatment. The spa was run by the Kampmann family, who lived in Strasbourg. There are several references to Bad Hub at the beginning of the entries. Very Good+. Moderate shelf/edgewear, worn corners, light staining/foxing, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Quarter vellum over mottled boards, laid paper. 4to. np. 16pp. [34pp]. In German. Item #13548
Price: $1,250.00