Gustav Jahn

“On March 29, 1888, Gustav Jahn, superintendent of the Rescue Home in Züllchow at Stettin, went to his heavenly home. He was a faithful laborer in the field of Home Missions. In his intense activity he reminded one of Fliedner and Wichern.

He was born on February 23, 1818, the second son of the agriculturist and tawer, (Andrew) Jahn at Sandershausen in Anhalt-Dessau (Saxony). His father designated him for the trade of a tanner. With many inner struggles the son acceded to his Father’s will, although he was ambitious for higher things. At the time when he was still engaged in processing hides, he had already established a reputation as a poet, having rendered the Song of Songs in verse. It was a great relief for him when he gave up the work at the tannery, with his father’s consent and himself to the pursuit of agriculture. For six years he had been the mayor of his home city when he was offered the position of superintendent of the rescue mission and home for lay brothers in Züllchow, in the summer of 1858. For almost thirty years he served there, uninterruptedly, and with great success. During this long time he brought the originally insignificant institution to considerable importance. He also was instrumental in inaugurating many other endeavors. His was a highly original personality. He was the embodiment of the German tradition of cheerful good nature and a deep inner feeling. He was a practical man in every respect, loving his work and sanctifying it by his noble, Christian mind. He always strove for the highest Christian ideals. Gustav Jahn was a lay preacher in word and deed in the best sense of the term. His influence extended far beyond the environment of the institution which he supervised. An abiding memorial, ever more important than the above mentioned poeticl versions of the Canticles are the popular books which he wrote: “The History of the French Revolution;” “The Wars of Liberation;” “Comrade Heschel;” “Fred the Cripple;” and books dealing with the Franco-Prussian war.”

Translated by Gustav Jahn's grandson, Richard Jahn, from the original Daheim Kalender, 1890.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu