Richter, Christian Frederic, was born at Sorau, in Silesia, October 5, 1676; was graduated from the University of Halle, and became identified with the celebrated orphanage there. He was a student of medicine, as well as of theology. A Christian physician and scientist, he took his religion into everything that he did. "He made many chemical experiments, for which he prepared himself by special prayer, and invented many compounds which came into extensive use under the name of the 'Halle medicines.'" Among the holy men and gifted writers of hymns and other forms of devotional literature who made famous the earlier school of German Pietists at Halle Richter was one of the most noted. Many of the thirty-three hymns that he wrote are not only deeply spiritual, but are possessed of genuine poetic merit. Richter died October 5, 1711.

My soul before thee prostrate lies 273