Edmund S. Lorenz

During all ages music has been regarded as the handmaid of religion. The bards of old were co-workers with the prophets in cultivating the spiritual natures of the people. So it has followed naturally that while music has done much for religion, religion has also done much for music. With a desire to purify and elevate the music of God’s sanctuary there has naturally come to many preachers of the Gospel the necessity of writing such songs as seemed to them suited to worship. Some ministers with special musical talent have found such a field of usefulness in this line that they have given up preaching to devote themselves entirely to the work of writing music, feeling that they could serve God and humanity as well in this way as in preaching. The subject of this sketch is one who is now devoting his life to sacred music, and he is preaching through gospel
song to thousands of people all over the world, who otherwise would never hear his voice.

Edmund Simon Lorenz is the eldest son of Rev. Edward and Barbara (Gueth) Lorenz, and was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 13, 1854. Edmund attended the public schools in Stark County, in Cleveland and in Toledo, Ohio, and after graduating from the high school at the latter city engaged in teaching. Next he entered Otterbein University, from which he graduated with the degree of A. M. He was a student of Union Biblical Seminary, of Dayton, Ohio, and later in Yale Theological Seminary, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In 1883 and 1884 he studied in the University at Leipzig, Germany, giving special attention to philosophy and church history.

After his return from Europe he filled the pastorate of High Street United Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio, for two years. In 1887 he was elected president of Lebanon Yalley College, at Annville, Pa. He entered upon this work with zeal and devotion, to which was due great progress in the development and usefulness of the institution. But his physical constitution, undermined by the double work of musical editing and study during his collegiate and theological training, and the severity of his previous pastoral duties, suddenly gave way in 1888, and he was completely prostrated. The next three years were passed in weary invalidism, and though his health is now excellent he is still compelled to limit his public efforts and his enjoyment of general society. Shut out from public work, he turned his attention to music, which had been his diversion previously, and in the theory of which art he had been thoroughly grounded.

Mr. Lorenz published his first book in 18Y5. Since then he has edited fifty books which include Sunday-school song books, gospel song books, hymnals and anthem books, books for male voices and for primary classes, services and cantatas, sheet music and even organ music. His compositions are wholly of a religious character.

In 1886 Mr. Lorenz projected a series of books on revival work, and in 1887 issued ” The Coming Revival,” a handbook for laymen ; also ” The Gospel Worker’s Treasury of Hymns and Revival Anecdotes, “which contains suggestive revival texts, sermon outlines and Scripture readings, and this work is now a standard with preachers of all denominations. In 1888 appeared his ” Getting Ready for a Revival,” which also occupies a high place in revival literature. In 1909 Re veil published his ” Practical Church Music,” an exhaustive study of principles, methods and plans in this neglected field. It is recognized as the leading book on this subject.

After somewhat recovering from his nervous collapse, Mr. Lorenz began the publication of sacred music in a small way under the firm name of Lorenz & Company, at Dayton, Ohio, and this firm is now, under the name of Lorenz Publishing Company, one of the leading houses in its line in the country, its trade extending from ocean to ocean, and into foreign lands. In 1894 he founded the Choir Leader, in 1897 the Choir Herald, monthly periodicals devoted to choir music, and now recognized as being the leading publications of their class in the world. The Kircheyichor, a German choir monthly, also edited by him, was founded in 1897. This business, w4th its New York branch, is steadily growing in extent, and is constantly broadening its scope.

While Mr. Lorenz, owing to his nervous limitations, left the ministry, he is still an active worker in church and Y. M. C. A. circles and makes a great many religious addresses of various kinds.

Mr. Lorenz resides in Dayton, Ohio, where he has a most pleasant home.

He is author of both words and music of many of his best gospel songs, and they are free from the commonplace jingle that has been too common in recent years. His songs show thought and a cultivated mind, and breathe a spirit of worshipful devotion that naturally commend them to those who desire to use music which can be sung ” with the spirit and with the understanding also.”