ABSTRACT
Publication of the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978 marked a true milestone in the history of American Lutheran hymnody. The Lutheran Book of Worship thus culminates over a century and a half of attempts to develop English-language hymnody that was both distinctively Lutheran and truly American. Lutheran churches in New York City and the surrounding area were among the first Lutheran congregations in America to make regular use of English worship. Like Eckhard, therefore, Erben was of German background and undoubtedly was acquainted with German Lutheran and Reformed hymnody and music. The “Advertisement” or preface which Eckhard wrote for his Choral-Book shows that he was clearly aware of the hybrid German and English nature of his collection. Another advertisement in the New-York Evening Post for 21 May 1817 first mentions a couple of proposed publications of sacred music and then again mentions Erben’s work as an organ builder.
