Martin Dober
The following entry in an old Moravian hymnal caused me to want to look further into Martin Dober’s life:
Dober, Martin, b. 1702, Swabia, potter, teacher, Moravian minister in Germany and England, highly gifted in original languages of Scripture and in the cure of souls, d. 1748.
No title to the hymn
- Jesus, Saviour, I emplore thee,—
Full of grace and truth Thou art,—
Where in aught I’ve sinned before Thee
Pardon unto me impart.
- Have I said I ne’er would leave Thee
And have I unfaithful been,—
Ah, see that look; forgive me;
Bitterly I mourn my sin.
There are several mentions of him in Spangenberg’s The Life of Nicholas Lewis Count Zinzendof. the most notable is the following:
In November, Martin Dober, one of his fellow-labourers, fell dangerously ill. This affected the Count very deeply, for he hoped he might still become an useful labourer in the Lord’s vineyard. Therefore, when everyone despaired of his recover, the Count entreated the Lord to spare him, considering how useful he had been, and how much more so he might still become, adding, that he wished he might himself be taken away fr4om the earth, and Martin Dober retained. (p. 123)
John Wesley mentions receiving a letter from Albinus Theodorus Feder, who recalls these words from Martin Dober:
Martin Dober, when I described my state to him said he “had known very many believers, who if he asked the question, would not have dared to affirm, that they were the children of God. And, he added, It is very common for persons to receive remission of sins, or justification through faith in the blood of Christ, before they receive the full assurance of faith, which God many times withholds till he has tried whether they will work together with him in the use of the first gift. Nor is there any need (continued he, Dober) to incite anyone to seek that assurance by telling him, the faith he has, is nothing. This will be more likely drive him to despair, than to encourage him to press forward. His single business, who has received the first gift, is, credendo credere et in credendo perseverare : (to believe on, and to hold fast that whereunto he hath attained:) to go on doing his Lord’s will, according to the ability God hath already given, cheerfully and faithfully to use what he has received, without solicitude for the rest.” (Original copy dated 1743 – edited only for modernization by me [and removing an incorrect umlaut in the name)
A little note is also found in a book, Historical Sketch of the Church and Missions of the United Brethren, Commonly Called Moravians
He went to Herrnhut in 1724, and four years after was chosen Elder. He followed the occupation of potter; but by close application, and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures in the original languages, acquired so much knowledge of theology, that he acquitted himself with credit in his examination before several universities. Though he had lived from his childhood among puis people, he himself says that he spent his youth, till he was twenty one years of age, in great distress and disquietude of mind. Arrived at Herrnhut, the simple doctrine of free grace, which he now heart from the pulpit, opened his eyes and brought peace to his heart. His resolution was taken, henceforth to relinquish all striving in his own strength, and not to rest until he could believe in Christ, unto the salvation of his soul. Dober was highly esteemed for his talents as a preacher and expounder of the Scriptures. His discourses aimed at the reality of religion, and seldom failed to reach the heart. This made Zinzendorf say: “When Dober opens his lips in the meeting, his words flash like lightning.” For a number of years he testified with great power, the Gospel of the Grace of God; and the peculiar gifts for the execution of the office of an elder, he faithfully exercised until his death in 1748.
I am constantly struck by the short memory of history, what a man to have known! So distant is the teaching of grace in churches—so much fear or fanciness, but never grace!