Schmolke, Benjamin, a Lutheran pastor, hymn writer, and poet, was born December 21, 1672. He was educated at the Gymnasium of Lauban and the University of Leipzig. He was married in 1702, and the same year became one of the pastors of the Lutheran Church at Schweidnitz, where he remained until the time of his death. "Schmolke was well known in his own district as a popular and useful preacher, a diligent pastor, and a man of wonderful tact and discretion." He was also a great poet. His original hymns greatly widened his influence and increased his popularity. His poetic writings were numerous and manifested a deep, genuine, and warm-hearted piety, and have been used extensively in Germany. He died February 12, 1737.