In Other Words - Jane Borthwick

1813–97

The book of Revelation paints a glorious picture of a heavenly worship service with multitudes in attendance. There is mention of “every nation and tribe and people and language” being included in praising God (Revelation 7:9). That will be the final reversal of Babel, the continuation of Pentecost, the ultimate gathering of all tongues into one language of praise.

Until then, we need translators to bring us the devotional treasures of other cultures—people like Jane Borthwick, who specialized in the rich tradition of German hymns. This Scottish lass was traveling in Switzerland when a friend suggested she try her hand at translating some of the German hymns she heard there. When she got back to Edinburgh, her father encouraged her further. So she teamed with her sister, Sarah Findlater, to produce a series of four books called Hymns from the Land of Luther, which came out between 1854 and 1862. There were more than 120 translations of hymn texts from German to English, including the dramatic “Be Still, My Soul” by Katharina von Schlegel.

Jane and her sister continued to write devotional pieces and poems for magazines and collections, both using the pseudonym H. L. L. (from the title of the hymnbooks). Reportedly, Jane was quite upset when a publisher revealed their true identities. She wasn’t writing for fame, just to serve the church. Jane also wrote instructional books for children’s Christian education classes, as well as a survey of missions work. It makes sense that a translator would be interested in missions to other cultures.

Among Jane’s best-known translations is “Jesus, Still Lead On,” by Moravian leader Nicholas von Zinzendorf. One stanza goes,

When we seek relief from a long felt grief;

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring;

Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

Until we all reach that unilingual shore, we need to cope with a multilingual world. Thank God for translators like Jane Borthwick, who offered her linguistic talents to enhance our worship.

Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 5:9