Then, of a sudden, he became a voracious reader of rationalistic literature, and turned atheist with almost inconceivable dispatch, but soon was forced back by remorse into the pietistic frame of mind,-only to pass through another reaction immediately after.
"Prophets of Dissent Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy"
Otto Heller
A Gem among pietistic Hymns O Jesus, Source of calm repose, Thy like no man nor angel knows, Fairest among ten thousand fair!
"The Story of Our Hymns"
Ernest Edwin Ryden
This was true of the Reformation, which witnessed the birth of the Lutheran Church, and it was also characteristic of the pietistic movement, which infused new life and fervor into that communion.
"The Story of Our Hymns"
Ernest Edwin Ryden