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James Montgomery
1771 - 1854 Person Name: James Mongtomery, 1771-1854 Author of "Lord, Thou Hast Been Thy People's Rest" in The Mennonite Hymnary, published by the Board of Publication of the General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North America James Montgomery (b. Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, 1771; d. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 1854), the son of Moravian parents who died on a West Indies mission field while he was in boarding school, Montgomery inherited a strong religious bent, a passion for missions, and an independent mind. He was editor of the Sheffield Iris (1796-1827), a newspaper that sometimes espoused radical causes. Montgomery was imprisoned briefly when he printed a song that celebrated the fall of the Bastille and again when he described a riot in Sheffield that reflected unfavorably on a military commander. He also protested against slavery, the lot of boy chimney sweeps, and lotteries. Associated with Christians of various persuasions, Montgomery supported missions and the British Bible Society. He published eleven volumes of poetry, mainly his own, and at least four hundred hymns. Some critics judge his hymn texts to be equal in quality to those of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley . Many were published in Thomas Cotterill's Selection of Psalms and Hymns (1819 edition) and in Montgomery's own Songs of Zion (1822), Christian Psalmist (1825), and Original Hymns (1853).
Bert Polman
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Montgomery, James, son of John Montgomery, a Moravian minister, was born at Irvine, Ayrshire, Nov. 4, 1771. In 1776 he removed with his parents to the Moravian Settlement at Gracehill, near Ballymena, county of Antrim. Two years after he was sent to the Fulneck Seminary, Yorkshire. He left Fulneck in 1787, and entered a retail shop at Mirfield, near Wakefield. Soon tiring of that he entered upon a similar situation at Wath, near Rotherham, only to find it quite as unsuitable to his taste as the former. A journey to London, with the hope of finding a publisher for his youthful poems ended in failure; and in 1792 he was glad to leave Wath for Shefield to join Mr. Gales, an auctioneer, bookseller, and printer of the Sheffield Register newspaper, as his assistant. In 1794 Mr. Gales left England to avoid a political prosecution. Montgomery took the Sheffield Register in hand, changed its name to The Sheffield Iris, and continued to edit it for thirty-one years. During the next two years he was imprisoned twice, first for reprinting therein a song in commemoration of "The Fall of the Bastille," and the second for giving an account of a riot in Sheffield. The editing of his paper, the composition and publication of his poems and hynms, the delivery of lectures on poetry in Sheffield and at the Royal Institution, London, and the earnest advocacy of Foreign Missions and the Bible Society in many parts of the country, gave great variety but very little of stirring incident to his life. In 1833 he received a Royal pension of £200 a year. He died in his sleep, at the Mount, Sheffield, April 30, 1854, and was honoured with a public funeral. A statue was erected to his memory in the Sheffield General Cemetery, and a stained glass window in the Parish Church. A Wesleyan chapel and a public hall are also named in his honour. Montgomery's principal poetical works, including those which he edited, were:—
(1) Prison Amusements, 1797; (2) The Wanderer of Switzerland, 1806; (3) The West Indies, 1807; (4) The World before the Flood, 1813; (5) Greenland and Other Poems, 1819; (6) Songs of Zion, 1822; (7) The Christian Psalmist, 1825; (8) The Christian Poet, 1825; (9) The Pelican Island, 1828; (10) The Poet’s Portfolio, 1835; (11) Original Hymns for Public, Private, and Social Devotion, 1853. He also published minor pieces at various times, and four editions of his Poetical Works, the first in 1828, the second in 1836, the third in 1841, and the fourth in 1854. Most of these works contained original hymns. He also contributed largely to Collyer's Collection, 1812, and other hymnbooks published during the next 40 years, amongst which the most noticeable was Cotterill's Selections of 1819, in which more than 50 of his compositions appeared. In his Christian Psalmist, 1825, there are 100 of his hymns, and in his Original Hymns, 1853, 355 and 5 doxologies. His Songs of Zion, 1822, number 56. Deducting those which are repeated in the Original Hymns, there remain about 400 original compositions.
Of Montgomery's 400 hymns (including his versions of the Psalms) more than 100 are still in common use. With the aid of Montgomery's MSS. we have given a detailed account of a large number. The rest are as follows:—
i. Appeared in Collyer's Collection, 1812.
1. Jesus, our best beloved Friend. Personal Dedication to Christ.
2. When on Sinai's top I see. Sinai, Tabor, and Calvary.
ii. Appeared in Cotterill's Selection, 1819.
3. Come to Calvary's holy mountain. The Open Fountain.
4. God in the high and holy place. God in Nature. The cento in Com. Praise, 1879, and others, "If God hath made this world so fair," is from this hymn.
5. Hear me, O Lord, in my distress. Ps. cxliii.
6. Heaven is a place of rest from sin. Preparation for Heaven.
7. I cried unto the Lord most just. Ps. cxlii.
8. Lord, let my prayer like incense rise. Ps. cxxxix.
9. O bless the Lord, my soul! His grace to thee proclaim. Ps. ciii.
10. Out of the depths of woe. Ps. cxxx. Sometimes "When from the depths of woe."
11. The world in condemnation lay. Redemption.
12. Where are the dead? In heaven or hell? The Living and the Dead.
iii. Appeared in his Songs of Zion, 1822.
13. Give glory to God in the highest. Ps. xxix.
14. Glad was my heart to hear. Ps. cxxii.
15. God be merciful to me. Ps. lxix.
16. God is my strong salvation. Ps. xxvii.
17. Hasten, Lord, to my release. Ps. lxx.
18. Have mercy on me, O my God. Ps. li.
19. Hearken, Lord, to my complaints. Ps. xlii.
20. Heralds of creation cry. Ps. cxlviii.
21. How beautiful the sight. Ps. cxxxiii.
22. How precious are Thy thoughts of peace. Ps. cxxxix.
23. I love the Lord, He lent an ear. Ps. cxvi.
24. In time of tribulation. Ps. lxxvii.
25. Jehovah is great, and great be His praise. Ps. xlviii. Sometimes, "0 great is Jehovah, and great is His Name."
26. Judge me, O Lord, in righteousness. Ps. xliii.
27. Lift up your heads, ye gates, and wide. Ps.xxiv.
28. Lord, let me know mine [my] end. Ps. xxxi.
29. Of old, 0 God, Thine own right hand. Ps. lxxx.
30. O God, Thou art [my] the God alone. Ps. lxiii.
31. 0 Lord, our King, how excellent. Ps. viii. Sometimes, "0 Lord, how excellent is Thy name."
32. O my soul, with all thy powers. Ps. ciii.
33. One thing with all my soul's desire. Ps. xxvii. From this, "Grant me within Thy courts a place."
34. Searcher of hearts, to Thee are known. Ps. cxxxix.
35. Thank and praise Jehovah's name. Ps. cvii.
36. Thee will I praise, O Lord in light. Ps. cxxxviii.
37. The Lord is King; upon His throne. Ps. xciii.
38. The Lord is my Shepherd, no want shall I know. Ps. xxiii.
39. The tempter to my soul hath said. Ps. iii.
40. Thrice happy he who shuns the way. Ps. i.
41. Thy glory, Lord, the heavens declare. Ps. xix.
42. Thy law is perfect, Lord of light. Ps. xix.
43. Who make the Lord of hosts their tower. Ps. cxxv.
44. Yea, I will extol Thee. Ps. xxx.
iv. Appeared in his Christian Psalmist. 1825.
45. Fall down, ye nations, and adore. Universal adoration of God desired.
46. Food, raiment, dwelling, health, and friends. The Family Altar.
47. Go where a foot hath never trod. Moses in the desert. Previously in the Leeds Congregational Collection, 1822.
48. Green pastures and clear streams. The Good Shepherd and His Flock.
49. Less than the least of all. Mercies acknowledged.
50. Not to the mount that burned with fire [flame]. Communion of Saints.
51. On the first Christian Sabbath eve. Easter Sunday Evening.
52. One prayer I have: all prayers in one. Resignation.
53. Our heavenly Father hear. The Lord's Prayer.
54. Return, my soul, unto thy rest. Rest in God.
55. Spirit of power and might, behold. The Spirit's renewing desired.
56. The Christian warrior, see him stand. The Christian Soldier. Sometimes, "Behold the Christian warrior stand."
57. The days and years of time are fled. Day of Judgment.
58. The glorious universe around. Unity.
59. The pure and peaceful mind. A Children's Prayer.
60. This is the day the Lord hath made (q. v.). Sunday.
61. Thy word, Almighty Lord. Close of Service.
62. What secret hand at morning light ? Morning.
63. While through this changing world we roam. Heaven.
64. Within these walls be peace. For Sunday Schools.
v. Appeared in his Original Hymns, 1853.
65. Behold yon bright array. Opening a Place of Worship.
66. Behold the book whose leaves display. Holy Scriptures.
67. Come ye that fear the Lord. Confirmation.
68. Home, kindred, friends, and country, these. Farewell to a Missionary.
69. Let me go, the day is breaking. Jacob wrestling.
70. Not in Jerusalem alone. Consecration of a Church.
71. Praise the high and holy One. God the Creator.
In common with most poets and hymnwriters, Montgomery strongly objected to any correction or rearrangement of his compositions. At the same time he did not hesitate to alter, rearrange, and amend the productions of others. The altered texts which appeared in Cotterill's Selections, 1819, and which in numerous instances are still retained in some of the best hymnbooks, as the "Rock of Ages," in its well-known form of three stanzas, and others of equal importance, were made principally by him for Cotterill's use. We have this confession under his own hand.
As a poet, Montgomery stands well to the front; and as a writer of hymns he ranks in popularity with Wesley, Watts, Doddridge, Newton, and Cowper. His best hymns were written in his earlier years. In his old age he wrote much that was unworthy of his reputation. His finest lyrics are "Angels from the realms of glory," "Go to dark Gethsemane," "Hail to the Lord's Anointed," and "Songs of praise the angels sang." His "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire," is an expanded definition of prayer of great beauty; and his "Forever with the Lord" is full of lyric fire and deep feeling. The secrets of his power as a writer of hymns were manifold. His poetic genius was of a high order, higher than most who stand with him in the front rank of Christian poets. His ear for rhythm was exceedingly accurate and refined. His knowledge of Holy Scripture was most extensive. His religious views were broad and charitable. His devotional spirit was of the holiest type. With the faith of a strong man he united the beauty and simplicity of a child. Richly poetic without exuberance, dogmatic without uncharitableness, tender without sentimentality, elaborate without diffusiveness, richly musical without apparent effort, he has bequeathed to the Church of Christ wealth which could onlv have come from a true genius and a sanctified! heart.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
James Montgomery
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
1809 - 1847 Person Name: F. Mendelssohn, 1809-1847 Harmonizer of "ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÖH SEI EHR'" in The Mennonite Hymnary, published by the Board of Publication of the General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North America Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (b. Hamburg, Germany, 1809; d. Leipzig, Germany, 1847) was the son of banker Abraham Mendelssohn and the grandson of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. His Jewish family became Christian and took the Bartholdy name (name of the estate of Mendelssohn's uncle) when baptized into the Lutheran church. The children all received an excellent musical education. Mendelssohn had his first public performance at the age of nine and by the age of sixteen had written several symphonies. Profoundly influenced by J. S. Bach's music, he conducted a performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829 (at age 20!) – the first performance since Bach's death, thus reintroducing Bach to the world. Mendelssohn organized the Domchor in Berlin and founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music in 1843. Traveling widely, he not only became familiar with various styles of music but also became well known himself in countries other than Germany, especially in England. He left a rich treasury of music: organ and piano works, overtures and incidental music, oratorios (including St. Paul or Elijah and choral works, and symphonies. He harmonized a number of hymn tunes himself, but hymnbook editors also arranged some of his other tunes into hymn tunes.
Bert Polman
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Joseph Barnby
1838 - 1896 Composer of "GOLDEN CHAIN" in The Cyber Hymnal Joseph Barnby (b. York, England, 1838; d. London, England, 1896) An accomplished and popular choral director in England, Barby showed his musical genius early: he was an organist and choirmaster at the age of twelve. He became organist at St. Andrews, Wells Street, London, where he developed an outstanding choral program (at times nicknamed "the Sunday Opera"). Barnby introduced annual performances of J. S. Bach's St. John Passion in St. Anne's, Soho, and directed the first performance in an English church of the St. Matthew Passion. He was also active in regional music festivals, conducted the Royal Choral Society, and composed and edited music (mainly for Novello and Company). In 1892 he was knighted by Queen Victoria. His compositions include many anthems and service music for the Anglican liturgy, as well as 246 hymn tunes (published posthumously in 1897). He edited four hymnals, including The Hymnary (1872) and The Congregational Sunday School Hymnal (1891), and coedited The Cathedral Psalter (1873).
Bert Polman
Joseph Barnby
Nicolaus Decius
1485 - 1541 Person Name: Nicolaus Decius, -1541 Composer of "DECIUS" in Hymns for Schools and Colleges Decius, Nicolaus (Nicolaus a Curia or von Hofe, otherwise Hovesch, seems to have been a native of Hof, in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, and to have been originally called Tech. He became a monk, and was in 1519 Probst of the cloister at Steterburg, near Wolfenbüttel. Becoming favourable to the opinions of Luther, he left Steterburg in July, 1522, and went to Brunswick, where he was appointed a master in the St. Katherine and Egidien School. In 1523 he was invited by the burgesses of Stettin to labour there as an Evangelical preacher along with Paulus von Rhode. He became preacher at the Church of St. Nicholas; was probably instituted by the Town Council in 1526, when von Rhode was instituted to St. Jacob's; and at the visitation in 1535 was recognized as pastor of St. Nicholas'. He died suddenly at Stettin, March 21, 1541, with some suspicion of being poisoned by his enemies of the Roman Catholic faction (Koch, i. 419-421, 471, 472; ii. 483; Allg. Deutsche Biography, iii. 791-793).He seems to have been a popular preacher and a good musician. Three hymns are ascribed to him. These are versions of the “Sanctus," the "Gloria in excelsis," and the "Agnus Dei." The second and third are noted under these Latin first lines. He is also said to have composed or adapted the melodies set to them. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Nicolaus Decius
Benjamin H. Kennedy
1804 - 1889 Author of "Lord, Thou Hast Been Thy People's Rest" in The Cyber Hymnal Kennedy, Benjamin Hall, D.D., son of the Rev. Raun Kennedy, sometime Incumbent of St. Paul's, Birmingham, and editor of A Church of England Psalm-Book, &c, 1821 (12th ed. 1848), was born at Summer Hill, near Birmingham, Nov. 6, 1804, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham; Shrewsbury School; and St. John's College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in 1827 (First Class Classical Tripos and First Chancellor's Medallist). He was Fellow of his College 1828-36; Head Master of Shrewsbury School, 1836-66; and Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge and Canon of Ely , 1867. Dr. Kennedy took Holy Orders in 1829, and was for some time Prebendaiy in Lichfield Cathedral and Rector of West Felton, Salop. He was elected Hon. Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1880. Besides his Public School Latin Grammar, Palaestra Latina, Palaestra Stili Latini, &c, his editions of some of the Classics, and University Sermons, Dr. Kennedy published the following:—
(1) The Psalter, or the Psalms of David, in English Verse. By a Member of the University of Cambridge, 1860; (2) Hymnologia Christiana, or Psalms & Hymns Selected and Arranged in the Order of the Christian Seasons (quoted in this Dictionary as Kennedy), 1863.
i. From these two works many psalms and hymns have passed into other collections. The following versions of the Psalms first appeared in The Psalter, 1860, and again in the Hymnologia Christiana 1863. In many instances they have undergone considerable alteration in the latter work, and those of great length are broken into parts:—
1. All ye people, come and clap, &c. Ps. xlvii.
2. Arise, 0 Lord, with healing rod. Ps. x.
3. As pants the hind for cooling streams. Ps. xlii.
4. As Thy mercy lasts for ever. Ps. cix.
5. Be merciful to me, 0 God. Ps. lvii.
6. Be Thou my Judge, and I will strive. Ps. xvii.
7. Bless ye the Lord, His solemn praise record. Ps. cxxxiv.
8. Bow down Thine ear, and hear my cry. Ps. lxxxvi.
9. Come, ye children, list to me. Ps. xxxiv.
10. Ever, O my God and King. Ps. cxlv.
11. Ever will I bless the Lord. Ps. xxxiv.
12. Every king shall bow before Him. Ps. lxxii.
13. Full oft my chafing thoughts, &c. Ps. lxxiii.
14. God, avert the deadly blow. Ps. lix.
15. God, in Judah's homes is known. Ps. lxxvi.
16. God of my righteousness. Ps. iv.
17. Hear Thou my prayer, O Lord. Ps. cxliii.
18. Help us, O Lord, the good decay. Ps. xii.
19. How blest are they who flee, &c. Ps. cxix.
20. How blest the man, who fears to stray. Ps. i.
21. How blest the man whose errors, &c. Ps. xxxii.
22. How good it is to praise the Lord. Ps. xcii.
23. How long art silent, Lord? how long. Ps. xxxv.
24. How long forgotten, Lord, by Thee. Ps. xiii.
25. How long wilt Thou conceal Thy face. Ps. lxxxix.
26. I lift mine eyes unto the hills. Ps. cxxi.
27. I love the Lord, for He is nigh. Ps. cxvi.
28. I muse upon Thine ancient praise. Ps. lxxvii.
29. I praise Thee, Lord, who o'er my foes. Ps. xxx.
30. I trod the path of life, my strength. Ps. cii.
31. In trouble to the Lord I prayed. Ps. cxx.
32. Jehovah reigns, arrayed in light. Ps. xciii.
33. Judge me, O God; maintain my cause. Ps. xliii.
34. Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry. Ps. cii.
35. Lord, I am not lofty-minded. Ps. cxxxi.
36. Lord, I lift my soul to Thee. Ps. xxv.
37. Lord, my Rock. I cry to Thee. Ps. xxviii.
38. Lord, save me from the foeman's wrath. Ps. cxl.
39. Lord, Thou wilt guard with faithful love. Ps. xxxvii.
40. Lord, Thy love and truth I praise. Ps. ci.
41. My God, my God, to Thee I cry, Ah! why hast Thou, &c. Ps. xxii.
42. My heart is fain, O God, my heart. Ps. cviii.
43. My portion is the living Lord. Ps. cxix.
44. My Saviour is the living Lord. Ps. xi.
45. My Shepherd is the Lord, no care. Ps. xxiii.
46. My trust is in Thy holy Name. Ps. lxxi.
47. My voice to God ascends on high. Ps. lxxvii.
48. Not in envy, not in anger. Ps. xxxvii.
49. Not in Thy fury, Lord, reprove. Ps. xxxviii.
50. O grant us, God of love. Ps. lxvii.
51. O God, be merciful to me. Ps. li.
52. 0 God of hosts, a vine. Ps. lxxx.
53. 0 God, subdue the power of sin. Ps. vii.
54. O Lord, in Thine accepted day. Ps. lxix.
55. 0 Lord our King, how bright Thy fame. Ps. viii.
56. O Lord, the God of my salvation. Ps. lxxxviii.
57. 0 praise ye the Lord, Praise Him in His shrine. Ps. cl.
58. O rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord. Ps. xxxiii.
59. Oft, as to scatter kings. Ps. lxviii.
60. Out of the depths to Thee I cry. Ps. cxxx.
61. Praise, O my soul, the Lord and all. Ps. ciii.
62. Praise, 0 my soul, the Lord; how great. Ps. civ.
63. Praise the Lord, for good is He. Ps. cxxxvi.
64. Praise the Lord, for it is wise. Ps. cxlvii.
65. Praise the Lord from heaven on high. Ps. cxlviii.
66. Praise the Lord, His people; raise. Ps. cxlvi.
67. Praise ye the Lord, all nations. Ps. cxvii.
68. Praise ye the Lord, for good is He. Ps. cxviii.
69. Praise ye the Lord, for very good. Ps. cvii.
70. Praised be the Lord, my Rock of might. Ps. cxliv.
71. Save me, O God, the dangerous, &c. Ps. lxix.
72. Save me through Thy name, 0 God. Ps. liv.
73. Seek we Jehovah's house, they said. Ps. cxxii.
74. Sing a new song unto the Lord. Ps. xcvi.
75. Sing the Lord, ye sons of heaven. Ps. xxix.
76. Sing unto the Lord with mirth. Ps. c.
77. Take note, O Lord, of all my fears. Ps. lvi.
78. The heavens declare Thy wondrous fame. Ps. lxxxix.
79. The heavens, O God, Thy glory tell. Ps. xxx.
80. The king, 0 Lord, with hymns of praise. Ps. xxi.
81. The life of man is like the grass. Ps. ciii.
82. The Lord in thy distressful day. Ps. xx.
83. The Lord is King; glad earth, and ye. Ps. xcvii.
84. There is no God, so saith the fool. Ps. xiv.
85. Thou searchest all my secret ways. Ps. cxxxix.
86. To Thee I call. O Lord, be swift. Ps. cxli.
87. 'Twas dream-like, when the Lord's decree. Ps. cxxvi.
88. Unless the Lord with us had wrought. Ps. cxxiv.
89. Unto my feet a lantern shines Thy word. Ps. cxix.
90. Unto the Lord I make my moan. Ps. cxlii.
91. We sat and wept by Babel's stream. Ps. cxxxvii.
92. When Israel came from Egypt's strand. Ps. cxiv.
93. When through the dismal waste. Ps. lxviii.
94. Who rules his life by God's behest. Ps. cxxviii.
95. Whoe'er his secret home has made. Ps. xci.
96. With weary care brought low. Ps. lxix.
97. With my whole heart I will praise Thee. Ps. cxxxviii.
98. Within Thy tabernacle, Lord. Ps. xv.
99. Ye Judges of the earth, be still. Ps. lxxxii.
ii. The following also appeared in The Psalter, 1860, and again in Hymnologia Christiana 1863, mostly altered, and based upon the corresponding Psalms by George Sandys (q.v.), published in his Paraphrase upon the Psalms of David, 1636:—
100. Blest he whose timely mercies heed. Ps. xli.
101. Hide not, 0 Lord, Thy cheering face. Ps. xl.
102. I waited for a gentle word. Ps. xl.
103. Israel of God, be Christ your Guide. Ps. cxv.
104. Who in the Lord securely lay. Ps. cxxv.
iii. To the Rev. A. T. Russell's Psalms & Hymns, 1851, Dr. Kennedy was indebted to a limited extent in preparing his Psalter, 1860. In his Preface he says, p. viii.," Mr. Russell's metres, and occasionally his words, have been adopted in the following Psalms: 2, 24, 39, 45, 46, 50, 84, 85, 90, 110, 111, 113." Of these the following, sometimes with alterations of the 1860 text, were given in the
Benjamin H. Kennedy
