Edmund Butcher

Butcher, Edmund, born at Colchester, Essex, in 1757, and brought up as a linen-draper. After undergoing a preliminary training for the Unitarian Ministry, he was appointed to the charge of Leather Lane Chapel, Holborn, in 1789. From thence he removed to Sidbury Vale, Sidmouth, in 1798. Died April 14, 1822. Memoir in the Christian Moderator, 1827. His works include Picture of Sidmouth; Tour through various parts of England; Sermons, to which are added suitable Hymns, 1798; and the Substance of the Holy Scriptures Methodized, 1801. His hymns were given in the two latter works, in the Protestant Dissenters’ Magazine (of which he was some time editor); in Kippis's Collection, 1795; the Christian Guardian, 1802-1808; Aspland's Selection, 1810; and from his manuscript in Howse's Selection of Hymns and Psalms, 1837. They number 116 in all; but few, however, have attained to any position in modern hymnals. These include the following:
1. Blest is the man that [who] fears the Lord. Ps. cxii. Published in the Exeter Unitarian Collection, 1812, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is in common use in Great Britain and America.
2. Father of all, where shall we find? Divine Worship. In Dr. Martineau's Hymns, 1840, &c.
3. Great God, as seasons disappear. Harvest. This is the most popular of his hymns. It is annotated under its first line.
4. Hosanna! let us join to sing. Resurrection. Contributed to Aspland's Selection, 1810, No. 290; and repeated in Dr. Martineau's Hymns, 1840, &c.
5. With deepest reverence at Thy throne. God's Unsearchableness. This is in American common use as in Laudes Domini, 1884, No. 248. It was contributed to Aspland's Selection, 1810, No. 146.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)