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John Hampden Gurney

Short Name: John Hampden Gurney
Full Name: Gurney, John Hampden, 1802-1862
Birth Year: 1802
Death Year: 1862

Gurney, John Hampden, M.A., eldest son of Sir John Gurney, a Baron of the Exchequer, was born in Serjeants’ Inn, London, Aug. 15, 1802, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1824. On taking Holy Orders he became Curate of Lutterworth (1827-1844), and subsequently Rector of St. Mary's, Marylebone, and Prebendary of St. Paul's Cathedral. He died in London, March 8, 1862. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and other religious societies had his cordial sympathy, and received his active support. His publications include several small volumes in prose, and the following:—

(1) Church Psalmody; Hints for the improvement of a Collection of Hymns published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1853; (2) A Collection of Hymns for Public Worship. Lutterworth, 1838. This contains 300 hymns, and is known as his Lutterworth Collection; (3) Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, selected for some of the Churches of Marylebone. London, 1851. This collection of 300 hymns and psalm versions is known as his Marylebone Collection. The Preface is signed by "Charles Baring," "Thomas Garnier," and "John Hampden Gurney," but the work was practically done by Gurney.

To the Lutterworth Collection 1838, he contributed :—
1. Earth to earth, and dust to dust. Burial.
2. Great King of nations, hear our prayer. Fast Day.
3. Lord, as to Thy dear Cross we flee. Lent.
4. Lord, at Thy word the constant sun. Harvest.
5. Saviour, what wealth was Thine. Passiontide.
6. Soon to the dust we speed. Heaven anticipated.
7. Thou God of mercy and of might. Good Friday.
8. Thou plenteous source of light and love. Advent.
9. Thou Who of old didst raise. Ascension.
10. Through centuries of sin and woe. For Peace.
11. We praise Thee, everlasting God. Te Deum.

These hymns were all signed "J. H. G.," and Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 11, were repeated in the Marylebone Collection, 1851; and to these were added:—
12. Fair waved the golden corn. Child's Hymn.
13. How vast the debt we owe. Offertory.
14. Lord of the Harvest, Thee we hail. Harvest. This is No. 4 above rewritten.
15. Lord, we lift our eyes above. Love of Christ.
In addition to these we are specially indebted to Gurney for, "We saw Thee not when Thou didst come" (q.v.), and "Yes, God is good," &c. (q.v.). Several of the above-named hymns are in extensive use in Great Britain and America. The most popular are annotated under their respective first lines.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Wikipedia Biography

John Hampden Gurney (15 August 1802 – 8 March 1862) was an Anglican clergyman and hymnist.

Texts by John Hampden Gurney (15)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
Earth to earth and dust to dust, Lord, we own the sentence justJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)English14
Fair waved the golden cornJohn H. Gurney (Author)English39
Great King of nations, hear our prayerJ. H. Gurney (Author)English61
How sweet to wait upon the LordGurney (Author)English1
Lord, as to Thy dear cross we fleeJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)English202
Lord, in the day Thou art aboutJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)English2
Lord of the harvest, Thee we hail!J. H. Gurney (Author)English23
No vimos cuando en BelénJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)Spanish2
Now to God on high be gloryJ. H. Gurney (Author)English1
Thou, plenteous Source of light and loveJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)3
Through centuries of sin and woeJohn Hampden Gurney (Author)English15
We did not see thee lifted highRev. John Hampden Gurney, 1802-1862 (Author)1
We saw Thee not when Thou didst comeJohn Hampden Gurney (Adapter)English45
Ye holy angels brightJohn Hampden Gurney, 1802-1862 (Author)English18
Yes, [Our] God is good, in earth and skyJohn H. Gurney, 1802-1862 (Author)English51

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