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Short Name: | William Walsham How |
Full Name: | How, William Walsham, 1823-1897 |
Birth Year: | 1823 |
Death Year: | 1897 |
William W. How (b. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, 1823; d. Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897) studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the "poor man's bishop" and "the children's bishop," How was known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works about controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and attempted to reconcile biblical creation with the theory of evolution. He was joint editor of Psalms and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871). While rector in Whittington, How wrote some sixty hymns, including many for children. His collected Poems and Hymns were published in 1886.
Bert Polman
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How, William Walsham, D.D., son of William Wybergh How, Solicitor, Shrewsbury, was born Dec. 13, 1823, at Shrewsbury, and educated at Shrewsbury School and Wadham College, Oxford (B.A. 1845). Taking Holy Orders in 1846, he became successively Curate of St. George's, Kidderminster, 1846; and of Holy Cross, Shrewsbury, 1848. In 1851 he was preferred to the Rectory of Whittington, Diocese of St. Asaph, becoming Rural Dean in 1853, and Hon. Canon of the Cathedral in 1860. In 1879 he was appointed Rector of St. Andrew's Undershaft, London, and was consecrated Suffragan Bishop for East London, under the title of the Bishop of Bedford, and in 1888 Bishop of Wakefield. Bishop How is the author of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Commentary on the Four Gospels; Plain Words , Four Series; Plain Words for Children; Pastor in Parochia; Lectures on Pastoral Work; Three All Saints Summers, and Other Poems , and numerous Sermons , &c. In 1854 was published Psalms and Hymns, Compiled by the Rev. Thomas Baker Morrell, M.A., . . . and the Rev. William Walsham How, M.A. This was republished in an enlarged form in 1864, and to it was added a Supplement in 1867. To this collection Bishop How contributed several hymns, and also to the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns , of which he was joint editor, in 1871. The Bishop's hymns in common use amount in all to nearly sixty.
Combining pure rhythm with great directness and simplicity, Bishop How's compositions arrest attention more through a comprehensive grasp of the subject and the unexpected light thrown upon and warmth infused into facia and details usually shunned by the poet, than through glowing imagery and impassioned rhetoric. He has painted lovely images woven with tender thoughts, but these are few, and found in his least appreciated work. Those compositions which have laid the firmest hold upon the Church, are simple, unadorned, but enthusiastically practical hymns, the most popular of which, "O Jesu, Thou art standing"; "For all the Saints who from their labours rest," and "We give Thee but Thine own," have attained to a foremost rank. His adaptations from other writers as in the case from Bishop Ken, "Behold, the Master passeth by," are good, and his Children's hymns are useful and popular. Without any claims to rank as a poet, in the sense in which Cowper and Montgomery were poets, he has sung us songs which will probably outlive all his other literary works.
The more important of Bishop How's hymns, including those already named, and "Lord, Thy children guide and keep"; "O Word of God Incarnate"; "This day at Thy creating word"; "Who is this so weak and helpless"; and others which have some special history or feature of interest, are annotated under their respective first lines. The following are also in common use:—
i. From Psalms & Hymns, 1854.
1. Before Thine awful presence, Lord. Confirmation.
2. Jesus, Name of wondrous love [priceless worth]. Circumcision. The Name Jesus .
3. Lord Jesus, when we stand afar. Passiontide.
4. O blessing rich, for sons of men. Members of Christ.
5. 0 Lord of Hosts, the earth is Thine. In time of War.
6. O Lord, Who in Thy wondrous love. Advent.
ii. From Psalms & Hymns, enlarged, 1864.
7. Lord, this day Thy children meet. Sunday School Anniversary.
iii. From Supplement to the Psalms & Hymns, 1867.
8. Hope of hopes and joy of joys. Resurrection.
9. 0 daughters blest of Galilee. For Associations of Women.
10. O happy feet that tread. Public Worship.
11. With trembling awe the chosen three. Transfiguration.
iv. From Parish Magazine, 1871, and Church Hymns, 1871.
12. O Jesu, crucified for man. Friday.
13. Yesterday, with worship blest. Monday.
v. From the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns. 1871.
14. Bowed low in supplication. For the Parish.
15. Great Gabriel sped on wings of light. Annunciation, of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
16. O blest was he, whose earlier skill. St. Luke.
17. O God, enshrined in dazzling light. Omnipresence. Divine Worship .
18. O heavenly Fount of Light and Love. Witsuntide.
19. O Lord, it is a blessed thing. Weekdays.
20. 0 One with God the Father. Epiphany.
21. O Thou through suffering perfect made. Hospitals.
22. Rejoice, ye sons of men. Purification of the B. V. M.
23. Summer suns are glowing. Summer.
24. The year is swiftly waning. Autumn.
25. Thou art the Christ, O Lord. St. Peter.
26. To Thee our God we fly. National Hymn.
27. Upon the holy Mount they stood. Transfiguration and Church Guilds.
28. We praise Thy grace, 0 Saviour. St. Mark.
vi. From the S. P. C. K. Children's Hymns, 1872.
29. Behold a little child. Jesus the Child's Example.
30. Come, praise your Lord and Saviour. Children's Praises.
31. It is a thing most wonderful. Sunday School Anniversary.
32. On wings of living light. Easter.
Bishop How's hymns and sacred and secular pieces were collected and published as Poems and Hymns, 1886. The Hymns, 54 in all, are also published separately. He d. Aug. 10, 1897.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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How, W. W., p. 540, i. He died Aug. 10, 1897. His Memoir, by F. D. How, was published in 1898.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
Texts by William Walsham How (111)![]() | As | Authority Languages | Instances |
---|---|---|---|
All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine | Wiliam W. How (Author (B)) | English | 1 |
Arise, O Lord of hosts | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
Ashamed of Thee! O dearest Lord | W. W. How (Author) | English | 11 |
Before Thine awful presence, Lord | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
Before Thy holy presence, Lord, Thy sinful servants bow | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |
Behold a little Child, Laid in a manger bed | Bishop W. W. Howe, 1823-97 (Author) | English | 7 |
Behold, the Master passeth by! | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 45 |
Bendito es el nombre de Jesús | William W. How (1823-1897) (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Blest Jesus, grant us strength to take | Rev. W. W. How (Author) | English | 11 |
Bowed low in supplication | Bishop W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 3 |
Brightly gleams our banner | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
Christian, seek not yet repose | Wm. W. How (Author) | English | 12 |
Come, praise your Lord and Savior | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 46 |
Cristo, a mi puerta velas | William W. How (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
E ka Logou me kakou, Ka Naauao mai o | William H. How (Author) | Hawaiian | 3 |
എഴപ്പെട്ട ശിശുവാമീ- യൂദ പൈതൽ ഏതഹോ? (Eḻappeṭṭa śiśuvāmī- yūda paital ētahēā?) | William Walsham How (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
For all the Saints, who from their labor rest | William Walsham How, 1823-1897 (Author) | English | 522 |
For all Thy love and goodness, so bountiful and free | William Walsham How (1823-) (Author) | English | 3 |
For that great host who by their labors blest | William Walsham How (Author) | 2 | |
For the apostles' glorious company | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 3 |
From all that dwell below the skies | William W. How, 1823-97 (Author (st. 3)) | English | 1 |
Für alle die den Glaubenslauf vollbracht | William W. How (Author) | German | 1 |
Für alle, die von ihren Werken ruh'n | William Walsham How (Author) | German | 1 |
God of mercy and of love | William Walsham How (1823- ) (Author) | English | 7 |
God's free mercy streameth | Wm. W. How (Author) | English | 7 |
Great and glorious Father, humbly we adore thee | William Walsham How (Author) | 1 | |
Great Shepherd of the sheep, Who all Thy flock doth keep | W. W. How (Author) | English | 3 |
Herr Jesus, gib du selbst die Kraft | William Walsham How (Author) | German | 4 |
Hopo kiktapi ye | W. Walsham How (Author) | Dakota | 1 |
Hoy de lo tuyo, oh Dios | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Hoy, por los santos que descansan ya | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 13 |
In Heavenly Love abiding | W. W. How (Author) | English | 1 |
It is a thing most wonderful | W. Walsham How, 1823-1897 (Author) | English | 41 |
Jesus, agtactacderca | William Walsham How (Author) | Tagalog | 2 |
Jesus! He caje wakaŋ | W. Walsham How (Author) | Dakota | 1 |
Jesus, name decreed of old | Bishop William W. How (Author) | English | 2 |
Jesus! Name of wondrous love! | William W. How (Author) | English | 125 |
Jesús, nombre de amor | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 4 |
Lord Jesus! when we stand afar | William W. How (Author) | English | 81 |
Lord, this day Thy children meet | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 56 |
Lord, Thy children guide and keep | Bp. W. W. How (Author) | English | 35 |
'Mid the homes of want and woe | W. W. How (Author) | English | 3 |
Midera Anao ny olo-masina | W. W. How (Author) | Malagasy | 2 |
Nearer, O God, to Thee! Hear Thou our prayer | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 40 |
Një gjë shumë e çuditshme ësht’ | William Walsham How (Author) | Albanian | 2 |
Now the sun has passed away | Bishop Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |
O blessing rich, for sons of men | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
O blest communion, fellowship | William Walsham How (Author) | 1 | |
O blest was he, whose earlier skill | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 1 |
O daughters blest of Galilee | William W. How (Author) | English | 10 |
O God, enshrined in dazzling light | W. W. How (Author) | English | 2 |
O heavenly fount of light and love | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
O Holy Lord, content to live [fill] | Bishop William W. How (1850-1871) (Author) | English | 32 |
O holy Lord uplifted high | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 3 |
O Jesu Christ, du wartest | William Walsham How (Author) | German | 2 |
O Jesus, Thou art standing | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 607 |
O Jesus, crucified for man | W. W. How (Author) | English | 39 |
O Jesus, du stehst draußen | William Walsham How (Author) | German | 2 |
O Jesus, strong and pure, and true | William Walsham How (Author) | 6 | |
O King of kings, whose reign of old | Bishop W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 4 |
O King of saints, we give Thee praise and glory | Bp. W. W. How (Author) | English | 2 |
O Lord, it is a blessed thing | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 13 |
O Lord of hosts, the earth is thine | William W. How (Author) | 1 | |
O my Savior, lifted From the earth for me | William W. How (Author) | English | 21 |
O One with God the Father | Bp. W. W. How (Author) | English | 60 |
O Thou through suffering perfect made | W. W. How (Author) | English | 16 |
O Word of God incarnate | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 451 |
O Wort, voll Trost und Gnaden | William Walsham How (Author) | German | 2 |
Oh Dios! Tu Verbo santo | William Walsham How, 1823-1897 (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
¡Oh, Verbo encarnado! | William W. How (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
Oh, Verbo encarnado | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
Oh, Verbo humanado | William W. How, 1823-1897 (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
On wings of living light | William W. How (Author) | English | 71 |
Pilgrim, seek not yet repose | William Walsham How (Author) | 2 | |
Por los que ya dejaron su labor | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Pour tous les saints près de toi recueillis | William W. How (1823-1897) (Author) | French | 2 |
Quién es este niño débil | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Rejoice, ye sons of men! Your brightest praises yield | Bishop W. How (Author) | English | 5 |
Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on; Strong in the strength which God supplies | W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 1 |
Soldiers of the cross, arise! Gird you with your armor bright | W. Walsham How (1823-97) (Author) | English | 84 |
Stand, soldier of the cross | Bishop W. W. How (Author) | English | 4 |
Summer days are glowing | Bishop W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |
Summer suns are glowing | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 217 |
Te damos gracias, Bondadoso Rey | William Walsham How, 1823-1897 (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
The angel sped on wings of light | W. W. How (Author) | English | 11 |
The church of Thy dear Son | Bishop W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |
The city paved with gold | William W. How (Author) | English | 10 |
The ever changing seasons in silence come and go | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 8 |
The joyous life that year by year | William W. How, 1823-1897 (Author) | English | 12 |
The Lord ascendeth up on high | W. W. How (Author) | English | 1 |
The Poet scanned with mighty awe | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |
The year is swiftly waning | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 35 |
This day, at Thy creating word | William W. How (Author) | English | 32 |
This day the light of heavenly birth | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 14 |
Thou art the Christ, O Lord | W. W. How (Author) | English | 15 |
Through the passing of the week | Bp. William Walsham How (1823- ) (Author) | English | 5 |
To Thee our God, we fly | William Walsham How, 1823-1897 (Author) | English | 78 |
Todos los santos que en la tierra van | William Walsham How (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Tohoŋwiŋd maḣpiya kiŋ | W. Walsham How (Author) | Dakota | 1 |
Toy sagut ñga 'yegmi | William Walsham How (Author) | Tagalog | 2 |
Upon the holy mount they stood | Bishop W. Walsham How (Author) | English | 3 |
Wakaŋtaŋka Tamakoce wakaŋ | W. Walsham How (Author) | Dakota | 1 |
We give Thee but Thine own | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 439 |
We praise Thy grace, O Savior | Bishop W. W. How (Author) | English | 8 |
When the dark waves round us roll | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 16 |
Who is this, so weak and helpless | W. W. How (Author) | English | 34 |
Who trusts in God, a strong abode | William Walsham How (Alterer) | English | 14 |
Winter reigneth over the land | Bishop W. W. How (Author) | English | 14 |
With trembling awe the chosen three | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 5 |
With weary feet and saddened heart | W. W. How (Author) | English | 4 |
Yesterday with worship blest | William Walsham How (Author) | English | 2 |