William Sanders

Sanders, William, a Primitive Methodist minister, who was alive in 1881, but concerning whom we have no later information, left the home connexion after some years of labour, and undertook pastoral duty at Pottsville, U.S.A., in 1838. In the early days of the Primitive Methodist movement Sanders assisted H. Bourne (p. 165, i.) in compiling the hymn-books for the use of the Connexion. In hymn-writing they often worked together, and numerous hymns in the old collections of the denomination are signed jointly as, "H. B. & W. S.," and again as “W. S. & H. B." In the Primitive Methodist Hymnal of 1887 the following hymns are by him from the Collection of Hymns for Camp Meetings, &c, 1821, in which they are signed "W. S.":—
1. Behold, what wondrous love and grace. The Love of God.
2. Servants of the great Jehovah. Missions.
3. We seek a glorious rest above. Seeking Heaven.
4. Where shall my soul begin to sing? Love of Jesus. In the Primitive Methodist Large Hymn Book, 1824, the following,
also in their Hymnal of 1887, are signed jointly by Bourne and Sanders:—
5. While passing through this vale of woe. Death Anticipated.
6. Why do I wander from my God? Lent.
At p. 165, ii., "Hark! the Gospel news is sounding," is attributed to Bourne and Sanders jointly. In the Large Hymn Book, 1824, the signature is "H. B. & W. S." Why Dorricott and Collins attribute this hymn in their Lyric Studies solely to Sanders we cannot say.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)