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William Cullen Bryant

1794 - 1878 Person Name: William C. Bryant Author of "Look from thy sphere of endless day" in The Otterbein Hymnal Bryant, William Cullen. First in order of time of the great American poets, Bryant was born at Cummington, Mass., Nov. 3, 1794, and was educated at Williams College. In 1815 he'was called to the Bar, and practised for a time at Great Barrington. In 1825 he retired from the Bar, settled at New York, and devoted himself to literary pursuits, founding the New York Review, and editing for a short time the New York Evening Post. He died June 12, 1878. His poetical and other works are well known. His hymns were written at intervals during his long life. They were collected and privately printed in 1869, and number over 20. Those in common use are:— 1. Almighty, listen while we raise. Praise. This is given as "Almighty hear us,” &c, in the Unitarian Hymn and Tune Book, Boston, 1868. It was introduced into Great Britain through Beard's Collection, 1857. 2. Deem not that they are blest alone. Mourning. In this form it is in Beard's Collection, 1837. It is best known as "0 deem not they are," &c, and in this form it is No. 964 in Songs for the Sanctuary, N. Y., 1865-72, No. 452, in Dr. Martineau's Hymns of Prayer and Praise, Lond., 1873, &c. 3. Father, to Thy kind love we owe. God's Lovingkindness. This is given in several modern collections, including the Unitarian Hymn and Tune Book, Boston, 1868, Martineau, 1873, &c. 4. 0 God, whose dread and dazzling brow. Compassion desired. Is No. 57 in the Boston Hymn and Tune Book, 1868, as above. 5. When he who from the scourge of wrong. Hope of the Resurrection. This is seldom found in modern hymnals. Text in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868. The above hymns (1-5) appeared in Dr. H. D. Sewall's (Unitarian) Psalms & Hymns for Social and Private Worship, 1820, and were written at the instance of a Miss Sedgwick. Following as near as possible the chronological order of the hymns we have next:— 6. O Thou Whose own vast temple stands. Opening of a Place of Worship. Written in 1835 for the Dedication of a Chapel in Prince Street, N. Y. This is the most widely known of this author's hymns. It was introduced into Great Britain as early as 1837, when it was included in Beard's Collection, No. 405. It is in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. Orig. text in Songs for the Sanctuary, N. Y., 1865, No. 1017, and Martineau, 1873, No. 727. Another form of the hymn is "Thou, Whose unmeasured temple stands," This is No. 569 in the American Presb. Psalms and Hymns, Richmond, 1867, Horder's Congregational Hymns, Lond. 1884, No. 747, and others. 7. All that in this wide world we see. Omnipresence. This is dated 1836. In his Collection in 1837, No. 17, Beard gives it as an original contributed thereto, thus fixing its first publication. 8. Thou unrelenting past. The Past. Dates from 1836. Also in Martineau, 1873, No. 508. 9. Not in the solitude. God in the City. Dates from 1836, and is No. 26 in Martineau, 1873. 10. Whither, midst falling dew. Divine Guidance. This, in common with Nos. 8 and 9, is more a poem than hymn. It is addressed "To a Waterfowl," and dates from 1836. In Martineau, 1873. 11. Dear ties of mutual succour bind. Charity Sermons. No. 905 in the Amer. Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, 1878. It dates from about 1836. 12. 0 Thou whose love can ne'er forget. Ordination. Given (but not as an original contributed thereto) in Beard's Collection (Eng.), 1837. 13. Mighty One, before Whose face. Ordination. This is dated 1840 (but is probably earlier), and is given in several collections, including Mr. Beecher's Plymouth Collection, 1855, and others. 14. Look from Thy sphere of endless day. Home Missions. This hymn has also attained to considerable use both in Great Britain and America. It dates from 1840. It is in the Song. for the Sanctuary, N. Y., 1865, Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884, &c. 15. Lord, who ordainest for mankind. Thanks for a Mother's love. Written at Dr. Osgood's suggestion, and printed in his Christian Worship, 1862. It is repeated in Martineau, 1873. 16. All praise to Him of Nazareth. Holy Communion. Dr. Hatfield in his Church Hymn Bk., 1872, No. 736, gives this in 3 stanzas of 4 lines. In the Songs for the Sanctuary it is in its full form of 5 stanzas. It dates from 1864. 17. As shadows cast by cloud and sun. Epiphany. In the Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, N. Y., 1878. It was contributed to that Hymnal, 1877, but was composed for the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the Church of the Messiah, Boston, March 19, 1875. 18. When doomed to death the Apostle lay. On behalf of Drunkards. Also in the Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, 1878. In addition to the above the following hymns by Bryant are in limited use:— 19. All things that are on earth. Love of God. In Beard's Collection, 1837. 20. Close softly, fondly, while ye weep. Death. In Mr. Beecher's Plymouth Coll., 1855. 21. How shall I know thee in the sphere which keeps? The Future Life. In the Supplement to the Boston Hymns for the Church of Christ, 1853. 22. Standing forth in life's rough way. On behalf of Children. In Dr. Alton's Children's Worship, 1878; Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884, and others. 23. When this song of praise shall cease. Death anticipated. In his Hymns, 1869, and W. R. Stevenson's School Hymnal, 1880, No 313. 24. When the blind suppliant in the way. Opening the eyes of the blind. In the Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, 1878, N. Y., No. 201. It dates from 1874. 25. Wild was the day, the wintry sea. The Pilgrim Fathers. In Hymns of the Spirit, by Longfellow and Johnson. Boston, 1864. In 1869, Hymns by W. C. Bryant, 12mo, were privately printed. In this work the texts of many of the older hymns are altered. The dates of his hymns are difficult to determine, and many of those given above are approximate only. Bryant's genius was cool, meditative, and not distinguished by lyric fire. His hymns are correct and solid, but none reach the highest rank. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

James Merrick

1720 - 1769 Author of "O turn, great Ruler of the skies!" in The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book Merrick, James , M.A., was born in 1720, and educated at Oxford, where he became a Fellow of Trinity College. He entered Holy Orders, but his health would not admit of parish work. He died at Reading, 1769. His publications include:— (1) Messiah, a Divine Essay. Humbly dedicated to the Reverend the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and the Visitors of the Free School in Reading. By James Merrick, Ætat. 14, Senior Scholar of the School at their last Terminal Visitation, the 7th of October, 1734. Reading. (2) The Destruction of Troy. Translated from the Greek of Tryphiodorus into English Verse, with Notes, &c. 1742. (3) Poems on Sacred Subjects. Oxford . 1763. (4) The Psalms of David Translated or Paraphrased in English Verse. By James Merrick, M.A., late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. Reading. J. Carnan and Co. 1765. 2nd ed. 1766. A few only of these paraphrases were divided into stanzas. In 1797 the Rev. W. D. Tattersall pulished the work "Divided into stanzas for Parochial Use, and paraphrased in such language as will be intelligible to every capacity . . . with a suitable Collect to each Psalm from the Works of Archbishop Parker." Merrick's paraphrases, although weak and verbose, were in extensive use in the early part of the present century, both in the Church of England and with Nonconformists. They have, however, fallen very much into disuse. Those in modern hymn-books, mainly in the form of centos, include:— 1. Blest Instructor, from Thy ways. Ps. xix. 2. Descend, O Lord! from heaven descend. Ps. cxliv. (In time of National Peril.) 3. Far as creation's bounds extend. Ps. cxlv. 4. God of my strength, the wise, the just. Ps. xxxi. 5. He who with generous pity glows. Ps. xli. 6. How pleasant, Lord.Thy dwellings are. Ps. lxxxiv. 7. Lift up your voice and thankful sing. Ps. cxxxvi. 8. Lo, my Shepherd's hand divine. Ps. xxiii. 9. Lord, my Strength, to Thee I pray. Ps. xxviii. 10. My heart its noblest theme has found. Ps.xlv. 11. O let me, [gracious] heavenly Lord extend. Ps. xxxix. 12. O turn, great Ruler of the skies. Ps. li. 13. Praise, O praise the Name divine. Ps. cl. 14. Sing, ye sons of [men] might, O sing. Ps. xxix. 15. Teach me, O teach me, Lord, Thy way. Ps. cxix. 16. The festal morn, my [O] God, is come. Ps. cxxii, (Sunday Morning.) 17. The morn and eve Thy praise resound. Ps. lxv. (Harvest.) 18. To Thy pastures, fair and large. Ps. xxiii. From his Poems on Sacred Subjects, 1763, the following centos have also come into common use: -- 19. Author of good, to Thee we turn. Resignation. 20. Eternal God, we look to Thee. Resignation. 21. 'Tis enough, the hour is come. Nunc Dimittis. John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Michael Morgan

b. 1948 Author of "O God, Your Deeds Are Unsurpassed" in Psalms for All Seasons Michael Morgan (b. 1948) is a church musician, Psalm scholar, and collector of English Bibles and Psalters from Atlanta, Georgia. After almost 40 years, he now serves as Organist Emeritus for Atlanta’s historic Central Presbyterian Church, and as Seminary Musician at Columbia Theological Seminary. He holds degrees from Florida State University and Atlanta University, and did post-graduate study with composer Richard Purvis in San Francisco. He has played recitals, worship services, and master classes across the U. S., and in England, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany. He is author of the Psalter for Christian Worship (1999; rev. 2010), and a regular contributor in the field of psalmody (most recently to the Reformed collections Psalms for All Seasons and Lift Up Your Hearts, and the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God). Michael Morgan

James Edmeston

1791 - 1867 Author of "Fountain of grace, rich, full, and free" in Hymns and Tunes Edmeston, James, born Sept. 10, 1791. His maternal grandfather was the Rev. Samuel Brewer, who for 50 years was the pastor of an Independent congregation at Stepney. Educated as an architect and surveyor, in 1816 he entered upon his profession on his own account, and continued to practice it until his death on Jan. 7, 1867. The late Sir G. Gilbert Scott was his pupil. Although an Independent by descent he joined the Established Church at a comparatively early age, and subsequently held various offices, including that of churchwarden, in the Church of St. Barnabas, Homerton. His hymns number nearly 2000. The best known are “Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us” and "Saviour, breathe an evening blessing." Many of his hymns were written for children, and from their simplicity are admirably adapted to the purpose. For many years he contributed hymns of various degrees of merit to the Evangelical Magazine, His published works are:— (1) The Search, and other Poems, 1817. (2) Sacred Lyrics, 1820, a volume of 31 hymns and one poem. This was followed by a second Series, 1821, with 35; and a third Series, 1822, with 27 pieces respectively. (3) The Cottage Minstrel; or, Hymns for the Assistance of Cottagers in their Domestic Worship, 1821. This was published at the suggestion of a member of the Home Missionary Society, and contains fifty hymns. (4) One Hundred Hymns for Sunday Schools, and for Particular Occasions, 1821. (5) Missionary Hymns, 1822. (6) Patmos, a Fragment, and Other Poems, 1824. (7) The Woman of Shunam, and Other Poems, 1829. (8) Fifty Original Hymns, 1833. (9) Hymns for the Chamber of Sickness, 1844. (10) Closet Hymns and Poems, 1844. (11) Infant Breathings, being Hymns for the Young, 1846. (12) Sacred Poetry, 1847. In addition to those of his hymns which have attained to an extensive circulation, as those named above, and are annotated in this work under their respective first lines, there are also the following in common use in Great Britain and America:— 1. Along my earthly way. Anxiety. In his Sacred Lyrics, third set, 1822, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines. It is given in several collections, but usually in an abbreviated form, and generally somewhat altered. 2. Dark river of death that is [art] flowing. Death Anticipated. Given in his Sacred Lyrics, 3rd set, 1822, p. 39, in 9 stanzas of 4 lines. It is usually given in an abbreviated form, and sometimes as, "Dark river of death that art flowing." 3. Come, sacred peace, delightful guest. Peace. Appeared in his Closet Hymns, &c, 1844, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. 4. Eternal God, before thy throne, Three nations. National Fast. 5. For Thee we pray and wait. Second Advent. 6. God intrusts to all. Parable of the Talents. This is No. 13 of his Infant Breathings, 1846, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is a simple application of the parable to the life of a child. It is widely used. 7. God is here; how sweet the sound. Omnipresence. Given as No. 9 in his Sacred Lyrics, 1st set, 1820, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. In the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, No. 45. St. i.-iii. are from this text, and iv. and v. are from another source. 8. How sweet the light of Sabbath eve. Sunday Evening. No. 10 in theCottage Minstrel, 1821, slightly altered. 9. Is there a time when moments flow. Sunday Evening. No. 5 of his Sacred Lyrics, 1st set, 1820, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. 10. Little travellers Zionward. Burial of Children. No. 25 of his Infant Breathings, &c, 1846, in 3 stanzas of 8 lines. In the Leeds Hymn Book, 1853, it begins with stanza ii., "Who are they whose little feet?" 11. May we, Lord, rejoicing say. National Thanksgiving. Dated 1849 by the author in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymnbook, No. 1008. 12. Music, bring thy sweetest treasures. Holy Trinity. Dated 1837 by the author in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymnbook, No. 167. It is in his Sacred Poetry, 1847. 13. Roll on, thou mighty ocean. Departure of Missionaries. In his Missionary Hymns, 1822, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. It is in common use in America. 14. Sweet is the light of Sabbath eve. Sunday Evening. In 5 stanzas of 41., from the Cottage Minstrel, 1821, where it is given as No. 10, and entitled "The Cottager's Reflections upon the Sabbath Evening." 15. The light of Sabbath eve. Sunday Evening. In 5 stanzas of 4 lines, as No. 11 in the Cottage Minstrel, 1821, p. 14, and headed, "Solemn Questions for the Sabbath Evening." 16. Wake, harp of Zion, wake again. Missions to the Jews. Dated 1846 by the author in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymnbook. It is in his Sacred Poetry, 1847. 17. When shall the voice of singing? In his Missionary Hymns, 1822. It is in a few American collections. 18. When the worn spirit wants repose. Sunday. No. 18, of his Sacred Lyrics, 1st set, 1820, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. It is somewhat popular, and is given in several collections in Great Britain and America, as the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858-80; the Church Praise Book, N. Y., 1881, &c. 19. Why should I, in vain repining? Consolation. No. 14 in the 1st set of his Sacred Lyrics, 1820, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ========================= Edmeston, James, p. 321, ii. Other hymns are:— 1. O Thou Whose mercy guides my way. Resignation. In his Sacred Lyrics, 1st set, 1820, p. 24, in 3 stanzas of 4 lines, and again in his Hymns for the Chamber of Sickness, 1844. 2. Parting soul, the flood awaits thee. Death anticipated. In his Sacred Lyrics, 1st set, 1820, p. 18, in 3 stanza of 8 lines, and based upon the passage in the Pilgrim's Progress:—"Now I further saw that betwixt them and the gate was a river, but there was no bridge to go over, and the river was very deep." 3. 'Tis sweet upon our pilgrimage. Praise. In hi3 Closet Hymns and Poems, 1846, in 3 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "An Ebenezer Raided." 4. Welcome, brethren, enter in. Reception of Church Officers. Miller says, in his Singers and Songs, 1869, p. 420:—"This is No. 1 of five hymns supplied by Mr. Edmeston, at the request of a friend, for insertion in a provincial hymn-book, on the subject of admitting members," but he does not give the name of the book, neither have we identified It. The hymn, as given in the New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859, No. 840, is in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, of which Millet says stanza iii. is by another hand. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Douglas Gay

b. 1963 Person Name: Doug Gay Author of "You Cunning Liar, Why Publicize" in Psalms for All Seasons

James Montgomery

1771 - 1854 Person Name: J. Montgomery Author of "The heathen perish; day by day" in The Otterbein Hymnal 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 ======================== 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)

J. M. Brenneman

Author of "O Seligkeit, o süßes Wort" in Deutsches Lieder- und Melodienbuch

Georg Friedrich Philipp von Hardenberg

1772 - 1801 Person Name: Fred. von Hardenberg Author of "Thou strong and loving Son of Man" in Hymns and Tunes Pseudonym: Novalis. See also Novalis, 1772-1801 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hardenberg, Georg Friedrich Philipp von, was son of Baron Heinrich Ulrich Erasmus von Hardenberg, director of the Saxon Saltworks at Weissenfels. He was born May 2, 1772, at his father's estate of Widerstedt or Ober-Wiederstäd, near Eisleben. In the autumn of 1790 he entered the University of Jena, then went to Leipzig, and finally to Wittenberg. After concluding his studies, he went, in the end of 1794, to Tennstädt, near Erfurt, in order to learn administrative business under Kreisamtmann Just. In the autumn of 1797 he entered the School of Mines at Freiberg in Saxony, and in the autumn of 1799 went to Artern, at the foot of the Kyffhäuser-Berg, to be employed in the saltworks there. Soon after he began to spit blood, and while on a visit to Dresden the news of the sudden death of a younger brother, in Nov. 1800, brought on a hemorrhage which destroyed all hopes of his recovery. In January, 1801, he was removed to the house of his parents at Weissenfels, and died there March 25, 1801. (Koch, vii. 4-9; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, x. 562-570; Blätter für Hymnologie, 1884, 3-6, &c.) Hardenberg's various writings appeared under the name of Novalis (apparently taken from the name of one of the family estates), which he first adopted in his Blüthenstaub, published in the Athenæum, Brunswick, 1798; and it is as Novalis that he is best known. He was one of the leaders of the Romantic School which arose in Germany in the last years of the 18th century, and of which his friends F. and A. W. Schlegel, Fouque and Tieck are the best known members. It is, however, by his hymns that he will probably best be remembered. They arose in the time of deep sorrow into which he was cast on the death of his betrothed Sophie von Kühn, when his thoughts turned to the faith of his childhood (his father and mother were Moravians, and his early education was imparted by a Moravian pastor); and when from the barren religiosity of the latter days of Illumination his soul found its strength and solace in loving surrender to the Person of our Blessed Lord. His hymns, 15 in all, are distinguished by beauty of rhythm and lyric grace. While some have been included in recent German hymn-books (e.g. Nos. ii.-iv. in the Berlin Gesang-buch, 1829, through the influence of F. Schleiermacher), yet for Church use they are too subjective, and in some cases even too sentimental. They must be regarded as beautiful and deeply spiritual poems, rather than as hymns suited for public worship. Some of them are not altogether free from Pantheistic tendencies. The Marienlieder (i.e. the hymns to the B. V. M.) were not intended by himself to be published among his hymns, but were meant to be inserted in his unfinished romance of Heinrich von Ofterdingen, as hymns of pilgrims to the shrine of the B. V. M. at Loretto in Italy. Seven of his hymns were sent, on Jan. 20, 1800, to P. Schlegel for publication in the Athenæum. They did not however appear till in the Musenalmanach für das Jahr, 1802, published at Tübingen, 1802. The rest of his hymns were published in his Schriften, Berlin, 1807. A handy little edition of his Gedichte, with a critical and biographical sketch by W. Beyschlag, appeared in 1869 (2nd ed. 1877). Since the publication of T. Carlyle's Essay on Novalis in 1829, numerous "Studies" have appeared in English and American reviews and magazines; and some of these may contain translations not noted below. Hardenberg's hymns, all of which have been rendered into English, are as follows :— I. Hymns in English common use:-- i. Ich sag' es jedem, das er lebt. Easter. In his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 143, in 8 st. of 4 l. Repeated in the Württemberg Gesang-buch, 1842, No. 165. Translated as :-— I say to all men, far and near, in full, by Miss Winkworth in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 40. In full in Kennedy, 1863 ; and in varying centos in America in the Dutch Reformed Hymns of the Church, 1869; Baptist Praise Book, 1871; Hymns & Songs of Praise, N. Y., 1874, &c. Other translations are: (1) "I say to every one, He lives," by Helen Lowe, in her Zareefa, 1844, p. 166. (2) "To every one I say," by Dr. J. F. Hurst, in his translation of K. R. Hagenbach's History of the Church 18 and 19 centuries, N. Y., 1869, vol. ii. p. 283. (3) "I say to each man that He lives," by M. E. Bramston, in theDay of Rest, 1875, p. 69. (4) "He lives! He's risen from the dead," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in his Exotics, 1876, p. 22. [The hymn "He lives! He lives! let joy again," by Sir John Bowring, in J. R. Beard's Collection, 1837, No. 145, seems based on this German.] ii. Was wär ich ohne dich gewesen. The Love of Christ. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 189, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 123, in 10 st. of 8 1. Included in various German hymn-books, and is No. 1562 in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863. It is said that shortly after the death of Novalis his father was present at a Moravian service at Herrnhut during which this hymn was sung. When he asked who was the author of this wonderfully beautiful hymn, he was greatly moved on receiving the reply, "Your son." And then in a moment it became clear to him that the Christ who had been the Crown and Star of his heart ever since his youth, was also his son's Saviour and Deliverer, though he had sought and found Him by a different way. The translations in common use are :— 1. What had I been if Thou wert not, a free translation of st. i.-iii., viii., v., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 96. Centos from this are:— (1) Lord! when Thou mak'st Thy presence felt (st. iii.) in the Swedenborgian Collection, 1880. (2) Thou strong ana loving God in man (st. iv.), in Hymns of the Spirit, Boston, U.S., 1864. (3) Thou strong and loving Son of Man (st. iv.), in H. L. Hastings's Hymnal, Boston, U.S., 1880. 2. Without Thee, Lord, what had we been, a paraphrase or transfusion in 3 st. of 8 1., by Dr. W. L. Alexander, written about 1830, but first published in the second edition, 1858, of his Selection of Hymns, No. 323. Other translations are: (1) "What might I not have been without Thee," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 216. (2) "What without Thee, would I have been," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 78). (3) "Without Thee, what were I worth being", by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1871, p. 846. Thence (as “Without Thee what were all my being"), in his Exotics, 1876, p. 3. iii. Wenn alle untreu werden. Love to Christ. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 200, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 136, in 4 st. of 8 1. Included in the Berlin Gesangbuch, 1829 ; the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1563, &c. Translated as:— Though all the world forsake Thee, a free translation, in 6 st. of 4 1., by J. S. Stallybrass, as No. 417 in Curwen's Sabbath Hymnbook, 1859. Other translations are: (1) Tho' all men faith had banished," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 222; and thence in Lyra Eucharistica, 1864, p. 100. (2) "Though all to Thee were faithless," by Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 165. (3) Though all were faithless to Thee," by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 68. (4) "My faith to Thee I break not," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in his Exotics, 1876, p. 15. iv. Wenn ich Ihn nur habe. Jesus only. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 199, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 134, in 5 st. of 6 1. In various recent German hymnbooks, as the Württemberg Gesang-buch, 1842, the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1564, &c. Translated as:— If I Him but have, by Dr. G. Macdonald, as No. 172 in the Manchester Sunday School Hymnbook, 1855 (see Bubier), and in his own Exotics, 1876, p. 13. Other translations are: (1) "If I have only Him," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 221, repeated in Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 207. (2) "Oh! could my soul possess His love,” by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 114. (3) “If I only have Thee,” by Dr. G. W. Bethune, in his Lays of Love and Faith, 1847, p. 139. (4) "If only He is mine," by Miss Borthwick, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 54. (5) "If I have Christ, and Christ be mine," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 52. (6) “If I trust in God alone," by Frederica M. Rowan, in her Meditations on Death and Eternity, 1862, p. 88. II. Hymns not in English common use: -- v. Es giebt so bange Zeiten. The Unchanging. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 145, in 7 st. The translations are: (1) "How dark the seasons lour," by Helen Lowe, in her Zareefa, 1844, p. 164. (2) “There are dark hours of sadness," by Madame L. Davésiés de Pontès, in her Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, ii. p. 408. (3) “There be such dreary seasons," by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 55. (4) "The times are all so wretched," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 24. vi. Fern im Osten wird es helle. Christmas. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 193, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 128, in 6 st. The translations are: (1) "Afar the Eastern sky is glowing," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 218, and Lyra Messianica, 1864, p. 87. (2) "Dawn, far Eastward on the mountain," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1872, p. 216, and his Exotics, 1876, p. 7. vii. Ich sehe dich in tausend Bildern. B. Y. M. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 157, in 8 1. Translated as: (1) "In many a form I see thee oft," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 229. (2) "In countless pictures I behold thee," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 36. viii. Ich weiss nicht was ich suchen könnte, Desire for Christ. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 147, in 12 st. The translations are: (1) "I know not what I could desire," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 223, and Lyra Mystica, 1864, p. 218. (2) "How could I wish a greater treasure," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 72). (3) "I know not one hope left to draw me," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 26. (4) "What better good could e'er befall me," by R. Massie, in the Day of Rest, 1878, p. ill. (5) "I know not what I more should long for," by F. W. Young, in the Christian Monthly, 1880, p. 559. ix. Unter tausend frohen Stunden. Communion with God. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 197, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 132, in 4 st. The translations are: (1) "Of all the golden hours whose light," by Helen Lowe, in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 220. (2) "All my world was struck with storm" (st. ii.), by M. E. Bramston, in the Day of Rest, 1875, p. 55. (3) "Of a thousand hours me meeting," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 11. x. Weinen muss ich, immer weinen. Passiontide. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 141, in 7 st. Translated as, "Weep I must—-my heart runs over," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 20. xi. Wenige wissen das Geheimniss der Liebe. Holy Communion. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 202, and Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 138, in 2 stanzas. Translated as, "Few understand the mystery of love," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 17. xii. Wenn in bangen, trüben Stunden . In sorrow. Schriften , 1802, pt. ii. p. 153, in 2 st. The translations are: (1) "When in hours of pain and anguish," by Madame L. Davésiés de Pontès, in her Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, ii. p. 407. (2) "When in dreary, mournful hours," by Lady John Manners, in her Gems of German Poetry, 1865, p. 14. (3) "When in hours of fear and failing," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 32. xiii. Wer einmal, Mutter dich erblickt. B. V. M. Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 154, in 8 st. Translated as, "Who once hath seen thee, mother fair," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 33. xiv. Wer einsam sitzt in seiner Eanuner. Christ the Consoler. Musenalmanach, 1802, p. 195, and his Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 130, in 9 st. Translated as, "Who in his chamber sitteth lonely," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in Good Words, 1872, p. 234, and his Exotics, 1876, p. 9. xv. Wo bleibst du, Trost der ganzen Welt. Advent . Schriften, 1802, pt. ii. p. 150, in 12 st. Translated as, "Earth's Consolation, why so slow," by Dr. G. Macdonald, 1876, p. 29. Besides the above he had previously published a series of poems entitled "Hymnen an die Nacht" in the Athenæum, a magazine edited by A. W. Schlegel and F. Schlegel, where they appear in vol. iii., pt. ii., pp. 188-204, Berlin, 1800. They are a wonderful picture of the "night" of sorrow into which he was plunged at the death of his betrothed on March 19, 1797. There are five poems "in prose, with interspersed verse, the sixth being in verse. The longer poems in verse-form are:— 1. Das furchtbar zu den frohen Tischen trat. 2. Geboben ist der Stein. 3. Hinüber wall'ich. 4. Hinuntcr in der Erde Schoos. There is a complete translation by Henry Morley in his Dream of the Lilybell, &c, London, 1845. No. 2 has also been translated by Dr. G. Macdonald in his Threefold Cord, 1883, p. 256; and No. 4 by Helen Lowe in her Prophecy of Balaam, 1841, p. 226 (Lyra Mystica, 1864, p. 220). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) See Novalis, 1772-1801

J. Grigg

1720 - 1768 Person Name: Joseph Grigg Author of "Behold a Stranger's at the door!" in Book of Worship with Hymns and Tunes Grigg, Joseph, was born in 1728, according to the D. Sedgwick’s Manuscript," but this date seems to be some six or eight years too late. He was the son of poor parents and was brought up to mechanical pursuits. In 1743 he forsook his trade and became assistant minister to the Rev. Thomas Bures, of the Presbyterian Church, Silver Street, London. On the death of Mr. Bures in 1747, he retired from the ministry, and, marrying a lady of property, look up his residence at St. Albans. He died at Walthamstow, Essex, Oct. 29, 1768. As a hymnwriter Grigg is chiefly known by two of his hymns, "Behold a stranger at the door"; and "Jesus, and can it ever be?" His hymnwriting began, it is said, at ten years of age. His published works of various kinds number over 40. Those in which his hymns are found are:— (1) Miscellanies on Moral and Religious Subjects, &c, London, Elizabeth Harrison, 1756. (2) The Voice of Danger, the Voice of God. A Sermon Preached at St. Albans, and at Box-Lane, Chiefly with a View to the apprehended Invasion. By J. Grigg. London, J. Buckland, 1756. To this is appended his hymn, "Shake, Britain, like an aspen shake." (3) Four Hymns on Divine Subjects wherein the Patience and Love of Our Divine Saviour is displayed, London, 1765. (4) Hymns by the late Rev. Joseph Grigg, Stourbridge, 1806. (5) During 1765 and 1766 he also contributed 12 hymns to The Christians Magazine. In 1861 D. Sedgwick collected his hymns and poems, and published them with a memoir as: Hymns on Divine Subjects, * * * * London, 1861. This volume contains 40 "Hymns," and 17 "Serious Poems." In the “S. MSS." Sedgwick notes that in 1861 he omitted three hymns by Grigg, which were then unknown to him, viz.:—l) On "The National Fast," appended to a sermon preached at Northampton, Feb. 13, 1761, by W. Warburton, and published in London, 1761. (2) "A Harvest Hymn by the late Rev. Joseph Grigg," in 6 stanzas, in the Evangelical Magazine, July, 1822; and (3) On the Parable of Dives and Lazarus, dated "Feb. 15, 1767." -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

John L. Bell

b. 1949 Person Name: John L. Bell, b. 1949 Harmonizer of "BACA" in Lift Up Your Hearts John Bell (b. 1949) was born in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, intending to be a music teacher when he felt the call to the ministry. But in frustration with his classes, he did volunteer work in a deprived neighborhood in London for a time and also served for two years as an associate pastor at the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam. After graduating he worked for five years as a youth pastor for the Church of Scotland, serving a large region that included about 500 churches. He then took a similar position with the Iona Community, and with his colleague Graham Maule, began to broaden the youth ministry to focus on renewal of the church’s worship. His approach soon turned to composing songs within the identifiable traditions of hymnody that began to address concerns missing from the current Scottish hymnal: "I discovered that seldom did our hymns represent the plight of poor people to God. There was nothing that dealt with unemployment, nothing that dealt with living in a multicultural society and feeling disenfranchised. There was nothing about child abuse…,that reflected concern for the developing world, nothing that helped see ourselves as brothers and sisters to those who are suffering from poverty or persecution." [from an interview in Reformed Worship (March 1993)] That concern not only led to writing many songs, but increasingly to introducing them internationally in many conferences, while also gathering songs from around the world. He was convener for the fourth edition of the Church of Scotland’s Church Hymnary (2005), a very different collection from the previous 1973 edition. His books, The Singing Thing and The Singing Thing Too, as well as the many collections of songs and worship resources produced by John Bell—some together with other members of the Iona Community’s “Wild Goose Resource Group,” —are available in North America from GIA Publications. Emily Brink