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William Ellsworth Witter

1854 - 1954 Person Name: W. E. Witter Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-8 Author of "While Jesus Whispers to You (Come, Sinner, Come)" in African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal Witter, Will Ellsworth, was born Dec. 9, 1854, near La Grange, New York, and educated at the Genessee State Normal School, New York, and the University of Rochester. From the latter he passed in 1880 to the Rochester Baptist Theological Seminary, and in 1884 he entered the Baptist Ministry. He has written several songs and poems, one of which:— While Jesus whispers to you (The Divine Call) has come into somewhat prominent use. It was written in July 1878, and originated mainly in the great anxiety of the author respecting two of his pupils. In 1878 it was set to music by H. R. Palmer, and included in his Book of Anthems, 1878: from whence it passed into Good as Gold, and I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, London 1881. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

H. R. Palmer

1834 - 1907 Person Name: Horatio R. Palmer, 1834-1907 Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-8 Composer of "COME, SINNER, COME" in African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal Palmer, Horatio Richmond, MUS. DOC, was born April 26, 1834. He is the author of several works on the theory of music; and the editor of some musical editions of hymnbooks. To the latter he contributed numerous tunes, some of which have attained to great popularity, and 5 of which are in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, London, 1881. His publications include Songs of Love for the Bible School; and Book of Anthems, the combined sale of which has exceeded one million copies. As a hymnwriter he is known by his "Yield not to temptation," which was written in 1868, and published in the National Sunday School Teachers' Magazine, from which it passed, with music by the author, into his Songs of Love, &c, 1874, and other collections. In America its use is extensive. Dr. Palmer's degree was conferred by the University of Chicago in 1880. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =============== Palmer, H. R., p. 877, i. The hymn "Would you gain the best in life" (Steadfastness), in the Congregational Sunday School Supplement, 1891, the Council School Hymn Book, 1905, and others, is by this author. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Josiah Hopkins

1786 - 1862 Person Name: Rev. Josiah Hopkins (1786-1862) Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-16 Composer of "EXPOSTULATION" in Songs of Praise with Tunes Hopkins, Josiah , D.D., was born at Pittsford, Vermont, April 13, 1786. From 1809 to 1830 he was pastor of a Congregational Church, at New Haven, Vermont; and from 1830 to 1848 of the First Presbyterian Church, Auburn, New York. He died at Geneva, New York, July 27, 1862. He was the editor of Conference Hymns , Auburn, 1846, and contributed hymns to the Christian Lyre , N. Y., 1830. From the latter work his hymns in common use are taken:— 1. 0 turn ye, 0 turn ye, for why will ye die. Expostulation. 2. Why sleep we, my brethren. Expostulation. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Henry Kirke White

1785 - 1806 Person Name: Henry Kirke White, 1785-1806 Scripture: Hebrews 3:14 Author of "Oft in sorrow, oft in woe" in Carmina Sanctorum, a selection of hymns and songs of praise with tunes White, Henry Kirke, a gifted English poet who died early in life, was born in Nottingham, England, March 21, 1785. Very early he manifested a remarkable love for books and a decided talent for composition. But his parents were poor, and he was apprenticed in early boyhood to a stocking weaver, from which uncongenial servitude he escaped as soon as he could and began the study of law; but later he was converted and felt called to the ministry. The story of his conversion from deism to Christianity is briefly but beautifully told in the poem titled "The Star of Bethlehem." He entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1805 as a servitor; but died October 19, 1806, in the second year of his college course, when only twenty-one years of age. In 1803 he published a small volume of poems. Some of them are very fine, but no doubt he would have produced others far better if he had lived to the ordinary age of man. His rare poetic genius, his victory over skepticism and subsequent faith and piety, his hard struggle with poverty and early death invest the story of his life with more than ordinary pathos. His hymns, ten in number, appeared in Collyer's Collection, 1812. Oft in danger, oft in woe 412 The Lord our God is clothed with 99 When marshaled on the mighty 124 Hymn Writers of the Church, 1911 ============================ White, Henry Kirk, remarkable both for the early development of his genius and for the untimely termination of his brief life of splendid promise, was born at Nottingham, March 21, 1785. His father was a butcher, but his mother must have been a superior woman, since for a number of years she successfully conducted a boarding-school for girls. The writing-master in her establishment was for some time Henry's teacher, and under his instruction he made remarkable progress in Latin and other subjects. At the age of 13 he composed the lines "To an early Primrose," which were subsequently printed with his poems. At 14 he left school, and was put to the stocking-frame in order to learn prac¬tically the business of a hosier; but, disliking the employment, he was removed to an attorney's office in Nottingham, with a view to the legal profession. All his spare time was now devoted to literary pursuits, the acquisition of languages, and the composition of poetical and other contributions for the periodicals of the day. At the age of 15 he obtained from the Monthly Preceptor a silver medal for a translation from Horace, and a pair of globes for the best description of an imaginary tour from London to Edinburgh. When only 17 he was encouraged to publish his Clifton Grove and other Poems, which were certainly excellent as the compositions of a mere boy. About this time he was inclined to scepticism, but. through the perusal of Scott's Force of Truth and the arguments and appeals of a young friend, R. W. Almond (afterwards Rector of St. Peter's, Nottingham), he was led to earnest faith in Christianity. His well-known hymn "When marshall'd on the nightly plain" is understood to be a figurative description of his spiritual experience at this period. He now desired to become a Christian minister, and through the generosity of his employers he was released from his articles in 1804. With the help of the Rev. C. Simeon and other friends, he became a student of St. John's College, Cambridge. There he speedily distinguished himself, and the highest honours seemed within his grasp; but over application to study destroyed his health, and he fell ill and died Oct. 19, 1806, in the 22nd year of his age. Universal regret was expressed at his untimely end. Southey published his Remains, accompanied by a short memoir. Lord Byron composed some beautiful lines on the sad event. Josiah Conder and others wrote commemorative verses. The entire literary young manhood of England and America seemed moved with sympathy. A monumental tablet, with a medallion by Chantrey, was erected in All Saints Church, Cambridge, at the expense of a citizen of Boston, in the United States. Ten hymns are ascribed to H. K. White, which were printed by the Rev. Dr. W. B. Collyer in his Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms & Hymns, London, 1812. Of these four of the most popular are annotated as follows: "Awake, sweet harp of Judah, wake"; "Christians, brethren, ere we part"; "Much in sorrow, oft in woe"; “When marshalled on the nightly plain." These are all in extensive use. The rest, all in common use at the present time, are:— 1. 0 Lord, another day has flown. Evening. From this the hymn "0 let Thy grace perform its part" is taken. 2. 0 Lord, my God, in mercy turn. Penitence and Faith. 3. The Lord our God is full [clothed in] of might. Divine Sovereignty. 4. The Lord our God is Lord of all. Divine Sovereignty. 5. Through sorrow's night and danger's path. The Resurrection. Sometimes given as "When sorrow's path and danger's road." 6. What is this passing scene? Human Frailty. This hymn consists of selected stanzas from his “Ode on Disappointment." [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

John Goss

1800 - 1880 Person Name: Sir John Goss Scripture: Hebrews 3:1 Composer of "WATERSTOCK" in The Presbyterian Book of Praise John Goss (b. Fareham, Hampshire, England, 1800; d. London, England, 1880). As a boy Goss was a chorister at the Chapel Royal and later sang in the opera chorus of the Covent Garden Theater. He was a professor of music at the Royal Academy of Music (1827-1874) and organist of St. Paul Cathedral, London (1838-1872); in both positions he exerted significant influence on the reform of British cathedral music. Goss published Parochial Psalmody (1826) and Chants, Ancient and Modern (1841); he edited William Mercer's Church Psalter and Hymn Book (1854). With James Turle he published a two-volume collection of anthems and Anglican service music (1854). Bert Polman

John Dobell

1757 - 1840 Scripture: Hebrews 3:7 Author of "Now is the accepted time" in The Presbyterian Book of Praise Dobell, John, b. 1757, d. May, 1840, was a port-gauger under the Board of Excise, at Poole, Dorset, and a person of some local note. In 1806 he published:— A New Selection of Seven Hundred Evangelical Hymns for Private, Family, and Public Worship (Many Original) from more than two hundred of the best Authors in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, Arranged in alphabetical order; Intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. By John Dobell. Lond., Williams and Smith, 1806. Subsequently this Selection was increased to "More than Eight Hundred" hymns, and the wording of the title-page was changed in several instances. Dobell's account of this work is:— "The hymns here presented to the public I have collected from more than two hundred authors; many of them are taken from Manuscripts which I deemed too valuable to be suffered to remain in obscurity, and some have been supplied by friends. As this work has been the labour of years, and the choice of many thousand hymns, it will, I trust, give satisfaction to the Church of God." Preface, p. iii. In addition to a work on Baptisms,1807, and another on Humanity, 1812, Dobell also published:— The Christian's Golden Treasure; or, Gospel Comfort for Doubting Minds, 1823. This work was in two vols., the first of which contained 124 hymns, several of which were by Dobell. Of this writer's hymns very few are found in modern hymn-books. We have from the 1806 book:—(1) "Come, dearest Lord, and bless this day" (Sunday Morning); (2) "Great Ruler of the earth and skies” (In time of War); (3) "Now is the accepted time," (Invitation) — in common use in Great Britain and America, out of twenty or more. It is not as a hymn-writer, but as a diligent and successful hymnologist, that J. Dobell is best known. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

George Frideric Handel

1685 - 1759 Person Name: Handel Scripture: Hebrews 3:7 Composer of "BIDBOROUGH" in The Presbyterian Book of Praise George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hymnals. A number of hymnal editors, including Lowell Mason, took themes from some of Handel's oratorios and turned them into hymn tunes; ANTIOCH is one example, long associated with “Joy to the World.” Bert Polman

Mrs. C. H. Morris

1862 - 1929 Person Name: Lelia N. Morris Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-8 Author of "Let Jesus Come into Your Heart (Just Now)" in Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) Lelia (Mrs. C.H.) Morris (1862-1929) was born in Pennsville, Morgan County, Ohio. When her family moved to Malta on the Muskingum River she and her sister and mother had a millinery shop in McConnelsville. She and her husband Charles H. Morris were active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and at the camp meetings in Sebring and Mt. Vernon. She wrote hymns as she did her housework. Although she became blind at age 52 she continued to write hymns on a 28-foot long blackboard that her family had built for her. She is said to have written 1000 texts and many tunes including "Sweeter as the years go by." Mary Louise VanDyke

P. H. Brown

1783 - 1861 Person Name: Mrs. Phoebe Hinsdale Brown (1783-1861) Scripture: Hebrews 3:2 Author of "Thy work revive" in Songs of Praise with Tunes Brown, Phoebe, née Hinsdale. A member of the Congregational body, born at Canaan, Columbia County, New York, May 1, 1783, she was left an orphan when two years old. At nine she fell into the hands of a relative who kept a county gaol. These, says her son, "were years of intense and cruel suffering. The tale of her early life which she has left her children is a narrative of such deprivations, cruel treatment, and toil, as it breaks my heart to read." Escaping from this bondage at 18, she was sought by kind people, and sent for three months to a common school at Claverack, N.Y., where she learned to write, and made profession of faith in Christ. In 1805 she was married to Timothy H. Brown, a painter, and subsequently lived at East Windsor and Ellington, Connecticut, Monison, Mass., and at Marshall, Henry County, Illinois. She died at the last-named place, Oct 10, 1861. Most of her hymns were written at Monison, Mass. Through a life of poverty and trial she was "a most devoted mother, wife, and Christian." Her son, the Rev. S. R. Brown, D.D. became the first American Missionary to Japan, and two of her grandchildren are now in the same mission. In addition to her hymns, two or more volumes of prose by her have been published. Her Autobiography and Poems were being prepared for publication, when the editor died, and they are yet to appear. Despite all her disadvantages, Mrs. Brown's talents and work are superior to those of any other early female hymnist of America. It is hoped that her manuscript may some day be competently examined, and selected portions from them be published. Four of her hymns appeared in Nettleton's Village Hymns, 1824, with the signature "B." 1. As once the Saviour took His seat. Penitence. 2. Go, messenger of love, and bear. Missions. 3. I love to steal awhile away. Retirement. 4. Welcome, ye hopeful heirs of heaven. Young Converts. Of these No. 2 is a Missionary hymn, written in 1817, but first published in the Village Hymns, 1824; No. 3 was written in 1818, and few hymns have a more pathetic history. It is this:— Mrs. Brown was living at Ellington with "four little children, in a small unfinished house, a sick sister in the only finished room, and not a place above or below where I could retire for devotion." Not far off stood the finest house in the neighbourhood, with a large garden. To-wards this the poor woman used to bend her steps at dusk, loving, as she writes, “to smell the fragrance of fruits and flowers, though I could not see them," and commune with Nature and God. This she did, never dreaming that she was intruding, her habits watched, or her motives misconstrued, till one day the lady of the mansion turned rudely upon her with "Mrs. Brown, why do you come up at evening so near our house, and then go back without coming in? If you want anything, why don't you come in and ask for it?" Mrs. B. adds, "There was something in her manner more than her words, that grieved me. I went home, and that evening was left alone. After my children were all in bed, except my baby, I sat down in the kitchen with my child in my arms, when the grief of my heart burst forth in a flood of tears. I took pen and paper, and gave vent to my oppressed heart." The Poem then written is headed "An Apology for my Twilight Rambles, addressed to a Lady, Aug. 1818.” The original has nine stanzas, the second beginning “I love to steal awhile away.” Years after, when Nettleton was seeking original matter for his Village Hymns (1824), this piece was abridged and altered into the present familiar form, either by Mrs. Brown herself, her pastor (Mr. Hyde), or Nettleton. Its popularity was great from the first. In 1853 it was included in the Leeds Hymn Book, and thus became known to English collections. It is found in Lyra Sacra Americana, p. 29. In 1819 Mrs. Brown wrote two hymns which were strangely overlooked by Nettleton, and did not appear till 1831 in Hastings's Spiritual Songs. These are:— 5. How sweet the melting lay. Morning. 6. 0 Lord, Thy work revive. For a Revival. Both are found in Lyra Sacra Americana, pp. 28-30. No. 6 was altered by the author for Nason's Congregational Hymn Book, 1857. This, according to Nason, is her authorized text. It is widely used in America, and is also found in a few English collections, including Reed's Hymn Book and the New Congregational Hymn Book, and sometimes is attributed in error to Hastings. 7. Great God, we would to Thee make known. This appeared in the Mother's Hymn Book, 1834. 8. We come, 0 Lord, before Thy throne. For Sailors. 9. Grant the abundance of the sea. For Sailors. Two hymns for sailors, which appeared in Linsley and Davis's Select Hymns, 1836. 10. Assembled at [round] Thine altar, Lord. Holy Communion. This also appeared in the Select Hymns, 1836, and was altered for Nason's Congregational Hymn Book, 1857. It is a good hymn, and deserves wider adoption. 11. Jesus, this mid-day hour. Noon. "Written by special request for the Fulton Street [Noon] Prayer Meeting," about 1857. In addition to the foregoing there are four hymns by her in Parish Hymns (Phila.), 1843, to which they were contributed; and there may be many others in various collections which are uncredited. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Harry Emerson Fosdick

1878 - 1969 Person Name: Harry E. Fosdick, 1878-1969 Scripture: Hebrews 3:6 Author of "God of Grace and God of Glory" in Worship and Rejoice Born: May 24, 1878, Buffalo, New York. Died: October 5, 1969, Bronxville, New York. Fosdick attended Colgate University, Union Theological Seminary, and Columbia University. Ordained in 1903, he pastored at the First Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey, from 1904 to 1915. At Union Theological Seminary, he lectured on Baptist principles and homiletics (1908-1915) and was professor of practical theology (1915-1946). He also found time to serve as associate minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York (1919-1925), and pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church (1929-1946). His picture was on the cover of Time magazine, September 21, 1925. His works include: A Guide to Understanding the Bible, 1938 The Living of These Days (an autobiography), 1956 A Book of Public Prayers, 1960 © The Cyber Hymnal™ (www.hymntime.com/tch)