1826 - 1920 Meter: 8.8.8 Author of "By Jesus' Grave on Either Hand" in The Cyber Hymnal Smith, Isaac Gregory, M.A., son of Rev. Jeremiah Smith, B.D., was born at Manchester, Nov. 21, 1826, and educated at Rugby and Trinity, Oxford, where he held both the Hertford (1846), and Ireland (1847) scholarships, B.A. 2nd cl. Lit. Sum. 1849. Taking holy orders, he was preferred to the rectory of Tedstone-de-la-Mere, Hertfordshire, 1854; and the Vicarage of Great Malvern, 1872. From 1852 to 1855 he held a fellowship at Brasenose, Oxford, and was also Bampton Lecturer in 1873, his subject being The Characteristics of Christian Morality. In 1870 he became Prebendary of Pratum Minus in Hereford Cathedral, in 1882 Bural Dean of Powick, and examining Chaplain to the Bishop of St. David's, and in 1887 Hon. Canon of Worcester. Prebendary Smith has published, in addition to his Bampton Lectures, an Epitome of the Life of Our Blessed Saviour, &c, Fra Angelica and other Poems, and other works. He has also contributed hymns to the collection of which he was co-editor, and to the Rev. O. Shipley's Lyras. In preparing A Hymn Book for the Services of the Church, and for Private Heading, London, Parker, 1855, 2nd ed., 1857, he was assisted by his brother John George Smith, Barrister-at-Law, and the Rev. W. S. Raymond. To this collection Canon Smith contributed:
1. By Jesu's grave on either hand. Easter Eve.
2. The tide of years [time] is rolling on. The Circumcision and the New Year.
and a translation of "Adeste Fideles." In addition to these the following are in the Westminster Abbey Hymn Book, 1884:—
3. Adown the river, year by year. Second Advent Desired.
4. Comes at times a stillness as of even. Death Anticipated. Written for the unveiling of the Albert Memorial in Edinburgh, and set to music by Sir H. S. Oakeley.
5. The day-beam dies Behind yon cloud. Winter Evening.
There is also in Pt. ii. "For Reading," in the Hymn Book of 1855, a sweet hymn on Heaven beginning "Come away, where are no shadows in a glass."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Smith, I. G., p. 1062, ii. Dr. Smith corrects the note on "Comes at times a stillness as of even," and says respecting it:—
"In 1857, so far as I can tell, I wrote 'Comes at times,' and the interval was very short between the last part and the first. It was not written for the Prince Consort's memorial.nor for any occasion— July26, 1905."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
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