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David Nelson

1793 - 1844 Hymnal Number: d96 Author of "The shining shore" in The Canadian Warbler Nelson, David, M.D., son of Henry Nelson, was born near Jonesborough, East Tennessee, Sept. 24, 1793. He graduated at Washington College, Virginia, in 1810, and took his M.D. degree at Philadelphia in 1812. He acted for some time as a surgeon in the war against Great Britain. During that time he became an infidel, but returning to the faith, he, in 1823, resigned medicine and took up theology, and subsequently became a Presbyterian Minister. He held several appointments, and founded two manual-labour colleges, one at Greenfields, and the second near Quincy, Illinois. He died Oct. 17, 1844. His hymn, "My days are gliding swiftly by" (Death Anticipated), was written in 1835, to be sung to the tune of "Lord Ullin's Daughter." It is exceedingly popular. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

George Pope Morris

1802 - 1864 Person Name: George P. Morris Hymnal Number: d159 Author of "The family Bible" in The Canadian Warbler Morris, George, was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1802. In early life he removed to New York, where, in 1822, he became the editor of the New York Mirror magazine. On that magazine, together with The Home Journal, he was associated with N. P. Willis. His works include The Deserted Bride, and Other Poems, 1843; Poems, 1853; American Melodies; and some prose pieces. He is best known as a writer of songs, one of which, "Woodman, spare that tree," is very popular. His hymns, "Man dieth and wasteth away " (Victory over Death"; and "Searcher of hearts! from mine erase", Lent), are in a few American collections, as the Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, and the Methodist Hymnal, 1878. Mr. Morris died in New York July 6, 1864. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

William Augustus Muhlenberg

1796 - 1877 Person Name: William A. Muhlenberg Hymnal Number: d77 Author of "I would not live alway [always], I ask not to stay" in The Canadian Warbler Mühlenberg, William Augustus, D.D., son of the Rev. Dr. Mühlenberg, and grandson of Henry Melchior Mühlenberg, the patriarch of Lutheranism in America, was born in Philadelphia Sept. 16, 1796. He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1814. Entering Holy Orders in 1817, he was successively Assistant Rector of St. James's Lancaster, 1823; Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, New York, 1843; St. Paul's College, Flushing (1828); St. Luke's Hospital, New York (1855); St. John's and Long Island (1865), were established by him. He died April 6, 1877. His poetical gift was genuine, but not largely used. In 1826 he contributed four hymns to the Prayer Book Collection (of which he was one of the Committee). His Poems appeared in 1859. He had previously published Church Poetry, 1823; and The People's Psalter, 1858. I would not live alway followed in 1859 (revised in 1871). This last contains 26 pieces, the hymns in the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, with the exception of "I would not live alway," being omitted. The following are his principal lyrics:— 1. Carol, brothers, carol. Christmas Carol. "Made for the boys of St. Paul's College—-the Chorus adapted from one of the Rev.[Bishop] A.C. Coxe's Christian Ballads"-—in 1840. 2. How short the race our friend has run. Death of a Young Person. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826. 3. I would not live alway. Eternal rest desired. Four texts of this poem are extant: 1st the Original; 2nd the version given in the Prayer Book Collection, 1826; 3rd the author's revised version of 1859; and 4th his rewritten text of 1871, the second of these being that known to the hymnbooks. The history of the poem is somewhat complicated. We quote it here as given by us in the History of the American Episcopal Church, 1885, p.637, as we have nothing further to add thereto:-— "The most famous of these (Dr. Mühlenberg's hymns) was probably first written. 'I will not live alway' has an intricate history, which was not simplified by the author's lapse of memory in his later years. In his brief ‘story of the hymn,' printed with its ‘evangelized’ text in 1871, every date is wrong by two or three years; and his assertion, ‘The legend that it was written on an occasion of private grief is a fancy,' hardly agrees with the clear and minute recollections of persons of the highest character, still living, and who knew the circumstances thoroughly. The date of composition assigned, 1824, is probably (not certainly) correct; it was written at Lancaster, in a lady's album, and began:— I would not live alway; no, no, holy man, Not a day, not an hour, should lengthen my span.' In this shape it seems to have had six eight-line stanzas. The album was still extant in 1876, at Pottstown, Pa., and professed to contain the original manuscript. Said the owner's sister, ‘It was au impromptu. He had no copy, and, wanting it for some occasion, he sent for the album.' In 1826 he entrusted his copy to a friend, who called on him on the way from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, to carry to the Episcopal Recorder, and in that paper it appeared June 3, 1826 (not 1824). For these facts we have the detailed statement of Dr. John B. Clemson, of Claymont, Del., the Ambassador mentioned, who also chances to have preserved that volume of the paper. Thus appearing (without name) it was adopted by the sub-committee [of the Prayer Book Collection, 1826]. When their report was presented to the entire committee in 1826—-not 1829, as Dr. Mühlenberg had it—-'each of the hymns was passed upon. When this came up one of the members remarked that it was very sweet and pretty, but rather sentimental, upon which it was unanimously thrown out. Not suspected as the author, I voted against myself. That, I supposed, was the end of it.’ The committee, which sat until late at night at the house of Bishop White, agreed upon their report to the Convention, and adjourned. But the next morning Dr. Onderdonk (who was not one of their number, but who, on invitation, had acted with the sub-committee, which in fact consisted of him and myself), called on me to inquire what had been done. Upon my telling him that among the rejected hymns was this one of mine, he said, 'That will never do,' and went about among the members of the committee soliciting them to restore the hymn in their report, which accordingly they did; so that to him is due the credit of giving it to the Church.' As thus adopted it was a small and altered selection from the original lines, made by Dr. Onderdonk ‘with some revision' by the author. He was never satisfied with these texts, but revised the poem in 1859, and re¬wrote it in 1871….The authorship of this, as of many another popular lyric, has been disputed. The claim of Henry Ward, a printer of Lichfield, Conn., has been vehemently urged, and revived but a few years ago. Of course it is unsupported by adequate evidence. When Dr. Mühlenberg was asked to assure ‘some of his brethren, editors of Church papers,' of his paternity, his manly reply was, ‘If they thought I was capable of letting the work of another pass for so many years as my own, they would not be sure of anything I might say.'" 4. Jesus' Name shall ever be. The Holy Name, Jesus. This is entitled "The Blessed Name of Jesus. An Evangelical Rosary." It was written in 1842, and revised for Schaff's Christ in Song in Aug., 1868. 5. King of kings, and wilt Thou deign. Submission to Jesus. Appeared in his Poems, 1859. 6. Like Noah's weary dove. The Ark of the Church. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 24, in 5 st. of 4 1. It sometimes begins with st. ii., "0 cease, my wandering soul;" and again with st. in., "Behold the Ark of God." 7. Saviour, Who Thy flock art feeding. Holy Baptism. This is the most widely known of Dr. Mühlenberg's hymns. It was contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 86, in 4 st. of 4 1. It is sometimes given as "Jesus, Who Thy flock art feeding." 8. Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing. Christmas. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 46, in 3 st. of 4 1., with the chorus :— "Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing, Jerusalem triumphs, Messiah is King;" the opening lines, followed by the first stanza, and a repetition of the chorus, and so on to the end. Sometimes the hymn opens with st. i.: "Zion, the marvellous story be telling," or as “Sion the marvellous story be telling," instead of the chorus. Dr. Mühlenberg says that the hymn was written— "at the particular request of Bishop Hobart, who wanted something that would go to the tune by Avison, then popular, to the words of Moore, ‘Sound the loud timbrel,' &c. He liked the verses I made so well that he had them struck off before the hymns (Prayer Book Collection] were published, and sung in Trinity Church on Christmas day." 9. Since o'er Thy footstool here below. Earth and Heaven. Appeared in the Episcopal Register, 1824, and in his Poems, 1859. 10. The mellow eve is gliding. Evening. Dated 1825 (?) and published in his Poems, 1859. 11. The throne of his glory—-as snow it is white. Advent. Dated 1839, and published in his Poems, 1859. 12. Thine handmaid,Saviour, can it be? Admission of a Nursing Sister. Written on the words, "Come, follow me," for the reception of a Sister at St. Luke's Hospital, New York, 1859. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church

William Fairfield Warren

1833 - 1929 Person Name: W. F. Warren Hymnal Number: d114 Author of "Homeward bound" in The Canadian Warbler Warren, William Fairfield, D.D., was born at Williamsburg, Massachusetts, in 1833, and graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1853. After spending some time in Germany, he was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology in the Methodist Episcopal Mission Institute at Bremen, in 1861. Returning to America in 1866, he held some important appointments there, ultimately becoming President of Boston University, in 1873. His hymn, "I worship Thee, O Holy Ghost" (Whitsuntide), was contributed to the American Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, at the request of the editorial committee, in 1877, and was published therein in 1878. It has passed into other collections. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ========================== Warren, William, D.D. (Williamsburg, Massachusetts, March 13, 1833--December 6, 1929). He prepared for college at East Greenwich Academy, graduated A.B., Wesleyan University, took training at Andover Theological Seminary, and continued his studies at the Universities of Berlin and Halle. He was the recipient of honorary degrees from Boston, Wesleyan, and Ohio Wesleyan Universities. Ordained a Methodist Episcopal minister in 1855, after preaching in Boston for five years he returned to Germany where for a like term of years he was Professor of Systematic Theology at Mission Institute, Bremen, which later became Martin Institute at Frankfort. He returned to Boston to occupy a similar professorship at the Theological Seminary and to become Acting President when the Methodist Biblical Institute moved there from Concord, New Hampshire. His return gave impetus to the plan under way which eventuated the establishment of Boston University in 1869. Becoming President of the University in 1873, he was Dean of its School of Theology, 1903-1911, and made President Emeritus in 1923. --Robert G. McCutchan, DNAH Archives

L. C. Everett

1818 - 1867 Editor of "" in The Canadian Warbler L. C. Everett's largest and most popular collection was The Wesleyan Hymn and Tune Book (1859), published by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The denominational dedication page in that collection says it was "prepared by Mr. L.C. Everett, of Virginia, a gentleman well-known through the South and Southwest, as an author and teacher of sacred vocal music." In his own introductory remarks, Everett's instincts as an educator are clear. He advised churches to offer a weekly congregational singing class "for the purpose of meeting together frequently, say one evening each week, to practice the tunes under the direction of a suitably qualified chorister or leader, and ... that the entire congregation be invited to attend the rehearsals of the class and join in learning the tunes." For Everett, musical worship was not just the duty of a choir, it was the duty of everyone. Leonard’s brothers were Asa Brooks Everett (1828-1875), N.E. Everett, & Benjamin Holden Everett. Leonard and Asa developed a successful music education system called "The Everett System," and together with R.M. McIntosh they formed the L.C. Everett Company, which employed approximately fifty music teachers throughout the American south and middle Atlantic. —Chris Fenner see also J.H. Hall, Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1914), pp. 96-100.

P. H. Brown

1783 - 1861 Person Name: Phoebe H. Brown Hymnal Number: d75 Author of "I love to steal awhile away" in The Canadian Warbler 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)

Amelia Opie

1769 - 1853 Hymnal Number: d156 Author of "Shall I be mute" in The Canadian Warbler Opie, Amelia, née Alderson, daughter of Dr. Alderson, a physician at Norwich, was born there Nov. 12, 1769. In May 1798 she was married to John Opie, the painter, who died in 1807. Originally Mrs. Opie was an Unitarian, but in 1814 she joined the Society of Friends. Most of her subsequent life she lived at Castle Meadow, Norwich, where she died Dec. 2, 1853. Mrs. Opie's prose works were somewhat numerous, and included Father and Daughter, 1801, a most popular tale; Temper, 1812; Tales of Real Life, 1813; and others. Her poetical works were Miscellaneous Poems, 1802; The Warrior's Return and Other Poems, 1808; Lays for the Dead, 1833, &c. Very few of her poems have come into use as hymns. The best known is “There seems a voice in every gale." --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =================== Opie, Amelia , p. 871, i. Another hymn by Mrs. Opie in common use is "When the disciples saw their Lord" (Travel by Sea and Land), in Com. Praise 1879. Dated 1838. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

T. H. Stockton

1808 - 1868 Person Name: Thomas H. Stockton Hymnal Number: d135 Author of "Stand up for Jesus, All who lead his host" in The Canadian Warbler Stockton, Thomas Hewlings, D.D. (Mount Holly, New Jersey, June 4, 1808--October 9, 1868, Philadelphia). The son of William S., founder and editor of The Wesleyan Repository, 1821, and Elizabeth S. (Hewlings) Stockton. Largely educated in private schools, after studying medicine for a time and spending some five years following literary pursuits, he was admitted to the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church. A voluminous writer, he became one of the most eloquent preachers of the nineteenth century in America. When but twenty-five years of age he was elected chaplain of the House of Representatives, Congress of the United States, serving in that capacity the sessions of 1835-1836, 1859-1860, 1861-1862, and in 1862 was chosen chaplain of the United States Senate. It was he who offered the memorable prayer at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Monument. Although much in the public eye as an eminent preacher, lecturer, and leader in all forms of social progress, he insisted his name be used with neither prefix nor suffix. He did not acknowledge the degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred on him by Gettysburg College and refused to accept the presidency of Miami College, Oxford, Ohio, when unanimously elected to that position by its board of trustees. Because of his opposition to denominationalism he twice resigned his assigned pastorates and organized, in Philadelphia and Cincinnati, "Societies of Brotherly Love," designed to follow the pattern set by John Wesley for his early converts. Dr. Stockton compiled the Methodist Protestant Hymn-Book of 1837, the first Methodist hymnal to accredit the hymns to their respective authors. In addition to numerous sermons and speeches, his published works include: Floating Flowers from a Hidden Brook, 1844 Ecclesiastical Opposition to the Bible, 1853 Stand Up, A Christian Ballad, 1858 Poems, 1862 "Stand up for Jesus," from A Christian Ballad which included autobiographical notes and some other poems, was suggested by the same incident which gave rise to the George Duffield, Jr., hymn with the same opening line. Although set to music several times it gave way to the latter. --Robert G. McCutchan, DNAH Archives