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Thomas Rawson Taylor

1807 - 1835 Person Name: Thomas R. Taylor Hymnal Number: d36 Author of "Heaven is my home" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Taylor, Thomas Rawson, son of the Rev. Thomas Taylor, some time Congregational Minister at Bradford, Yorkshire, was born at Ossett, near Wakefield, May 9, 1807, and educated at the Free School, Bradford, and the Leaf Square Academy, Manchester. From the age of 15 to 18 he was engaged, first in a merchant's, and then in a printer's office. Influenced by strong religious desires, he entered the Airedale Independent College at 18, to prepare for the Congregational ministry. His first and only charge was Howard Street Chapel, Sheffield. This he retained about six months, entering upon the charge in July 1830, and leaving it in the January following. For a short time he acted as classical tutor at Airedale College, but the failure of health which compelled him to leave Sheffield also necessitated his resigning his tutorship. He died March 7, 1835. A volume of his Memoirs and Select Remains, by W. S. Matthews, in which were several poems and a few hymns, was published in 1836. His best known hymn is "I'm but a stranger here". The rest in common use all from his Memoirs, 1836, are:— 1. Earth, with her ten thousand flowers. The love of God. 2. Saviour and Lord of all. Hymn to the Saviour. Altered as "Jesu, Immanuel" in the LeedsHymn Book, 1853. 3. There was a tims when children sang. Sunday School Anniversary. 4. Yes, it is good to worship Thee. Divine Worship. From this "'Tis sweet, 0 God, to sing Thy praise," beginning with st. ii. 5. Yes, there are little ones in heaven. Sunday School Anniversary. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Robert Lowry

1826 - 1899 Hymnal Number: d87 Author of "I'll away to the Sabbath [Sunday] school" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, March 12, 1826. His fondness for music was exhibited in his earliest years. As a child he amused himself with the various musical instruments that came into his hands. At the age of seventeen he joined the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and soon became an active worker in the Sunday-school as teacher and chorister. At the age of twenty-two he gave himself to the work of the ministry, and entered upon a course of study at the University of Lewisburg, Pa. At the age of twenty-eight he was graduated with the highest honors of his class. In the same year of his graduation, he entered upon the work of the ministry. He served as pastor at West Chester, Pa., 1851-1858; in New York City, 1859-1861; in Brooklyn, 1861-1869; in Lewisburg, Pa., 1869-1875. While pastor at Lewisburg, he was also professor of belles lettres in the University, and received the honorary degree of D. D. in 1875. He then went to Plainfield, N. J., where he became pastor of Park Avenue Church. In each of these fields his work was crowned with marked success. Dr. Lowry was a man of rare administrative ability, a most excellent preacher, a thorough Bible student, and whether in the pulpit or upon the platform, always a brilliant and interesting speaker. He was of a genial and pleasing disposition, and a high sense of humor was one of his most striking characteristics. Very few men had greater ability in painting pictures from the imagination. He could thrill an audience with his vivid descriptions, inspiring others with the same thoughts that inspired him. His melodies are sung in every civilized land, and many of his hymns have been translated into foreign tongues. While preaching the Gospel, in which he found great joy, was his life-work, music and hymnology were favorite studies, but were always a side issue, a recreation. In the year 1880, he took a rest of four years, visiting Europe. In 1885 he felt that he needed more rest, and resigned his pastorate at Plainfield, and visited in the South and West, also spending some time in Mexico. He returned, much improved in health, and again took up his work in Plainfield. On the death of Wm. B. Bradbury, Messrs. Biglow & Main, successors to Mr. Bradbury in the publishing business, selected Dr. Lowry for editor of their Sunday-school book, Bright Jewels, which was a great success. Subsequently Dr. W. Doane was associated with him in the issue of the Sunday-school song book, Pure Gold, the sales of which exceeded a million copies. Then came Royal Diadem, Welcome Tidings, Brightest and Best, Glad Refrain, Good as Gold, Joyful Lays, Fountain of Song, Bright Array, Temple Anthems, and numerous other volumes. The good quality of their books did much to stimulate the cause of sacred song in this country. When he saw that the obligations of musical editorship were laid upon him, he began the study of music in earnest, and sought the best musical text-books and works on the highest forms of musical composition. He possessed one of the finest musical libraries in the country. It abounded in works on the philosophy and science of musical sounds. He also had some musical works in his possession that were over one hundred and fifty years old. One of his labors of love some years ago was an attempt to reduce music to a mathematical basis. On the established fact that Middle C has two hundred and fifty-six vibrations per second, he prepared a scale and went to work on the rule of three. After infinite calculation and repeated experiments, he carried it far enough to discover that it would not work. A reporter once asked him what was his method of composition — "Do you write the words to fit the music, or the music to fit the words?" His reply was, "I have no method. Sometimes the music comes and the words follow, fitted insensibly to the melody. I watch my moods, and when anything good strikes me, whether words or music, and no matter where I am, at home or on the street, I jot it down. Often the margin of a newspaper or the back of an envelope serves as a notebook. My brain is a sort of spinning machine, I think, for there is music running through it all the time. I do not pick out my music on the keys of an instrument. The tunes of nearly all the hymns I have written have been completed on paper before I tried them on the organ. Frequently the words of the hymn and the music have been written at the same time." The Doctor frequently said that he regarded "Weeping Will Not Save Me" as the best and most evangelistic hymn he ever wrote. The following are some of his most popular and sweetest gospel melodies: "Shall We Gather at the River?," "One More Day's Work for Jesus," "Where is My Wandering Boy To-night?," "I Need Thee Every Hour," "The Mistakes of My Life," "How Can I Keep from Singing?," "All the Way My Saviour Leads Me," "Saviour, Thy Dying Love," "We're Marching to Zion," etc. "Shall We Gather at the River?" is perhaps, without question, the most widely popular of all his songs. Of this Mr. Lowry said: "It is brass band music, has a march movement, and for that reason has become popular, though for myself I do not think much of it." Yet he tells us how, on several occasions, he had been deeply moved by the singing of that hymn, "Going from Harrisburg to Lewisburg once I got into a car filled with half-drunken lumbermen. Suddenly one of them struck up, "Shall We Gather at the River?" and they sang it over and over again, repeating the chorus in a wild, boisterous way. I did not think so much of the music then as I listened to those singers, but I did think that perhaps the spirit of the hymn, the words so flippantly uttered, might somehow survive and be carried forward into the lives of those careless men, and ultimately lift them upward to the realization of the hope expressed in my hymn." "A different appreciation of it was evinced during the Robert Raikes' Centennial. I was in London, and had gone to meeting in the Old Bailey to see some of the most famous Sunday-school workers in the world. They were present from Europe, Asia, and America. I sat in a rear seat alone. After there had been a number of addresses delivered in various languages, I was preparing to leave, when the chairman of the meeting announced that the author of "Shall We Gather at the River?" was present, and I was requested by name to come forward. Men applauded and women waved their handkerchiefs as I went to the platform. It was a tribute to the hymn; but I felt, when it was over, that, after all, I had perhaps done some little good in the world, and I felt more than ever content to die when God called." On Children's Day in Brooklyn, in 1865, this song was sung by over forty thousand voices. While Dr. Lowry said, "I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative, receptive congregation than write a hymn," yet in spite of his preferences, his hymns have gone on and on, translated into many languages, preaching and comforting thousands upon thousands of souls, furnishing them expression for their deepest feelings of praise and gratitude to God for His goodness to the children of men. What he had thought in his inmost soul has become a part of the emotions of the whole Christian world. We are all his debtors. Rev. Robert Lowry, D. D., died at his residence in Plainfield, K J., November 25, 1899. Dead, yet he lives and his sermons in gospel song are still heard and are doing good. Dr. Lowry was a great and good man, and his life, well spent, is highly worthy of a place among the world's greatest gospel song and hymn writers. -- Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers ------- Lowry, Robert, D.D., son of Crozier Lowry, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1826, and educated at Lewisburg University. Having received ordination as a Baptist Minister, his first charge was at West Chester, Pennsylvania. From thence he passed to New York City, and then to Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1876 he was appointed Professor of Rhetoric in his University. On resigning his Professorship he undertook the charge of the 2nd Baptist Church, New Jersey. Dr. Lowry has been associated with some of the most popular Sunday School hymn-books published in the States, including Happy Voices, 1865; Chapel Melodies, 1868; Bright Jewels, 1869; Pure Gold, 1871; Royal Diadem, 1873; Tidal Wave, 1874; Fountain of Song1877; Welcome Tidings, 1877, &c. Of Dr. Lowry's hymns those which have attained the widest circulation are:— 1. Jerusalem, for ever bright. Heaven. Appeared in the American Tract Society's Happy Voices, 1865, with music by the author. 2. Low in the grave He lay. Resurrection of Christ. Written in 1874 and published in Brightest and Best, 1875. 3. Marching on, marching on. Sunday School Battle Song. Appeared, with music by the author, in Happy Voices, 1865. 4. My home is in heaven, my rest is not here. In Happy Voices, 1865, with music by the author. 5. My life flows on in endless song. Joy in God. In Bright Jewels, 1869; the Royal Diadem, 1873, and others in America and Great Britain, with music by the author. 6. One more day's work for Jesus. Work for Christ. Published, with music by the author, in Bright Jewels, 1869. 7. Shall we gather at the river? Mutual recognition in the Hereafter. The origin of this hymn is thus set forth in E. W. Long's Illustrated History of Hymns and their Authors, Philadelphia, 1876, p. 64:— ”On a very hot summer day, in 1864, a pastor was seated in his parlour in Brooklyn, N. Y. It was a time when an epidemic was sweeping through the city, and draping many persons and dwellings in mourning. All around friends and acquaintances were passing away to the spirit land in large numbers. The question began to arise in the heart, with unusual emphasis, ‘Shall we meet again? We are parting at the river of death, shall we meet at the river of life?' ‘Seating myself at the organ,’ says he, ‘simply to give vent to the pent up emotions of the heart, the words and music of the hymn began to flow out, as if by inspiration:— ‘Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod?’" In 1865 the hymn and music were given in Happy Voices, No. 220, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines and a chorus. The hymn has since passed into a great number of hymnals in Great Britain and America. 8. Take the wings of the morning; speed quickly thy flight. Exhortation to Repentance. Written for, and published with music by the author in, the Royal Diadem, 1873. 9. Weeping will not save me. Salvation through Faith. Published in the Chapel Melodies, 1868. 10. What can wash away my stain? Precious Blood of Jesus. Given in the Welcome Tidings, 1877, with music by the author. 11. Where is my wandering boy tonight! The absent Child. In the Fountain of Song, 1877, together with music by the author. Most of these hymns are given in Mr. I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos, Pts. i., ii. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Bernard Barton

1784 - 1849 Hymnal Number: d81 Author of "Walk in the light, so shalt thou [and you shall] know" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Barton, Bernard, commonly known as the "Quaker Poet," was born in London Jan. 31, 1784, and educated at a Quaker school at Ipswich. In 1798 he was apprenticed to Mr. S. Jesup, a shopkeeper at Halstead, Essex, with whom he remained until 1806, when he removed to Woodbridge, Suffolk, and entered into business with his brother, as a coal and corn merchant. On the death of his wife at the end of the first year of their married life, he proceeded to Liverpool, where he acted as a private tutor for a short time. He returned to Woodbridge in 1810, where he secured an engagement in the local bank of the Messrs. Alexander. This appointment he held for 40 years. He died at Woodbridge, Feb. 19, 1849. During the same year his daughter published his Poems and Letters, with a Memoir. His poetical works were numerous, including:— (1) Metrical Effusions , 1812; (2) Poems by an Amateur, 1818; (3) Poems , 1820; (4) Napoleon, and other Poems, 1822; (5) Poetic Vigils, 1824; (6) Devotional Verses founded on Select Texts of Scripture, 1826; (7) A Widow's Tale, 1S27; (8) New Year's Eve, 1829; (9) The Reliquary, 1836; (10) Household Verses, 1845. A complete list of his works is given in Joseph Smith's Descriptive Catalogue of Friends' Books, Lond., J. Smith, 1867, vol. i. pp. 196-200. From these works about 20 pieces have come into common use as hymns. These are found principally in the Scottish Evangelical Union Hymnal, on the one hand, and various American Unitarian collections on the other. The best known are, “Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace," and "Walk in the light, so shalt thou know." From his Devotional Poems, &c, 1826, the following have passed into the Scottish Evangelical Union Hymnal, 1878:— 1. Fear not, Zion's sons and daughters. Gracious Promises. This is part of a poem on Isaiah xliii. 1, “Fear not, Jacob, tabulated." 2. Hath the invitation ended? Invitation. 3. See we not beyond the portal? Present vision Imperfect. This is part of the poem on 1 Cor. xiii. 12, “Dim and dark our present vision." 4. Those who live in love shall know. Peace. 5. Would'st thou share this benediction! Poor in Spirit. In addition, there are also in various collections:— 6. Around Bethesda's healing wave. Consolation. This is on pp. 182-185, in his Napoleon, and other Poems, 1822, in 10 stanzas of 6 lines. A cento therefrom is given in a few American hymnals, including Mr. Beecher's Plymouth Collection, No. 746, as, "The waters of Bethesda's pool." 7. There is a life more dear. Spiritual Life. From the Devotional Verses, 1826, p. 96, into Kennedy, 1863, No. 1177, with the omission of stanza v. 8. Say not the law divine. Spiritual Law. Also from the Devotional Verses, 1826, p. 34, into various American hymnals, generally Unitarian, as the Hymn and Tune Book, Boston, 1868, No. 342, &c, where, however, it is rewritten from an irregular metre to S.M. This had previously appeared in Hedge and Huntington's Hymns for the Church of Christ, Boston, U.S., 1853. Other hymns, given in great part in American Unitarian collections, are annotated under their respective first lines. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ====================== Barton, Bernard, p. 116, i. Other hymns in common use:— 1. God made the country, yet in scenes. Country Life. This begins with stanza iii. of a poem "Addressed to a Friend in London" in The Reliquary, 1836, p. 83. 2. Lamp of our feet! whereby we trace. Holy Scriptures, published in The Reliquary, 1836, p. 116, in 11 stanzas of 4 lines. It is in common use in its full form, and also abbreviated as (1) "Word of the ever-living God"; and (2) "Word of the everlasting God." In extensive use. 3. There is a Friend more tender, true. Jesus, the Friend. This begins with stanza iii. of "But yet, however cheerless seem," in his Poems & Letters, 1853, p. 254. 4. Walk in the light! So shalt thou know. (Walking in the Light.) Published in his Devotional Verses, 1826, p. 242, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. It is found in many modern collections, and is one of the most popular of his hymns. 5. We journey through a vale of tears. Heaven Anticipated. In his Poems & Letters, 1853, p. 193. Of these hymns, Nos. 3, 5, are of an earlier date than the Poems & Letters of 1853; but we have failed to find them in Barton's earlier works. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

George Heath

1745 - 1822 Hymnal Number: d51 Author of "My soul be on thy [your] guard" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Rv George Heath DD United Kingdom 1745-1822. Born at Exeter, Devon, England, he was educated at the Dissenting Academy and King’s College, Cambridge. He married Mary Ann Kean, and they had 4 children: Louisa, John, Charles, and Benjamin (also a minister). He served as pastor of the Honiton, Devonshire, Presbyterian Church, but proved unworthy and was dismissed for cause. He later became a Unitarian minister. In 1781 he published “Hymns & poetic essays sacred to the worship of the Deity”. He also authored a “History of Bristol”. He became Headmaster of Eton College (1792-1802). He joined the Anglican Church and became Canon of Windsor (1800-1822), Rector of Monks Risborough, Vicar of Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, Vicar of Piddletown, Vicar of East Beachsworth (1805-1814), and Fellow of the Royal Society (1795-1822). He was appointed to the 4th stall in St. George’s Chapel in 1800, Windsor Castle, and died at his residence in the Cloisters, Windsor Castle. John Perry ======================= Heath, George, became pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Honiton, Devon, in 1770, and died in 1822. He published a History of Bristol, 1797. Also Hymns and Poetic Essays Sacred to the Public and Private Worship of the Deity, &c, Bristol, 1781, from which "My soul, be on thy guard" (Steadfastness), is taken. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

S. Y. Harmer

1809 - 1884 Person Name: Samuel Young Harmer Hymnal Number: d38 Author of "There is rest for the weary" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Harmer, Samuel Young, son of Samuel Harmer, a member of the Society of Friends, was born at Germantown, Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 1809. In 1827 he joined the American Methodist Episcopalian Church, and was engaged for several years as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. In 1842 he became a local preacher of that body, and, in 1847, was admitted into the ministry. He has held appointments in Philadelphia and Iowa. His well-known hymn "In the Christian's home in glory" (Heaven) was written in 1856 for a camp-meeting collection which the Rev. John Gladding was then compiling. It has been slightly altered, and set to music by the Rev. W. McDonald of Boston, Massachusetts. (For these details we are indebted to Dr. Hatfield's Poets of the Church N. Y., 1884.) -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, 1907

John Blain

1795 - 1879 Hymnal Number: d47 Author of "My dearest friends in bonds of love" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Blain, John. (Fishkill, New York, February 14, 1795--December 26, 1879, Mansfield, Massachusetts). Baptist. Studied at Fairfield (New York) and Middlebury (New York) academies. Pastored for nearly sixty years in : Auburn, New York City, York, and Syracuse, New York; Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island; New London, Connecticut; Charlestown and Mansfield, Massachusetts. He was also an evangelist and baptized about three thousand persons. He gave large sums to missions while living, and willed his property to home and foreign missions. The one hymn for which Blain is remembered is a parting hymn written in 1818, and published in the Original and Selected Reformation Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1829). Comprising twelve stanzas, the hymn begins: My Christian friends in bonds of love, Whose hearts in sweetest union prove; Your friendship's like a drawing band, Yet we must take the parting hand. A part of this hymn, altered by Rev. H.L. Hastings, later appeared in Songs of Pilgrimage (1886). Paul R. Powell (?), DNAH Archives

William Fairfield Warren

1833 - 1929 Person Name: W. F. Warren Hymnal Number: d61 Author of "Out on an ocean all boundless we ride" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book 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

J. B. Waterbury

1799 - 1876 Person Name: Jared Bell Waterbury Hymnal Number: d67 Author of "Onward, is the battle cry" in Supplement to the Advent and Sabbath Hymn Book Waterbury, Jared Bell, D.D., was born in New York City, Aug. 11, 1799, and graduated at Yale College, 1822. He was for some time pastor of a Congregational church at Hudson, New York, and then of Bowdoin Street Congregational church, Boston. He died at Brooklyn, Dec. 31, 1876. He published Advice to a Young Christian; The Officer on Duty, and other works. To the Rev. J. Leavitt's Christian Lyre, vol. i., 1830, he contributed the following hymns, each of which was headed, "Written for the Lyre," and signed "J. B. W.":— 1. My Jesus, Thou hast taught. The Love of Jesus. 2. Met, O God, to ask Thy presence. Repentance. 3. 0 fly, mourning sinner, saith Jesus to me. Promise of Pardon. 4. See Sodom wrapt in fire. Warning. 5. Sinner, is thy heart at rest? The Voice of Conscience. 6. Soldiers of the Cross, arise! Lo! your Leader from the skies. Soldiers of the Cross. 7. When, O my Saviour, shall this heart? Desiring Jesus. In vol. ii. of the same work, 1830, also:-- 8. I have fought the good fight; 1 have finished my race. Martyr's Death Song. Another of his hymns is given in the Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, as:— 9. Infinite love, what precious stores. Riches of Divine Grace. Sometimes dated 1862. Of these hymns, Nos. 5, 6, and 9 are the best known. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)