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The Greatest Hymns
Publication Date: 1924 Publisher: Tabernacle Publishing Company Publication Place: Chicago, Ill. Editors: Geo. C. Stebbins; R. A. Torrey; Tabernacle Publishing Company
The Greatest Hymns
Abide With Me
Author: H. F. Lyte Appears in 1,684 hymnals First Line: Abide with me! fast falls the eventide Used With Tune: EVENTIDE
Abide With Me
This Is the Day of Light
Author: John Ellerton Appears in 281 hymnals Used With Tune: MORNINGTON
This Is the Day of Light
Softly Fades the Twilight Ray
Author: Rev. Samuel F. Smith Appears in 214 hymnals Used With Tune: HOLLEY
Softly Fades the Twilight Ray
LAUDES DOMINI
Appears in 452 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Joseph Barnby Incipit: 34561 76567 13217 Used With Text: When Morning Gilds the Skies
LAUDES DOMINI
Welcome, Delightful Morn
Author: Hayward Hymnal: GH1924 #1 (1924) Languages: English Tune Title: LISCHER
Welcome, Delightful Morn
O Day of Rest and Gladness
Author: Christopher Wordsworth Hymnal: GH1924 #2 (1924) Languages: English Tune Title: MENDEBRAS
O Day of Rest and Gladness
Safely Through Another Week
Author: John Newton Hymnal: GH1924 #3 (1924) Languages: English Tune Title: SABBATH
Safely Through Another Week
Henry Francis Lyte
1793 - 1847 Person Name: H. F. Lyte Hymnal Number: 15 Author of "Abide With Me" in The Greatest Hymns Lyte, Henry Francis, M.A., son of Captain Thomas Lyte, was born at Ednam, near Kelso, June 1, 1793, and educated at Portora (the Royal School of Enniskillen), and at Trinity College, Dublin, of which he was a Scholar, and where he graduated in 1814. During his University course he distinguished himself by gaining the English prize poem on three occasions. At one time he had intended studying Medicine; but this he abandoned for Theology, and took Holy Orders in 1815, his first curacy being in the neighbourhood of Wexford. In 1817, he removed to Marazion, in Cornwall. There, in 1818, he underwent a great spiritual change, which shaped and influenced the whole of his after life, the immediate cause being the illness and death of a brother clergyman. Lyte says of him:—
"He died happy under the belief that though he had deeply erred, there was One whose death and sufferings would atone for his delinquencies, and be accepted for all that he had incurred;"
and concerning himself he adds:—
"I was greatly affected by the whole matter, and brought to look at life and its issue with a different eye than before; and I began to study my Bible, and preach in another manner than I had previously done."
From Marazion he removed, in 1819, to Lymington, where he composed his Tales on the Lord's Prayer in verse (pub. in 1826); and in 1823 he was appointed Perpetual Curate of Lower Brixham, Devon. That appointment he held until his death, on Nov. 20, 1847. His Poems of Henry Vaughan, with a Memoir, were published in 1846.
His own Poetical works were:—
(1) Poems chiefly Religious 1833; 2nd ed. enlarged, 1845. (2) The Spirit of the Psalms, 1834, written in the first instance for use in his own Church at Lower Brixham, and enlarged in 1836; (3) Miscellaneous Poems (posthumously) in 1868. This last is a reprint of the 1845 ed. of his Poems, with "Abide with me" added. (4) Remains, 1850.
Lyte's Poems have been somewhat freely drawn upon by hymnal compilers; but by far the larger portion of his hymns found in modern collections are from his Spirit of the Psalms. In America his hymns are very popular. In many instances, however, through mistaking Miss Auber's (q. v.) Spirit of the Psalms, 1829, for his, he is credited with more than is his due. The Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, is specially at fault in this respect. The best known and most widely used of his compositions are "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;” “Far from my heavenly home;" "God of mercy, God of grace;" "Pleasant are Thy courts above;" "Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;" and "There is a safe and secret place." These and several others are annotated under their respective first lines: the rest in common use are:—
i. From his Poems chiefly Religious, 1833 and 1845.
1. Above me hangs the silent sky. For Use at Sea.
2. Again, 0 Lord, I ope mine eyes. Morning.
3. Hail to another Year. New Year.
4. How good, how faithful, Lord, art Thou. Divine care of Men.
5. In tears and trials we must sow (1845). Sorrow followed by Joy.
6. My [our] rest is in heaven, my [our] rest is not here. Heaven our Home.
7. 0 Lord, how infinite Thy love. The Love of God in Christ.
8. Omniscient God, Thine eye divine. The Holy Ghost Omniscient.
9. The leaves around me falling. Autumn.
10. The Lord hath builded for Himself. The Universe the Temple of God.
11. Vain were all our toil and labour. Success is of God.
12. When at Thy footstool, Lord, I bend. Lent.
13. When earthly joys glide swift away. Ps. cii.
14. Wilt Thou return to me, O Lord. Lent.
15. With joy we hail the sacred day. Sunday.
ii. From his Spirit of the Psalms, 1834.
16. Be merciful to us, O God. Ps. lvii.
17. Blest is the man who knows the Lord. Ps. cxii.
18. Blest is the man whose spirit shares. Ps. xli.
19. From depths of woe to God I cry. Ps. cxxxx.
20. Gently, gently lay Thy rod. Ps. vi.
21. Glorious Shepherd of the sheep. Ps. xxiii.
22. Glory and praise to Jehovah on high. Ps. xxix.
23. God in His Church is known. Ps. lxxvi.
24. God is our Refuge, tried and proved. Ps. xlvi.
25. Great Source of my being. Ps. lxxiii.
26. Hear, O Lord, our supplication. Ps. lxiv.
27. How blest the man who fears the Lord. Ps.cxxviii.
28. Humble, Lord, my haughty spirit. Ps. cxxxi.
29. In this wide, weary world of care. Ps. cxxxii.
30. In vain the powers of darkness try. Ps.lii.
31. Jehovah speaks, let man be awed. Ps. xlix.
32. Judge me, O Lord, and try my heart. Ps. xxvi.
33. Judge me, O Lord, to Thee I fly. Ps. xliii.
34. Lord, I have sinned, but O forgive. Ps. xli.
35. Lord, my God, in Thee I trust. Ps. vii.
36. Lord of the realms above, Our Prophet, &c. Ps.xlv.
37. Lone amidst the dead and dying. Ps. lxii.
38. Lord God of my salvation. Ps. lxxxviii.
39. Lord, I look to Thee for all. Ps. xxxi.
40. Lord, I would stand with thoughtful eye. Ps. lxix.
41. Lord, my God, in Thee I trust. Ps. vii.
42. My God, my King, Thy praise I sing. Ps. cviii.
43. My God, what monuments I see. Ps. xxxvi.
44. My spirit on [to] Thy care. Ps. xxxi.
45. My trust is in the Lord. Ps. xi.
46. Not unto us, Almighty Lord [God]. Ps. cxv.
47. O God of glory, God of grace. Ps. xc.
48. O God of love, how blest are they. Ps. xxxvii.
49. O God of love, my God Thou art. Ps. lxiii.
50. O God of truth and grace. Ps. xviii.
51. O had I, my Saviour, the wings of a dove. Ps. lv.
52. O how blest the congregation. Ps. lxxxix.
53. O how safe and [how] happy he. Ps. xci.
54. O plead my cause, my Saviour plead. Ps. xxxv.
55. O praise the Lord, 'tis sweet to raise. Ps. cxlvii.
56. O praise the Lord; ye nations, pour. Ps. cxvii.
57. O praise ye the Lord With heart, &c. Ps. cxlix.
58. O that the Lord's salvation. Ps. xiv.
59. O Thou Whom thoughtless men condemn. Ps. xxxvi.
60. Of every earthly stay bereft. Ps. lxxiv.
61. Our hearts shall praise Thee, God of love. Ps. cxxxviii.
62. Pilgrims here on earth and strangers. Ps. xvi.
63. Praise for Thee, Lord, in Zion waits. Ps. lxv.
64. Praise to God on high be given. Ps. cxxxiv.
65. Praise ye the Lord, His servants, raise. Ps. cxiii.
66. Redeem'd from guilt, redeem'd from fears. Ps. cxvi.
67. Save me by Thy glorious name. Ps. liv.
68. Shout, ye people, clap your hands. Ps. xlvii.
69. Sing to the Lord our might. Ps. lxxxi.
70. Strangers and pilgrims here below. Ps. cix.
71. Sweet is the solemn voice that calls. Ps. cxxii.
72. The Church of God below. Ps. lxxxvii.
73. The Lord is King, let earth be glad. Ps. xcvii.
74. The Lord is on His throne. Ps. xciii.
75. The Lord is our Refuge, the Lord is our Guide. Ps. xlvii.
76. The mercies of my God and King. Ps. lxxxix.
77. The Lord Who died on earth for men. Ps. xxi.
78. Tis a pleasant thing to fee. Ps. cxxxiii.
79. Thy promise, Lord, is perfect peace. Ps. iii.
80. Unto Thee I lift mine [my] eyes. Ps. cxxiii.
81. Whom shall [should] we love like Thee? Ps. xviii.
Lyte's versions of the Psalms are criticised where their sadness, tenderness and beauty are set forth. His hymns in the Poems are characterized by the same features, and rarely swell out into joy and gladness.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
==================
Lyte, Henry Francis, p. 706, i. Additional versions of Psalms are in common use:--
1. Lord, a thousand foes surround us. Psalms lix.
2. Praise, Lord, for Thee in Zion waits. Psalms lxv.
3. The Christian like his Lord of old. Psalms cxl.
4. The Lord of all my Shepherd is. Psalms xxiii.
5. The Lord of heaven to earth is come. Psalms xcviii.
6. Thy mercy, Lord, the sinner's hope. Psalms xxxvi.
7. To Thee, O Lord, in deep distress. Psalms cxlii. Sometimes given as "To God I turned in wild distress."
8. Uphold me, Lord, too prone to stray. Psalms i.
9. When Jesus to our [my] rescue came. Psalms cxxvi. These versions appeared in the 1st edition of Lyte's Spirit of the Psalms, 1834. It must be noted that the texts of the 1834, the 1836, and the 3rd ed., 1858, vary considerably, but Lyte was not responsible for the alterations and omissions in the last, which was edited by another hand for use at St. Mark's, Torquay.
Lyte's version of Psalms xxix., "Glory and praise to Jehovah on high" (p. 706, ii., 22), first appeared in his Poems, 1st ed., 1833, p. 25. Read also No. 39 as "Lord, I look for all to Thee."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
Henry Francis Lyte
Samuel Francis Smith
1808 - 1895 Person Name: Rev. Samuel F. Smith Hymnal Number: 7 Author of "Softly Fades the Twilight Ray" in The Greatest Hymns Smith, Samuel Francis, D.D., was born in Boston, U.S.A., Oct. 21, 1808, and graduated in arts at Harvard, and in theology at Andover. He entered the Baptist ministry in 1832, and became the same year editor of the Baptist Missionary Magazine. He also contributed to the Encyclopaedia Americana. From 1834 to 1842 he was pastor at Waterville, Maine, and Professor of Modern Languages in Waterville College. In 1842 he removed to Newton, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1854, when he became the editor of the publications of the Baptist Missionary Union. With Baron Stow he prepared the Baptist collection known as The Psalmist, published in 1843, to which he contributed several hymns. The Psalmist is the most creditable and influential of the American Baptist collections to the present day. Dr. Smith also published Lyric Gems, 1854, Rock of Ages, 1870, &c. A large number of his hymns are in use in America, and several have passed into some of the English collections. Taking his hymns in common use in alphabetical order, we have the following:—
1. And now the solemn deed is done. Ordination. Given in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 954. In Dr. Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, N. Y., 1872, it is altered to "The solemn service now is done."
2. As flows the rapid river. Life Passing Away. In Christian Psalmody, 1833, No. 33; the Hymns for the Vestry and Fireside, Boston, 1841; and The Psalmist, 1843, No. 1059. Found in a few English hymn-books, and in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868.
3. Auspicious morning, hail. American National Anniversary. Written for July 4th, 1841, and published in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 1007.
4. Beyond where Cedron's waters flow. Gethsemane. In L. Bacon's Appendix, 1833; the Psalmist, 1843, No. 220, and later collections.
5. Blest is the hour when cares depart. Divine Worship. In The Psalmist, 1843, No. 947, and others.
6. Constrained by love we follow where. Holy Baptism. Appeared in the Baptist edition of the Plymouth Hymn Book, 1857.
7. Down to the sacred wave. Holy Baptism. Contributed to Winchell's Additional Hymns added to his Collection of 1817, in 1832, No. 510; repeated in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 818, and in several collections. Also in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868.
8. Hail! ye days of solemn meeting. Public Worship. An altered form of No. 26 below, in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866, as an "American Hymn, 1840."
9. How blest the hour when first we gave. Holy Baptism. Appeared in the Baptist edition of thePlymouth Hymn Book, 1857, No. 1468.
10. How calmly wakes the hallowed morn. Holy Baptism. Given in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 810, in later collections, and in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868.
11. Jesus, Thou hast freely saved us. Salvation. In Winchell's Additional Hymns, 1832, No. 503, and others.
12. Meekly in Jordan's Holy Stream. Holy Baptism. Contributed to The Psalmist, 1843, No. 808.
13. My country, 'tis of thee. National Hymn. "Written in 1832, and first sung at a children's Fourth of July celebration in Park Street church, Boston." Included in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 1000, and found in a large number of American hymn-books, but not in use in Great Britain. It is one of the most popular of Dr. Smith's compositions. Text, with note in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868.
14. 0 not my own these verdant hills. Bought with a Price. Appeared in Nason's Congregational Hymn Book, 1857, and given inLaudes Domini, 1884.
15. Onward speed thy conquering flight. Missions. Appeared in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 892, and is found in several modern collections in Great Britain and America. Also in Lyra Sac. Americana, 1868.
16. Planted in Christ, the living Vine. Christian Fellowship; or, For Unity. Given in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 929, inLyra Sacra Americana, 1868, and several hymn-books. Of the hymns contributed by Dr. Smith to The Psalmist this is the best, and one of the most popular.
17. Remember thy Creator. Youthful Piety Enforced. In Christian Psalmody, 1832, No. 32; the Hymns for the Vestry and Fireside, 1841; The Psalmist, 1843, No. 778; Lyra Sac. Americana, 1868, and other collections.
18. Sister, thou wast mild and lovely. Death and Burial. Written on the death of Miss J. M. C. of Mount Vernon School, Boston, July 13,1833, and published in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 1096.
19. Softly fades the twilight ray. Sunday Evening. Written in 1832, and included in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 56. Also in Lyra Sacra Americana, and several hymn-books.
20. Spirit of holiness, descend. Whitsuntide. Appeared in the Hymns for the Vestry and Fireside, 1841, No. 295, and again in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 384. In the Unitarian Hymns for the Church of Christ, Boston, 1853. St. ii., iii., iv. were given as "Spirit of God, Thy churches wait." This form of the text and the original are both in modern hymn-books.
21. Spirit of peace and holiness. Institution of a Minister. Appeared in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 953, and Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872.
22. The morning light is breaking. Missions. Written in 1832, and included in Hastings's Spiritual Songs, 1832-33, No. 253; and The Psalmist, 1843, No. 912. This hymn is very popular and has been translated into several languages. Dr. Smith says of it that “it has been a great favourite at missionary gatherings, and I have myself heard it sung in five or six different languages in Europe and Asia. It is a favourite with the Burmans, Karens, and Telegus in Asia, from whose lips I have heard it repeatedly.”
23. The Prince of Salvation in triumph is riding. Missions. Given in Hastings and Mason's Spiritual Songs, 1832-33, No. 274; The Psalmist, 1843, and later collections.
24. Tis done, the [important] solemn act is done. Ordination. Appeared in The Psalmist 1843, No. 951, and later hymn-books.
25. Today the Saviour calls. Invitation. First sketch by Dr. Smith, the revised text, as in Hastings and Mason's Spiritual Songs, No. 176, and The Psalmist, No. 453, by Dr. T. Hastings (p. 495, i. 19).
26. Welcome, days of solemn meeting. Special Devotional Services. Written in 1834, and given in Dr. Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872. See No. 8.
27. When shall we meet again ? Parting. This is a cento. The first stanza is from Alaric A. Watts's Poetical Sketches, &c, 1822, p. 158 ; and st. ii.-iv. are by Dr. Smith. In this form it was published in L. Bacon's Supplement to Dwight, 1833, No. 489. It is in several American hymn-books; and also the English Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858, &c.
28. When the harvest is past and the summer is gone. Close of Worship. Contributed to Hastings and Mason's Spiritual Songs, 1831, No. 244; and repeated in the Fuller and Jeter Supplement to The Psalmist, 1847, No. 22, and later collections.
29. When thy mortal life is fled. The Judgment. Contributed to Winchell's Additional Hymns, 1832, No. 379, and repeated in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 455, and later hymn-books. Also in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868.
30. While in this sacred rite of Thine. Holy Baptism. Appeared in The Psalmist, 1843, No. 803: Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868, &c.
31. With willing hearts we tread. Holy Baptism. In The Psalmist, 1843, No. 798; and again in the Baptist Praise Book, 1871.
32. Yes, my native land, I love thee. A Missionary's Farewell. Contributed to Winchell's Additional Hymns, 1832, No. 445, and found in later collections. Also in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Samuel Francis Smith
Edward Caswall
1814 - 1878 Hymnal Number: 8 Translator of "When Morning Gilds the Skies" in The Greatest Hymns Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872
=====================
Caswall, Edward, M.A., son of the Rev. R. C. Caswall, sometime Vicar of Yately, Hampshire, born at Yately, July 15, 1814, and educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, graduating in honours in 1836. Taking Holy Orders in 1838, he became in 1840 Incumbent of Stratford-sub-Castle, near Salisbury, and resigned the same in 1847. In 1850 (Mrs. Caswall having died in 1849) he was received into the Roman Catholic communion, and joined Dr. Newman at the Oratory, Edgbaston. His life thenceforth, although void of stirring incidents, was marked by earnest devotion to his clerical duties and a loving interest in the poor, the sick, and in little children. His original poems and hymns were mostly written at the Oratory. He died at Edgbaston, Jan. 2, 1878, and was buried on Jan. 7 at Redwall, near Bromsgrove, by his leader and friend Cardinal Newman. Caswall's translations of Latin hymns from the Roman Breviary and other sources have a wider circulation in modern hymnals than those of any other translator, Dr. Neale alone excepted. This is owing to his general faithfulness to the originals, and the purity of his rhythm, the latter feature specially adapting his hymns to music, and for congregational purposes. His original compositions, although marked by considerable poetical ability, are not extensive in their use, their doctrinal teaching being against their general adoption outside the Roman communion. His hymns appeared in:—
(1) Lyra Catholica, which contained 197 translations from the Roman Breviary, Missal, and other sources. First ed. London, James Burns, 1849. This was reprinted in New York in 1851, with several hymns from other sources added thereto. This edition is quoted in the indices to some American hymn-books as Lyra Cath., as in Beecher's Plymouth Collection, 1855, and others.
(2) Masque of Mary, and Other Poems, having in addition to the opening poem and a few miscellaneous pieces, 53 translations, and 51 hymns. 1st ed. Lon., Burns and Lambert, 1858.
(3) A May Pageant and Other Poems, including 10 original hymns. Lon., Burns and Lambert, 1865.
(4) Hymns and Poems, being the three preceding volumes embodied in one, with many of the hymns rewritten or revised, together with elaborate indices. 1st ed. Lon., Burns, Oates & Co., 1873. Of his original hymns about 20 are given in the Roman Catholic Crown of Jesus Hymn Book, N.D; there are also several in the Hymns for the Year, N.D., and other Roman Catholic collections.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
======================
Caswall, E. , p. 214, ii. Additional original hymns by Caswall are in the Arundel Hymns, 1902, and other collections. The following are from the Masque of Mary, &c, 1858:—
1. Christian soul, dost thou desire. After Holy Communion.
2. Come, let me for a moment cast. Holy Communion.
3. O Jesu Christ [Lord], remember. Holy Communion.
4. Oft, my soul, thyself remind. Man's Chief End.
5. Sleep, Holy Babe. Christmas. Appeared in the Rambler, June 1850, p. 528. Sometimes given as "Sleep, Jesus, sleep."
6. The glory of summer. Autumn.
7. This is the image of the queen. B. V. M.
His "See! amid the winter's snow,” p. 1037, i., was published in Easy Hymn Tunes, 1851, p. 36. In addition the following, mainly altered texts or centos of his translations are also in common use:—
1. A regal throne, for Christ's dear sake. From "Riches and regal throne," p. 870, ii.
2. Come, Holy Ghost, Thy grace inspire. From "Spirit of grace and union," p. 945, i.
3. Hail! ocean star, p. 99, ii,, as 1873. In the Birmingham Oratory Hymn Book, 1850, p. 158.
4. Lovely flow'rs of martyrs, hail. This is the 1849 text. His 1873 text is "Flowers of martyrdom," p. 947, i.
5. None of all the noble cities. From "Bethlehem! of noblest cities," p. 946, ii.
6. O Jesu, Saviour of the World. From “Jesu, Redeemer of the world," p. 228, ii.
7. 0 Lady, high in glory raised. From "O Lady, high in glory, Whose," p. 945, i.
The Parochial Hymn Book, 1880, has also the following original hymns by Caswall. As their use is confined to this collection, we give the numbers only:—
IS os. 1, 2, 3, 159 (Poems, 1873, p. 453), 209 (1873, p. 288), 299, 324 (1873, p. 323), 357, 402, 554, 555, 558, 569 (1873, p. 334). These are from his Masque of Mary 1858. Nos. 156, 207 (1873, p. 296), 208 (1873, p. 297), 518. These are from his May Pageant, 1865.
As several of these hymns do not begin with the original first lines, the original texts are indicated as found in his Poems, 1873. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
Edward Caswall
