1719 - 1783 Person Name: William Hammond, 1719-1783 Author of "What Good News the Angels Bring" in Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church Hammond, William, B.A, born at Battle, Sussex, Jan. 6, 1719, and educated at St. John's College, Cambridge. In 1743 he joined the Calvinistic Methodists; and in 1745, the Moravian Brethren. He died in London, Aug. 19, 1783, and was buried in the Moravian burial-ground, Sloane Street, Chelsea. He left an Autobiography in Greek, which remains unpublished. His original hymns, together with his translations from the Latin, were published in his:—
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. To which is prefix'd A Preface, giving some Account of a Weak Faith, and a Full Assurance of Faith; and briefly stating the Doctrine of Sanctification; and shewing a Christian's Completeness, Perfection, and Happiness in Christ. By William Hammond, A.B., late of St. John's College, Cambridge. London: Printed by W. Strahan; and sold by J. Oswald, at the Rose and Crown in the Poultry, mdccxlv.
A few of his original hymns from scriptural fidelity and earnestness have attained to a foremost position amongst English hymns. These include, "Awake, and sing the song," and "Lord, we come before Thee now." His translations of Latin hymns were amongst the earliest published after those contained in the Primers and other devotional works of 16th and 17th centuries. They are of merit, and worthy of attention. Greater use might also be made of his original compositions. In addition to those named above, the following are also in common use:—
1. Brightness of the Father's Face. God the Son.
2. How great the Christian's portion is. Possession of All in Christ.
3. If Jesus is yours. God's unchangeable Love.
4. In Thine own appointed way. Divine Worship.
5. Jesus, Who died the [a] world to save. Easter.
6. Lord, if on earth the thought of Thee. Heaven anticipated.
1. Now with joint consent we sing. Divine Worship.
8. O Lord, how little do we know. Quinquagesima.
9. Would you win a soul to God ? The Gospel Message.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
William Hammond
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