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Once in Royal David's City
Author: C. F. Alexander1818-95 Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7 Appears in 410 hymnals Topics: Jesus, Savior of Gentiles Lyrics: 1 Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
2 He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor and mean and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.
3 Jesus is our childhood's pattern;
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless;
Tears and smiles like us He knew,
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.
4 And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child, so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above;
And he leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
5 Not in that poor lowly stable
With the oxen standing by
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
Where, like stars, His children crowned,
All in white shall wait around.
Used With Tune: IRBY
Once in Royal David's City
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Meter: 8.8.8.8 Appears in 1,805 hymnals Topics: Our Lord Jesus Christ His Manifestation to the Gentiles Lyrics: 1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does His successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His head;
His Name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
4 Blessings abound where'er He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to burst his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest.
5 Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honours to our King:
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud Amen.
Amen. Used With Tune: WARRINGTON
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Prayer, for all Missionaries
Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 178 hymnals Topics: Solemn Prayers, offered up for Jew, Gentile, and the Fulness of the Lost in Adam First Line: Great God, the nations of the earth Lyrics: 1 Great God, the nations of the earth
Are by creation thine;
And in thy works by all beheld,
Thy radiant glories shine.
2 But, Lord, thy greater love has sent
Thy gospel to mankind,
Unveiling what rich stores of grace
Are treasur'd in thy mind.
3 Lord, when shall these glad tidings spread
The spacious earth around,
'Till ev'ry tribe and ev'ry soul
Shall hear the joyful sound:
4 O when shall Afric's sable sons
Enjoy the heav'nly word,
And vassals long enslav'd become
The freemen of the Lord?
5 When shall th' untutor'd heathen tribes,
A dark bewilder'd race,
Sit down at our Immanuel's feet,
And learn and feel his grace?
6 Haste, sov'reign mercy, and transform
Their cruelty to love;
Soften the tiger to a lamb,
The vulture to a dove!
7 Smile, Lord, on each divine attempt
To spread the gospel’s rays,
And build on sin’s demolish'd throne,
The temples of thy praise! Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7 Text Sources: Rippon's Coll.
Prayer, for all Missionaries
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
Hymnal: Doctor Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (3rd ed.) #149b (1786) Topics: Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church; Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church First Line: God in his earthly temple lays Lyrics: 1 God in His earthly temple lays
Foundations for his heavenly praise;
He liked the tents of Jacob well,
But still in Sion loves to dwell.
2 His mercy visits every house,
That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay,
Where churches meet to praise and pray.
3 What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are in Sion told!
Thou city of our God below,
Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.
4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew;
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.
5 When God makes up his last account
Of natives in his holy mount,
’Twill be an honour to appear
As one new-born and nourish'd there. Scripture: Psalm 87 Languages: English
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
Hymnal: Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #149b (1790) Topics: Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church; Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church First Line: God in his earthly temple lays Lyrics: 1 God in His earthly temple lays
Foundations for his heavenly praise;
He liked the tents of Jacob well,
But still in Sion loves to dwell.
2 His mercy visits every house,
That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay,
Where churches meet to praise and pray.
3 What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are in Sion told!
Thou city of our God below,
Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.
4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew;
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.
5 When God makes up his last account
Or natives in his holy mount,
Twill be an honour to appear
As one new-born and nourish'd there. Scripture: Psalm 87 Languages: English
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
Hymnal: Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David, corrected and enlarged, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (2nd ed.) #159a (1786) Topics: Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church; Christ his Kingdom among Gentiles; Church made of Jews and Gentiles; Church of the Jews and Gentiles; Conversion of Jews and Gentiles; Gentiles church First Line: God in his earthly temple lays Lyrics: 1 God in His earthly temple lays
Foundations for his heavenly praise;
He liked the tents of Jacob well,
But still in Sion loves to dwell.
2 His mercy visits every house
That pay their night and morning vows;
But makes a more delightful stay,
Where churches meet to praise and pray.
3 What glories were describ'd of old!
What wonders are in Sion told!
Thou city of our God below,
Thy fame shall Tyre and Egypt know.
4 Egypt and Tyre, and Greek and Jew,
Shall there begin their lives anew;
Angels and men shall join to sing
The hill where living waters spring.
5 When God makes up his last account
Of natives in his holy mount,
’Twill be an honour to appear
As one new-born and nourish'd there. Scripture: Psalm 87 Languages: English
The Church the Birth Place of the Saints; or Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church
Cecil Frances Alexander
1818 - 1895 Person Name: C. F. Alexander1818-95 Topics: Jesus, Savior of Gentiles Author of "Once in Royal David's City" in Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (b. Redcross, County Wicklow, Ireland, 1818; Londonderry, Ireland, 1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal. In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling many miles each day to visit the sick and the poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies. She and her sister also founded a school for the deaf. Alexander was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble's Christian Year. Her first book of poetry, Verses for Seasons, was a "Christian Year" for children. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and prayer, writing in simple language for children. Her more than four hundred hymn texts were published in Verses from the Holy Scripture (1846), Hymns for Little Children (1848), and Hymns Descriptive and Devotional ( 1858).
Bert Polman
==================
Alexander, Cecil Frances, née Humphreys, second daughter of the late Major John Humphreys, Miltown House, co. Tyrone, Ireland, b. 1823, and married in 1850 to the Rt. Rev. W. Alexander, D.D., Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. Mrs. Alexander's hymns and poems number nearly 400. They are mostly for children, and were published in her Verses for Holy Seasons, with Preface by Dr. Hook, 1846; Poems on Subjects in the Old Testament, pt. i. 1854, pt. ii. 1857; Narrative Hymns for Village Schools, 1853; Hymns for Little Children, 1848; Hymns Descriptive and Devotional, 1858; The Legend of the Golden Prayers 1859; Moral Songs, N.B.; The Lord of the Forest and his Vassals, an Allegory, &c.; or contributed to the Lyra Anglicana, the S.P.C.K. Psalms and Hymns, Hymns Ancient & Modern, and other collections. Some of the narrative hymns are rather heavy, and not a few of the descriptive are dull, but a large number remain which have won their way to the hearts of the young, and found a home there. Such hymns as "In Nazareth in olden time," "All things bright and beautiful," "Once in Royal David's city," "There is a green hill far away," "Jesus calls us o'er the tumult," "The roseate hues of early dawn," and others that might be named, are deservedly popular and are in most extensive use. Mrs. Alexander has also written hymns of a more elaborate character; but it is as a writer for children that she has excelled.
- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
===============
Alexander, Cecil F., née Humphreys, p. 38, ii. Additional hymns to those already noted in this Dictionary are in common use:—
1. Christ has ascended up again. (1853.) Ascension.
2. His are the thousand sparkling rills. (1875.) Seven Words on the Cross (Fifth Word).
3. How good is the Almighty God. (1S48.) God, the Father.
4. In [a] the rich man's garden. (1853.) Easter Eve.
5. It was early in the morning. (1853.) Easter Day.
6. So be it, Lord; the prayers are prayed. (1848.) Trust in God.
7. Saw you never in the twilight? (1853.) Epiphany.
8. Still bright and blue doth Jordan flow. (1853.) Baptism of Our Lord.
9. The angels stand around Thy throne. (1848.) Submission to the Will of God.
10. The saints of God are holy men. (1848.) Communion of Saints.
11. There is one Way and only one. (1875.) SS. Philip and James.
12. Up in heaven, up in heaven. (1848.) Ascension.
13. We are little Christian children. (1848.) Holy Trinity.
14. We were washed in holy water. (1848.) Holy Baptism.
15. When of old the Jewish mothers. (1853.) Christ's Invitation to Children.
16. Within the Churchyard side by side. (1848.) Burial.
Of the above hymns those dated 1848 are from Mrs. Alexander's Hymns for Little Children; those dated 1853, from Narrative Hymns, and those dated 1875 from the 1875 edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern.
Several new hymns by Mrs. Alexander are included in the 1891 Draft Appendix to the Irish Church Hymnal.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
=============
Alexander, Cecil F. , p. 38, ii. Mrs. Alexander died at Londonderry, Oct. 12, 1895. A number of her later hymns are in her Poems, 1896, which were edited by Archbishop Alexander.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
See also in:Hymn Writers of the Church
Cecil Frances Alexander
Christopher Wordsworth
1807 - 1885 Person Name: C. Wordsworth, 1807-85 Topics: Jesus, Savior of Gentiles Author of "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" in Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Christopher Wordsworth--nephew of the great lake-poet, William Wordsworth--was born in 1807. He was educated at Winchester, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A., with high honours, in 1830; M.A. in 1833; D.D. in 1839. He was elected Fellow of his College in 1830, and public orator of the University in 1836; received Priest's Orders in 1835; head master of Harrow School in 1836; Canon of Westminster Abbey in 1844; Hulsean Lecturer at Cambridge in 1847-48; Vicar of Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berks, in 1850; Archdeacon of Westminster, in 1865; Bishop of Lincoln, in 1868. His writings are numerous, and some of them very valuable. Most of his works are in prose. His "Holy Year; or, Hymns for Sundays, Holidays, and other occasions throughout the Year," was published in [1862], and contains 127 hymns.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872.
===================
Wordsworth, Christopher, D.D., was born at Lambeth (of which parish his father was then the rector), Oct. 30, 1807, and was the youngest son of Christopher Wordsworth, afterwards Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Priscilla (née Lloyd) his wife. He was educated at Winchester, where he distinguished himself both as a scholar and as an athlete. In 1826 he matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where his career was an extraordinarily brilliant one. He swept off an unprecedented number of College and University prizes, and in 1830 graduated as Senior Classic in the Classical Tripos, and 14th Senior Optime in the Mathematical, won the First Chancellor's Medal for classical studies, and was elected Fellow of Trinity. He was engaged as classical lecturer in college for some time, and in 1836 was chosen Public Orator for the University. In the same year he was elected Head Master of Harrow School, and in 1838 he married Susan Hatley Freere. During his head-mastership the numbers at Harrow fell off, but he began a great moral reform in the school, and many of his pupils regarded him with enthusiastic admiration. In 1844 he was appointed by Sir Robert Peel to a Canonry at Westminster; and in 1848-49 he was Hulsean lecturer at Cambridge. In 1850 he took the small chapter living of Stanford-in-the-Vale cum Goosey, in Berkshire, and for the next nineteen years he passed his time as an exemplary parish priest in this retired spot, with the exception of his four months' statutable residence each year at Westminster. In 1869 he was elevated to the bishopric of Lincoln, which he held for more than fifteen years, resigning it a few months before his death, which took place on March 20th, 1885. As bearing upon his poetical character, it may be noted that he was the nephew of the poet-laureate, William Wordsworth, whom he constantly visited at Rydal up to the time of the poet's death in 1850, and with whom he kept up a regular and lengthy correspondence. Christopher Wordsworth was a very voluminous writer, his principal works being:—
(1) Athens and Attica, 1836; (2) Pompeian Inscriptions, 1837; (3) Greece Pictorial and Descriptive, 1839; (4) King Edward VIth's Latin Grammar, 1841; (5) Bentley's Correspondence, 1842; (6) Theophilus Anglicanus, 1843; (7) Memoirs of William Wordsworth, 1851; (8) Hippolytus, 1853; (9) Notes at Paris, 1854; (10) A Commentary on the whole Bible, 1856-1870;
(11) The Holy Year, 1862; (12) Church History, 1881-1883; many volumes of Sermons, and an enormous amount of Pamphlets, Addresses, Letters, Speeches, on almost every subject in which the interests of the church were concerned, and also on subjects connected with classical literature.
Of his many works, however, the only one which claims notice from the hynmologist's point of view is The Holy Year, which contains hymns, not only for every season of the Church's year, but also for every phase of that season, as indicated in the Book of Common Prayer. Dr. Wordsworth, like the Wesleys, looked upon hymns as a valuable means of stamping permanently upon the memory the great doctrines of the Christian Church. He held it to be "the first duty of a hymn-writer to teach sound doctrine, and thus to save souls." He thought that the materials for English Church hymns should be sought (1) in the Holy Scriptures, (2) in the writings of Christian Antiquity, and (3) in the Poetry of the Ancient Church. Hence he imposed upon himself the strictest limitations in his own compositions. He did not select a subject which seemed to him most adapted for poetical treatment, but felt himself bound to treat impartially every subject, and branch of a subject, that is brought before us in the Church's services, whether of a poetical nature or not. The natural result is that his hymns are of very unequal merit; whether his subject inspired him with poetical thoughts or not, he was bound to deal with it; hence while some of his hymns (such as "Hark! the sound of holy voices," &c, “See the Conqueror mounts in triumph," &c, "O, day of rest and gladness") are of a high order of excellence, others are prosaic. He was particularly anxious to avoid obscurity, and thus many of his hymns are simple to the verge of baldness. But this extreme simplicity was always intentional, and to those who can read between the lines there are many traces of the "ars celans artem." It is somewhat remarkable that though in citing examples of early hymnwriters he almost always refers to those of the Western Church, his own hymns more nearly resemble those of the Eastern, as may be seen by comparing The Holy Year with Dr. Mason Neale's Hymns of the Eastern Church translated, with Notes, &c. The reason of this perhaps half-unconscious resemblance is not far to seek. Christopher Wordsworth, like the Greek hymnwriters, drew his inspiration from Holy Scripture, and he loved, as they did, to interpret Holy Scripture mystically. He thought that ”the dangers to which the Faith of England (especially in regard to the Old Testament) was exposed, arose from the abandonment of the ancient Christian, Apostolic and Patristic system of interpretation of the Old Testament for the frigid and servile modern exegesis of the literalists, who see nothing in the Old Testament but a common history, and who read it (as St. Paul says the Jews do) ‘with a veil on their heart, which veil' (he adds) 'is done away in Christ.'" In the same spirit, he sought and found Christ everywhere in the New Testament. The Gospel History was only the history of what "Jesus began to do and to teach" on earth; the Acts of the Apostles and all the Epistles were the history of what he continued to do and to teach from Heaven; and the Apocalypse (perhaps his favourite book) was "the seal and colophon of all." Naturally he presents this theory, a theory most susceptible of poetical treatment, in his hymns even more prominently than in his other writings. The Greek writers took, more or less, the same view; hence the resemblance between his hymns and those of the Eastern Church. [Rev. J. H. Overton, D.D.]
During the time that Bishop Wordsworth was Canon of Westminster, and Vicar of Stanford-in-the-Vale cum Goosey, he published his collection of hymns as:—
The Holy Year; or Hymns for Sundays and Holy-days, And other Occasions. London, Rivingtons, 1862.
This work contained an extended Preface; a Calendar of Hymns; 117 Original Compositions; and a Supplement of 82 hymns from other sources. In the 3rd edition, 1863, the Supplement was omitted, and the Original hymns were increased to 127. Several of these hymns are annotated under their respective first lines, the rest in common use are:—
From The Holy Year, first edition, 1862:—
1. Five pebbles from the brook. Temptation. Stanza ix. added in 1863.
2. Giver of law is God's [Thy] dear Son. Circumcision. Doxology added in 1863.
3. Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost. Quinquagesima.
4. Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of Hosts, Eternal King. Holy Trinity.
5. Holy of Holies! awful name. Epistle 5th Sunday in Lent.
6. How blest are hearts which Christ the Lord. Holy Matrimony. In 1863 in two parts, Pt. ii. being "Bless these Thy servants, gracious Lord."
7. How blessed is the force of prayer. St. Peter. In 1863, in two parts, Pt. i. being "Behold! at hand is Herod's doom."
8. How wondrous and mysterious are. Holy Baptism. In the 1863 ed. it is divided into four parts:— Pt. ii. "In Jordan Thou didst sanctify"; Pt. iii. "Thee, risen in triumph from the grave"; Pt. iv." Baptized in Christ we put on Christ." The cento, "By Water and the Holy Ghost," is also from this hymn.
9. In sorrow and distress. Ash Wednesday.
10. In Thy glorious Resurrection . Easter. In the 1863 ed. it begins, "Lord, Thy glorious Resurrection," and the doxology was added.
11. Lord, may we never, save to One. Against False Worship. Stanza viii. was added in 1863.
12. Lord not with [by] poor and paltry gifts. Offertory.
13. Lord, Who didst the Prophets teach. 2nd Sunday in Advent, or, Holy Scripture. The doxology was added in 1863.
14. Man fell from grace by carnal appetite. Gospel 1st S. in Lent.
15. Mankind in Adam fell. Good Friday. In the 1863 ed. it is divided into three parts: Pt. ii. being "We fell by Adam's sin;" and Pt. iii. "Thy Cross a Trophy is."
16. Not bound by chains, nor pent in cells. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost. This hymn is preceded by a special note on the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
17. Not gifts of prophecy can save. Self Discipline, or, 8th Sunday after Trinity.
18. 0 Jerusalem beloved, joyful morn has dawned on Thee. Purification of Blessed Virgin Mary, or, The Presentation. In the 1863 edition it is divided into two parts, Pt. ii. Being “Light the Gentile world to lighten, and thy glory Israel."
19. 0 Saviour, Who at Nain's gate. The Raising of the Widow's Son.
20. 0 Son of God, the Eternal Word. The Queen's Accession.
21. Once all the nations were as one. Babel and Sion a Contrast.
22. Sing, 0 sing this blessed morn. Christmas. In the 1863 edition a doxology was added, and the hymn was divided into two parts, Pt. ii. being, "God comes down that man may rise."
23. The banner of the Cross. Missions. In the 1863 ed. it is in three parts, Pt. ii., "Now for the Lord our God"; Pt. iii. "The earth from East to West."
24. The Galilean Fishers toil. Collect 4th Sunday in Advent. From this "0 Lord, when storms around us howl" is taken.
25. Thou bidd'st us visit in distress. The Promise of the Comforter, or, Sunday before Ascension. In the 1863 edition it is in two parts, Pt. ii. being “At Thy first birth, Thou, Lord, didst wait."
26. Thou hast a Temple founded. The Christian Temple; or, Epistle 11th Sunday after Trinity.
27. To-day, 0 Lord, the Holy James. St. James. In the 1863 ed. in two parts, Pt. ii. being "God in His word does not display."
28. Today with bright effulgence shine. Conversion of St. Paul. In the 1863 ed. it begins "Today in Thine Apostle shine," and is in two parts, Pt. ii being "From East to West, from North to South."
29. Upon the sixth day of the week. Easter Eve. Stanzas x., xi. of the 1863 text were added then, and the hymn was given in two parts, Pt. ii. being "By tasting the forbidden fruit."
30. We hear the tolling bell. Burial. The doxology was added in 1863, and the hymn was divided, Pt. ii. being "0 gracious Lord, to Thee." The cento "We see the open grave" is from this hymn.
31. When from the City of our God. The Good Samaritan. From this is taken “What beams of grace and mercy, Lord."
32. When Thou, 0 Lord, didst send the Twelve. SS. Simon and Jude. In the 1863 ed. stanza x. is new, and Pt. ii. begins, "Zeal, swollen with passion's cloudy smoke."
ii. From the Holy Year, 3rd ed., 1863.
33. Heavenly Father, send Thy blessing. For Schools. In extensive use.
34. Holy, holy, holy Lord, Maker of this worldly frame. Septuagesima. Based on the Epistle and Gospel of the week.
35. Lo He comes! Whom every nation. Advent. This is headed "The First Advent of Christ, coming to save."
36. 0 fear not though before thee lies. Communion of the Sick. Pt. ii. begins, "The Resurrection and the Life."
37. On every new-born babe of earth. Churching of Women. Pt. ii. begins, "Bright angels of the King of kings."
38. Peace to this house! O Thou Whose way. Visitation of the Sick. Pt. ii. "0 Conqueror by suffering; Pt. iii. "Restore us to Thine house of prayer."
39. The day is gently sinking to a close. Evening. A beautiful hymn.
40. We all, 0 God, unrighteous are. The Lord our Righteousness. Sometimes "We all, O Lord, unrighteous are." Based upon the Epistle of the Sunday next before Advent. Pt. ii. begins "Behold the day, the glorious day."
In addition to many of the hymns in the 1863 edition of The Holy Year being divided into parts, the texts of most of them were revised by the author, and are authorized.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
================
Wordsworth, Bp. C. (Lincoln) , p. 1294, i. Of his hymns, noted on p. 1294, i., ii., we find that No. 39 appeared in his Holy Year in 1864; and Nos. 34, 35, and 40 in 1862. The first edition in which the longer hymns were divided into parts was that of 1868. With regard to the date of Bp. Wordsworth's death, we find this reference thereto in his Biography: "He expired soon after midnight on Friday, March 20, or perhaps, it might be said, early on the Saturday morning." This gives the date of his death as March 21, 1885.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
===========================
See also in:
Hymn Writers of the Church
Christopher Wordsworth
P. P. Bliss
1838 - 1876 Topics: Our Lord Jesus Christ His Manifestation to the Gentiles (Epiphany) Author of "The light of the world" in Augsburg Songs for Sunday Schools and other services Philip P. Bliss (b. Clearfield County, PA, 1838; d. Ashtabula, OH, 1876) left home as a young boy to make a living by working on farms and in lumber camps, all while trying to continue his schooling. He was converted at a revival meeting at age twelve. Bliss became an itinerant music teacher, making house calls on horseback during the winter, and during the summer attending the Normal Academy of Music in Genesco, New York. His first song was published in 1864, and in 1868 Dwight L. Moody advised him to become a singing evangelist. For the last two years of his life Bliss traveled with Major D. W. Whittle and led the music at revival meetings in the Midwest and Southern United States. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey published a popular series of hymn collections entitled Gospel Hymns. The first book of the series, Gospel Songs, was published in 1874. Bliss's tragic death at the age of thirty-eight happened near the end of 1876. Philip P. Bliss and his wife were traveling to Chicago to sing for the evangelistic services led by Daniel W. Whittle at Dwight L. Moody's Tabernacle. But a train wreck and fire en route claimed their lives.
Bert Polman
=================
Bliss, Philip, b. at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1838. In 1864 he went to Chicago in the employ of Dr. George F. Root, the musician, where he was engaged in conducting musical Institutes, and in composing Sunday School melodies. Originally a Methodist, he became, about 1871, a choirman of the First Congregational Church, Chicago, and the Superintendent of its Sunday Schools. In 1874 he joined D. W. Whittle in evangelical work. To this cause he gave (although a poor man) the royalty of his Gospel Songs, which was worth some thirty thousand dollars. His death was sudden. It occurred in the railway disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1876. ... Some of his verses have obtained wide popularity in most English-speaking countries. The more widely known, and specially those which are found in collections in use in G. Britain, are in the following American works:—
i. The Prize, 1870.
1. I should like to die. Death anticipated. This is one of his earliest compositions, and is unworthy of the position it holds.
2. Through the valley of the shadow I must go. Death anticipated.
3. Whosoever heareth, shout, shout the sound. Jesus the Way. Written during the winter of 1869-70 after hearing Mr. H. Moorhouse (from England) preach on St. John iii. 16.
ii. The Charm, 1871.
4. Almost persuaded now to believe. Procrastination. This was suggested by the following passage in a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Brundnge, Bliss being present at its delivery:—" He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost."
5. Ho! my comrades! see the signal. Faithfulness.
6. O! Jerusalem, the golden city, bright, &c. Heaven.
7. On what Foundation do [did] you build? Christ the Foundation.
iii. The Song Tree, 1872.
8. Light in the darkness, sailor, day is at hand. Safety. This hymn, “The Life-Boat," has attained to great popularity. The incident upon which it is based, that of the rescue of a ship's crew by a life-boat, is given in detail by Mr. Sankey in his Sacred Songs, &c, No. 99 (large ed.). It is sometimes known by its refrain, "Pull for the shore," &c.
iv. The Joy, 1873.
9. In me ye may have peace. Peace.
10. To die is gain. Death anticipated.
v. Sunshine, 1873.
11. Down life's dark vale we wander. Death anticipated.
12. More holiness give me. For Holiness.
13. Only an armour-bearer. Soldiers of the Cross.
14. Standing by a purpose true. Faithfulness.
15. This loving Saviour stands patiently. Invitation.
vi. Gospel Songs, 1874.
16. A long time I wandered. Peace and Joy.
17. Brightly beams our Father's mercy. Mercy.
18. Come, brethren, as we march along. Praise.
19. Free from the law, O happy condition. Redemption.
20. Have you on the Lord believed? Fullness of Grace. This hymn arose out of the following circumstances :—" A vast fortune was left in the hands of a minister for one of his poor parishioners. Fearing that it might be sqmandered if suddenly bestowed upon him, the wise minister sent him a little at a time, with a note saying, “This is thine; use it wisely; there is more to follow.” Hence also the refrain ‘More to follow,’ by which the hymn is known."
21. How much owest thou? Divine Claims.
22. I know not the hour when my Lord will come. Death anticipated. Suggested by reading the book, The Gates Ajar.
23. See the gentle Shepherd standing. The Good Shepherd.
24. Though the way be sometimes dreary. Divine Leading.
25. Will you meet me at the fountain? Fountain of Living Water. The incident out of which this hymn arose is thus stated in The Christian, No. 365, "At the Industrial Exposition at Chicago it was an everyday appointment to meet at the Central Fountain. Mr. P. P. Bliss, whose mind seemed always set on things above, caught up the words, and wrote this hymn, 'Meet me at the Fountain.'"
vii. Gospel Hymns, No. 1, 1875.
26. One offer of salvation. The Name of Jesus.
27. Wandering afar from the dwellings of men. The Lepers.
viii. The International Lesson Monthly, 1875.
28. Weary gleaner, whence comest thou? Duty.
29. The whole world was lost in the darkness of Sin. Light of the world.
30. Man of sorrows! what a name. Redemption.
31. The Spirit, O sinner, in mercy doth move. Holy Spirit.
ix. Gospel Hymns, No. 2, 1876.
32. At the feet of Jesus. The good choice.
33. Come, sing the Gospel's joyful sound. Salvation.
34. Cut it down, cut it down. Justice and Mercy.
35. Do you see the Hebrew captive? Prayer.
36. Hallelujah, He is risen. Easier. Written in the spring of 1876 and first sung by Bliss on Easter afternoon, 1876, in the Court House Square, Augusta, Georgia, to 5900 people.
37. In Zion's rock abiding. Safety.
38. Repeat the story o'er and o'er. Grace and Peace.
39. Tenderly the Shepherd. The Good Shepherd.
x. Gospel Hymns, No. 3, 1878.
40. Hear ye the glad good news from heaven. Faith and Salvation.
41. I will sing of my Redeemer. Praise.
xi. Gospel Hymns, No. 4, 1881.
42. 'Tis known on earth and heaven too. More about Jesus.
xii. Various.
43. Sing over again to me. Words of Life. This appeared in a paper entitled Words of Life, 1874, The following are undated:—
44. March to the battle-field. Duty and Victory.
45. There is sin in the camp. Hinderances.
46. 'Tis the promise of God. Praise.
47. While the silvery moon-beams, fall, New Birth.
48. God is always near me. Omnipresence.
Two hymns," I am so glad that our Father in heaven," and " Sowing the seed by the daylight [dawnlight] fair," (sometimes given as " Sowing our seed in the morning fair ") are usually attributed to Mr. Bliss. In his Gospel Songs, Cincinnati, 1874, however, he lays claim to the music only. Mr. Sankey attributes this last to "E. A. Oakey." With the exception of No. 48, these hymns are given in Mr. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos, Pts. i. and ii. Their popularity is far beyond their literary merits, and is mainly due to the simple melodies to which they are wedded. As a writer of hymns of this class Mr. Bliss is second only to Mrs. Van Alstyne. Many anecdotes concerning hymns of this class are given in American Evangelists; an Account of their work in England and America, by the Rev. Elias Nason, Boston, U.S., Lathrop & Co., 1877.
Mr. Bliss is usually known as "P. P. Bliss." This is found on the title-pages of his collections. On his own authority, however, we are enabled to say that his name originally stood thus : “Philipp Bliss.” Early in life he separated the final p from his Christian name, constituted it a capital P, and thus produced "P. P. Bliss." (For this article we are mainly indebted to Professor F. M. Bird, and Mr. H. P. Main.)
-John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Bliss, Philip , p. 151, i. "Sowing the seed by the daylight fair" is in the Family Treasury , Edinburgh, 1861, pt. i., p. 84. It is said to be by Miss Emily Sullivan Oakey; born at Albany, N. York, Oct. 8, 1829, died May 11, 1883. Note also that Bliss's hymn, No. 43. on p. 150, ii., should read, "Sing them over again to me."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
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Bliss, P., p. 150, i. Two works have been brought to our notice, since the issue of our first edition of this Dictionary, which concern this author, viz.:—
1. Memoirs of Philip P. Bliss. Edited by D. W. Whittle. Contributions by Rev. E. P. Goodwin, Ira D. Sankey, and Geo. F. Root. Introduction by D. L. Moody. New York, &c.: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1877.
2. My Life and Sacred Songs. By Ira D. Sankey. With an Introduction by Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D). London: Hodder & Stoughton, and Morgan & Scott, 1906.
These works have a special interest for those who use I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos, and all of P. Bliss's publications. To Mr. Sankey's My Life, &c, we direct special attention for P. Bliss's hymns:—
“Do you see the Hebrew captive kneeling?" p. 294.
"Down life's dark vale we wander." p. 285.
"Ho! my comrades, see the signal." p. 105.
"'Tis the promise of God full salvation to give." p. 99.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
P. P. Bliss
