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Brian A. Wren

b. 1936 Person Name: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936 Scripture: James 3:9 Author of "Great God, your love has called us here" in Common Praise Brian Wren (b. Romford, Essex, England, 1936) is a major British figure in the revival of contemporary hymn writing. He studied French literature at New College and theology at Mansfield College in Oxford, England. Ordained in 1965, he was pastor of the Congregational Church (now United Reformed) in Hockley and Hawkwell, Essex, from 1965 to 1970. He worked for the British Council of Churches and several other organizations involved in fighting poverty and promoting peace and justice. This work resulted in his writing of Education for Justice (1977) and Patriotism and Peace (1983). With a ministry throughout the English-speaking world, Wren now resides in the United States where he is active as a freelance lecturer, preacher, and full-time hymn writer. His hymn texts are published in Faith Looking Forward (1983), Praising a Mystery (1986), Bring Many Names (1989), New Beginnings (1993), and Faith Renewed: 33 Hymns Reissued and Revised (1995), as well as in many modern hymnals. He has also produced What Language Shall I Borrow? (1989), a discussion guide to inclusive language in Christian worship. Bert Polman

St. Ephraem, Syrus

303 - 373 Person Name: Ephraim the Syrian, c. 306-373 Scripture: James 3:9-12 Author of "Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands" in Common Praise Ephraem Syrus. About A.D. 307 there was born at Nisibis, in northern Mesopotamia, Ephraem or Ephraim Syrus, the most celebrated father of the Syrian church, and famous not only as a theologian, but also as a poet and hymn-writer. Historians differ as to the details of his life; but it is known that having first been a pupil of James, bishop of Nisibis, he finished his education at Edessa, where for the rest of his days he chiefly resided. He visited Basil at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, and by him he was ordained to the office of deacon. He died at Edessa in June, 373. Ephraim was a most voluminous writer of commentaries, expository sermons, hymns, and metrical homilies. Metrical Homilies, first mentioned in connection with him, are a peculiar kind of composition, to which we know of nothing in other literature exactly similar. The tracts in verse explanatory of the Christian religion, circulated by missionaries in some parts of India, and which the people like to read aloud in a kind of chant, seem most nearly to resemble them. The Homilies are in metre, i.e. in lines containing a fixed number of syllables, e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 12, as the case may be, and are divided into strophes, but differ from hymns proper in their greater length and more decidedly didactic character. We might have supposed them to be poems intended to be simply read, but from notes found on manuscripts giving directions as to the singing, it appears as though, at least in some cases, they were actually sung or chanted in connection with religious services. In neither the hymns nor the homilies is any regard paid to accent or quantity, and only occasionally does there seem to have been an attempt at rhyme or assonance. The main characteristics of Syriac poetry are (1) a certain elevation of style, (2) division of the verses into strophep, and (3) the use of lines or verses with a fixed number of syllables The poetical compositions of Ephraim, so far as printed, are as follows, beginning with his works edited by J. S. Assemani and P. Benedict at Rome, in 1732-46. (1) Eleven metrical expositions, in heptasyllabic and pentasyllabic metre, of portions of Scripture treating of the Creation, the Temptation of Eve, the Mission of Jonah, and the Repentance of the Ninevites. The last-named is the most striking and the longest, extending to between 500 and 600 strophes of four lines each. Of the use made of it by the Nestorian Christians of the present day we shall speak in the second part of this article. (2) Thirteen discourses on Christ's Nativity. These are of various lengths and metres. The last is tetra-syllabic, in strophes of 10 lines, every tenth line being a doxology. The life of Christ is supposed by the author to have extended to thirty years, and to every one of these years is assigned an act of praise from some created beings, beginning with the cherubim in the first year, and ending with the dead who have lived again, the living who have repented, and heaven and earth, which through Christ have been reconciled, in the thirtieth. Dr. Burgess says that this is "a very beautiful production, tastefully conceived, and carried out in a masterly manner." (3) Next come 56 homilies in various metres against "False Doctrines," especially those of Bardesanes, Marcion, and the Manichaeans. Elsewhere we are told that it was Ephraim's desire to counteract the influence of these heretical songs, as well as to provide a substitute for profane games and noisy dances, which prompted him to compose hymns and train choirs, " in the midst of whom he stood, a spiritual harper, and arranged for them different kinds of songs, and taught them the variation of chants, until the whole city was gathered to him and the party of the adversary was put to shame." (4) Then follow 87 homilies against Rationalists or Free Thinkers, in which occur many curious and highly artificial arrangements of metres. These are succeeded by a collection of seven homilies, forming a separate work, entitled "The Pearl, concerning Faith." This poem is tetra-syllabic, in strophes of 10 lines each, and highly fanciful in conception, though not without pas¬sages of beauty. A pearl is treated as suggestive of truths connected with Christ and His Church. (5) Four other controversial homilies follow, after which come the pieces which may be more properly called Hymns. Of these perhaps the most interesting are 85 relating to "Death," apparently intended to be used in funeral services (6) This collection of Funeral Hymns is followed by four short pieces on the "Freedom of the Will," the strophes of which have an alphabetical arrangement, like the Hebrew of the 119th Psalm. The succeeding 16 homilies have the general title "Exhortations to Penitence," but among them are found morning and evening hymns, and a hymn for the Lord's day. (7) Next come twelve homilies on the "Paradise of Eden," and finally, in the Roman edition of Ephraim's works, 18 discourses on various subjects in pentasyllabic and hexasyllabic metres. But in 1866, Bichll pub. "Carmina Nisibena," 21 in number, the subject of most of them being the struggle between the Persian monarch, Sapor, and the Romans. The rest are on the "Overthrow of Satan," the "Resurrection of the Body," and kindred topics. In 1882 and 1886 Lamy published 2 vols., entitled S. Ephraemi Syri Hymni et Sermones, containing hitherto unpublished metrical homilies and hymns, on the Epiphany, the Nativity, the Blessed Virgin, the Passover, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, &c. --Julian, John A Dictionary of Hymnology, 1907

Charles William Humphreys

1840 - 1921 Person Name: Charles W. Humphreys, 1841-1921 Scripture: James 3:9-12 Translator of "Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands" in Common Praise

Percy Dearmer

1867 - 1936 Scripture: James 3:9-12 Translator of "Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands" in Common Praise Dearmer, Percy, M.A., son of Thomas Dearmer, was born in London, Feb. 27, 1867, and educated at Westminster School and at Christ Church, Oxford (B.A. 1890, M.A. 1896). He was ordained D. 1891, P. 1892, and has been since 1901 Vicar of S. Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, London. He has been Secretary of the London Branch of the Christian Social Union since 1891, and is the author of The Parson's Handbook, 1st edition, 1899, and other works. He was one of the compilers of the English Hymnal, 1906, acting as Secretary and Editor, and contributed to it ten translations (38, 95, 150, 160, 165, 180, 215, 237, 352, 628) and portions of two others (242, 329), with the following originals:— 1. A brighter dawn is breaking. Easter. Suggested by the Aurora lucis, p. 95, but practically original. 2. Father, Who on man dost shower. Temperance. 3. God, we thank Thee, not in vain. Burial. 4. Holy God, we offer here. Holy Communion. 5. Jesu, good above all other. For Children. 6. Lord, the wind and sea obey Thee. For those at Sea. 7. The winter's sleep was long and deep. St. Philip and St. James. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Johann Sebastian Bach

1685 - 1750 Person Name: J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 Scripture: James 3:9-12 Harmonizer of "ACH GOTT UND HERR" in Common Praise Johann Sebastian Bach was born at Eisenach into a musical family and in a town steeped in Reformation history, he received early musical training from his father and older brother, and elementary education in the classical school Luther had earlier attended. Throughout his life he made extraordinary efforts to learn from other musicians. At 15 he walked to Lüneburg to work as a chorister and study at the convent school of St. Michael. From there he walked 30 miles to Hamburg to hear Johann Reinken, and 60 miles to Celle to become familiar with French composition and performance traditions. Once he obtained a month's leave from his job to hear Buxtehude, but stayed nearly four months. He arranged compositions from Vivaldi and other Italian masters. His own compositions spanned almost every musical form then known (Opera was the notable exception). In his own time, Bach was highly regarded as organist and teacher, his compositions being circulated as models of contrapuntal technique. Four of his children achieved careers as composers; Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Chopin are only a few of the best known of the musicians that confessed a major debt to Bach's work in their own musical development. Mendelssohn began re-introducing Bach's music into the concert repertoire, where it has come to attract admiration and even veneration for its own sake. After 20 years of successful work in several posts, Bach became cantor of the Thomas-schule in Leipzig, and remained there for the remaining 27 years of his life, concentrating on church music for the Lutheran service: over 200 cantatas, four passion settings, a Mass, and hundreds of chorale settings, harmonizations, preludes, and arrangements. He edited the tunes for Schemelli's Musicalisches Gesangbuch, contributing 16 original tunes. His choral harmonizations remain a staple for studies of composition and harmony. Additional melodies from his works have been adapted as hymn tunes. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Albert F. Bayly

1901 - 1984 Person Name: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984 Scripture: James 3:9 Author of "Lord of the boundless curves of space" in Common Praise Albert F. Bayly was born on September 6, 1901, Bexhill on Sea, Sussex, England. He received his education at London University (BA) and Mansfield College, Oxford. Bayly was a Congregationalist (later United Reformed Church) minister from the late 1920s until his death in 1984. His life and ministry spanned the Depression of the 1930s, the Second World War, and the years of reconstruction which followed. After retiring in 1971, he moved to Springfield, Chelmsford, and was active in the local United Reformed Church. He wrote several pageants on mission themes, and librettos for cantatas by W. L. Lloyd Webber. He died on July 26, 1984 in Chichester, Sussex, England. NN, Hymnary editor. Sources: www.hymntime.com/tch and Church Times, an Anglican newspaper, Tuesday 20 October 2015

John Ellerton

1826 - 1893 Person Name: John Ellerton (1826-1893) Scripture: James 3:9-10 Author of "Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise" in Church Hymnary (4th ed.) John Ellerton (b. London, England, 1826; d. Torquay, Devonshire, England, 1893) Educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man and at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, he was ordained in the Church of England in 1851. He served six parishes, spending the longest time in Crewe Green (1860-1872), a church of steelworkers and farmers. Ellerton wrote and translated about eighty hymns, many of which are still sung today. He helped to compile Church Hymns and wrote its handbook, Notes and Illustrations to Church Hymns (1882). Some of his other hymn texts were published in The London Mission Hymn Book (1884). Bert Polman ========================= Ellerton, John, M.A., son of George Ellerton, was born in London, Dec. 16, 1826, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1849; M.A. 1854). Taking Holy Orders he was successively Curate of Easebourne, Sussex, 1850; Brighton, and Lecturer of St. Peter's, Brighton, 1852; Vicar of Crewe Green, and Chaplain to Lord Crewe, 1860; Rector of Hinstock, 1872; of Barnes, 1876; and of White Roding, 1886. Mr. Ellerton's prose writings include The Holiest Manhood, 1882; Our Infirmities, 1883, &c. It is, however, as a hymnologist, editor, hymnwriter, and translator, that he is most widely known. As editor he published: Hymns for Schools and Bible Classes, Brighton, 1859. He was also co-editor with Bishop How and others of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns, 1871. His Notes and Illustrations of Church Hymns, their authors and translators, were published in the folio edition of 1881. The notes on the hymns which are special to the collection, and many of which were contributed thereto, are full, accurate, and of special value. Those on the older hymns are too general for accuracy. They are written in a popular form, which necessarily precludes extended research, fulness, and exactness of detail. The result is acceptable to the general public, but disappointing to the hymnological expert. Mr. Ellerton's original hymns number about fifty, and his translations from the Latin ten or more. Nearly every one of these are in common use and include:— 1. Before the day draws near its ending. Afternoon. Written April 22, 1880, for a Festival of Choirs at Nantwich, and first published in the Nantwich Festival Book, 1880. In 1883 it passed into the Westminster Abbey Hymn Book. 2. Behold us, Lord, a little space. General for Weekdays. Written in 1870 for a mid-day service in a City Church, and published in Church Hymns in 1871. It has passed into several collections. 3. Come forth, 0 Christian brothers. Processional for Choral Festival. Written for a Festival of Parochial Choirs held at Chester, May, 1870, and 1st printed in the Service-book of the same. In 1871 it passed into Church Hymns. 4. Father, Name of love and fear. Confirmation. Written in 1871 for a Confirmation in the North of England, and published in Church Hymns, 1871, and other collections. 5. God, Creator and Preserver. In Time of Scarcity. Written for and first published in The Hymnary, 1870; and again in the revised edition, 1872, and other hymnbooks. 6. Hail to the Lord Who comes. Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Written Oct. 6, 1880, for Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book, and published therein, 1881. 7. In the Name which earth and heaven. Foundation of a Church. Written for and first published in Church Hymns, 1871, and repeated in several collections. The hymn sung at the re-opening of the Nave of Chester Cathedral, January 25, 1872, was compiled by Mr. Ellerton from this hymn, and his "Lift the strain of high thanksgiving.” 8 King Messiah, long expected. The Circumcision. Written Jan. 14, 1871, and first published in Church Hymns, 1871. It has passed into other collections. 9. King of Saints, to Whom the number. St. Bartholomew. Written for and first published in Church Hymns., 1871. It is very popular, and has been repeated in many hymnals. 10. Mary at the Master's feet. Catechizing. Written for and first published in Church Hymns, 1871. 11. O Father, all-creating. Holy Matrimony. Written Jan. 29, 1876, at the request of the Duke of Westminster, for the marriage of his daughter to the Marquess of Ormonde. It was published in Thring's Collection, 1880 and 1882. 12 O! how fair the morning broke. Septuagesima. Written March 13, 1880, for Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book, and included therein, 1881. 13. O Lord of life and death, welcome. In Time of Pestilence. Written for and first published in Church Hymns, 1871. 14. O shining city of our God. Concerning the Hereafter. First published in the Rev. R. Brown-Borthwick's Sixteen Hymns with Tunes, &c, 1870; and again in Church Hymns, 1871. 15. O Son of God, our Captain of Salvation. St. Barnabas. Written April 5, 1871, and first published in Church Hymns, 1871; and again in Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1875, Thring's Collection, 1882, and others. 16. O Thou in Whom Thy saints repose. Consecration of a Burial Ground. Written for the consecration of an addition to the Parish Churchyard of Tarporley, Cheshire, 1870, and published in Church Hymns, 1871. 17. O Thou Whose bounty fills the earth. Flower Services. Written for a Flower Service at St. Luke's Church, Chelsea, June 6, 1880, and published in Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book, 1881. 18. Praise to our God, Whose bounteous hand. National Thanksgiving. Written in 1870 for Church Hymns, but first published in the Rev. R. Brown-Borthwick's Select Hymns, &c., 1871, and then in Church Hymns later the same year. 19. The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended. The darkness, &c. Evening. Written in 1870 for A Liturgy for Missionary Meetings (Frome, Hodges), and revised for Church Hymns, 1871. The revised form has passed into other collections. 20. The Lord be with us when we bend. Close of Afternoon Service. Written [in 1870] at the request of a friend for use at the close of Service on Sunday afternoons when (as in summer) strictly Evening hymns would be unsuitable. It was published in Church Hymns, 1871, Thring's Collection, 1882, and others. 21. This day the Lord's disciples met. Whitsuntide. "Originally written in 1855 for a class of children, as a hymn of 8 verses of 5 lines each, beginning, 'The Fiftieth day was come at last.’ It was abridged, revised, and compressed into C.M. for Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book, 1880," and published therein, 1881. 22. Thou in Whose Name the two or three. Wednesday. Appeared in the Parish Magazine, May, 1871, as a hymn for Wednesday. After revision it was included in Church Hymns, 1871, and repeated in other collections. 23. Thou Who sentest Thine Apostles. SS. Simon and Jude. Written in June, 1874, for the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, and published in the same in 1875. 24. We sing the glorious conquest. Conversion of St. Paul. Written Feb. 28, 1871, for and published later the same year in Church Hymns. It was repeated in Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1875. 25. When the day of toil is done. Eternal Best. Written in Jan., 1870, and first published in the Rev. R. Brown-Borthwick's Sixteen Hymns with Tunes, &c. 1870, Church Hymns, 1871, and subsequently in several Scottish hymn-books. The tune "Preston," in Church Hymns was written for this hymn. To these hymns must be added those which are annotated under their respective first lines, and the translations from the Latin. The grandest of his original compositions is, "Throned upon the awful tree," and the most beautiful and tender, "Saviour, again to Thy dear Name we raise"; and of his translations, "Sing Alleluia forth in duteous praise," and "Welcome, happy morning, age to age shall say," are the most successful and popular. The subjects of Mr. Ellerton's hymns, and the circumstances under which they were written, had much to do with the concentration of thought and terseness of expression by which they are characterized. The words which he uses are usually short and simple; the thought is clear and well stated; the rhythm is good and stately. Ordinary facts in sacred history and in daily life are lifted above the commonplace rhymes with which they are usually associated, thereby rendering the hymns bearable to the cultured, and instructive to the devout. His antitheses are frequent and terse, almost too much so for devotional verse, and are in danger of interrupting the tranquil flow of devotion. His sympathy with nature, especially in her sadder moods, is great; he loves the fading light and the peace of eve, and lingers in the shadows. Unlike many writers who set forth their illustrations in detail, and then tie to them the moral which they are to teach, he weaves his moral into his metaphor, and pleases the imagination and refreshes the spirit together. Now and again he falls into the weakness of ringing changes on words; but taken as a whole his verse is elevated in tone, devotional in spirit, and elegant in diction. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ===================== Ellerton, John, p. 326, i. Other hymns are:— 1. O Father, bless the children. Holy Baptism. Written in 1886, and published in his Hymns, &c, 1888, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines. Also in the 1889 Suppl. Hymns to Hymns Ancient & Modern. 2. O Thou Who givest food to all. Temperance. Written Aug. 30, 1882, and printed in the Church of England Temperance Chronicle, Sept. 1882. Also in his Hymns, &c, 1888. 3. Praise our God for all the wonders. St. Nicholas's Day. Dated in his Hymns, 1888, "December 1882." It was written for the Dedication Festival of St. Nicholas's Church, Brighton, and first printed as a leaflet in 1882. 4. Praise our God, Whose open hand. Bad Harvest. Written as a hymn for the bad harvest of 1881, and printed in the Guardian in August of that year. Also in his Hymns, &c, 1888. 5. Praise to the Heavenly Wisdom. St. Matthias's Day. Dated in his Hymns, &c, 1888, "January, 1888." Also in the 1889 Suppl. Hymns to Hymns Ancient & Modern. 6. Shine Thou upon us, Lord. For a Teachers' Meeting. Contributed to the 1889 Suppl. Hymns to Hymns Ancient & Modern. 7. Thou Who wearied by the well. Temperance. Written for the Opening of a Workmen's Coffee Tavern, and dated in his Hymns, &c, 1888, "September 23, 1882." It was printed in the Church of England Temperance Chronicle the same year. 8. Throned upon the awful Tree. Good Friday. Written in 1875, and published in the 1875 ed. of Hymns Ancient & Modern. It has passed into many collections, and is one of the finest of Mr. Ellerton's productions. Mr. Ellerton's original and translated hymns to the number of 76 were collected, and published by Skeffington & Son in 1888, as Hymns, Original and Translated. By John Ellerton, Rector of White Roding. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907) =================== Ellerton, J., pp. 326, ii.; 1561, ii. He was appointed Hon. Canon of St. Albans in 1892. and died June 15, 1893. His Life and Works, by H. Housman, was published in 1896. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

E. J. Hopkins

1818 - 1901 Person Name: Edward John Hopkins (1818-1901) Scripture: James 3:9-10 Composer of "ELLERS" in Church Hymnary (4th ed.) Dr Edward John Hopkins MusDoc United Kingdom 1818-1901. Born at Westminster, England, the son of a clarinetist with the Royal Opera House orchestra, he became an organist (as did two of his brothers) and a composer. In 1826 he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal and sang at the coronation of King William IV in Westminster Abbey. He also sang in the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a double schedule requiring skill and dexterity. On Sunday evenings he would play the outgoing voluntary at St. Martin’s in-the-field. He left Chapel Royal in 1834 and started studying organ construction at two organ factories. He took an appointment at Mitcham Church as organist at age 16, winning an audition against other organists. Four years later he became organist at the Church of St. Peter, Islington. In 1841 he became organist at St. Luke’s, Berwick St., Soho. Two Years later he was organist at Temple Church, which had a historic organ (built in 1683). He held this position for 55 years. In 1845 he married Sarah Lovett, and they had four sons and five daughters. He was closely associated with the Bach Society and was organist for the first English performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. In 1855 he collaborated with Edward Rimbault publishing “The organ, its history and construction” (3 editions 1855-70-77). In 1864 he was one of the founders of the “College of organists”. In 1882 he received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He composed 30+ hymn tunes and some psalm chants, used by the Church of England. He died in London, England. John Perry

Erik Routley

1917 - 1982 Person Name: Erik Routley, 1917-1982 Scripture: James 3:9 Composer of "ABINGDON" in Common Praise

Carl P. Daw Jr.

b. 1944 Person Name: Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1944- Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "O Day of Peace" in Common Praise (1998) Carl P. Daw, Jr. (b. Louisville, KY, 1944) is the son of a Baptist minister. He holds a PhD degree in English (University of Virginia) and taught English from 1970-1979 at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. As an Episcopal priest (MDiv, 1981, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennesee) he served several congregations in Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. From 1996-2009 he served as the Executive Director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. Carl Daw began to write hymns as a consultant member of the Text committee for The Hymnal 1982, and his many texts often appeared first in several small collections, including A Year of Grace: Hymns for the Church Year (1990); To Sing God’s Praise (1992), New Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1996), Gathered for Worship (2006). Other publications include A Hymntune Psalter (2 volumes, 1988-1989) and Breaking the Word: Essays on the Liturgical Dimensions of Preaching (1994, for which he served as editor and contributed two essays. In 2002 a collection of 25 of his hymns in Japanese was published by the United Church of Christ in Japan. He wrote Glory to God: A Companion (2016) for the 2013 hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Emily Brink

Charles Price Jones

1865 - 1949 Person Name: Charles P. Jones Scripture: James 3:2 Author of "Mind, Brother" in His Fullness Songs Charles Price Jones born December 9, 1865, near Rome, Georgia. He grew up in Kingston, Georgia, and attended the Baptist church. He was converted in 1884 while living in Cat Island, Arkansas. In 1885 he was called to the ministry and began preaching. In 1888 he attended Arkansas Baptist College and taught school in Grant County, Arkansas. He preached and pastored several Baptist churches. After asking God for a deeper experience of grace and fasting and praying for three days, Jones experienced a closeness with God, and in 1895, along with other Baptist holiness adherents, who taught that a second work of grace can cleanse the Christian of original sin. They started a holiness movement in the Baptist church, and he began teaching holiness in his congregation, Mount Helm Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. He faced much opposition from some members of his congregation and other Baptist churches. Eventually the church voted to remove "Baptist" and change it to "Church of Christ." For several years, Jones led a non-denominational holiness movement. In 1899 he began to write songs for his church. Most of his hymns were inspired by a scripture passage. The congregation built the Christ Temple campus which included a 1000 seat sanctuary, a printing press, a school building, and a girl's dormitory. In 1917, Jones organized Christ Temple Church in Los Angeles and moved the printing press there. He died January 19, 1949 in Los Angeles Dianne Shapiro, from Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. website and "Charles Price Jones (1865-1949) Religious Leader" by David Daniels, Mississippi Encyclopedia website (both accessed 10/9/2020)

Edwin Hatch

1835 - 1889 Person Name: Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" in Common Praise (1998) Hatch, Edwin, D.D., was born at Derby, Sep. 4, 1835, and educated at Pembroke College, Oxford, B.A., in honours, in 1857. After holding important appointments in Canada, he returned to England and became Vice-Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, 1867; and Rector of Purleigh, 1883. (See also Crockford). He died Nov. 10, 1889. His hymn-writing was limited. One, and that a very spirited lyric, is in Allon's Congregational Psalmist Hymnal, 1886 "Breathe on me, Breath of God." (Whitsuntide.) Dr. Hatch's hymns were published in his posthumous Towards Fields of Light, London 1890. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Robert Jackson

1840 - 1914 Person Name: Robert Jackson, 1840-1914 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "TRENTHAM" in Common Praise (1998) After receiving his musical training at the Royal Academy of Music, Robert Jackson (b, Oldham, Lancashire, England, 1840; d. Oldham, 1914) worked briefly as organist at St. Mark's Church, Grosvenor Square, in London. But he spent most of his life as organist at St. Peter's Church in Oldham (1868-1914), where his father had previously been organist for forty-eight years. A composer of hymn tunes, Jackson was also the conductor of the Oldham Music Society and Werneth Vocal Society. Bert Polman

John Cawood

1775 - 1852 Person Name: John Cawood (1775-1852) Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "Almighty God, Thy Word Is Cast" in Common Praise (1998) John Cawood was born in 1775, at Matlock, Derbyshire, where his father carried on a small farm. He enjoyed very limited educational advantages. At the age of eighteen he occupied a menial position. But seeking every opportunity of self improvement, and aided by those who interested themselves in his behalf, he was enabled in 1797 to enter S. Edmund Hall, Oxford, and obtained his B.A. in 1801, and his M.A. in 1807. He was ordained in 1801, and most of his life in the ministry was spent as perpetual Curate of S. Ann's Chapel of Ease, Bewdley, Worcestershire. He died in 1852. He published several prose works, but no volume of hymns or poems. His son says, "My father composed about thirteen hymns, which have one by one got into print, though never published by himself, or any one representing him." --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872 ======================= Cawood, John, M. A., born at Matlock, Derbyshire, March 18, 1775. His parents being in humble circumstances, he received in childhood but a limited education, and at 18 was engaged in the service of the Rev. Mr. Cursham, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. Three years' study, however, under careful direction, enabled him to enter St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1797. Obtaining his degree in 1801, he took Holy Orders, and became successively Curate of Ribsford and Dowles, and Incumbent of St. Ann's Chapel of Ease, Bewdley, Worcestershire. He died Nov. 7, 1852. His hymns, 17 in all, were never published by himself. Of these 9 were included in Cotterill's Selection, 8th ed., 1819, Nos. 268-276. Most of these have passed into other collections. These are :— 1. Almighty God, Thy word is cast. After a Sermon. 2. Hark! what mean those holy voices? (1819.) Christmas. 3. Begin a joyful song. (1819.) Christmas. 4. Behold yon wondrous star. (1819.) Epiphany. 5. Trembling with tenderest alarms. (1816.) Finding of Moses. 6. In Israel's fane, by silent night. (1816.) Samuel. 7. King o'er all worlds the Saviour shone. (1819.) Good Friday. 8. Christians, the glorious hope ye know. (1819.1 Plea for Missions. 9. Hark! what mean those lamentations. (1819.) Missions. In addition, Dr. Rogers pub. in his Lyra Britannica, 1867, from the author's manuscript:— 10. A child of sin and wrath I'm born. (1820.) Infant's Prayer. 11. The Sou of God, in worlds on high. (1822.) Christ's Humility. 12. Blessed Father, Great Creator. (1837.) Holy Trinity. These details are from the S. MSS., amongst which there are 5 hymns yet unpublished. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Vincent Novello

1781 - 1861 Person Name: Francis Vincent Novello (1781-1861) Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "ALBANO" in Common Praise (1998)

Harry Emerson Fosdick

1878 - 1969 Person Name: Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1878-1969 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "God of Grace and God of Glory" in Common Praise (1998) Born: May 24, 1878, Buffalo, New York. Died: October 5, 1969, Bronxville, New York. Fosdick attended Colgate University, Union Theological Seminary, and Columbia University. Ordained in 1903, he pastored at the First Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey, from 1904 to 1915. At Union Theological Seminary, he lectured on Baptist principles and homiletics (1908-1915) and was professor of practical theology (1915-1946). He also found time to serve as associate minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York (1919-1925), and pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church (1929-1946). His picture was on the cover of Time magazine, September 21, 1925. His works include: A Guide to Understanding the Bible, 1938 The Living of These Days (an autobiography), 1956 A Book of Public Prayers, 1960 © The Cyber Hymnal™ (www.hymntime.com/tch)

John Hughes

1873 - 1932 Person Name: John Hughes, 1873-1932 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "CWM RHONDDA" in Common Praise (1998) John Hughes (b. Dowlais, Glamorganshire, Wales, 1873; d. Llantwit Fardre, Wales, 1932) received little formal education; at age twelve he was already working as a doorboy at a local mining company in Llantwit Fardre. He eventually became an official in the traffic department of the Great Western Railway. Much of his energy was devoted to the Salem Baptist Church in Pontypridd, where he served as both deacon and precentor. Hughes composed two anthems, a number of Sunday school marches, and a few hymn tunes, of which CWM RHONDDA is universally known, the tune was composed in 1905 Baptist Cymanfa Ganu (song festival) in Capel Rhondda, Pontypridd, Wales. Bert Polman

H. R. Palmer

1834 - 1907 Person Name: Horatio R. Palmer Scripture: James 3:5-10 Composer of "[Angry words! O let them never]" in Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) Palmer, Horatio Richmond, MUS. DOC, was born April 26, 1834. He is the author of several works on the theory of music; and the editor of some musical editions of hymnbooks. To the latter he contributed numerous tunes, some of which have attained to great popularity, and 5 of which are in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, London, 1881. His publications include Songs of Love for the Bible School; and Book of Anthems, the combined sale of which has exceeded one million copies. As a hymnwriter he is known by his "Yield not to temptation," which was written in 1868, and published in the National Sunday School Teachers' Magazine, from which it passed, with music by the author, into his Songs of Love, &c, 1874, and other collections. In America its use is extensive. Dr. Palmer's degree was conferred by the University of Chicago in 1880. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =============== Palmer, H. R., p. 877, i. The hymn "Would you gain the best in life" (Steadfastness), in the Congregational Sunday School Supplement, 1891, the Council School Hymn Book, 1905, and others, is by this author. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Will W. Slater

1885 - 1959 Scripture: James 3:5-10 Arranger of "[Angry words! O let them never]" in Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) William (Will) Washington Slater (1885 – 1959) is one of only a handful of Restoration/Stone-Campbell Movement hymn writers, editors, and publishers to have widespread success beyond the confines of the denomination he claimed as his own. His founding and association with the Eureka Publishing company, the Stamps-Baxter Company, the Firm Foundation Publishing House, and his own successful company, the Slater Company, yielded the sale of hundreds of thousands of song books and hymnals and helped to propagate many a hymnal that would come later with hymns and gospel songs from his pen. William Washington Slater was born February 2, 1885, in Logan County, near Ozark Arkansas. He was the son of William David and Melvina Elizabeth (Williams) Slater. He had six brothers and four sisters. The boys were John, Thomas, Dewey, Sanford, Charlie and Graden. The sisters were Lucy, Effie, Edna and Bonnie. When William was five years old, his family moved to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) settling near Sallisaw on a farm. His education was only to the 4th or 5th grade, but he did spend much time in studying and reading. He was baptized into Christ in 1901. He soon became interested in the study of music. He went to singing schools when he could. About 1903, on Saturdays, when other young men went to town to spend the day, William would put the saddle on an old mule and ride some 15 miles to study music and take voice lessons to become a better song leader. In 1906, he became associated with S. J. Oslin, of Stigler, Oklahoma, in teaching music and to study harmony. After that, he taught many singing schools in some 20 States. He began to study the Bible more every day and told his mother that he would like to be a preacher. His mother told him he would have to work hard and study the Bible every day but if he wanted to, he could make a good preacher. He did that. On June 5, 1910, he married Miss Nettie Washington. To this union, five children were born, four girls and one boy. Their oldest daughter, Pauline, died in 1914. The other three girls, Thelma Banowsky, Loraine Scott, and Ruth Scott live in Fort Worth, Texas. The son, J. Nelson Slater, lives in Dallas, Texas. Will Slater became associated with such great Restoration Movement preachers including E. M. Borden, Joe H. Blue, Rue Porter, J. Will Henley, J. B. Nelson, J. D. Tant, and a host of others. Slater sang in many gospel meetings with these men and he wrote many wonderful songs. While in a meeting with J. Will Henley at Atwood, Oklahoma, in 1912, one evening Henley preached a sermon on the home of the soul. Will took notes on the sermon and after service went to his room and before going to bed, he wrote the words for the song, "There's a Home for the Soul." The next day, he wrote the music for this song. One night in the meeting he got some others to help him to sing the song. When Henley got up to preach, with trembling voice and tears running down his cheeks, he said no man could receive a greater compliment than to have a song of that type written after one of his sermons. He said, "Brother Will, you may live long and write many great songs, but you will never write a greater song than this one. May the song live long and many thousands learn to sing and learn the great lesson therein. Thank you, brother Will, for this great song." "Brother Will" did live long and wrote many great songs. Later, he wrote the song, "Walking Alone at Eve." "Some say this was his best song, but I think 'Home of the Soul' is best," remarked Charlie Slater. In 1913, Will began to make a few talks in the country schoolhouse, trying to preach. About that same time, he went to Coal Hill, Arkansas, and did preach part time for the church there. In 1914, he came back to Oklahoma. The Slaters' first baby girl died and was buried near Sallisaw in Buffington Cemetery. In 1915, he went to Pourn, Oklahoma, near Muskogee, to do his first local work. Late in 1916, he went to Muskogee to do local work for the church there. While there, in 1917, his father passed from this life. Will moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1918, then to Beaumont, Texas, and then to Irving, Texas. He held many gospel meetings in 20 States. In August, 1959, he was at Crystal Springs, Arkansas, doing what he loved best-preaching and singing. On the evening of August 22, he had preached. After the sermon, as he often did, he asked the people to stay and sing a few songs. He was asked to sing the song, "This is Someone's Last Day." He talked some about this song title, exhorted the audience to note the truthfulness of it, not realizing it was his last day. After the service, he was preparing for bed in the home of one of the brethren when he became ill. He told the folks he needed a doctor. He died enroute to the hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on August 22, 1959. D.J. Bulls In Memoriam, by Gussie Lambert, c.1988, Shreveport, LA p.258-260

Charles Wesley

1707 - 1788 Person Name: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Scripture: James 3:5 Author of "See how great a flame aspires" in Singing the Faith Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepened, and he became one of the first band of "Oxford Methodists." In 1735 he went with his brother John to Georgia, as secretary to General Oglethorpe, having before he set out received Deacon's and Priest's Orders on two successive Sundays. His stay in Georgia was very short; he returned to England in 1736, and in 1737 came under the influence of Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, especially of that remarkable man who had so large a share in moulding John Wesley's career, Peter Bonier, and also of a Mr. Bray, a brazier in Little Britain. On Whitsunday, 1737, [sic. 1738] he "found rest to his soul," and in 1738 he became curate to his friend, Mr. Stonehouse, Vicar of Islington, but the opposition of the churchwardens was so great that the Vicar consented that he "should preach in his church no more." Henceforth his work was identified with that of his brother John, and he became an indefatigable itinerant and field preacher. On April 8, 1749, he married Miss Sarah Gwynne. His marriage, unlike that of his brother John, was a most happy one; his wife was accustomed to accompany him on his evangelistic journeys, which were as frequent as ever until the year 1756," when he ceased to itinerate, and mainly devoted himself to the care of the Societies in London and Bristol. Bristol was his headquarters until 1771, when he removed with his family to London, and, besides attending to the Societies, devoted himself much, as he had done in his youth, to the spiritual care of prisoners in Newgate. He had long been troubled about the relations of Methodism to the Church of England, and strongly disapproved of his brother John's "ordinations." Wesley-like, he expressed his disapproval in the most outspoken fashion, but, as in the case of Samuel at an earlier period, the differences between the brothers never led to a breach of friendship. He died in London, March 29, 1788, and was buried in Marylebone churchyard. His brother John was deeply grieved because he would not consent to be interred in the burial-ground of the City Road Chapel, where he had prepared a grave for himself, but Charles said, "I have lived, and I die, in the Communion of the Church of England, and I will be buried in the yard of my parish church." Eight clergymen of the Church of England bore his pall. He had a large family, four of whom survived him; three sons, who all became distinguished in the musical world, and one daughter, who inherited some of her father's poetical genius. The widow and orphans were treated with the greatest kindness and generosity by John Wesley. As a hymn-writer Charles Wesley was unique. He is said to have written no less than 6500 hymns, and though, of course, in so vast a number some are of unequal merit, it is perfectly marvellous how many there are which rise to the highest degree of excellence. His feelings on every occasion of importance, whether private or public, found their best expression in a hymn. His own conversion, his own marriage, the earthquake panic, the rumours of an invasion from France, the defeat of Prince Charles Edward at Culloden, the Gordon riots, every Festival of the Christian Church, every doctrine of the Christian Faith, striking scenes in Scripture history, striking scenes which came within his own view, the deaths of friends as they passed away, one by one, before him, all furnished occasions for the exercise of his divine gift. Nor must we forget his hymns for little children, a branch of sacred poetry in which the mantle of Dr. Watts seems to have fallen upon him. It would be simply impossible within our space to enumerate even those of the hymns which have become really classical. The saying that a really good hymn is as rare an appearance as that of a comet is falsified by the work of Charles Wesley; for hymns, which are really good in every respect, flowed from his pen in quick succession, and death alone stopped the course of the perennial stream. It has been the common practice, however for a hundred years or more to ascribe all translations from the German to John Wesley, as he only of the two brothers knew that language; and to assign to Charles Wesley all the original hymns except such as are traceable to John Wesley through his Journals and other works. The list of 482 original hymns by John and Charles Wesley listed in this Dictionary of Hymnology have formed an important part of Methodist hymnody and show the enormous influence of the Wesleys on the English hymnody of the nineteenth century. -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ================== Charles Wesley, the son of Samuel Wesley, was born at Epworth, Dec. 18, 1707. He was educated at Westminster School and afterwards at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. In 1735, he took Orders and immediately proceeded with his brother John to Georgia, both being employed as missionaries of the S.P.G. He returned to England in 1736. For many years he engaged with his brother in preaching the Gospel. He died March 29, 1788. To Charles Wesley has been justly assigned the appellation of the "Bard of Methodism." His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the "Wesleyan Hymn Book," 623 of the 770 hymns were written by him; and he published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone, or in conjunction with his brother. The number of his separate hymns is at least five thousand. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872.

George J. Elvey

1816 - 1893 Scripture: James 3:5 Composer of "ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR" in Singing the Faith George Job Elvey (b. Canterbury, England, 1816; d. Windlesham, Surrey, England, 1893) As a young boy, Elvey was a chorister in Canterbury Cathedral. Living and studying with his brother Stephen, he was educated at Oxford and at the Royal Academy of Music. At age nineteen Elvey became organist and master of the boys' choir at St. George Chapel, Windsor, where he remained until his retirement in 1882. He was frequently called upon to provide music for royal ceremonies such as Princess Louise's wedding in 1871 (after which he was knighted). Elvey also composed hymn tunes, anthems, oratorios, and service music. Bert Polman

Fred Pratt Green

1903 - 2000 Person Name: Fred Pratt Green (1903-) Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "For the Fruit of All Creation" in Common Praise (1998) The name of the Rev. F. Pratt Green is one of the best-known of the contemporary school of hymnwriters in the British Isles. His name and writings appear in practically every new hymnal and "hymn supplement" wherever English is spoken and sung. And now they are appearing in American hymnals, poetry magazines, and anthologies. Mr. Green was born in Liverpool, England, in 1903. Ordained in the British Methodist ministry, he has been pastor and district superintendent in Brighton and York, and now served in Norwich. There he continued to write new hymns "that fill the gap between the hymns of the first part of this century and the 'far-out' compositions that have crowded into some churches in the last decade or more." --Seven New Hymns of Hope , 1971. Used by permission.

Walford Davies

1869 - 1941 Person Name: Henry Walford Davies, 1869-1941 Scripture: James 3:1-5 Composer of "GOD BE IN MY HEAD" in Together in Song

Christoph Peter

1626 - 1669 Person Name: Christoph Peter, 1626-69 Scripture: James 3:8-12 Arranger of "ACH GOTT UND HERR" in Together in Song Born: 1626 - Weida, Vogtland, Thuringia, Germany Died: December 4, 1669 - Guben Christoph Peter [Petraeus] was a German composer and music editor. His first appointment was as schoolmaster and Kantor at Grossenhain, Saxony. He moved in 1655 to Guben, where he was Kantor until his death. He worked closely there with the poet and civic official Johann Franck. 40 melodies in the latter’s Geistliches Sion (1672), the first part of his Teutsche Gedichte, are by Peter, and he referred to Peter’s skills in the second part, Irdischer Helicon (1674). Peter’s Andachts-Zymbeln is an anthology of chorales by various composers which also contains preliminary instructional matter, a letter of 1524 from Martin Luther to Spalatin, and testimonials to Peter from Franck and others. It may well be significant that he inscribed it to the mayor and corporation of Guben in the year in which he arrived at Guben and that he received rights of citizenship there early the following year. Precationis thuribulum (RISM 16691) consists of masses by Saxon composers based on familiar chorales and set for various combinations of voices and instruments with continuo. The Geistliche Arien includes settings of poems by, among others, Johann Franck, Johann Rist and Paul Gerhardt, and Peter explained that they are for solo voice (with instruments) ‘so that the words can be better understood’. --Bach Cantatas Website

Peter Cutts

1937 - 2024 Person Name: Peter Cutts, 1937- Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "BRIDEGROOM " in Common Praise (1998)

Norman Cocker

1889 - 1953 Person Name: Norman Cocker, 1889-1953 Scripture: James 3:9 Composer of "RYBURN" in Common Praise

Richard Shephard

b. 1949 Person Name: Richard Shepherd, b. 1949 Scripture: James 3:9 Composer of "HESLINGTON" in Common Praise

C. Hubert H. Parry

1848 - 1918 Person Name: Charles Hubery Hastings Parry, 1848-1918 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "JERUSALEM" in Common Praise (1998) Charles Hubert Hastings Parry KnBch/Brnt BMus United Kingdom 1848-1918. Born at Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, England, son of a wealthy director of the East India Company (also a painter, piano and horn musician, and art collector). His mother died of consumption shortly after his birth. His father remarried when he was three, and his stepmother favored her own children over her stepchildren, so he and two siblings were sometimes left out. He attended a preparatory school in Malvern, then at Twyford in Hampshire. He studied music from 1856-58 and became a pianist and composer. His musical interest was encouraged by the headmaster and by two organists. He gained an enduring love for Bach’s music from S S Wesley and took piano and harmony lessons from Edward Brind, who also took him to the ‘Three Choirs Festival in Hereford in 1861, where Mendelssohn, Mozart, Handel, and Beethoven works were performed. That left a great impression on Hubert. It also sparked the beginning of a lifelong association with the festival. That year, his brother was disgraced at Oxford for drug and alcohol use, and his sister, Lucy, died of consumption as well. Both events saddened Hubert. However, he began study at Eton College and distinguished himself at both sport and music. He also began having heart trouble, that would plague him the rest of his life. Eton was not known for its music program, and although some others had interest in music, there were no teachers there that could help Hubert much. He turned to George Elvey, organist of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and started studying with him in 1863. Hubert eventually wrote some anthems for the choir of St George’s Chapel, and eventually earned his music degree. While still at Eton, Hubert sat for the Oxford Bachelor of Music exam, the youngest person ever to have done so. His exam exercise, a cantata: “O Lord, Thou hast cast us out” astonished the Heather Professor of Music, Sir Frederick Ouseley, and was triumphantly performed and published in 1867. In 1867 he left Eton and went to Exeter College, Oxford. He did not study music there, his music concerns taking second place, but read law and modern history. However, he did go to Stuttgart, Germany, at the urging of Henry Hugh Pierson, to learn re-orchestration, leaving him much more critical of Mendelssohn’s works. When he left Exeter College, at his father’s behest, he felt obliged to try insurance work, as his father considered music only a pastime (too uncertain as a profession). He became an underwriter at Lloyd’s of London, 1870-77, but he found the work unappealing to his interests and inclinations. In 1872 he married Elizabeth Maude Herbert, and they had two daughters: Dorothea and Gwendolen. His in-laws agreed with his father that a conventional career was best, but it did not suit him. He began studying advanced piano with W S Bennett, but found it insufficient. He then took lessons with Edward Dannreuther, a wise and sympathetic teacher, who taught him of Wagner’s music. At the same time as Hubert’s compositions were coming to public notice (1875), he became a scholar of George Grove and soon an assistant editor for his new “Dictionary of Music and Musicians”. He contributed 123 articles to it. His own first work appeared in 1880. In 1883 he became professor of composition and musical history at the Royal College of Music (of which Grove was the head). In 1895 Parry succeeded Grove as head of the college, remaining in the post the remainder of his life. He also succeeded John Stainer as Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford (1900-1908). His academic duties were considerable and likely prevented him from composing as much as he might have. However, he was rated a very fine composer, nontheless, of orchestrations, overtures, symphonies, and other music. He only attempted one opera, deemed unsuccessful. Edward Elgar learned much of his craft from Parry’s articles in Grove’s Dictionary, and from those who studied under Parry at the Royal College, including Ralph Vaughn Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge, and John Ireland. Parry had the ability when teaching music to ascertain a student’s potential for creativity and direct it positively. In 1902 he was created a Baronet of Highnam Court in Gloucester. Parry was also an avid sailor and owned several yachts, becoming a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1908, the only composer so honored. He was a Darwinian and a humanist. His daughter reiterated his liberal, non-conventional thinking. On medical advice he resigned his Oxford appointment in 1908 and produced some of his best known works. He and his wife were taken up with the ‘Suffrage Movement’ in 1916. He hated to see the WW1 ravage young potential musical talent from England and Germany. In 1918 he contracted Spanish flu during the global pandemic and died at Knightsscroft, Rustington, West Sussex. In 2015 they found 70 unpublished works of Parry’s hidden away in a family archive. It is thought some may never have been performed in public. The documents were sold at auction for a large sum. Other works he wrote include: “Studies of great composers” (1886), “The art of music” (1893), “The evolution of the art of music” (1896), “The music of the 17th century” (1902). His best known work is probably his 1909 study of “Johann Sebastian Bach”. John Perry

Derek Williams

b. 1945 Person Name: Derek Williams, b. 1845 Scripture: James 3:9 Composer of "SAN ROCCO" in Common Praise

Thomas H. Troeger

1945 - 2022 Person Name: Thomas Henry Troeger, 1945- Scripture: James 3:8-12 Author of "As a chalice cast of gold" in Together in Song Thomas Troeger (1945-2022), professor of Christian communication at Yale Divinity school, was a well known preacher, poet, and musician. He was a fellow of Silliman College, held a B.A. from Yale University; B.D. Colgate Rochester Divinity School; S.T. D. Dickinson College, and was awarded an honorary D.D. from Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1970 and the Episcopal Church in 1999, and remained dually aligned with both traditions. Troerger led conferences and lectures in worship and preaching throughout North America, as well as in Denmark, Holland, Australia, Japan, and Africa. He served as national chaplain to the American Guild of Organists, and for at least three years he hosted the Season of Worship broadcast for Cokesbury. He was president of the Academy of Homiletics as well as Societas Homiletica. He had, as of 2009, written 22 books in the areas of preaching, poetry, hymnody, and worship. Many of his hymn texts are found in New Hymns for the Lectionary (Oxford, 1992), and God, You Made All Things for Singing (Oxford, 2009). Laura de Jong

Carol Ann Doran

1936 - 2023 Person Name: Carol Doran, 1936- Scripture: James 3:8-12 Composer of "INWARD LIGHT" in Together in Song Carol Doran was a musician, author, scholar, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also a woman of unwavering faith, integrity, kindness, curiosity, beauty, good humor, and fearlessness who inspired those she loved and who loved her so much in return. Carol’s early exposure to the study of music became a lifelong passion and professional dedication as she went on to earn a Doctor of Music Arts degree in Church Music and Organ at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Dr. Doran taught and was a professor of Music and Liturgy at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall in Rochester, New York; Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia; the School of Theology at Boston University; Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and many others. Additionally, she served with distinction on the boards of many professional organizations of musicians and liturgists. Carol published numerous articles on church music and worship and collaborated with the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Troeger in the publication of four books, including two hymnals published by Oxford University Press. Carol and Michael Doran were married for more than 59 years, the majority of which were spent in Rochester, NY where they raised their four children: Charles, Julia, Ellen, and Elizabeth. Carol cared deeply about her family, and she extended that joyful compassion to friends, associates, and every person that she encountered in her life. Carol celebrated the lives that her children and their families were living and showed her love in a million different ways throughout her life. When she saw you, whether to say hello or goodbye, she proclaimed her love with a warm, lingering handshake or hug; her loving kindness in her eyes and in the smile you could trust and take as the gift she gave you. Above all, she was devoted to her husband, Michael, and he to her. Carol is survived by her loving husband, Michael of North Andover, MA; sister Ellen Buerklin of Chester, PA; brother Norman (& Patty) Maynard, MA; son Charles (& Cara) Ipswich, MA.; daughters Julia Chambers (& Eddy) Escondido, CA; Ellen Bzomowski (& Steve) Plainfield, MA; Elizabeth Evenson (& Paul) Arlington, MA; and nine grandchildren: Zoe, Lucas, Alexander, Ava, Kyle, Theo, Valerie, Kira, and Elias. We love you and we will miss you always. Funeral service will be offered on Thursday November 9,2023 at 11:00 a.m. in The Parish of Christ Church, 35 Central Street, Andover, MA. A reception will follow at the church. Obituary

Stephen Somerville

1931 - 2015 Scripture: James 3:1-12 Translator (English) of "Lord, Jesus, You Shall Be My Song (Jésus, je voudrais te chanter)" in Glory to God Somerville, Stephen Francis. (London, England, April 1, 1931-- ). Roman Catholic. University of Toronto, B.A., 1952; Laval University (Quebec), L.Th., 1956; graduate study in Rome. Pastorates (in Ontario) at Grimsby, 1957-1960; Niagara Falls, 1960-1963; Ottawa, 1977-1979; Midland, 1979-?. Taught at St. Michael's Choir School, Toronto, 1963-1970. Edited (1970-1977) Living with Christ, a "missalette" issued every six weeks, giving prayer and scripture passages for all Masses to be celebrated, and including appropriate hymns. During this time he chaired the Diocese of Ottawa's liturgical commission, and represented Canada (1968-1975) on ICEL, charged by the Pope with preparing a text for the whole liturgy which the entire English-speaking world might use. --Hugh D. McKellar, DNAH Archives

Patrick Michaels

Person Name: Patrick Michaels (1954-) Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "Who Comes from God" in Common Praise (1998)

Hal H. Hopson

b. 1933 Person Name: Hal H. Hopson (1933-) Scripture: James 3:7-8 Arranger of "SALVE REGINA COELITUM" in Common Praise (1998) Hal H. Hopson (b. Texas, 1933) is a prolific composer, arranger, clinician, teacher and promoter of congregational song, with more than 1300 published works, especially of hymn and psalm arrangements, choir anthems, and creative ideas for choral and organ music in worship. Born in Texas, with degrees from Baylor University (BA, 1954), and Southern Baptist Seminary (MSM, 1956), he served churches in Nashville, TN, and most recently at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. He has served on national boards of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and the Choristers Guild, and taught numerous workshops at various national conferences. In 2009, a collection of sixty four of his hymn tunes were published in Hymns for Our Time: The Collected Tunes of Hal H. Hopson. Emily Brink

Marie J. Post

1919 - 1990 Scripture: James 3:1-12 Author of "Lord, Speak for Me, for I Am Yours (Psalm 26)" in Glory to God Marie (Tuinstra) Post (b. Jenison, MI, 1919; d. Grand Rapids, MI, 1990) While attending Dutch church services as a child, Post was first introduced to the Genevan psalms, which influenced her later writings. She attended Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she studied with Henry Zylstra. From 1940 to 1942 she taught at the Muskegon Christian Junior High School. For over thirty years Post wrote poetry for the Grand Rapids Press and various church periodicals. She gave many readings of her poetry in churches and schools and has been published in a number of journals and poetry anthologies. Two important collections of her poems are I Never Visited an Artist Before (1977) and the posthumous Sandals, Sails, and Saints (1993). A member of the 1987 Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee, Post was a significant contributor to its array of original texts and paraphrases. Bert Polman

Gene C. Finley

1929 - 2021 Scripture: James 3:5-7 Author of "Father, Forgive Us" in Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) Gene Cleveland Finley born and died in Arkansas Dianne Shapiro, from Find a Grave website (accessed 6/20/2022)

Leo Sowerby

1895 - 1968 Scripture: James 3:1-12 Composer of "PERRY" in Glory to God Leo Sowerby (1895-1968) was born in Grand Rapids and studied at the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago (M.A. 1918). He served as regimental bandmaster with the 332nd Field Artillery Band in both England and France (1917-1919). He became the first fellow of the American Academy in Rome, where he studied for three years. He participated in the Salzburg Festival for Contemporary Music in 1923. From 1924 to 1963 he was on the faculty of the American Conservatory. He also was organist and choirmaster of St. James Church (1927-1963). Sowerby had an interest in folk music which he turned into wonderful compositions. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his Canticle of the Sun (1946). He died at Port Clinton, Ohio. --Presbyterian Hymnal Companion

Christopher Webber

b. 1932 Person Name: Christopher L. Webber, 1932- Scripture: James 3:7-8 Author of "Your Word, O God, a Living Sword" in Common Praise (1998)

Geraldine Latty

b. 1963 Person Name: Geraldine Latty, b. 1963 Scripture: James 3:12 Author of "Yet will I praise him; I will lift my hands to my Redeemer" in Singing the Faith

John Ylvisaker

1937 - 2017 Scripture: James 3:1-12 Adapter of "Incidental Words" in Singing the New Testament

Shirley Erena Murray

1931 - 2020 Scripture: James 3 Author of "God, Give Me Time" in Voices Together Shirley Erena Murray (b. Invercargill, New Zealand, 1931) studied music as an undergraduate but received a master’s degree (with honors) in classics and French from Otago University. Her upbringing was Methodist, but she became a Presbyterian when she married the Reverend John Stewart Murray, who was a moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Shirley began her career as a teacher of languages, but she became more active in Amnesty International, and for eight years she served the Labor Party Research Unit of Parliament. Her involvement in these organizations has enriched her writing of hymns, which address human rights, women’s concerns, justice, peace, the integrity of creation, and the unity of the church. Many of her hymns have been performed in CCA and WCC assemblies. In recognition for her service as a writer of hymns, the New Zealand government honored her as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on the Queen’s birthday on 3 June 2001. Through Hope Publishing House, Murray has published three collections of her hymns: In Every Corner Sing (eighty-four hymns, 1992), Everyday in Your Spirit (forty-one hymns, 1996), and Faith Makes the Song (fifty hymns, 2002). The New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, for which she worked for a long time, has also published many of her texts (cf. back cover, Faith Makes the Song). In 2009, Otaga University conferred on her an honorary doctorate in literature for her contribution to the art of hymn writing. I-to Loh, Hymnal Companion to “Sound the Bamboo”: Asian Hymns in Their Cultural and Liturgical Context, p. 468, ©2011 GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago

George Frideric Handel

1685 - 1759 Person Name: George Frideric Handel, 1685-1759 Scripture: James 3:7-8 Composer of "HALIFAX" in Common Praise (1998) George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hymnals. A number of hymnal editors, including Lowell Mason, took themes from some of Handel's oratorios and turned them into hymn tunes; ANTIOCH is one example, long associated with “Joy to the World.” Bert Polman

Thomas Butts

Scripture: James 3:7-8 Adapter of "HALIFAX" in Common Praise (1998)

David Hurd

b. 1950 Person Name: David Hurd, 1950- Scripture: James 3:7-8 Harmonizer of "HALIFAX" in Common Praise (1998) David Hurd (b. Brooklyn, New York, 1950) was a boy soprano at St. Gabriel's Church in Hollis, Long Island, New York. Educated at Oberlin College and the University of North Carolina, he has been professor of church music and organist at General Theological Seminary in New York since 1976. In 1985 he also became director of music for All Saints Episcopal Church, New York. Hurd is an outstanding recitalist and improvisor and a composer of organ, choral, and instrumental music. In 1987 David Hurd was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, by the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. The following year he received honorary doctorates from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, California, and from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. His I Sing As I Arise Today, the collected hymn tunes of David Hurd, was published in 2010. Bert Polman and Emily Brink

Martin Clarke

b. 1982 Person Name: Martin V. Clarke, b. 1982 Scripture: James 3:12 Arranger of "[Though the fruit tree doesn't blossom]" in Singing the Faith

Deanna Witkowski

Person Name: Dianna Witkowski Scripture: James 3:1-12 Arranger of "[Incidental words are a powerful force]" in Singing the New Testament Known for her adventurous, engaging music that heals the soul, pianist-composer-vocalist Deanna Witkowski moves with remarkable ease between Brazilian, jazz, classical, and sacred music. Witkowski’s explosive performances combine virtuosity and heart, telling stories that reveal her innate curiosity of the human condition. Her first book, Mary Lou Williams: Music For The Soul (Liturgical Press), published in September 2021, is the winner of the 2022 ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award and the 2022 Jazz Journalists Association Award for Biography of the Year. Her seventh recording, Force of Nature (MCG Jazz), released in January 2022, reached number five on the JazzWeek nationwide radio chart and remained in the top ten most played albums on jazz radio for more than ten weeks. A frequent winner of composition competitions for her concert and sacred choral pieces, Witkowski has received funding for new work from the New York State Council on the Arts (for her Afro-Brazilian project, the Nossa Senhora Suite) and the Choral Arts Initiative PREMIERE|Project Festival. Used by permission of Deanna Witkowski

John D. Horman

b. 1946 Scripture: James 3 Composer of "SEACHRIST" in Voices Together

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