A Parting Blessing

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O give us a parting blessing

Author: F. E. Belden
Tune: [O give us a parting blessing]
Published in 6 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Oh, give us a parting blessing
As from thy house we go;
Thine infinite love expressing,
Sweet peace divine bestow;
Thy holy word thou hast taught us,
Thy righteous will we know;
And near to thyself hast brought us,
The way of life to show.

Refrain:
Oh, give us a parting blessing,
And peace divine bestow;
Thine infinite love expressing,
Now bless us as we go.

2 Like dew to the drooping flowers,
Thy blessing cheers the heart.
They fall like the silver showers,
And joy divine impart;
Thy fall like the rain of gladness,
Upon the thirsty land;
They banish our care and sadness,
Sweet blessings from thy hand. [Refrain

3 We thank thee for each new morning;
Thy mercies crown the years;
Let meekness be our adorning,
Till heav'n's glad morn appears.
Protect us from sin and dangers,
And evil day by day;
Below we are only strangers,
Oh, keep our souls, we pray! [Refrain]

Source: Hymns of the Restoration #42

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Author: F. E. Belden

Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >

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