1 O thou who makest souls to shine
with light from lighter worlds above,
and droppest glistening dew divine
on all who seek a Saviour’s love;
2 do thou thy benediction give
on all who teach, on all who learn,
that all thy church may holier live,
and every lamp more brightly burn.
3 Give those who teach pure hearts and wise,
faith, hope, and love, all warmed by prayer;
themselves first training for the skies,
they best will raise their people there.
4 Give those who learn the willing ear,
the spirit meek, the guileless mind;
such gifts will make the lowliest here
far better than a kingdom find.
5 O bless the shepherd; bless the sheep:
that guide and guided both be one,
one in the faithful watch they keep,
until this hurrying life be done.
6 If thus, good Lord, thy grace be given,
in thee to live, in thee to die,
before we upward pass to heaven,
we taste our immortality.
Source: CPWI Hymnal #702
Armstrong, John, D.D., eldest son of Dr. Armstrong, a physician, was born at Wearmouth, Aug. 22, 1813, and educated at Charterhouse, and Lincoln College, Oxford, B.A. 1836. Taking Holy Orders in 1837, he was Curate of Alford, 1837; Priest-vicar of Exeter Cathedral, 1841; Rector of St. Paul's, Exeter, 1843; Vicar of Tidenham, 1845; and Bishop of Grahamstown, 1853. He died May 16, 1856. His Memoirs, by T. T. Carter, were published in 1857. He published The Pastor in his Closet, in 1847. In it appeared his hymn "O Thou Who makest souls to shine," (Ember Days) in 3 stanzas of 8 lines. It is given in the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns, 1871; Thring's Collection, 1882, &c.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendi… Go to person page >
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