Of thy love some gracious token

Author: Thomas Kelly

Kelly, Thomas, B.A., son of Thomas Kelly, a Judge of the Irish Court of Common Pleas, was born in Dublin, July 13, 1769, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He was designed for the Bar, and entered the Temple, London, with that intention; but having undergone a very marked spiritual change he took Holy Orders in 1792. His earnest evangelical preaching in Dublin led Archbishop Fowler to inhibit him and his companion preacher, Rowland Hill, from preaching in the city. For some time he preached in two unconsecrated buildings in Dublin, Plunket Street, and the Bethesda, and then, having seceded from the Established Church, he erected places of worship at Athy, Portarlington, Wexford, &c, in which he conducted divine worship and preached. H… Go to person page >

Of Thy love some gracious token. T. Kelly. [Close of Service.] First published in his Collection of Psalms & Hymns, Dublin, 1802, No. 256, in the following form:—

“Of Thy love, some gracious token, Grant us, Lord, before we go; Bless Thy word which has been spoken, Life and peace on all bestow; When we join the world again, Let our hearts with Thee remain! 0 direct us, And protect us! Till we gain the heav'nly shore, Where Thy people want no more."

This text was rewritten and included in the 27th edition of Rippon's Baptist Selection, 1827, No. 373, Pt. 2, as:—

“Grant us, Lord, some gracious token Of Thy love before we part; Crown Thy word which has been spoken, Life and peace to each impart; And all blessings Which shall sanctify the heart."

Both forms of the text are in common use in Great Britain and America. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)