Spirit of life, Thine influence shed. W. H Bathurst. [Whitsuntide.] First published in his em>Psalms & Hymns., 1831, No. 56, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed, "Spiritual Strength and Wisdom desired." In modern hymnals stanzas v. is usually omitted, as in the New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)