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James Hervey

1714 - 1758 Author of "Since All the Downward Tracts of Time" in The Cyber Hymnal Hervey, James, M.A., son of the Rector of Weston-Favell and Collingtree, diocese of Peterborough, was born at Hardingstone, near Northampton, Feb. 14, 1714, and educated at the Free Grammar School, Northampton, and Lincoln College, Oxford. At Oxford he had John Wesley, then a Fellow of Lincoln, as his tutor. Ordained in 1736, he assisted his father for a short time, and then became Curate of Dummer. At the end of a year he passed on to Devonshire, first as a guest of Mr. Orchard, at Stoke Abbey, and then as Curate of Bideford. In 1742 he left Bideford and rejoined his father, whom he succeeded as Rector of Weston-Favell and Collingtree in 1752. He died Dec. 25, 1758. His controversial and religious writings were very popular at one time, but have fallen out of use. His Meditations among the Tombs (suggested by a visit paid to Kilkhampton Church, Cornwall), Reflections on a Flower Garden, and a Descant on Creation, were published in one volume in 1746; and his Contemplations on the Night, and The Starry Heavens, with A Winter Piece, were published as a second volume in 1746. A complete edition of his Meditations and Contemplations were published with a Memoir (Lond., W. Tegg) in 1860. From these the following hymns have come into common use:— 1. Make the extended skies your tomb. The True Life. This was given in the Meditations among the Tombs, 1746, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines as the conclusion of a meditation on “The only infallible way of immortalizing our characters":— "The only infallible way of immortalizing our characters, a way equally open to the meanest and most exalted fortune is, 4 To make our calling and election sure/ to gain some sweet evidence that our names are written in heaven.”..... "Make the extended skies your tomb; Let stars record your worth," &c. Its use in modern hymn-books is limited. 2. Since all the downward tracts of time. Providence. This appeared in the Reflections on a Flower Garden, 1746, in 3 stanzas of 4 lines. It is given as a note to the following sentence: "Be still, then thou uneasy mortal: know that God is unerringly wise; and be Assured that, amidst the greatest multiplicity of beings, be does not overlook thee."..... " *Permittas ipsis expendere numinibus, quid Conveniat nobis, rebusque tit utile nostris. Nam pro jucundis aptissima quoeque dabunt dii: Carior est illis homo, quam sibi. —Juv. "Since all the downward tracts of time God's watchful eye surveys; 0! Who so wise to choose our lot, And regulate our ways? "Since none can doubt His equal love, Unmeasurably kind; To His unerring, gracious will Be ev'ry wish resign'd. “Good when He gives, supremely good Nor less, when He denies: E'en crosses, from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise." In addition to this hymn being in common use in this its original form, it is often found in 5 stanzas and beginning, “Since all the downward tracks of time." -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

J. Wesley Perera

Translator of "ජීවිතේ සෑම කාලේ දී" in The Cyber Hymnal

Joseph Stennett

1663 - 1713 Author of "我的救主 (O blessed Savior)" in Sheng tu shi ge = Hymnary (聖徒詩歌) The author was a Baptist preacher in London, from 1690, to his death in 1713. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872. ============================= Stennett, Joseph, the earliest English Baptist hymnwriter whose hymns are now in common use, was born at Abingdon, Berks, in 1663. He received a superior education at the Grammar School of Wallingford, and at the age of 22 removed to London, where for several years he engaged in tuition. In 1688 he married a daughter of George Guill, a French Protestant refugee, another of whose daughters was the wife of the celebrated Presbyterian minister, Dr. Daniel Williams, who became a generous friend to Stennett. In the following year he was called to preach by the Baptist Sabbatarian congregation then meeting in Devonshire Square, London, afterwards in Pinners' Hall; and in 1690 became its pastor, a position he retained to his death, July 4, 1713. Since the meetings of this congregation for worship were on the seventh day of the week, he was free to preach to other congregations on the Sunday, which he did very frequently, especially to the General Baptist Church in the Barbican. Such was Stennett's repute for piety, learning and practical wisdom that his advice was very much sought by his Christian friends, and by the "great Whig Lords” of that day he was occasionally consulted as to the feeling of the Dissenters concerning national affairs. His published works include:— (1) Hymns in commemoration of the Sufferings of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, compos'd for the Celebration of his Holy Supper, 1697; 2nd ed. 1703 (This is entitled in Stennett's Works, 1732, Hymns for the Lord's Supper). These were 37 in number, increased to 50 in the 3rd edition, 1709. (2) In 1700 he published a poetical Version of Solomon's Song of Songs, together with the XLVth Psalm. A second edition, corrected, appeared in 1709. (3) In 1712 he published twelve Hymns composed for the Celebration of the Holy Ordinance of Baptism; 2nd ed. 1722. Stennett also translated Dacier's Plato and other works from the French, and published several sermons preached on days of National Thanksgiving and other public occasions. His Works were collected after his death and published in 1732, in 4 vols. They contain a Memoir, Sermons and Letters, the Hymns and Poems mentioned above, and a few other poetical pieces. A controversial work, An Answer to Mr. Russen's Book on Baptism, 1702, may be reckoned as a 5th vol. Of his hymns, that which, in the form of varying centos, is most widely known is, "Another six days' work is done". Others in common use include:— 1. Gracious Redeemer, how divine. Holy Communion. Appeared in his Hymns for the Lord's Supper, first edition, 1697. (Works, 1732, ii. p. 98.) Usually abbreviated. 2. Immortal praise be given. Holy Communion. Published in his Hymns for The Lord's Supper, first ed., 1697. (Works, 1732, ii. p. 97.) From this "We'll praise our risen Lord," is taken. 3. Jesus, O word divinely sweet. Redemption through Jesus. Published in Hymns for the Lord's Supper, 3rd ed. 1709, No. 47. 4. Lord, at Thy Table I behold. Holy Communion. This hymn is not in Stennett's Works. From it "With humble faith and trembling heart," is taken. 5. My blessed Saviour, is Thy love? Self-Consecration to God. Appeared in his Hymns for the Lord's Supper, 1697, No. 22. Usually abbreviated. 6. The great Redeemer we adore. Published in his Hymns for Baptism, 1712. 7. Whene'er one sinner turns to God. Holy Baptism. Published in his Hymns for Baptism, 1712, No. 12. From this "See how the willing converts trace" is taken. It begins with st. iii. Several of his hymns additional to these are given in the older collections, but have passed out of use. We may add that the Joseph Stennett, the subject of this article, had a son, Joseph Stennett, D.D., who also became an eminent Baptist minister, and was the father of Samuel Stennett. [Rev.W. R. Stevenson, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Sir William Mure

1594 - 1657 Author of "The Lord Is My Shepherd" in Revival Hymns and Choruses Mure, Sir William, eldest son of Sir William Mure of Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire, was born at Rowallan in 1594. In the Civil War he sided against the king; and in 1644, accompanying: those sent under the Solemn League and Covenant to the help of the Parliament, was wounded at the battle of Marston Moor. He died at Rowallan in 1657. In 1628 he published a translation of Robert Boyd's Hecatombe Christiana, at Edinburgh, in a volume con¬taining also an original poem entitled Doomesday, and three sonnets entitled Fancies Farewel. His manuscript Version of the Psalms, which seems to have been begun in 1629 and completed in 1639, was recommended to the use of the committee who compiled the Scottish Psalter of 1650. A complete manuscript of this version was found about 1825, with various other poetical manuscripts by him, among the old family papers in Bowallan Castle. These manuscripts were kindly searched for by Lord Donington in 1884, but could not be discovered among the family papers now in Loudoun Castle, Ayrshire. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

George Smart

1776 - 1867 Person Name: George T. Smart Composer of "WILTSHIRE" in Rejoice in the Lord

Clarence Bicknell

1842 - 1918 Author of "Ĉar Dio, la Paŝtisto mia" in TTT-Himnaro Cigneta Clarence Bicknell (27 October 1842-17 July 1918) was a British amateur botanist, painter and archaeologist, with a doctorate in mathematics, and an Anglican priest (in Italy, from 1877 until he left the Church, date unknown). He was born in Herne Hill, England, on October 27, 1842, and died in Tenda (then in Italy, but since 1947 in France) on July 17, 1918. Arriving in Italy in 1877 to work as an Anglican vicar, he built a museum ("Museo Biblioteca Clarence Bicknell") in Bordighera to house his botanical and archaeological collections. He became noted for his identification of the plants and petroglyphs of the Ligurian Riviera. His writings included Flowering Plants of the Riviera and Neighboring Mountains (1885) and Guide to the Prehistoric Rock Engravings of the Italian Maritime Alps (1913). In addition to his own museum, his collections were archived at the University of Genoa. A Volapükist, he left that language for Esperanto in 1897. He attended the first international Esperanto convention, at Boulogne-sur-mer, France, in 1905. He produced a number of hymns that are still in use (seven translations and one original in Adoru Kantante (1971), and nine texts in Adoru (2001). He was active in work on behalf of the blind, and transcribed many Esperanto books into braille. In addition to his hymnic work, he wrote many original poems in, and translated secular poetry into, Esperanto, including Macaulay's "Horacio", 1906; Tennyson's "Gvinevero", 1907; pieces by Sturgis; Giacosa's "Ŝakludo", 1915. He also provided monetary support to many Esperanto activities, and founded and led until his death the local Esperanto club in Bordighera. Regrettably, the date, reason, and nature of his "leaving the church" is not explained in the sources consulted (mainly the English, Italian, and Esperanto Wikipedias and the author indexes of the Esperanto hymnals). See also http://www.clarencebicknell.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=157&lang=en at clarencebicknell.com, the website of the Clarence Bicknell Association. Leland Bryant Ross

John Newton

1725 - 1807 Author of "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat" in Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist. After becoming a tide-surveyor in Liverpool, England, Newton came under the influence of George Whitefield and John and Charles Wesley and began to study for the ministry. He was ordained in the Church of England and served in Olney (1764-1780) and St. Mary Woolnoth, London (1780-1807). His legacy to the Christian church includes his hymns as well as his collaboration with William Cowper (PHH 434) in publishing Olney Hymns (1779), to which Newton contributed 280 hymns, including “Amazing Grace.” Bert Polman ================== Newton, John, who was born in London, July 24, 1725, and died there Dec. 21, 1807, occupied an unique position among the founders of the Evangelical School, due as much to the romance of his young life and the striking history of his conversion, as to his force of character. His mother, a pious Dissenter, stored his childish mind with Scripture, but died when he was seven years old. At the age of eleven, after two years' schooling, during which he learned the rudiments of Latin, he went to sea with his father. His life at sea teems with wonderful escapes, vivid dreams, and sailor recklessness. He grew into an abandoned and godless sailor. The religious fits of his boyhood changed into settled infidelity, through the study of Shaftesbury and the instruction of one of his comrades. Disappointing repeatedly the plans of his father, he was flogged as a deserter from the navy, and for fifteen months lived, half-starved and ill-treated, in abject degradation under a slave-dealer in Africa. The one restraining influence of his life was his faithful love for his future wife, Mary Catlett, formed when he was seventeen, and she only in her fourteenth year. A chance reading of Thomas à Kempis sowed the seed of his conversion; which quickened under the awful contemplations of a night spent in steering a water-logged vessel in the face of apparent death (1748). He was then twenty-three. The six following years, during which he commanded a slave ship, matured his Christian belief. Nine years more, spent chiefly at Liverpool, in intercourse with Whitefield, Wesley, and Nonconformists, in the study of Hebrew and Greek, in exercises of devotion and occasional preaching among the Dissenters, elapsed before his ordination to the curacy of Olney, Bucks (1764). The Olney period was the most fruitful of his life. His zeal in pastoral visiting, preaching and prayer-meetings was unwearied. He formed his lifelong friendship with Cowper, and became the spiritual father of Scott the commentator. At Olney his best works—-Omicron's Letters (1774); Olney Hymns (1779); Cardiphonia, written from Olney, though published 1781—were composed. As rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London, in the centre of the Evangelical movement (1780-1807) his zeal was as ardent as before. In 1805, when no longer able to read his text, his reply when pressed to discontinue preaching, was, "What, shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak!" The story of his sins and his conversion, published by himself, and the subject of lifelong allusion, was the base of his influence; but it would have been little but for the vigour of his mind (shown even in Africa by his reading Euclid drawing its figures on the sand), his warm heart, candour, tolerance, and piety. These qualities gained him the friendship of Hannah More, Cecil, Wilberforce, and others; and his renown as a guide in experimental religion made him the centre of a host of inquirers, with whom he maintained patient, loving, and generally judicious correspondence, of which a monument remains in the often beautiful letters of Cardiphonia. As a hymnwriter, Montgomery says that he was distanced by Cowper. But Lord Selborne's contrast of the "manliness" of Newton and the "tenderness" of Cowper is far juster. A comparison of the hymns of both in The Book of Praise will show no great inequality between them. Amid much that is bald, tame, and matter-of-fact, his rich acquaintance with Scripture, knowledge of the heart, directness and force, and a certain sailor imagination, tell strongly. The one splendid hymn of praise, "Glorious things of thee are spoken," in the Olney collection, is his. "One there is above all others" has a depth of realizing love, sustained excellence of expression, and ease of development. "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds" is in Scriptural richness superior, and in structure, cadence, and almost tenderness, equal to Cowper's "Oh! for a closer walk with God." The most characteristic hymns are those which depict in the language of intense humiliation his mourning for the abiding sins of his regenerate life, and the sense of the withdrawal of God's face, coincident with the never-failing conviction of acceptance in The Beloved. The feeling may be seen in the speeches, writings, and diaries of his whole life. [Rev. H. Leigh Bennett, M.A.] A large number of Newton's hymns have some personal history connected with them, or were associated with circumstances of importance. These are annotated under their respective first lines. Of the rest, the known history of which is confined to the fact that they appeared in the Olney Hymns, 1779, the following are in common use:— 1. Be still, my heart, these anxious cares. Conflict. 2. Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near. Trust. 3. By the poor widow's oil and meal. Providence. 4. Chief Shepherd of Thy chosen sheep. On behalf of Ministers. 5. Darkness overspreads us here. Hope. 6. Does the Gospel-word proclaim. Rest in Christ. 7. Fix my heart and eyes on Thine. True Happiness. 8. From Egypt lately freed. The Pilgrim's Song. 9. He Who on earth as man was Known. Christ the Rock. 10. How blest are they to whom the Lord. Gospel Privileges. 11. How blest the righteous are. Death of the Righteous. 12. How lost was my [our] condition. Christ the Physician. 13. How tedious and tasteless the hours. Fellowship with Christ. 14. How welcome to the saints [soul] when pressed. Sunday. 15. Hungry, and faint, and poor. Before Sermon. 16. In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke. Pleading for Mercy. 17. In themselves, as weak as worms. Power of Prayer. 18. Incarnate God, the soul that knows. The Believer's Safety. 19. Jesus, Who bought us with His blood. The God of Israel. "Teach us, 0 Lord, aright to plead," is from this hymn. 20. Joy is a [the] fruit that will not grow. Joy. 21. Let hearts and tongues unite. Close of the Year. From this "Now, through another year," is taken. 22. Let us adore the grace that seeks. New Year. 23. Mary to her [the] Saviour's tomb. Easter. 24. Mercy, 0 Thou Son of David. Blind Bartimeus. 25. My harp untun'd and laid aside. Hoping for a Revival. From this "While I to grief my soul gave way" is taken. 26. Nay, I cannot let thee go. Prayer. Sometimes, "Lord, I cannot let Thee go." 27. Now may He Who from the dead. After Sermon. 28. 0 happy they who know the Lord, With whom He deigns to dwell. Gospel Privilege. 29. O Lord, how vile am I. Lent. 30. On man in His own Image made. Adam. 31. 0 speak that gracious word again. Peace through Pardon. 32. Our Lord, Who knows full well. The Importunate Widow. Sometimes altered to "Jesus, Who knows full well," and again, "The Lord, Who truly knows." 33. Physician of my sin-sick soul. Lent. 34. Pleasing spring again is here. Spring. 35. Poor, weak, and worthless, though I am. Jesus the Friend. 36. Prepare a thankful song. Praise to Jesus. 37. Refreshed by the bread and wine. Holy Communion. Sometimes given as "Refreshed by sacred bread and wine." 38. Rejoice, believer, in the Lord. Sometimes “Let us rejoice in Christ the Lord." Perseverance. 39. Salvation, what a glorious plan. Salvation. 40. Saviour, shine and cheer my soul. Trust in Jesus. The cento "Once I thought my mountain strong," is from this hymn. 41. Saviour, visit Thy plantation. Prayer for the Church. 42. See another year [week] is gone. Uncertainty of Life. 43. See the corn again in ear. Harvest. 44. Sinner, art thou still secure? Preparation for the Future. 45. Sinners, hear the [thy] Saviour's call. Invitation. 46. Sovereign grace has power alone. The two Malefactors. 47. Stop, poor sinner, stop and think. Caution and Alarm. 48. Sweeter sounds than music knows. Christmas. 49. Sweet was the time when first I felt. Joy in Believing. 50. Ten thousand talents once I owed. Forgiveness and Peace. 51. The grass and flowers, which clothe the field. Hay-time. 52. The peace which God alone reveals. Close of Service. 53. Thy promise, Lord, and Thy command. Before Sermon. 54. Time, by moments, steals away. The New Year. 55. To Thee our wants are known. Close of Divine Service. 56. We seek a rest beyond the skies. Heaven anticipated. 57. When any turn from Zion's way. Jesus only. 58. When Israel, by divine command. God, the Guide and Sustainer of Life. 59. With Israel's God who can compare? After Sermon. 60. Yes, since God Himself has said it. Confidence. 61. Zion, the city of our God. Journeying Zionward. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ================= Newton, J., p. 803, i. Another hymn in common use from the Olney Hymns, 1779, is "Let me dwell on Golgotha" (Holy Communion). --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907) ----- John Newton was born in London, July 24, 1725. His mother died when he was seven years old. In his eleventh year he accompanied his father, a sea captain, on a voyage. For several years his life was one of dissipation and crime. He was disgraced while in the navy. Afterwards he engaged in the slave trade. Returning to England in 1748, the vessel was nearly wrecked in a storm. This peril forced solemn reflection upon him, and from that time he was a changed man. It was six years, however, before he relinquished the slave trade, which was not then regarded as an unlawful occupation. But in 1754, he gave up sea-faring life, and holding some favourable civil position, began also religious work. In 1764, in his thirty-ninth year, he entered upon a regular ministry as the Curate of Olney. In this position he had intimate intercourse with Cowper, and with him produced the "Olney Hymns." In 1779, Newton became Rector of S. Mary Woolnoth, in London, in which position he became more widely known. It was here he died, Dec. 21, 1807, His published works are quite numerous, consisting of sermons, letters, devotional aids, and hymns. He calls his hymns "The fruit and expression of his own experience." --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872 See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church =======================

Eliza H. Hamilton

Person Name: E. H. H. Author of "O, Give Me Rest from Self" in Hymns of the Christian Life No. 2

George Macdonald

1824 - 1905 Person Name: George Macdonald, 1824 - 1905 Author of "O Lord of life, Thy quickening voice" in The Hymnary of the United Church of Canada Macdonald, George, LL.D., was born at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Dec. 10, 1824, and educated at King's College, Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A., and from which he afterwards received the honorary degree of LL.D. For a brief time he studied for the Congregational ministry at Highbury College, London, and then became the Minister of the Congregational Church at Arundel, Sussex (1850-53). He afterwards preached for a short time to a small company at Manchester and Bolton. Relinquishing the ministry, he became Lecturer on English Literature at King's College, London, and ultimately gave himself up entirely to literary work. Dr. Macdonald has acquired a great reputation by means of his works of fiction, most of which were originally contributed to magazines, and the most notable of which are David Elginbrod; Robert Falconer; Alec Forbes of Howglen; and Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood. He was some time Editor of Good Words for the Young, and wrote England's Antiphon for Macmillan's Sunday Library. His poetical works are:— (1) Within and Without, 1855; (2) The Disciple, and Other Poems, 1860; (3) The Diary of an Old Soul (printed for private circulation), 1867"; (4) Exotics, a volume of translations from the German (most of which first appeared in the Sunday Magazine), 1876; and (5) A Threefold Cord, 1883, part of which previously appeared in his Works of Fancy and Imagination, 10 vols., 1871. Most of his original hymns were contributed to Hymns and Sacred Songs for Sunday Schools and Social Worship, &c, published by Fletcher and Tubbs, Manchester, in 1855 (2nd. edition, 1856), and of which his brother, and the Rev. G. B. Bubier were the editors. The original hymns, which are signed "G. Macdonald," in this collection are:— 1. A quiet heart, submissive, meek. The Meek inherit the Earth. 2. Daylight fades away. Second Advent. 3. Father, I well may praise Thy name. Sunday Morning. 4. Father, these souls of ours have been. Blessed are the Pure in Heart. 5. If we were longing for the food. Blessed are they that Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness. 6. It was an awful hour that gave. Blessed are the Merciful. 7. Let Thy own voice, 0 Father, say. Blessed are they that mourn. 8. 0 Son of Man, Thy Name by choice. Blessed are the Meek. 9. Our Father, hear our longing prayer. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit. Some of these hymns were afterwards revised by their author. The next two are from The Disciple, and Other Poems, 1860 :— 10. O God, Whose daylight leadeth down. Evening. 11. O Lord [God] of life, Thy quickening voice. Morning. Dr. Macdonald's hymns are rich in ideas, but are touched with a mysticism which renders them a little difficult of apprehension. They are however of great value in setting forth truths rarely expressed in hymns, and are likely to grow in favour. [Rev. W. Garrett Horder] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ======================= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_MacDonald