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H. J. B.

1803 - 1871 Person Name: Henry James Buckoll Hymnal Number: d92 Author of "Come, my soul, thou [you] must be waking" in The Book of Common Praise ========= Buckoll, Henry James, M.A., son of the Rev. James Buckoll, Rector of Siddington, near Cirencester, Gloucester; born at Siddington, Sept. 9,1803. He was educated at Rugby and Queen's College, Oxford, graduating B.A.in 1826, and became Assistant Master at Rugby the same year. He took Holy Orders in 1827, and died at Rugby June 6, 1871. He was probably the editor of the first edition of the Rugby School Collection. In 1839 he edited a Collection of Hymns for the Rugby Parish Church, and in 1850 compiled, with Dr. Goulburn, a new edition of the Collection for the Rugby School Chapel. That collection contains 14 of his hymns, a few of which were translations from the Latin and German. His Hymns translated from the German were published 1842. It contained 67 translations from Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, most of which are in the original metres, and are annotated in this work under their first lines in German. Buckoll's hymns and trs. are mostly found in the hymn-books of the Public Schools. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

George Heath

1745 - 1822 Hymnal Number: d374 Author of "My soul be on thy [your] guard" in The Book of Common Praise Rv George Heath DD United Kingdom 1745-1822. Born at Exeter, Devon, England, he was educated at the Dissenting Academy and King’s College, Cambridge. He married Mary Ann Kean, and they had 4 children: Louisa, John, Charles, and Benjamin (also a minister). He served as pastor of the Honiton, Devonshire, Presbyterian Church, but proved unworthy and was dismissed for cause. He later became a Unitarian minister. In 1781 he published “Hymns & poetic essays sacred to the worship of the Deity”. He also authored a “History of Bristol”. He became Headmaster of Eton College (1792-1802). He joined the Anglican Church and became Canon of Windsor (1800-1822), Rector of Monks Risborough, Vicar of Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, Vicar of Piddletown, Vicar of East Beachsworth (1805-1814), and Fellow of the Royal Society (1795-1822). He was appointed to the 4th stall in St. George’s Chapel in 1800, Windsor Castle, and died at his residence in the Cloisters, Windsor Castle. John Perry ======================= Heath, George, became pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Honiton, Devon, in 1770, and died in 1822. He published a History of Bristol, 1797. Also Hymns and Poetic Essays Sacred to the Public and Private Worship of the Deity, &c, Bristol, 1781, from which "My soul, be on thy guard" (Steadfastness), is taken. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

J. Denham Smith

1817 - 1889 Person Name: Joseph Denham Smith Hymnal Number: d274 Author of "Jesus Christ is passing by" in The Book of Common Praise Smith, Joseph Denham, was born at Romsey, Hants, circa 1816. After studying for some time in the Dublin Theological Institute, he entered the Congregational Ministry in 1840. In 1849 he became Pastor of the Congregational Church at Kingstown, near Dublin, and in 1863 began a series of services at Merrion Hall, Dublin, and subsequently at other places. His Evangelistic work in England and Ireland is well known. In connection therewith he has published a large number of tracts, pamphlets, and small books. One of these, Times of Refreshing illustrated in the Present Revival of Religion, 1860, included several of his hymns which were sung during that time at his special services at Kingstown. He also published Seven Hymns for the Present Time, circa 1870-6; and The New Times of Refreshing. Hymns for General and Special Use. Compiled by J. Denham Smith. London: J. E. Hawkins, n.d. In this collection his signed hymns are 36 in all, and deal with the subjects usually associated with what are known as "Gospel Hymns." There are several also in The Enlarged London Hymn Book, 1873. His hymn "Just as Thou art—how wondrous fair" (1860) is in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866, and "Yes, we part, but not for ever "(Parting), in several minor collections. Mr. Smith's hymns have not been incorporated into the leading hymnals of Great Britain or America. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

James Wallis Eastburn

1797 - 1819 Person Name: James Eastburn Hymnal Number: d407 Author of "O holy, holy, holy, Lord" in The Book of Common Praise Eastburn, James Wallis, son of a New York bookseller and brother of Dr. Eastburn, Bp. of Massachusetts, was born in London, England, Sept. 26, 1797. The family removed to New York in 1803, and he was educated at Columbia College, New York, where he graduated in 1816. Taking Holy Orders in 1818, he subsequently became a Rector at Accomac, Virginia, where his “abundant and successful labours" were cut short by an early death. He died at Santa Cruz, Dec. 2, 1819. With Robert C. Sands, an intimate friend, he wrote a poem on the history of an Indian Chief, which was published as Yamoyden, in 1820. His hymns include:— 1. 0 holy, holy, holy Lord, Bright in Thy deeds, &c. [Holy Trinity.] This hymn is said by Dr. Hatfield to have been written in 1815. It was included in the Prayer-Book Collection, 1826, and again in other collections. It is a "Ter Sanctus" of merit, and is widely used. 2. Mountains of Israel. This is found in some old collections, and in Griswold's Sacred Poets, 1848, p. 482. 3. Strangers no more we wildly rove. The Spiritual Temple. This is given in Lyra Sacra Americana. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Elizabeth Scott

1708 - 1776 Hymnal Number: d45 Author of "Awake, ye saints, awake and hail" in The Book of Common Praise Scott, Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Scott, Independent Minister at Norwich, and sister of Thomas Scott, noted below, was born at Norwich about 1708. In 1751 she was married to Elisha Williams, who had been from 1726 to 1739 Rector of Yale College, U.S.A., and with him she proceeded to Connecticut. On the death of Mr. Williams she was married to the Hon. William Smith, of New York, who also predeceased her. She died at Wethersfield, Connecticut, June 13th, 1776. In connection with Miss Scott's hymns we are acquainted directly and indirectly with four manuscripts, each of which is interesting in itself. These are as follows:— i. The first manuscript is in the library of Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Franklin Bowditch Dexter, M.A., Assistant Librarian, has tabulated the hymns in this ms. for this Dictionary. He says (Jan. 29, 1889): "The label on the back of this volume is 'Hymns & Poems by Eliz. Scott.' There is no title to the ms. pages. Prefixed to the Hymns and Poems there is, however, a long and very tenderly written dedication (in prose) 'To my much Rever'd, much Lov'd, Father,' this signed ‘E. S.' and dated 1740. Then follows (without numbers) the Hymns with titles and first lines as below." Mr. Dexter adds on the first lines and the titles of 90 hymns. ii. The second manuscript is in our possession. It is headed "Poems on Several Occasion's by Miss Scott of Norwich, who married to Mr. Williams of New England, January 1750/1." Then follow 26 hymns in full. At the end this is written, "These transcribed from Mrs. Williams' Manuscript, Feb. 27, 1751, the week before she left Norwich to go to New England." The whole of these 26 hymns are in the Yale College manuscript. iii. The third manuscript we have consulted contains 8 hymns which are prefaced with these words, "Copied from a book of Mrs. Bury's, written by her Aunt Miss Elizabeth Scott, afterwards Mrs. Williamson." iv. In Dr. Dodd's Christian's Magazine for Dec. 1763 we find a writer who signs himself "CL—T." He had at that time a ms. of Miss Scott's hymns with a Dedication to her father prefixed thereto and signed "Eliz Scott." From this ms. he sent "Why droops my soul with guilt oppressed" (Christ, the Great Physician) to the Dec. number of the magazine; "Evil and few our mortal days" (Vanity of human Life), to the Feb. number, 1764, and "What finite power with ceaseless toil" (Praise for Temporal Blessings), to the April number of the same year. From these facts it is clear that before departing for America Miss Scott allowed copies of her hymns to be made from her manuscript, and it was mainly from these copies that those of her hymns composed before her marriage were printed in the English hymnbooks. None of those hymns date later than 1750. The collections in which they appeared, and through which they came into common use were the Bristol Baptist Collection of Ash and Evans, 1769, and the New Selection, &c, by J. Dobell, 1806. In Ash and Evans there are 19 hymns, signed "S.," all of which are in the Yale College manyuscruot under the same first lines except "Was it for man, apostate man ?" but this also may possibly be there under another first line. In Dobell there are 20 hymns signed " Scott” of which 17 are in the Yale College ms., 2 are parts of hymns from Ash and Evans, also in that manuscript, and "Sole Sovereign of the earth and skies," also probably in the ms. under another first line. Of the 90 hymns in the Yale ms., in addition there are also in common use:— i. From Ash and Evans's Collection of Hymns, 1769. 1. God of my life, to Thee belongs. On Recovery from Sickness. 2. My God, shall I for ever mourn? Covenant-keeping God. From this "Shall e'er the shadow of a change?" is taken (st. iii.). 3. When Abram full of sacred awe. For a Fast Day. Sometimes, “Thus Abram, full of sacred awe." 4. Why, O my heart, these anxious cares? Submis-sion. ii. From J. Dobell's New Selection, &c, 1806. 5. Dare we indulge to wrath and strife? Against Wrath. 6. Eternal Spirit, 'twas Thy breath. Whitsuntide. 7. For ever shall my fainting soul. Against grieving the Holy Spirit. Sometimes "0 Lord, and shall our fainting souls?" 8. Great God, Thy penetrating eye. God All and in All. 9. The glitt'ring spangles of the sky. The Mercies of God. 10. Thy bounties, gracious Lord. Offertory. 11. Where'er the Lord shall build my house. Family Religion. --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ================ Scott, Elizabeth, p. 1019, ii. Another of her hymns in common use from the Collection of Ash & Evans, 1769, No. 393, “The Lord of love will sure indulge," is given in some American hymnals as "The God of mercy will indulge" (Death of Parents), with the name of "Fawcett" prefixed in error. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Henry Ustick Onderdonk

1789 - 1858 Hymnal Number: d203 Author of "Heirs of unending life" in The Book of Common Praise Henry Ustick Onderdonk, Bishop of Pennsylvania, was born in New York, March 16, 1789, and educated at Columbia College, B.A. 1805, M.A. 1808, D.D. 1827. Having decided to devote his life to medicine, he studied first in London and then in Edinburgh, receiving his M.D. from that university in 1810. Returning to New York, he began to study theology under Bishop Hobart and was ordained in 1815. He was rector of St. Ann's, Brooklyn, until 1827 when, following a famous controversy, he was elected bishop coadjutor of Pennsylvania, becoming diocesan in 1836 upon the death of Bishop White. He, with W.A. Muhlenberg, q.v., was influential on the committee appointed by General Convention to prepare the so-called Prayer Book Collection, 1826. The two men were also instrumental in the publication of the volume known as Plain Music for the Book of Common Prayer, in 1854. These books served until the Hymnal of 1874. Although some metrical psalms were included in the Prayer Book Collection, the book marked the change in America from psalmody to hymnody. Onderdonk contributed nine hymns, of which only one survives. He also wrote several works on the episcopacy. His weakness for alcohol necessitated his resignation in 1844, but his life from then on was so exemplary that he was restored to his bishopric two years before his death, which occurred in Philadelphia on December 6, 1858. --The Hymnal 1940 Companion ================================================ Onderdonk, Henry Ustic, D.D., was born in New York, March 16, 1789, and educated at Columbia College. Taking Holy Orders, he was for some time Rector of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, New York. On the 27th Oct., 1827, he was consecrated at Philadelphia, and acted as Assistant Bishop of Philadelphia to Bishop White from that date to 1836, when upon the death of Bishop White, he entered upon the full charge of the diocese. He was suspended by the House of Bishops on the ground of intemperance in 1844, but restored in 1856. He died in Philadelphia, Dec. 6th, 1858. Without Bishop Doane's commanding talents, he yet rendered large and useful service to hymnody as author and compiler. He was a member (and apparently a leading one) of the Committee which compiled the American Prayer Book Collection of 1826 and was by far the largest contributor thereto. Apart from hymnwriting, so far as we know, he wrote nothing in verse. His original hymns contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, are:— 1. Although the vine its fruit deny. Confidence in God. A paraphrase of Hab. iii. 17-19. 2. Blest be Thou, the God of Israel. Praise. A paraphrase of 1 Chron. xxix. 10-13. 3. How wondrous and great. Missions. A paraphrase of Rev. xv. 3, 4, being the Song of Moses and of the Lamb. 4. On Zion, and on Lebanon. Missions. Based on the text, Is. xxxv. 2. 5. Seek, my soul, the narrow gate. The Narrow Way. A paraphrase of St. Luke xiii. 24-27. 6. Sinner, rouse thee from thy sleep. Exhortation to awake out of sin. Based upon Eph. v. 14-17. 7. The Spirit in our hearts. Invitation. Based upon Rev. xxii. 17-20. This hymn may possibly have been suggested by Dr. Gibbons's "The Spirit in the word," which appeared in Hymns adapted to Divine Worship, 1769, p. 149. Bishop Onderdonk's hymn is in extensive use. Sometimes it is given as "The Spirit to our hearts." 8. Though I should seek to wash me clean. Need of the Mediator. This is not only used in full, but sts. iii.— v. are also used separately as "Ah, not like erring man is God." 9. When, Lord, to this our western land. Missions. This, and No. 4, were given in the Prayer Book Collection. "For Missions to the new Settlements in the United States." In addition to these original hymns, Onderdonk contributed to the same collection the following adaptations from others:— 10. Ah, how shall fallen man? Redemption, This is I. Watts's "How should the sons of Adam's race?" (p. 539. i.), rewritten from the form given to it in the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, 1781. 11. Heirs of unending life. Trust in God. Of this st. i. is by Onderdonk, and st. ii. and iii. are altered from Beddome's hymn "That we might walk with God." Sometimes given as "Heirs of immortal life." 12. The gentle Saviour calls. Christ accepting Children. This is altered from Doddridge's "See Israel's gentle Shepherd stand." It is sometimes given as "The Saviour kindly calls." [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Cornelius Elven

1791 - 1873 Person Name: C. Elven Hymnal Number: d676 Author of "With broken heart and contrite sigh" in The Book of Common Praise Elven, Cornelius, pastor for fifty years of the Baptist Church at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, was born in 1797, and died in 1873. His hymn, "With broken heart and contrite sigh” (Lent), is found in several collections in Great Britain and America. It was written in Jan., 1852 (Miller's Singers & Songs, p., 449) for use at special services by his own congregation, and was included in the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Thomas of Celano

1200 - 1265 Hymnal Number: d108 Author of "Day of wrath, that [O] day of mourning [burning]" in The Book of Common Praise Thomas of Celano was born at Celano in the Abruzzi, and joined St. Francis of Assisi c. 1214. He was commissioned by Gregory IX to write the life of St. Francis: the First Legend, 1229; the Second Legend, 1247; and the Tract on the Miracle of St. Francis a few years later. His Legend of St. Clare was composed in 1255. He was probably among the first band of friars to visit Germany, 1221. --The Hymnal 1940 Companion =============================== Thomas of Celano. It is somewhat remarkable that neither the date of the birth nor of the death of this writer, whose name is so intimately associated with the Dies Irae, is on record. He was a native of Celano, a small town near the lake Fucino, in the farther Abruzzo, and hence his name of Thomas of Celano. Several of the inhabitants of this town were driven therefrom by Frederick II. in 1223, and Thomas with the rest. He found his way to Assisi, and became a monk there during the lifetime of St. Francis. The Franciscan Order was established in 1208, Thomas was therefore one of the early students at Assisi. He was subsequently "custos of the convents of Worms, Mentz, and Cologne, and afterwards sole custos of the Rhine districts." The last named appointment he held till 1230, when he returned to Assisi. As intimated above the date of his death is not on record. It is sometimes given as 1255. Thomas also wrote a Life of St. Francis. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix I (1907) See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church

Michael Altenburg

1584 - 1640 Person Name: Johann M. Altenburg Hymnal Number: d125 Author of "Fear not, O little flock, the foe" in The Book of Common Praise Altenburg, Johann Michael, b. at Alach, near Erfurt, on Trinity Sunday, 1584. After completing his studies he was for some time teacher and precentor in Erfurt. In 1608 he was appointed pastor of Ilversgehofen and Marbach near Erfurt; in 1611, of Troch-telborn; and in 1621 of Gross-Sommern or Som-merda near Erfurt. In the troublous war times he was forced, in 1631, to flee to Erfurt, and there, on the news of the victory of Leipzig, Sept. 17, 1631, he composed his best known hymn. He remained in Erfurt without a charge till, in 1637, he was appointed diaconus of the Augustino Church, and, in 1638, pastor of St. Andrew's Church. He d. at Erfurt February 12, 1640 (Koch, iii. 115-117 ; Allg. Deutsche Biog., i. p. 363, and x. p. 766—the latter saying he did not go to Erfurt till 1637). He was a good musician, and seems to have been the composer of the melodies rather than of the words of some of the hymns ascribed to him. Two of his hymns have been tr. into English, viz. :—1. Aus Jakob's Staxnm ein Stern sehr klar. [Christmas.] Included as No. 3 of his Christ-liche liebliche und anddchtige newe Kirchen- und Hauss-Gestinge, pt. i., Erfurt, 1G20, in 3 st. of 5 1. According to Wetzel's A. H., vol. i., pt. v. p. 41, it was first pub. in J. Forster's Jlohen Festtags-Schreinlein, 1611. In the Unv. L. S., 1851, No. 24. It has been tr. as " From Jacob's root, a star so clear," by Miss Manington, 1864, p. 13.2. Verzage nicht du Hauflein klein. [In Trouble.] Concerning the authorship of this hymn there are three main theories—i. that it is by Gustavus Adolphus; ii. that the ideas are his and the diction that of his chaplain, Dr. Jacob Fabricius; and iii. that it is by Altenburg. In tracing out the hymn we find that:—The oldest accessible form is in two pamphlets published shortly after the death of Gustavus Adolphus, viz., the Epicedion, Leipzig, n.d. but probably in the end of 1632 [Royal Library, Berlin]: and Arnold Mengering's Blutige Siegs-Crone, Leipzig, 1633 [Town Library, Hamburg]. In the Epicedion the hymn is entitled, " Konig-licher Schwanengesang So ihre Majest. vor dem Ltltzen-schen Treffen inniglichen zu Gott gesungen "; and in the Siegs-Crone, p. 13, "Der S. Kon. Mayt. zu Schweden Lied, welches Sie vor der Schlacht gesungen." In both cases there are 3 sts. :—i. Verzage nicht, du Hiiuffiein klein. ii. Triistedich dess, dass deine Sach. iii. So wahr Gott Gott ist, und sein Wort.The next form is that in J. Clauder's Psalmodiae Novae Pars Tertia, Leipzig, 1636, No. 17, in 5 st. of 6 lines, st. i.-iii. as above, and—iv. Ach Gott gieb in des deine Gnad v. Hilff dass wir auch nach deinem Wort. No author's name is given. In the Bayreuth G. B., 1668, p. 266, st. iv., v., are marked as an addition by Dr. Samuel Zehner; and by J. C. Olearius in his Lieder-Schatz, 1705, p. 141, as written in 1638 (1633 ?), when the Croats had partially burnt Schleusiugen, where Zehner was then superintendent.The third form of importance is that given in Jcremias Weber's Leipzig G. B., 1638, p. 651, where it is entitled " A soul-rejoicing hymn of Consolation upon the watchword—God with us—used by the Evangelical army in the battle of Leipzig, 7th Sept., 1631, composed by M. Johann Altenburg, pastor at Gross Soinmern in Dtiringen," [i.e. Sommerda in Thuringia]. It is in 5 sts., of which sts. i.-iii. are the same as the 1633, and are marked as by Altenburg. St. iv., v., beginning— iv. Drilmb sey getrost du kleines Heer v. Amen, das hilff Ilerr Jesu Christ, are marked as " Additamentum Ignoti." This is the form in C. U. as in the Berlin G. L. S., ed. 1863, No. 1242.In favour of Altenburg there is the explicit declaration of the Leipzig G. B., 1638, followed by most subsequent writers. The idea that the hymn was by Gustavus Adolphus seems to have no other foundation than that in many of the old hymn-books it was called Gustavus Adolphus's Battle Hymn. The theory that the ideas were communicated by the King to his chaplain, Dr. Fabricius, after the battle of Leipzig, and by Fabricius versified, is maintained by Mohnike in his Hymnologische Forschungen, 1832, pt. ii. pp. 55-98, but rests on very slender evidence. In Koch, viii. 138-141, there is the following striking word-picture:—If, then, we must deny to the hymn Albert Knapp's characterisation of it as " a little feather from the eagle wing of Gustavus Adolphus," so much the more its original title as his "Swan Song" remains true. It was on the morning of the 6 Nov., 1632, that the Catholic army under Wallenstein and the Evangelical under Gustavus Adolphus stood over against each other at Lutzen ready to strike. As the morning dawned Gustavus Adolphus summoned his Court preacher Fabricius, and commanded him, as also the army chaplains of all the other regiments, to hold a service of prayer. During this service the whole host sung the pious king's battle hymn—" Verzage nicht, du Hauflein klein."He himself was on his knees and prayed fervently. Meantime a thick mist had descended, which hid the fatal field so that nothing could be distinguished. When the host had now been set in battle array he gave them as watchword for the fight the saying, "God with us," mounted his horse, drew his sword, and rode along the lines of the army to encourage the soldiers for the battle. First, however, he commanded the tunes Ein feste Burg and Es wollt tins Gott genadig sein to be played by the kettledrums and trumpets, and the soldiers joined as with one voice. The mist now began to disappear, and the sun shone through. Then, after a short prayer, he cried out: " Now will we set to, please God," and immediately after, very loud, " Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, help me today to fight for the honour of Thy Holy Name." Then he attacked the enemy at full speed, defended only by a leathern gorget. " God is my harness," he had said to the servant who wished to put on his armour. The conflict was hot and bloody. About 11 o'clock in the forenoon the fatal bullet struck him, and he sank, dying, from his horse, with the words, “My God, my God!" Till twilight came on the fight raged, and was doubtful. But at length the Evangelical host obtained the victory, as it had prophetically sung at dawn."This hymn has ever been a favourite in Germany, was sung in the house of P. J. Spener every Sunday afternoon, and of late years has been greatly used at meetings of the Gustavus Adolphus Union—an association for the help of Protestant Churches in Roman Catholic countries. In translations it has passed into many English and American collections. Translations in C. U.:— Fear not, 0 little flock, the foe. A good tr. from the text of 1638, omitting st. iv., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Ger., 1855, p. 17. Included, in England in Kennedy, 1863, Snepp's S. of G. and G., 1871, Free Church H. Bk., 1882, and others; and in America in the Sabbath H. Book., 1858, Pennsylvania Luth. Ch. Bk., 1868, Hys. of the Church, 1869, Bapt. H. Bk., 1871, H. and Songs of Praise, 1874, and many others. Be not dismay'd, thou little flock. A good tr. of st. i.-iii. of the 1638 text in Mrs. Charles's V. of Christian Life in Song, 1858, p. 248. She tr. from the Swedish, which, in the Swensha Psalm Boken, Carlstadt, N.D. (1866), is given as No. 378, "Forfaras ej, du lilla hop !" and marked Gustaf II. Adolf. Her version is No. 204 in Wilson's Service of Praise, 1865. Thou little flock, be not afraid. A tr. of st. i.-iii. from the 1638 text, by M. Loy, in the Ohio Luth. Hymnal, 1880, No. 197. Other trs. are all from the text of 1638.(1.) " Be not dishearten'd, little flock," by Dr. II. Mills, 1856, p. 121. (2.) " Despond not, little band, although," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 41. (3.) "Be not dismay'd, thou little flock, Nor," by E. Massie, 1866, p. 143. (4.) " 0 little flock, be not afraid," in J. D. Burns's Memoir and Remains, 1869. p. 226. –John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Robert Seagrave

1693 - 1759 Hymnal Number: d495 Author of "Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings" in The Book of Common Praise Robert Seagrave was born at Twyford, Leicestershire, in 1693. He studied at Clare Hall, Cambridge, graduating in 1718. In 1739, he was appointed Sunday Evening Lecturer at Lorimer's Hall, London. He afterwards preached in the Tabernacle, in connection with the Calvinistic Methodists. The date of his death is unknown. He published some treatises on doctrinal subjects, and on the duties of the ministry. In 1742, he published "Hymns for Christian Worship." His hymns have been published by Sedgwick (1860). --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872. ==================================== Seagrave, Robert, M.A., son of Robert Seagrave, Vicar of Twyford, Leicestershire, was born at Twyford, Nov. 22, 1693, and educated at Clare College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1714. Taking Holy Orders he entered most earnestly into the movement then being carried forward by the Wesleys and Whitefield; and between 1731 and 1746 he issued numerous letters and pamphlets, &c, designed to awaken in the clergy a deeper earnestness in their work. In 1739 he was appointed Sunday Evening Lecturer at Loriners' Hall, London, where he continued to preach till 1750. He also occupied Whitefield's Tabernacle from time to time. His hymns, which were better known and more highly appreciated by the older compilers than those in modern days, and will still repay perusal, were included in his collection, published by him for use at the Loriner's Hall, as Hymns for Christian Worship, partly composed, and partly collected from Various Authors, 1742. The 4th edition was published in 1748, and the originals were reprinted by D. Sedgwick as Seagrave's Hymns, in 1860. Two of these hymns are still in common use:— 1. Now may the Spirit's holy fire. Opening of a Place of Worship. This, from Hymns for Christian Worship, &c, 1742, was given by G. Whitefield as the opening hymn of his Hymns for Social Worship, &c, 1753. It was repeated in Toplady's Psalms & Hymns, 1776; and again in later collections to modern hymnbooks. 2. Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings. Pilgrim's Song. Also from his Hymns, &c, 1742, into G. Whitefield's Hymns, &c, 1753; and again in others to modern hymn books. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)