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William H. Burleigh

1812 - 1871 Person Name: W. H. Burleigh Hymnal Number: a463 Author of "Still will we trust, tho' earth seem dark and dreary" in In Excelsis Burleigh, William Henry, an active reformer and member of the Unitarian body, was born at Woodstock, Connecticut, Feb. 12, 1812, and brought up on a farm at Stainfield in the same state. In 1837 he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where, having been previously apprenticed to the printing trade, he published the Christian Witness and Temperance Banner. In 1843 he undertook the duties of editor of the Christian Freeman, at Hartford. From 1849 to 1855 he was agent of the New York State Temperance Society; and from 1855 to 1870 Harbour Master at New York. Died at Brooklyn, March 18, 1871. His poetical pieces and hymns were contributed to various periodicals and journals. Many of these were collected and published as Poems, Phila. in 1841. This volume was enlarged by additional pieces, and republished by his widow, in 1871. The dates of these hymns and poems are most difficult to determine. Where possible they are given in detail. It is somewhat curious that Burleigh's hymns are generally more extensively used in England than at home. The introduction of some of his best compositions into the English collections is due to the Lyra Sacra Americana, whence they were mostly taken by the compilers. Those in use in Great Britain and America are:— 1. Fades from the west the farewell nigh. Night . This poem, entitled “A Psalm of Night," is given in his Poems, N. Y., 1871, pp. 275-6. Although not in the 1st edition of his Poems, 1841, it was in common use as early as 1844. It is in 5 stanzas of 8 lines. From it the following centos have come into common use:— (1) “Day unto day uttereth speech." This is composed of stanzas iii.-v., and was given in the Christian Hymns of the Cheshire Pastoral Association (Amer. Unitarian), 1844, as an "Evening Hymn." (2) "O Holy Father, mid the calm." This cento In Longfellow and Johnson's Book of Hymns, 1846, and their Hymns of the Spirit, 1864, &c, is composed of stanzas iv.-v. (3) "Not only doth the voiceful day," No. 324 in Longfellow and Johnson's Hymns of the Spirit, 1864, is composed of st. ii.-iii. Another arrangement beginning with the same stanza is in the Lyra Sacra Americana, p. 41. (4) “The brightening dawn and voiceful day." In the Hymnary (Lond.), 1872, is, altered from the Lyra Sacra Americana as above, with the addition of a doxology. In and through these various forms, the use of this hymn is very extensive. 2. Father, beneath Thy sheltering wing. Trust and Peace. Appeared in Longfellow and Johnson's Hymns of the Spirit, 1864, No. 471, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. It is given in many American collections, and in the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, Horder's Cong. Hymns , 1884, and others in Great Britain. Orig. text in Lyra Sacra Americana, p. 39, with "that" for "which” in st. ii. line 4. 3. For the dear love that kept us through the night. Morning. From Poems, 1871, into Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884. 4. From profoundest depths of tribulation. Lent. This appeared in the Supplement to Hedge and Huntington's Hymns, &c. (Unitarian), 1853, No 843. 5. Lead us, 0 Father, in the paths of peace. Divine Guidance. No. 32 of the Lyra Sacra Americana, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, being "A Prayer for Guidance." With English compilers this hymn ranks amongst Burleigh’s productions next in popularity to No. 8, and is found in most of the collections there named. 6. Not in vain I poured my supplication . Lent. This is a continuation of the same thought as No. 4 preceding, and follows it in the same Supplement. 7. O deem not that earth's crowning bliss. Mourning. This, passed from the Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868, into the Eng. Bap. Hymnal , 1879; Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884, and others. It is in his Poems, 1i871, p. 258. The hymn, "From lips divine, like healing balm," in the Methodist Episcopal Hymnal, N. Y., 1878, is a cento from this hymn. 8. Still will we trust though earth seems dark and dreary. Faith. Appeared in the Lyra Sac. Amer., 1868, pp. 43-44, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. This is the most widely adopted of this author's hymns by the English compilers. It is given in some of the best collections, as the New Congregational Hymn Book, Thring, Horder, the Baptist Hymnal, Allon, &c. 9. There is a beautiful land by the spoiler untrod. Heaven. Dr. Cleveland Lyra Sac. Americana, 1868, p. 298) says, "This piece was first published in the Independent, Jan. 18, 1866." 10. They who have kept their spirit's virgin whiteness. Purity. In Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868, p. 46. 11. Thou Who look'st with pitying eye. Lent. In Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868, p. 47. 12. Through the changes of the day. Evening. From his Poems, 1841. It is given in the Lyra Sac. Amer., p. 50, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Psalms. and Hymns, 1852, Thring's Collection, and others. 13. We ask not that our path be always bright. Trust in God. From the Lyra Sac. Amer, 1868, into Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884. 14. When gladness gilds our prosperous day. Good in all. Also from Lyra Sacra Americana into Horder's Cong. Hymns, 1884. It has been already noted that Burleigh's hymns have a more extended use in Great Britain, than in his own country. The foregoing notes will also show that his productions are more widely known and used outside of his own denomination than by his own people. Concerning the hymns included in the Lyra Sac. Amer., Dr. Cleveland, the editor, says, "Most of these beautiful hymns of Mr. Burleigh's were given to me in manuscript by the author," but he does not indicate what was new and what was old. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Nicholas Brady

1659 - 1726 Person Name: N. Brady Hymnal Number: a154 Author of "Through all the changing scenes of life" in In Excelsis Nicholas Brady, the son of an officer in the Royalist army, was born in Brandon, Ireland, 1659. He studied at Westminster School, and at Christ Church College, oxford, and graduated at Trinity College, Dublin. He held several positions in the ministry, but later in life retired to Richmond Surrey, where he established a school. Here he translated some of the Psalms. Several volumes of his sermons and smaller works were published, but his chief work, like that of his co-colabourer Tate, was the "Metrical Version of Psalms." This version was authorized by King William in 1696, and has, since that time, taken the place of the earlier translation by Sternhold and Hopkins, which was published in 1562. The whole of the Psalms, with tunes, appeared in 1698, and a Supplement of Church Hymns in 1703. Of this version, which has little poetic merit, Montgomery says "It is nearly as inanimate as the former, though a little more refined." None of the "Metrical Psalms" are to be compared with the Psalms of the Prayer Book Psalter, and very few of them are worthy a place in a collection of hymns. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, 1872.

Benjamin H. Kennedy

1804 - 1889 Person Name: Benjamin Hall Kennedy Hymnal Number: d20 Author of "Who trusts in God, a strong abode" in In Excelsis Kennedy, Benjamin Hall, D.D., son of the Rev. Raun Kennedy, sometime Incumbent of St. Paul's, Birmingham, and editor of A Church of England Psalm-Book, &c, 1821 (12th ed. 1848), was born at Summer Hill, near Birmingham, Nov. 6, 1804, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham; Shrewsbury School; and St. John's College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in 1827 (First Class Classical Tripos and First Chancellor's Medallist). He was Fellow of his College 1828-36; Head Master of Shrewsbury School, 1836-66; and Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge and Canon of Ely , 1867. Dr. Kennedy took Holy Orders in 1829, and was for some time Prebendaiy in Lichfield Cathedral and Rector of West Felton, Salop. He was elected Hon. Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1880. Besides his Public School Latin Grammar, Palaestra Latina, Palaestra Stili Latini, &c, his editions of some of the Classics, and University Sermons, Dr. Kennedy published the following:— (1) The Psalter, or the Psalms of David, in English Verse. By a Member of the University of Cambridge, 1860; (2) Hymnologia Christiana, or Psalms & Hymns Selected and Arranged in the Order of the Christian Seasons (quoted in this Dictionary as Kennedy), 1863. i. From these two works many psalms and hymns have passed into other collections. The following versions of the Psalms first appeared in The Psalter, 1860, and again in the Hymnologia Christiana 1863. In many instances they have undergone considerable alteration in the latter work, and those of great length are broken into parts:— 1. All ye people, come and clap, &c. Ps. xlvii. 2. Arise, 0 Lord, with healing rod. Ps. x. 3. As pants the hind for cooling streams. Ps. xlii. 4. As Thy mercy lasts for ever. Ps. cix. 5. Be merciful to me, 0 God. Ps. lvii. 6. Be Thou my Judge, and I will strive. Ps. xvii. 7. Bless ye the Lord, His solemn praise record. Ps. cxxxiv. 8. Bow down Thine ear, and hear my cry. Ps. lxxxvi. 9. Come, ye children, list to me. Ps. xxxiv. 10. Ever, O my God and King. Ps. cxlv. 11. Ever will I bless the Lord. Ps. xxxiv. 12. Every king shall bow before Him. Ps. lxxii. 13. Full oft my chafing thoughts, &c. Ps. lxxiii. 14. God, avert the deadly blow. Ps. lix. 15. God, in Judah's homes is known. Ps. lxxvi. 16. God of my righteousness. Ps. iv. 17. Hear Thou my prayer, O Lord. Ps. cxliii. 18. Help us, O Lord, the good decay. Ps. xii. 19. How blest are they who flee, &c. Ps. cxix. 20. How blest the man, who fears to stray. Ps. i. 21. How blest the man whose errors, &c. Ps. xxxii. 22. How good it is to praise the Lord. Ps. xcii. 23. How long art silent, Lord? how long. Ps. xxxv. 24. How long forgotten, Lord, by Thee. Ps. xiii. 25. How long wilt Thou conceal Thy face. Ps. lxxxix. 26. I lift mine eyes unto the hills. Ps. cxxi. 27. I love the Lord, for He is nigh. Ps. cxvi. 28. I muse upon Thine ancient praise. Ps. lxxvii. 29. I praise Thee, Lord, who o'er my foes. Ps. xxx. 30. I trod the path of life, my strength. Ps. cii. 31. In trouble to the Lord I prayed. Ps. cxx. 32. Jehovah reigns, arrayed in light. Ps. xciii. 33. Judge me, O God; maintain my cause. Ps. xliii. 34. Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry. Ps. cii. 35. Lord, I am not lofty-minded. Ps. cxxxi. 36. Lord, I lift my soul to Thee. Ps. xxv. 37. Lord, my Rock. I cry to Thee. Ps. xxviii. 38. Lord, save me from the foeman's wrath. Ps. cxl. 39. Lord, Thou wilt guard with faithful love. Ps. xxxvii. 40. Lord, Thy love and truth I praise. Ps. ci. 41. My God, my God, to Thee I cry, Ah! why hast Thou, &c. Ps. xxii. 42. My heart is fain, O God, my heart. Ps. cviii. 43. My portion is the living Lord. Ps. cxix. 44. My Saviour is the living Lord. Ps. xi. 45. My Shepherd is the Lord, no care. Ps. xxiii. 46. My trust is in Thy holy Name. Ps. lxxi. 47. My voice to God ascends on high. Ps. lxxvii. 48. Not in envy, not in anger. Ps. xxxvii. 49. Not in Thy fury, Lord, reprove. Ps. xxxviii. 50. O grant us, God of love. Ps. lxvii. 51. O God, be merciful to me. Ps. li. 52. 0 God of hosts, a vine. Ps. lxxx. 53. 0 God, subdue the power of sin. Ps. vii. 54. O Lord, in Thine accepted day. Ps. lxix. 55. 0 Lord our King, how bright Thy fame. Ps. viii. 56. O Lord, the God of my salvation. Ps. lxxxviii. 57. 0 praise ye the Lord, Praise Him in His shrine. Ps. cl. 58. O rejoice, ye righteous, in the Lord. Ps. xxxiii. 59. Oft, as to scatter kings. Ps. lxviii. 60. Out of the depths to Thee I cry. Ps. cxxx. 61. Praise, O my soul, the Lord and all. Ps. ciii. 62. Praise, 0 my soul, the Lord; how great. Ps. civ. 63. Praise the Lord, for good is He. Ps. cxxxvi. 64. Praise the Lord, for it is wise. Ps. cxlvii. 65. Praise the Lord from heaven on high. Ps. cxlviii. 66. Praise the Lord, His people; raise. Ps. cxlvi. 67. Praise ye the Lord, all nations. Ps. cxvii. 68. Praise ye the Lord, for good is He. Ps. cxviii. 69. Praise ye the Lord, for very good. Ps. cvii. 70. Praised be the Lord, my Rock of might. Ps. cxliv. 71. Save me, O God, the dangerous, &c. Ps. lxix. 72. Save me through Thy name, 0 God. Ps. liv. 73. Seek we Jehovah's house, they said. Ps. cxxii. 74. Sing a new song unto the Lord. Ps. xcvi. 75. Sing the Lord, ye sons of heaven. Ps. xxix. 76. Sing unto the Lord with mirth. Ps. c. 77. Take note, O Lord, of all my fears. Ps. lvi. 78. The heavens declare Thy wondrous fame. Ps. lxxxix. 79. The heavens, O God, Thy glory tell. Ps. xxx. 80. The king, 0 Lord, with hymns of praise. Ps. xxi. 81. The life of man is like the grass. Ps. ciii. 82. The Lord in thy distressful day. Ps. xx. 83. The Lord is King; glad earth, and ye. Ps. xcvii. 84. There is no God, so saith the fool. Ps. xiv. 85. Thou searchest all my secret ways. Ps. cxxxix. 86. To Thee I call. O Lord, be swift. Ps. cxli. 87. 'Twas dream-like, when the Lord's decree. Ps. cxxvi. 88. Unless the Lord with us had wrought. Ps. cxxiv. 89. Unto my feet a lantern shines Thy word. Ps. cxix. 90. Unto the Lord I make my moan. Ps. cxlii. 91. We sat and wept by Babel's stream. Ps. cxxxvii. 92. When Israel came from Egypt's strand. Ps. cxiv. 93. When through the dismal waste. Ps. lxviii. 94. Who rules his life by God's behest. Ps. cxxviii. 95. Whoe'er his secret home has made. Ps. xci. 96. With weary care brought low. Ps. lxix. 97. With my whole heart I will praise Thee. Ps. cxxxviii. 98. Within Thy tabernacle, Lord. Ps. xv. 99. Ye Judges of the earth, be still. Ps. lxxxii. ii. The following also appeared in The Psalter, 1860, and again in Hymnologia Christiana 1863, mostly altered, and based upon the corresponding Psalms by George Sandys (q.v.), published in his Paraphrase upon the Psalms of David, 1636:— 100. Blest he whose timely mercies heed. Ps. xli. 101. Hide not, 0 Lord, Thy cheering face. Ps. xl. 102. I waited for a gentle word. Ps. xl. 103. Israel of God, be Christ your Guide. Ps. cxv. 104. Who in the Lord securely lay. Ps. cxxv. iii. To the Rev. A. T. Russell's Psalms & Hymns, 1851, Dr. Kennedy was indebted to a limited extent in preparing his Psalter, 1860. In his Preface he says, p. viii.," Mr. Russell's metres, and occasionally his words, have been adopted in the following Psalms: 2, 24, 39, 45, 46, 50, 84, 85, 90, 110, 111, 113." Of these the following, sometimes with alterations of the 1860 text, were given in the

P. H. Brown

1783 - 1861 Person Name: Mrs. P. H. Brown Hymnal Number: a857 Author of "I love to steal awhile away" in In Excelsis Brown, Phoebe, née Hinsdale. A member of the Congregational body, born at Canaan, Columbia County, New York, May 1, 1783, she was left an orphan when two years old. At nine she fell into the hands of a relative who kept a county gaol. These, says her son, "were years of intense and cruel suffering. The tale of her early life which she has left her children is a narrative of such deprivations, cruel treatment, and toil, as it breaks my heart to read." Escaping from this bondage at 18, she was sought by kind people, and sent for three months to a common school at Claverack, N.Y., where she learned to write, and made profession of faith in Christ. In 1805 she was married to Timothy H. Brown, a painter, and subsequently lived at East Windsor and Ellington, Connecticut, Monison, Mass., and at Marshall, Henry County, Illinois. She died at the last-named place, Oct 10, 1861. Most of her hymns were written at Monison, Mass. Through a life of poverty and trial she was "a most devoted mother, wife, and Christian." Her son, the Rev. S. R. Brown, D.D. became the first American Missionary to Japan, and two of her grandchildren are now in the same mission. In addition to her hymns, two or more volumes of prose by her have been published. Her Autobiography and Poems were being prepared for publication, when the editor died, and they are yet to appear. Despite all her disadvantages, Mrs. Brown's talents and work are superior to those of any other early female hymnist of America. It is hoped that her manuscript may some day be competently examined, and selected portions from them be published. Four of her hymns appeared in Nettleton's Village Hymns, 1824, with the signature "B." 1. As once the Saviour took His seat. Penitence. 2. Go, messenger of love, and bear. Missions. 3. I love to steal awhile away. Retirement. 4. Welcome, ye hopeful heirs of heaven. Young Converts. Of these No. 2 is a Missionary hymn, written in 1817, but first published in the Village Hymns, 1824; No. 3 was written in 1818, and few hymns have a more pathetic history. It is this:— Mrs. Brown was living at Ellington with "four little children, in a small unfinished house, a sick sister in the only finished room, and not a place above or below where I could retire for devotion." Not far off stood the finest house in the neighbourhood, with a large garden. To-wards this the poor woman used to bend her steps at dusk, loving, as she writes, “to smell the fragrance of fruits and flowers, though I could not see them," and commune with Nature and God. This she did, never dreaming that she was intruding, her habits watched, or her motives misconstrued, till one day the lady of the mansion turned rudely upon her with "Mrs. Brown, why do you come up at evening so near our house, and then go back without coming in? If you want anything, why don't you come in and ask for it?" Mrs. B. adds, "There was something in her manner more than her words, that grieved me. I went home, and that evening was left alone. After my children were all in bed, except my baby, I sat down in the kitchen with my child in my arms, when the grief of my heart burst forth in a flood of tears. I took pen and paper, and gave vent to my oppressed heart." The Poem then written is headed "An Apology for my Twilight Rambles, addressed to a Lady, Aug. 1818.” The original has nine stanzas, the second beginning “I love to steal awhile away.” Years after, when Nettleton was seeking original matter for his Village Hymns (1824), this piece was abridged and altered into the present familiar form, either by Mrs. Brown herself, her pastor (Mr. Hyde), or Nettleton. Its popularity was great from the first. In 1853 it was included in the Leeds Hymn Book, and thus became known to English collections. It is found in Lyra Sacra Americana, p. 29. In 1819 Mrs. Brown wrote two hymns which were strangely overlooked by Nettleton, and did not appear till 1831 in Hastings's Spiritual Songs. These are:— 5. How sweet the melting lay. Morning. 6. 0 Lord, Thy work revive. For a Revival. Both are found in Lyra Sacra Americana, pp. 28-30. No. 6 was altered by the author for Nason's Congregational Hymn Book, 1857. This, according to Nason, is her authorized text. It is widely used in America, and is also found in a few English collections, including Reed's Hymn Book and the New Congregational Hymn Book, and sometimes is attributed in error to Hastings. 7. Great God, we would to Thee make known. This appeared in the Mother's Hymn Book, 1834. 8. We come, 0 Lord, before Thy throne. For Sailors. 9. Grant the abundance of the sea. For Sailors. Two hymns for sailors, which appeared in Linsley and Davis's Select Hymns, 1836. 10. Assembled at [round] Thine altar, Lord. Holy Communion. This also appeared in the Select Hymns, 1836, and was altered for Nason's Congregational Hymn Book, 1857. It is a good hymn, and deserves wider adoption. 11. Jesus, this mid-day hour. Noon. "Written by special request for the Fulton Street [Noon] Prayer Meeting," about 1857. In addition to the foregoing there are four hymns by her in Parish Hymns (Phila.), 1843, to which they were contributed; and there may be many others in various collections which are uncredited. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Edward Husband

1843 - 1908 Person Name: E. Husband Hymnal Number: a628 Author of "Go down, great sun, into thy golden west" in In Excelsis Husband, Edward was educated at St. Aidan's College, Birkenhead. Taking Holy Orders in 1866, he was successively Curate of Atherstone and Folkestone; and in 1878 Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels, Folkestone. In 1874 Mr. Husband published The Mission Hymnal, in which appeared his hymns as follows:— 1. Alas! poor world, I loved thee long. Rest in Jesus. 2. And dost Thou ask me, dearest Lord. Christ's Invitation, " Follow Me." 3. I must have Jesus only. Jesus only desired 4. Sweet Blood, dear ransom of our souls. The Blood of Jesus. These hymns are very simple, earnest, and impassioned: and bear a great resemblance to Facer's compositions. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Cornelius Elven

1791 - 1873 Person Name: C. Elven Hymnal Number: a406a Author of "With broken heart, and contrite sigh" in In Excelsis 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)

Johann Scheffler

1624 - 1677 Person Name: J. Scheffler Hymnal Number: a238 Author of "O Love, who formedst me to wear" in In Excelsis Used Angelus Silesius as a pen name. See also Angelus Silesius, 1624-1677

George Macdonald

1824 - 1905 Person Name: G. MacDonald Hymnal Number: a70 Author of "O Lord of life, thy quick'ning voice" in In Excelsis 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

Walter Shirley

1725 - 1786 Person Name: W. Shirley Hymnal Number: a279a Author of "Sweet the moments, rich in blessing" in In Excelsis Walter Shirley was born in 1725. He was the friend of Whitefield and Wesley. After preaching with great success in England, he received the living of Loughrea, Ireland, where he continued to exercise his ministry for many years. His last sickness was of a lingering character, and it is related of him that when no longer able to leave his house he used to preach, seated in his chair in his drawing room, to many who gladly assembled to hear. He died in 1786. He published one volume of sermons and two poems. --Annotations of the Hymnal by The Rev. Charles L. Hutchins, M.A. (1872). =================================== Shirley, Hon. Walter, M.A., fourth son of the Hon. Laurence Shirley (son of the 1st Earl Ferrers, and cousin of the Countess of Huntingdon), was born in 1725. He was a friend of Whitefield and the Wesleys, and often preached in their chapels. He was for sometime Rector of Loughrea, county of Galway. He died April 7, 1786. A selection of his sermons was published; also two poems in 1761—-Liberty, an Ode, and The Judgment. In 1774 he assisted the Countess of Huntingdon in revising the collection of hymns used in her chapels, and therein a few of his productions are found. In the Life of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, 1839, vol. ii., p. 291, the following note is given on Shirley's hymn-writing:— "Mr. Shirley was the author of several well-known hymns in Lady Huntingdon's collection, particularly:— ‘From heaven the loud angelic song began.' ‘Hark! in the wilderness a try.' ‘Flow fast my tears, the cause is great.' ‘Sweet as the shepherd's tuneful reed.' ‘Source of light and power divine.' “There are also some in other collections; and a few little poems scattered in various periodical publications. The lines on the departure of the Missionaries from Lady Huntingdon's College for America, in 1772, under the direction of Mr. Piercy, have been much admired; they were re-published in the Evangelical Magazine, in 1796, on the departure of the ship Duff, for the South Sea inlands.....He likewise assisted Lady Huntingdon in the Selection of hymns now in use in the congregations in her Connexion." The Missionary hymn here referred to is:— "Go, destined vessel, heavenly-freighted, go!" His hymns now in common use include:— 1. Flow fast, my tears, the cause is great. Good Friday. Published in the Countess of Huntingdon's Collection, circa 1773, p. 294, in 3 stanzas of 8 lines. It is in several modern hymn-books; and especially in America, including Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872. 2. From heaven the loud angelic song began. Ascension. Also in the C. of Huntingdon's Collection, circa 1773, p. 312, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. The hymn, "Worthy the Lamb of boundless sway," in Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872, and others, is composed of st. ii. and vii. 3. Hark, in the wilderness a cry. St. John Baptist. Also in the C. of Huntingdon's Collection, circa 1773, p. 245, in 7 st. of 4 1. 4. Source of light and power divine. Before Sermon. Also in the C. of Huntingdon's Collection, circa 1773, p. 231, in 4 st. of 6 1. In Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory, 1872, No. 812, st. i. and iv. are given in an altered form; and the first two lines of the hymn are added as a refrain. 5. Sweet as the shepherd's tuneful reed. Peace. Also in the above Collection, circa 1773, p. 126, in 4 st. of 6 1. The hymn, “Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan," in Laudes Domini, N. Y., 1884, and others, is composed of stanza ii. and iii. For Shirley's popular recast, "Sweet the moments, rich in blessing," see “While my Jesus I'm possessing." -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Eliza S. Alderson

1818 - 1889 Person Name: E. S. Alderson Hymnal Number: a717 Author of "Lord of glory, Thou hast bought us" in In Excelsis Alderson, Eliza Sibbald, née Dykes, granddaughter of the Rev. Thomas Dykes, of Hull, and sister of the Rev. Dr. Dykes, born in 1818, and married, in 1850, to the Rev. W. T. Alderson, some time chaplain to the West Riding House of Correction, Wakefield. Mrs. Alderson is the author of the following hymns, the first of which is likely to attain a commanding position:— 1. And now, beloved Lord, Thy soul resigning. [Passiontide.] A hymn of more than usual merit, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, written in 1868 at the request of Dr. Dykes. In 1875, stanzas i., ii., v. and vi., were given in the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, No. 121, with a special tune Commendation by Dr. Dykes. The full original text is restored in Thring's Collection, 1882, No. 170. 2. Lord of glory, Who hast bought us. [Almsgiving.] Written in 1864, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines, and published in the Appendix to Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1868, No. 372, and repeated in the revised edition 1875, No. 367, Mrs. Alderson says, "It was the very strong feeling that a tithe of our income was a solemn debt to God and His poor, which inspired it." Dr. Dykes’s tune "Charitas" was composed for this hymn. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ===================== Alderson, Eliza S., p. 38, i. She was born Aug. 16, 1818, and died at Kirkthorpe, Yorkshire, Mar. 18, 1889. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)