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E. J. Hopkins

1818 - 1901 Composer of "[Father, let thy benediction]" in A Book of Song and Service Dr Edward John Hopkins MusDoc United Kingdom 1818-1901. Born at Westminster, England, the son of a clarinetist with the Royal Opera House orchestra, he became an organist (as did two of his brothers) and a composer. In 1826 he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal and sang at the coronation of King William IV in Westminster Abbey. He also sang in the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a double schedule requiring skill and dexterity. On Sunday evenings he would play the outgoing voluntary at St. Martin’s in-the-field. He left Chapel Royal in 1834 and started studying organ construction at two organ factories. He took an appointment at Mitcham Church as organist at age 16, winning an audition against other organists. Four years later he became organist at the Church of St. Peter, Islington. In 1841 he became organist at St. Luke’s, Berwick St., Soho. Two Years later he was organist at Temple Church, which had a historic organ (built in 1683). He held this position for 55 years. In 1845 he married Sarah Lovett, and they had four sons and five daughters. He was closely associated with the Bach Society and was organist for the first English performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. In 1855 he collaborated with Edward Rimbault publishing “The organ, its history and construction” (3 editions 1855-70-77). In 1864 he was one of the founders of the “College of organists”. In 1882 he received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He composed 30+ hymn tunes and some psalm chants, used by the Church of England. He died in London, England. John Perry

Jane Euphemia Saxby

1811 - 1898 Person Name: Mrs. Saxby Author of "Father, let thy benediction" in Manual for the chapel of Girard College Saxby, Jane Euphemia, née Browne, daughter of William Browne of Tallantire Hall, Cumberland, and sister of Lady Teignmouth, was born Jan. 27, 1811, and married, in 1862, to the Rev. S. H. Saxby, Vicar of East Clevedon, Somersetshire. Her work, The Dove on the Cross, was published in 1849. It has passed into numerous editions, and from it several hymns have come into common use. This was followed by The Voice of the Bird, in 1875; and Aunt Effie’s Gift to the Nursery, 1876. Sometimes Mrs. Saxby's Dove on the Cross is dated 1819, but in error. The compilation known as Hymns and Thoughts for the Sick and Lonely, by a Lady, London, J Nisbet & Co., 1848, although it contains several of her hymns in an altered form, is ascribed to her in error. Mrs. Saxby's hymns in common use include: 1. Father, into Thy loving hands. Resignation. 2. O Jesus Christ, the holy One. Holy Communion. 3. O Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Whitsuntide. 4. Shew me the way, O Lord. Guidance desired. 5. Thou art with me, O my Father. God everywhere. 6. Thou God of love, beneath Thy sheltering wings. Burial. Of these hymns, Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 6, appeared in her Dove on the Cross, 1849. No. 2 appeared in the English Presbyterian Psalms & Hymns for Divine Worship, 1867, No. 840, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It was supplied to Dr. W. F. Stevenson in manuscript in 6 stanzas for his Hymns for the Church and Home, 1873. The additional stanza (the 4th) given in his Notes is:— As Thou hast placed beyond my reach Thy richest means of grace, Teach me without them, Saviour, teach My soul to see Thy face." The point and meaning of this stanza is explained by the fact that this hymn "was written for one who by illness was prevented joining in the Communion." The hymn was included in The Voice of the Bird, 1875. Mrs. Saxby's hymns are very plaintive and tender. This is explained by her thus:— "I wrote most of my published hymns during a very long and distressing illness, which lasted many years. I thought probably that I was then in the 'Border Land’ and wrote accordingly." Died Mar. 25, 1898. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)