1820 - 1885 Author of "Sweet Heaven" Hood, Edwin Paxton, was born in Half-moon Street, London, Oct. 24, 1820. He was self-educated. In 1852 he became the Independent Minister at Nibley, Gloucestershire, where lie remained until 1857, when he removed to Offord Road, London. He held several charges (Brighton, Manchester, &c), the last being Falcon Square, London. He died in Paris, June 12, 1885.
Mr. Hood was a striking and suggestive preacher, and one of the most voluminous writers of the age. His published works, including The Age and its Architects, 1862; Exposition of Swedenborg, 1854; Lamps of the Temple, 1856; Thomas Carlyle, 1875; Oliver Cromwell, 1882, &c, are too numerous to give in detail. He also edited (and was the chief contributor to) The Eclectic Review for 8 years, and The Preacher's Lantern for 2 years.
As a hymn-writer he is best known as the author of hymns for children. These hymns have a freshness and simplicity which are attractive to children. Some of the best and most popular were written for Sunday School Anniversaries at Nibley, 1852-7. He also edited:-
(1) Our Hymn Book (a similar title, but a distinct work from Mr. Spurgeon's Collection). This was published specially for the use of his own congregations, and was enlarged from time to time. 1st ed. Brighton, 1862, enlarged 1868, 1873, and 1879. The last ed. contains 47 of his hymns. (2) The Children's Choir, 1870.
His hymns in common use outside of his own collections are:—
1. Angel of God, thy wings expanded. Missions. In his Our Hymn Book, 1862.
2. Bride of the Lamb, sweet spices bring. Easter. In his Our Hymn Book, 1862.
3. Earth in beauty smiles again. Summer (1852-57).
4. God, Who hath made the daisies. Early Piety (1852-57).
5. Heart-broken and weary, where'er thou may'st be. Christ's Invitation. First published at the end of the first sermon in his Dark Sayings on a Harp, 1865, and then in his Our Hymn Book, 1879.
6. I hear a sweet voice ringing clear. Divine Protection (1862).
7. I love to think, though I am young. Jesus the Holy Child.
8. 0 Jesus, Saviour, we are young. Child's Prayer for Guidance (1852-57).
9. Rest remaineth, 0 how sweet. Heaven our Rest. In his Our Hymn Book, 1862. A pathetic hymn sung at his funeral.
10. Saviour and Master, these sayings of Thine. The Sand and the Rock. Written at the Portland Breakwater, in the winter of 1858-59, and first published in his first volume of Sermons, 1860, at the close of that on "The Sand and the Rock." He says, “I walked the other day over the Great Breakwater at Portland, and there, whilst the rain descended and the floods came I thought and wrote out these verses." The hymn is in his Our Hymn Book, 1879, Horder's Congregational Hymnal, 1884, &c. It has also been printed on a fly-leaf for use in Portland Prison.
11. Sing a hymn to Jesus when the heart is faint. Consecration of Self to Jesus. Suggested by a tune heard at Vespers in Fontainbleau Church, and first published in Bye Path Meadow, 1870, and again in Our Hymn Book, 1879.
12. Sweet hallelujahs! The birds and the blossoms. Universal Praise. Written for the S. S. Anniversary, Offord Road Chapel, 1860, and published in Our Hymn Book.
13. Teach me, O Lord, where'er I move. God's Presence desired. (1852-57)
14. There is a word I fain would speak. Redemption. Written for Sunday School Anniversary at Offord Road Chapel, 1858, and published in Our Hymn Book, 1862.
15. There's a beautiful land where the rains never beat. Heaven. (1852-57.) In his Children's Choir, 1870. &c.
16. Unless the Lord the city keep. God the Pastor's Strength. Written at the request of the Deacons of Offord Road Chapel, for the Recognition Service of the Rev. J. C. Jones. In his Our Hymn Book, No. 317.
17. We love the good old Bible. Holy Scripture. (1852-57.) Given in several collections.
The most popular of these hymns are Nos. 4 and 7. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 16, 17 are from the Children's Choir, 1870. These are in numerous collections. [Rev. W. Garrett Horder]
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology
Edwin Paxton Hood
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