Father of love and power. G. Rawson. [Evening.] First published in theLeeds Hymn Book, 1853, No. 761, in 3 stanzas of 7 lines, again in the Baptist Psalms and Hymns, 1858-1880, No. 917, and others; and in his Hymns, &c, 1876, No. 51. In a manuscript note to this hymn (in the editor's copy) in the last named work, the author, finding that he had unconsciously given three lines from Marriott's "Thou Whose Almighty Word," in stanza iii.,has substituted the following stanza:—
"Spirit of holiness,
Gentle transforming Grace,
Indwelling Light;
Soothe Thou each weary breast,
Now let Thy peace possessed,
Calm us to perfect rest,—
Bless us to-night."
This, together with stanzas i. and ii. in his Hymns, &c, constitute the author's revised text. In Skinner's Daily Service Hymnal, 1864, No. 28, the text is considerably altered, a doxology is added, and the whole is attributed to "C.L.," i.e. Christian Lyrics, 1860.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)