From all Thy saints in warfare, for all Thy saints at rest. Earl Nelson. [Saints' Days, Special and General.] This hymn was suggested to the author by the hymn, "Ye saints! in blest communion," by Dr. Monsell, in his Hymns of Love and Praise, 1863, the design being the same, which is to furnish a general beginning and ending suitable for a hymn for any special Saint's Day, and to supply intermediate stanzas suitable for the, persons specially to be commemorated. It was first published in a small volume entitled, Hymn for Saints’ Day, and other Hymns. By a Layman, 1864. Some verses were contributed by friends of the author; and the whole was revised by himself for the Sarum Hymnal, 1868" (Church Hymns folio edition, Notes, p. xliv.). Usually this text is repeated in the hymn-books. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns is an exception in favour of a few minor alterations, and the addition of a new stanza (xviii.) for "All Saints."
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Earl Nelson was born in 1823. He was educated at Eton, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a relative of England's greatest naval hero. An active layman, he has been of service to the Church in many of her religious and benevolent enterprises. In hymnology he has taken a prominent position; his own hymns are most creditable, and he has been foremost in compiling the Sarum Hymnal, a work of the best character. This hymnal was compiled in 1857, with the assistance of John Keble, at the request of the Bishop of Salisbury. Its first title was The Salisbury Hymn Book. Its popularity was very great. In 1868 it was revised and is now known as The Sarum Hymnal. Earl Nelson has also published a few other works, mostly of a devotional char… Go to person page >
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