Long had the nations sat

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Long had the nations sat

Author: John Needham, d. c. 1786
Tune: CHRISMATA
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Long had the nations sat
O’erwhelmed in shades of night;
Thick shades which scarce admission gave
To one faint gleam of light.

2 Behold the morning star,
Now ushers in the day!
John, was that burning shining light,
Sent to prepare the way.

3 Behold a greater light,
The sun itself arise!
Jesus, bright sun of righteousness,
Salutes our wondering eyes.

4 Light of the world! His beams
Dispel the doleful night;
He from our eyelids clears the film,
And pours in heavenly light.

5 Jesus! Thou light of men!
Thy doctrine life imparts;
O may we feel its quickening power,
To warm and glad our hearts.

6 Cheered by Thy beams, our souls
Shall run the heavenly way;
The paths which Thou hast marked and trod
Shall lead to endless day.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #9495

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Author: John Needham, d. c. 1786

Needham, John, was the son of John Needham, Baptist Minister, of Hitchin, Herts, but the date of his birth is unknown. He would doubtless be educated by his father, who was a tutor and in repute as a learned man. In 1750 Needham became co-pastor with John Beddome at the Baptist meetinghouse in the Pithay, Bristol; but, two years later, Beddome having retired through age, a violent controversy arose in the Church with regard to a continuance of the plan of co-pastorship. As the result, Needham and a number of his friends removed to a Baptist meetinghouse in Callowhill Street, where a Mr. Foot was pastor. For a time the two societies used the same builing at different hours, but in 1755 they were united, with Mr. Needham and Mr. Foot as co-pa… Go to person page >

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