Sweet the time, exceeding sweet. G. Burder. [Christian Fellowship.] Published in the Gospel Magazine, April, 1779, p. 220, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, headed "An Hymn for Christian Company," and signed "A. R." In 1784 it was given, unaltered, in G. Burder's Collection of Hymns, as No. 66, and in the Index it is signed "G. Burder." In Cotterill's Selection 1810, No. 46, it is altered to "Great the joy, the union sweet." This form is in extensive use. In the 8th edition of his Selection Cotterill altered it again to "Great the joy when Christians meet." This, also, is well known. In one or two collections it is also altered to "Gladsome 'tis when Christians meet."
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Burder, George, born in London, June 5, 1752, and trained as an engraver. At the age of 24 he commenced preaching with the Calvinist Methodists, but subsequently joined the Congregationalists,and was pastor sucessively at Lancaster, Coventry, and Fetter Lane, London. He was one of the active founders of the Religious Tract, the London Missionary, and the British and Foreign Bible Societies, and some time editor of the Evangelical Magazine. He died May 29, 1832. His works include Village Sermons, 1704; Sea Sermons, 1821; Cottage Sermons, 1826, and others. He is known to hymnology by his Collection of Hymns from various Authors, intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts, &c, 1784. (Preface dated Nov. 20, 1784.) It had attained to the 25th edition… Go to person page >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
