Handbook to the Mennonite HymnaryHostetler, Lester
Religion
Handbook to the Mennonite Hymnary
Hostetler, Lester
Hymns, English -- History and criticism; Mennonites -- Hymns -- History and criticism
Agor y ffynnonau melus
Sydd yn tarddu o’r Graig i maes;
’Rhyd yr anial mawr canlyned
Afon iachawdwriaeth grâs:
Rho imi hyny;
Dim i mi ond dy fwynhau.
Ymddiriedaf yn dy allu,
Mawr yw’r gwaith a wnest erioed:
Ti gest angau, ti gest uffern,
Ti gest Satan dan dy droed:
Pen Calfaria,
Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof.
William Williams was the chief hymn writer of Wales and one of her
greatest poets. He at first was in training for the medical profession
but after attending some revival services, decided to become a minister.
On account of his evangelical views (and his interest in evangelistic
work), he came in conflict with church dignitaries, resulting in his
withdrawal from the Established Church, and throwing himself into
evangelistic work. His preaching itineraries took him throughout Wales.
He travelled an average of 3,000 miles per year for 50 years. He wrote
many hymns, stirring the nation, influencing its character, and
deepening its faith. Williams was to Wales what Paul Gerhardt was to
Germany and Isaac Watts to England.
_MUSIC._ DISMISSAL was composed for the hymn “Lord, dismiss us with Thy
blessing” (45).
The composer, William Letton Viner, 1790-1867, was a student of Charles
Wesley, Jr. He was organist at St. Michael’s Church, Bath, for 18 years
and at St. Mary’s Penzance for 21 years. In 1859, he came to the United
States. He composed organ and church music and songs, and edited several
hymnals.
161. Jesus, Savior, pilot me _Edward Hopper_, 1818-88
A beautiful hymn suggested by the seafaring life. It was published
anonymously in _Sailors’ Magazine_, 1871, and again in the _Baptist
Praise Book_, 1871, and in C. S. Robinson’s collection of _Spiritual
Songs_, 1878. The author of the hymn, unknown for several years, was
discovered at the anniversary of the Seamen’s Friend Society, held at
the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City, May 10, 1880. Dr. Edward Hopper,
popular pastor of the Church of the Sea and Land in New York, having
been asked to write a special hymn for the occasion, brought instead,
“Jesus Savior, pilot me,” not aware that the hymn had already been
published in several church hymnals. The public learned then for the
first time the real authorship of the hymn. The original has six
stanzas, this being a selection of 1, 5, and 6.
Edward Hopper was born in New York City. He graduated from New York
University and then prepared himself at Union Theological Seminary, New
York, for the Presbyterian ministry. For many years he was pastor of the
Church of the Sea and Land in New York, which sailors attended in large
numbers.
_MUSIC._ PILOT, universally sung and beautifully adapted to these words,
was written just before the composer sailed for Europe a short while
before his death. He played the tune on the piano the night before he
embarked on shipboard for his last earthly voyage.
For further comments on the composer, John E. Gould, see Hymn 141.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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