Sarah Flower Adams was the daughter of Benjamin Flower, an editor; she married William B. Adams, an engineer and inventor, in 1834. She was a member of a Unitarian congregation in London. A woman of fine intellect, she wrote much prose and verse, and was a friend of Robert Browning. She died of tuberculosis, contracting the disease while caring for her sister, Eliza, who had fallen victim to the same disease two years earlier. _MUSIC._ BETHANY was written by Lowell Mason for this hymn. Its resemblance to the tune of the well-known “Oft in the stilly night” has been noted. The tune to this hymn was played by the ship’s band on board the “Titanic” as the vessel sank on its maiden voyage, Sunday, April 14, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg in the Atlantic. 1635 passengers were lost, ending life’s voyage with the strains of the familiar and appropriate prayer resounding across the waters—“Nearer, my God, to Thee.” For comments on Lowell Mason see Hymn 12. 203. When the weary, seeking rest _Horatius Bonar_, 1808-89 Entitled, “Intercession for All Conditions of Men,” in Bonar’s _Hymns of Faith and Hope_, 3d series, 1867. The history of this hymn is given by the author’s son, Rev. H. N. Bonar, as follows: My father was asked to provide words to the music, and was especially requested to furnish a fitting refrain to the two lovely lines of Mendelssohn’s with which Callcott’s tune, “Intercession,” ends. In searching for a Scripture theme containing some reiterated phrase almost of the nature of a refrain, he was struck with Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple (2 Chron. 6) in which every separate petition concludes with substantially the same words. This idea was taken for his starting point, and Solomon’s words, “Hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place and forgive,” became the familiar couplet: “Hear then in love, O Lord, the cry In heaven, thy dwelling place on high.” This foundation once provided, the rest of the hymn was built upon it. For comments on Horatius Bonar see Hymn 129. _MUSIC._ INTERCESSION was composed by William H. Callcott, 1807-82, an English musician. He was organist of Ely Chapel, Holborn, and afterwards of St. Barnabas’ Church, Kensington, and composed anthems and songs. The refrain is from Mendelssohn’s oratorio, _Elijah_, part of the prayer for rain by the prophet and the people. Bonar’s hymn was written for this tune. 204. Lord, I hear of show’rs of blessing _Elizabeth Codner_, 1824-1919 Based on Gen. 27:34: “Bless me, even me also, O my Father,” and Ezek. 34:26: “There shall be showers of blessing.” It is an especially useful hymn at revival meetings. Elizabeth Codner was the wife of Rev. David Codner, a clergyman of the Church of England. She engaged in some literary work and was much interested in the Mildmay Protestant Mission in North London. The author has given the origin of the hymn as follows: