Samuel Dyer, 1785-1835, born in England, came to America when 26 years old and became a choir leader and teacher of sacred music in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. He published several collections of sacred music, one of which, _Philadelphia Collection of Sacred Music_, 1828, gives valuable sketches of composers, and information about Dyer himself. CONSECRATION AND STEWARDSHIP 212. O Jesus, I have promised _John Ernest Bode_, 1816-74 A hymn of consecration which the author wrote on the occasion of the confirmation of his daughter and two sons as “O Jesus, _we_ have promised.” It is frequently, and appropriately, used at baptismal services. John Ernest Bode graduated with high honors from Oxford, where he was a fellow and tutor for six years; then became rector of Westwall, Oxfordshire, and later of Castle Campus, Cambridgeshire. He was a man of considerable attainments and was Bampton Lecturer in 1855. He wrote a number of hymns and is the author of several volumes of poetry. _MUSIC._ ANGEL’S STORY, also known as “Supplication” and “Watermouth,” was written for Emily H. Miller’s hymn, “I love to hear the story which angel voices tell,” from which it derives its name. It first appeared in the _Methodist Sunday School Hymn Book_, 1881, but has since come into wide usage set to “O Jesus, I have promised.” The composer, Arthur H. Mann, 1850-1930, was a distinguished English organist, and musical editor of _The Church of England Hymnal_. He was an authority on the music of Handel, and composed much church music. Oxford University gave him the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Doctor of Music. 213. We give Thee but thine own _W. W. How_, 1823-97 Based on Prov. 19:17: “He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord.” It is a hymn on Christian giving and liberality, sounding the real humanitarian note, a side of religion which an effective and virile hymnology cannot ignore. It may appropriately be sung by choir or congregation in the dedication of the offering. (See comments at 611.) For comments on W. W. How see Hymn 144. _MUSIC._ SCHUMANN, a fine short-meter tune, is ascribed to Robert Schumann but it seems as if no one has ever found anything among his musical writings from which the tune could have been derived. It appeared in Lowell Mason’s _Cantica Laudis_ in 1850. For comments on Schumann see Hymn 296. 214. A charge to keep I have _Charles Wesley_, 1707-88 One of the greatest of Wesley’s short hymns taken from _Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures_, 1762, where it is headed, “Keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not” (Lev. 8:35).