Isaac Smith, _c._ 1725-_c._ 1800, was a London linen-draper with a taste for music. He composed and published a number of Psalm-tunes which long remained popular, though ABRIDGE is almost the only one now left of his compositions. Smith named his tunes after localities in and about London. ABRIDGE was the name of a small village near Epping Forest, in Essex. THE KINGDOM OF GOD 267. Forward through the ages _Frederick L. Hosmer_, 1840-1929 A hymn expressing the unity of God’s people in their labor for the Kingdom through the ages. “The goodly fellowship of the prophets” is set forth here with power and poetic beauty. For comments on Frederick L. Hosmer see Hymn 72. _MUSIC._ ONWARD, with its strong rhythm and moving power, lends itself well for processional use, resembling in this respect the tune “St. Gertrude” (225), for which the present hymn was written. No information is at hand concerning the composer, J. W. Barrington. 268. Thy Kingdom come, on bended knee _Frederick L. Hosmer_, 1840-1929 One of the few hymns written on the petition, “Thy Kingdom come,” in the Lord’s Prayer. Canon Percy Dearmer speaks of this as “one of the noblest hymns in the language.” It is a fervent prayer for the day when there shall be more justice, knowledge, peace, and righteousness on the earth. The hymn was written June 21, 1891, for the commencement of the Meadville Theological School, Pennsylvania. For comments on Frederick L. Hosmer see Hymn 72. _MUSIC._ IRISH, also called “Dublin,” appeared first in _Hymns and Sacred Poems_, published in Dublin in 1749. The composer is not known. It is a smooth, triple-time tune which young people love to sing. Its name is misleading, for there is no indication of an Irish origin other than, as stated, its appearance in a book published in Dublin. 269. Come, Kingdom of our God _John Johns_, 1801-47 A prayer for the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth, based on the petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” Rev. John Johns, English Presbyterian minister, was known for many years in Liverpool as the “minister to the poor.” He was a man of fine poetic gifts and published several volumes of poetry but is remembered for his life of service among the poor. _MUSIC._ ST. THOMAS is one of the oldest and best tunes of the church. It has good rhythm, graceful form, and a strong forward movement to give it unusual singing merit. The composer, Aaron Williams, of Welsh descent, was born in London in 1731, and died there in 1776. He was composer, engineer, publisher, music teacher, and clerk of the Scotch Church, London Wall. He published a number of important collections of tunes: _The Universal Psalmodist_, 1763, and _New Universal Psalmodist_, 1770, in which the above tune appeared. 270. Thy Kingdom come, O Lord _Frederick L. Hosmer_, 1840-1929