The hymn appeared in the author’s _Star of the East_, 1821, as “Bread of heaven, on Thee I feed.” The first person singular was altered to the plural throughout, and other changes made, improving the original. For comments on Josiah Conder see Hymn 247. _MUSIC._ ALETTA is by the American composer of popular church and Sunday school music, William B. Bradbury, 1816-68. For further comments on Bradbury see Hymn 103. Conder’s hymn may also be sung to “_Nicht so traurig_” (538). MARRIAGE 312. O perfect Love, all human thought transcending _Dorothy Blomfield Gurney_, 1858-1932 _Doxology added by John Ellerton_, 1826-93 A singularly appropriate hymn for a Christian wedding. The author, Dorothy Gurney, born near London in 1858, was the daughter of Rev. Frederick Blomfield, a minister of the Anglican Church. She married a minister’s son, Gerald Gurney, and with her husband, united with the Roman Catholic Church in 1919. Mrs. Gurney has given the following account of the writing of this popular hymn for holy matrimony: We were all singing hymns one Sunday evening and had just finished “O Strength and Stay,” the tune to which was an especial favorite of my sister’s, when someone remarked what a pity it was that the words should be unsuitable for a wedding. My sister, turning suddenly to me, said: “What is the use of a sister who composes poetry if she cannot write me new words to this tune?” I picked up a hymn-book and said: “Well, if no one will disturb me, I will go into the library and see what I can do.” After about fifteen minutes I came back with the hymn, “O perfect Love,” and there and then we all sang it to the tune of “Strength and Stay.” It went perfectly, and my sister was delighted, saying that it must be sung at her wedding. For two or three years it was sung privately at many London weddings, and then it found its way into the hymnals. The writing of it was no effort whatever after the initial idea had come to me of the twofold aspect of perfect union, love and life; and I have always felt that God helped me to write it. It is the most popular wedding hymn extant. For comments on John Ellerton, who added the third stanza, see Hymn 42. _MUSIC._ PERFECT LOVE is from an anthem composed by Joseph Barnby for the marriage of Princess Louise of Wales to the Duke of Fife, July 27, 1889. The anthem has been sung at many subsequent royal weddings. For comments on Joseph Barnby see Hymn 21. BURIAL OF THE DEAD 313. Safe in the arms of Jesus _Fanny J. Crosby_, 1820-1915