This, the most popular of Ellerton’s hymns, was originally written in 1866 for a choir festival. It was revised and condensed to these four verses, rich in poetic beauty and spiritual power, to take a high place among our evening hymns. The first stanza may be used with good effect as a choral benediction. The last stanza was sung at Ellerton’s funeral on June 20, 1893. For comments on John Ellerton see Hymn 42. _MUSIC._ ELLERS was composed for this hymn in 1869. Edward John Hopkins, 1818-1901, was a distinguished English church musician who served as organist in several important London churches, including Westminster Abbey. He was a prolific composer of church music of fine quality—services, hymn-tunes, anthems, organ pieces—and enjoyed a great reputation as editor of hymn books. 44. O Savior, bless us ere we go _Frederick W. Faber_, 1814-63 A hymn for the close of evening worship. Frederick W. Faber was educated at Oxford and became a minister in the Church of England. He began his parish work at Elton where he became a forceful preacher and was known for his fine Christian character and lovely spirit. Church attendance increased, the parish grew, and the people who had been known for their intemperance and immorality were now reputed for their thrift and good behavior. Under the influence of John Henry Newman, Faber changed his views and joined the Roman Catholic Church. After a trip to Rome, he lived at Birmingham where he formed, with eight others, a community called “Brothers of the Will of God.” Later he moved to London where he continued his service in the Catholic Church until his death at the age of forty-nine. He wrote many theological and devotional books but is best known for his hymns of which he wrote 150, among which are such favorites as “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy” (58) and “Faith of our fathers” (154). His hymns are numbered among the treasures of English hymnody. They are devotional in spirit and with slight alterations appropriate for use in all Christian churches. _MUSIC._ SURREY is a beautiful tune which became immediately popular and has remained so, especially in England. The composer, Henry Carey, 1692-1743, was a teacher in boarding schools and private families in England. He composed a large number of secular songs and was only incidentally a writer of church music. 45. Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing _John Fawcett_, 1740-1817 This popular dismission hymn is ascribed to the English Baptist minister, John Fawcett, who is best known as the author of “Blest be the tie that binds.” The hymn has undergone some alteration with the passing of the years. The third stanza originally read: “So whene’er the signal’s given “Us from earth to call away, “Borne on angels’ wings to heaven “Glad the summons to obey, “May we ever “Reign with Christ in endless day.” For comments on John Fawcett see Hymn 41.