The author of this hymn later entered the Roman Catholic Church. He is best known as Cardinal Newman but none of his writings, not even his _Apologia Pro Vita Sua_, has exercised the influence of this prayer hymn. To be sure, all who use it have not been guided as was the cardinal. A friend recently remarked to me: “I was in the habit of repeating these lines on board the ship which was bringing me a stranger to the United States. The assurance that the Light still will lead me on has remained with me during the years nor have I any reason to expect that it will be different in the days to come.” Here is an experience about An Eventide Prayer A minister of long service and extensive travel went into the church of a denomination other than that to which he belonged when away from home, for evening worship. He was deeply impressed when the pastor offered as the evening prayer some stanzas from a hymn: “At even, ere the sun was set, The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay; O in what divers pain they met! O with what joy they went away! Once more ’tis eventide, and we, Oppressed with various ills, draw near; What if Thy form we cannot see? We know and feel that Thou are here. O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel; For some are sick, and some are sad, And some have never loved Thee well, And some have lost the love they had. . . . . . . . . . Thy touch has still its ancient power, No word from Thee can fruitless fall; Hear in this solemn evening hour, And in Thy mercy heal us all.” No words other than those of the hymn were spoken; but the visiting minister affirmed that he never heard a more appropriate or appealing prayer. How calmness and poise are obtained are related in an experience “Through the Long Night Watches” A minister was once confined to bed by sickness. When Sunday came he could hear the hymns which the congregation sang, for the parsonage adjoined the church. Evening found him feverish and restless, but with soothing effect came the closing hymn. Through the open window came the prayerful lines: “Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh; Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky; Jesus, grant the weary Calm and sweet repose; With Thy tenderest blessing May our eyelids close. . . . . . . . . . Through the long night watches May Thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed.” The next Sunday morning the minister was back in his pulpit, and with a spirit of gratitude announced the hymn: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity.” How there was a change for the better during a sickness is revealed in this account: “Why, That’s For Me”