133. Spirit of God, descend upon my heart
George Croly, 1780-1860
Based on Gal. 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
George Croly was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. After ministering in Ireland for a number of years, he went to London to engage in literary pursuits. He had varied talents and became well known for his poetry, fiction, plays, and contributed articles to magazines. In 1835, he entered parish work in London, where he was greatly admired and loved. His outspoken utterances attracted large congregations of all ranks to his church. He prepared, at the request of his people, a collection of Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, of which only one edition was printed. Dr. Croly dropped dead while walking one day on Holborn Street. A man of scholarship and culture, and author of many volumes, he is remembered chiefly through this hymn.
MUSIC. MORECAMBE, originally called “Hellespont,” was written to be sung with “Abide with me,” for use in the church at Mannington, England, where its composer was serving as organist.
Frederick Cook Atkinson, 1841-97, was an English organist and choirmaster, having received his musical education at Cambridge.