135. Breathe on me, breath of God
Edwin Hatch, 1835-89
An earnest prayer for an inbreathing of the Holy Spirit and a greater consecration of life. The hymn was first published in a privately printed leaflet called, Between Doubt and Prayer, 1878. It is based on John 20:22: “He breathed on them and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
Edwin Hatch, Church of England clergyman and University Reader of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford, was a scholar of world reputation. His Bampton Lectures, The Organization of the Early Christian Church, 1881, were translated into German by Prof. Adolph Harnack, who wrote of Hatch: “In his learning that of England’s great old theologians, Ussher and Pearson, lived to me again. He was a glorious man, whose loss I shall never cease to mourn.” Though a man of profound learning, his faith was as simple and unaffected as that of a child.
MUSIC. TRENTHAM is a tune of great beauty, well fitted for these words of devotion. The tenor part is especially melodious.
Robert Jackson, 1840-1914, English composer of many anthems, hymn tunes, songs and part songs, succeeded his father as organist and choirmaster at St. Peter’s church, Oldham, the father and son together having a record of continuous service at the same church for 92 years. His whole life was devoted to music. He was a member of Sir Charles Halle’s orchestra and conductor of the Oldham Musical Society.