161. Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Edward Hopper, 1818-88
A beautiful hymn suggested by the seafaring life. It was published anonymously in Sailors’ Magazine, 1871, and again in the Baptist Praise Book, 1871, and in C. S. Robinson’s collection of Spiritual Songs, 1878. The author of the hymn, unknown for several years, was discovered at the anniversary of the Seamen’s Friend Society, held at the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City, May 10, 1880. Dr. Edward Hopper, popular pastor of the Church of the Sea and Land in New York, having been asked to write a special hymn for the occasion, brought instead, “Jesus Savior, pilot me,” not aware that the hymn had already been published in several church hymnals. The public learned then for the first time the real authorship of the hymn. The original has six stanzas, this being a selection of 1, 5, and 6.
Edward Hopper was born in New York City. He graduated from New York University and then prepared himself at Union Theological Seminary, New York, for the Presbyterian ministry. For many years he was pastor of the Church of the Sea and Land in New York, which sailors attended in large numbers.
MUSIC. PILOT, universally sung and beautifully adapted to these words, was written just before the composer sailed for Europe a short while before his death. He played the tune on the piano the night before he embarked on shipboard for his last earthly voyage.
For further comments on the composer, John E. Gould, see [Hymn 141].
162-3. [Lead,] kindly Light
John Henry Newman, 1801-90
A prayer for light and guidance, written on Sunday, June 16, 1833, while the author, travelling for his health, was lying, sick in mind and body, on the deck of a sail vessel that was becalmed for a whole week in the Straits of Bonifacio, in the Mediterranean Sea. Newman was going through a period of great heart-searching because of the disturbed conditions in England, both in church and state. His depressed feelings were accentuated by the wretched state of his health. The hymn deserves its wide popularity, for it expresses the universal longing for divine help in time of deep depression. The meaning of “kindly light” was never explained by the author. To some it represents the Inward Light of conscience; to others just the divine guidance; but to most people it doubtless means Christ as the Light of the World.
John Henry Newman was born in London, the son of a banker. His parents were devout nonconformists and brought up their son in the evangelical faith. After a distinguished career at Trinity College, Oxford, Newman was ordained in the Church of England, and became the vicar of the Oxford University Church, a post he filled with distinction from 1828 to 1843. His charm of personality and pulpit eloquence made him a profound influence at the University. Newman became a leader in the Oxford Movement and finally, in 1845, after a period of much hesitation, he left Anglicanism to unite with the Roman Catholic Church. His Apologia pro Vita Sua, a masterpiece of autobiography, constitutes a powerful defense of the Roman system of belief. In 1879, after some years of neglect by the church, he was made a cardinal. His fine Christian character, and spiritual force, as well as his literary ability, were universally recognized. Newman was a great Englishman and a great saint though referred to by some writers as an “angel who lost his way.”
MUSIC. LUX BENIGNA was written for these words by J. B. Dykes. Dykes told a friend that the tune came to him while walking through the Strand in London. The tune is also known as “St. Oswald.”
A friend visiting Cardinal Newman said to him of “Lead, Kindly Light”: “It must be a great pleasure to you to know that you have written a hymn treasured wherever English speaking Christians are to be found: and where are they not found?” To which Newman, after thoughtful silence, replied: “Yes, deeply thankful, and more than thankful: but you see it is not the hymn, but the tune, that has gained the popularity! The tune is Dykes’, and Dr. Dykes was a great master.”
For comments on J. B. Dykes see [Hymn 1].
SANDON was also written for this hymn. It appeared in The Church and Home Metrical Psalter and Hymnal, 1860, edited by Purday himself. It is simpler in form than LUX BENIGNA and is an effective and desirable alternative tune.
Charles Purday, 1799-1885, the composer, was at one time a noted singer in London. He became a publisher of music and was a popular lecturer on musical subjects.