164. Lead us, O Father, in the paths of peace
Wm. H. Burleigh, 1812-71
A hymn on the journey of life, entitled by the author, “Prayer for Guidance.”
William Henry Burleigh was brought up on a farm at Plainfield, Conn. At the age of 25, he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., and learned the printing trade and journalism. He later became editor of the Christian Freeman, an abolitionist journal, at Hartford, Conn. He was an ardent temperance reformer and advocate of the abolition of slavery. His last appointment was harbour master at New York, a post he held for 15 years. Burleigh belonged to a distinguished group of Unitarians who have contributed to American hymnody. His wife, Celia Burleigh, was for some time minister of the Unitarian Church at Brooklyn, Conn., and wrote the Life of her husband.
MUSIC. LONGWOOD was composed for John Ellerton’s hymn, “Savior, again to thy dear name we raise” ([43]).
For comments on the composer, Joseph Barnby, see [Hymn 21].