212. O Jesus, I have promised
John Ernest Bode, 1816-74
A hymn of consecration which the author wrote on the occasion of the confirmation of his daughter and two sons as “O Jesus, we have promised.” It is frequently, and appropriately, used at baptismal services.
John Ernest Bode graduated with high honors from Oxford, where he was a fellow and tutor for six years; then became rector of Westwall, Oxfordshire, and later of Castle Campus, Cambridgeshire. He was a man of considerable attainments and was Bampton Lecturer in 1855. He wrote a number of hymns and is the author of several volumes of poetry.
MUSIC. ANGEL’S STORY, also known as “Supplication” and “Watermouth,” was written for Emily H. Miller’s hymn, “I love to hear the story which angel voices tell,” from which it derives its name. It first appeared in the Methodist Sunday School Hymn Book, 1881, but has since come into wide usage set to “O Jesus, I have promised.”
The composer, Arthur H. Mann, 1850-1930, was a distinguished English organist, and musical editor of The Church of England Hymnal. He was an authority on the music of Handel, and composed much church music. Oxford University gave him the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Doctor of Music.