289. O Word of God Incarnate
W. W. How, 1823-97
A hymn addressed to Christ, the Word of God Incarnate, setting forth in a succession of beautiful figures—a lantern, the golden casket, a banner, a beam, chart and compass—the value of the written word, and the duty of the Church to carry the light of God’s word, both as incarnate and written, to the nations. It was written in 1867, headed by the text Prov. 6:23: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” The author himself was a living witness to the power of the Word. His definition of a minister shows the high ideal he had of the preacher of the Word, and, incidentally, is an accurate description of his own life:
A man pure, holy, and spotless in his life; a man of much prayer; in character meek, lowly, and infinitely compassionate; of tenderest love to all; full of sympathy for every pain and sorrow, and devoting his days and nights to lightening the burdens of humanity; utterly patient of insult and enmity; utterly fearless in speaking the truth and rebuking sin; ever ready to answer every call, to go wherever bidden in order to do good; wholly without thought of self; making himself the servant of all; patient, gentle, and untiring in dealing with the souls he would save; bearing with ignorance, wilfulness, slowness, cowardice in those of whom he expects most; sacrificing all, even life itself, if need be, to save some.
For further comments on W. W. How, see [Hymn 144].
MUSIC. MUNICH, “one of the most beautiful and perfectly constructed of tunes,” is of German origin and is known in Germany as “Königsberg Choral.” It appeared first in Lobsingende Harffe, 1682. The composer is unknown. Mendelssohn used the tune as the basis for his fine chorale, “Cast thy burden on the Lord,” in his oratorio, Elijah.