304. Bread of the world, in mercy broken
Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
“A quiet communion hymn full of loveliness and warm reality of faith.”—Reeves.
This popular communion hymn by Bishop Heber was published posthumously with the title, “Before the Sacrifice.”
For comments on Reginald Heber see [Hymn 1].
MUSIC. EUCHARISTIC HYMN, a tune “beautiful in its simplicity,” has always been associated with this hymn by Heber. The composer, John Sebastian Bach Hodges, 1830-1915, son of the illustrious organist, Edward Hodges, was born in Bristol, England, but came to America when eight years old. He received his education at Columbia University and General Theological Seminary, New York City, and became a noted minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church. He had excellent musical knowledge and founded in Baltimore the earliest choir school in the United States. He also did much work on the various revisions of the Episcopal hymnal.