369. Eternal One, Thou living God
Samuel Longfellow, 1819-92
A hymn of the Church Universal, the great company of faithful souls of every age and land. The God who led our fathers, still leads His people into new truth and sets before them new goals.
For comments on Samuel Longfellow see [Hymn 28].
MUSIC. WINCHESTER NEW. This tune is also used extensively with Milman’s hymn, “Ride on! Ride on in majesty” ([101]). It was set to the hymn, “Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten,” in the Musikalisches Handbuch, printed in Hamburg, 1690. The earlier history of the tune is obscure, and its composer is unknown. It appeared in various collections under the name “Frankfurt” and “Crasselius.” In a volume published in Glasgow, 1762, entitled, The Psalm-Singer’s Delightful Pocket Companion, it was used in long meter and named “Winchester.” It should not be confused with “Winchester Old” ([191]).