399. Lead on, O King Eternal
Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1862-1917
Written upon request of the author’s classmates at Andover Theological Seminary, as a hymn for their graduation in 1887. It has come into wide use as a processional and a recessional on baccalaureate and other occasions.
Ernest W. Shurtleff, graduate of Harvard University and Andover Theological Seminary, held Congregational pastorates in Massachusetts and at Minneapolis, Minn. He then went to Frankfurt, Germany, where he did his finest work as founder and pastor of the American Church at that place. He also served as spiritual counselor to a large group of American students in Paris. During the first World War, he and his wife were active in relief work in Europe. Besides his gifts as preacher, and pastor, Shurtleff also possessed ability as musician and writer, and published several volumes of poetry.
MUSIC. LANCASHIRE. For comments on this tune see [Hymn 115].