42. The Lord be with us as we bend
John Ellerton, 1826-93
The hymn is particularly appropriate for the close of an evening service.
John Ellerton was a minister of the Church of England, a teacher, author, and one of England’s most distinguished hymnists. He assisted in editing the famous Hymns Ancient and Modern, London, 1861. He was early surrounded with religious influences and had a happy childhood life. Of his parents he wrote, “I used to feel how happy my father and mother were, even more than how good they were.” He composed about fifty hymns and made about ten translations, a large proportion of which have found their way into church hymnals. He refused to take out a copyright for any of his hymns, saying that “if any are counted worthy to contribute to Christ’s praise in the congregation, one ought to feel very thankful and humble.” His hymns, of which there are eight in the Hymnary, are elevated in tone and devotional spirit.
MUSIC. BEATITUDO was written for the Revised Edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875, and was set to the words, “How bright these glorious spirits shine.”
For comments on the composer, J. B. Dykes, see [Hymn 1].