Ti gest angau, ti gest uffern,
Ti gest Satan dan dy droed:
Pen Calfaria,
Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof.
William Williams was the chief hymn writer of Wales and one of her greatest poets. He at first was in training for the medical profession but after attending some revival services, decided to become a minister. On account of his evangelical views (and his interest in evangelistic work), he came in conflict with church dignitaries, resulting in his withdrawal from the Established Church, and throwing himself into evangelistic work. His preaching itineraries took him throughout Wales. He travelled an average of 3,000 miles per year for 50 years. He wrote many hymns, stirring the nation, influencing its character, and deepening its faith. Williams was to Wales what Paul Gerhardt was to Germany and Isaac Watts to England.
MUSIC. DISMISSAL was composed for the hymn “Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing” ([45]).
The composer, William Letton Viner, 1790-1867, was a student of Charles Wesley, Jr. He was organist at St. Michael’s Church, Bath, for 18 years and at St. Mary’s Penzance for 21 years. In 1859, he came to the United States. He composed organ and church music and songs, and edited several hymnals.
161. Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Edward Hopper, 1818-88
A beautiful hymn suggested by the seafaring life. It was published anonymously in Sailors’ Magazine, 1871, and again in the Baptist Praise Book, 1871, and in C. S. Robinson’s collection of Spiritual Songs, 1878. The author of the hymn, unknown for several years, was discovered at the anniversary of the Seamen’s Friend Society, held at the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City, May 10, 1880. Dr. Edward Hopper, popular pastor of the Church of the Sea and Land in New York, having been asked to write a special hymn for the occasion, brought instead, “Jesus Savior, pilot me,” not aware that the hymn had already been published in several church hymnals. The public learned then for the first time the real authorship of the hymn. The original has six stanzas, this being a selection of 1, 5, and 6.