to which there was much objection on scriptural grounds, in spite of the words of Christ, “I pray for them” (John 17:9).
For comments on James Montgomery see [Hymn 62].
MUSIC. PENITENCE was composed by Spencer Lane, 1843-1903, who received musical training in the Boston Conservatory of Music and became a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. He was in charge of music in various churches in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maryland. While choirmaster at St. James Church, Woonsocket, R. I., he wrote this tune one Sunday while his wife was preparing dinner. It was used at a parish choir festival on “Easter Tuesday, 1899, at 7:30 p.m.” and at the suggestion of the rector of the church, it was sent to Dr. Chas. L. Hutchins, who included it in the Episcopal Hymnal of 1879. Of the various tunes composed by Lane, this is the only one in general use today.
196. Lord Jesus, think on me
Synesius, c. 375-430
Tr. Allen W. Chatfield, 1808-96
A subjective and meditative hymn of trust, coming to us from the ancient Eastern Church.
Synesius, a native of Cyrene, came from an illustrious family. He studied at Alexandria and became a Christian in 401. Against his own wishes, but in response to the will of the people, he was elected bishop of Ptolemais. He is described in Chas. Kingsley’s Hypatia as a distinguished churchman, philosopher, statesman, and patriot.
The translator, Rev. A. W. Chatfield, was an Anglican clergyman who had a distinguished career at Cambridge. He translated many of the hymns of the early Greek poets into English.
The original poem, of which this is a paraphrase rather than an exact translation, is as follows: