Asa Hull was born January 18, 1828, in Keene, N. Y. He studied harmony and composition with B. F. Baker and Geo. J. Webb in Boston, and at the age of 20 became organist and choirmaster at Watertown, Mass. He composed many church tunes. Hull, a pioneer publisher of Sunday school and gospel song books, was also known as a shrewd business man. His publications numbered 30 books and about 100 pamphlets. Gem of Gems, published in 1881, sold over 300,000 copies. On the fly leaf of his Casket of Sunday School Melodies is found this advertisement:
Asa Hull, Philadelphia agent for the Hallett and Cumston Piano Fortes, will keep a variety of styles and exhibits at his store, which he will sell at lower prices for cash than any other first class instrument can be bought in the city. 240 S. Eleventh Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
233. O holy Savior, Friend unseen
Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871
A hymn which is best understood by those who have had experience in suffering and sorrow. Entitled, “Clinging to Christ,” it was written in 1834, shortly after the death of the author’s father and published in the 1834 edition of her Invalid’s Hymn Book.
Charlotte Elliott, a member of the Church of England, was born and reared amid refined, cultured, Christian surroundings. Her grandfather, Rev. Henry Venn, was an “eminent Church of England divine of apostolic character and labors,” and the author of The Whole Duty of Man. Charlotte was a woman of keen intellect and was gifted in music and art. Unfortunately, she became an invalid at 32 and remained so till the end of her long life, oftentimes enduring great suffering. This may account for the note of tenderness found in all her hymns. In spite of her invalidism, she did a large amount of literary work, publishing four or five volumes of poetry. She was a modest woman, publishing all her books anonymously. A large number of her 150 hymns are still in use, the most popular being “Just as I am, without one plea” ([458]).
MUSIC. INTEGER VITAE (FLEMMING). For comments on this tune see [Hymn 59].
234. Thou true Vine, that heals the nations
T.S.N.
Based on John 15:1-5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now are ye clean through the work which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”