A hymn describing the church as the home of “rich and poor, bond and free, great and small.” It is suitable for the general worship service and especially for the dedication of a church.
Information concerning the author, Robert Collyer, has not been traced. Julian’s Dictionary notes a William Collyer, 1782-1854, eminent English evangelical preacher who was ordained for a small church of ten communicant members. He is described as a man of “amiable disposition, polished manners, Christian courtesy, and popular with rich and poor alike; who labored in the church with great success and honor until his death.” He wrote numerous hymns. Was our hymn written by a son brought up with his father’s noble conception of the church?
MUSIC. MENDON. For comments on this tune see [Hymn 211].
THE LORD’S DAY
283. The dawn of God’s dear Sabbath
Ada Cross, 1844-?
A hymn on the Sabbath, picturing the day as a time when weary souls may turn from daily toil to refresh themselves with the water of life drawn from the wells of salvation.
Ada Cross was born in England, November 21, 1844, the daughter of Henry Cambridge. She married an Australian, the Rev. George F. Cross, and spent most of her life in Australia where her husband was minister of the Anglican Church in Coleraine, Victoria. She was interested in the liturgy of the Church and issued several collections of hymns.
MUSIC. ENDSLEIGH is credited to Salvatore Ferretti, 1817-74, concerning whom no information has been traced. The arrangement was made by James Turle, 1802-82, an English teacher of music, a distinguished organist, and composer of hymn tunes, chants, and anthems. For sixty-three years he was connected with Westminster Abbey in London. He was endowed, it is said, with unusually large hands so that he could easily span an octave and a half with one hand. His sole musical interest was in serving the church.