305. According to Thy gracious word
James Montgomery, 1771-1854
One of the best-loved and most useful of communion hymns, profound, yet simple. It appeared first in Montgomery’s Christian Psalmist, 1825, and has since passed into the hymn books of all denominations of evangelical Christians. The words of Luke 22:19 furnish the scriptural basis of the hymn: “This do in remembrance of me.”
For comments on James Montgomery see [Hymn 62].
MUSIC. ST. JOHN, more properly called “St. John’s, Westminster,” was composed by James Turle, 1802-82.
For comments on James Turle see [Hymn 283].
306. Bread of the world, in mercy broken
Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
The Church Hymnary, London, 1927, has the following practical note at the bottom of the page where this hymn appears:
As this hymn consists of one verse only, it is suggested that it be sung twice over: once by the choir alone, and again by choir and people in unison. It may also be used as a short motet for unaccompanied singing by the choir.