438. Praise Him! Praise Him!
Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
One of the many fine lyrics by the blind poet, Fanny Crosby, first published in Bigelow and Main’s Bright Jewels, 1869. A useful and popular praise song.
For comments on Fanny Crosby, see [Hymn 313].
MUSIC. ALLEN, a favorite tune wherever gospel songs are in use, was composed by Chester Allen, 1812-77, who belongs to an American group of popular hymn-tune writers composed of Lowry, Bliss, Webb, H. P. Main, and others. No biographical information concerning him is at hand.
439. Come, let us all unite to sing
Anonymous
A hymn built around the theme “God is love,” I John 4:8, 16.
The author is unknown.
MUSIC. GOD IS LOVE. This tune was composed by Rev. Edmund S. Lorenz, a prolific writer of gospel hymn-tunes, and founder and president of the Lorenz Publishing Company, Dayton, Ohio. Lorenz was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 13, 1854, and received his education at Otterbein University, Union Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Leipzig. He was a pastor in the United Brethren Church for a time and then became president of Lebanon Valley College, a post he was compelled to resign on account of illness. Regaining his health, he went into the publishing business. He prepared The Church Hymnal for the United Brethren in Christ in 1935. His publications include Practical Church Music, The Singing Church, 1937, and other volumes on sacred music.