Elizabeth Prentiss, 1818-78
A simple prayer put into verse, written hastily, as many hymns have been, and, after some years, printed as a leaflet. It was then included by Dr. Doane in his Songs of Devotion, in four stanzas, the third being omitted here. In form and sentiment, the hymn is an echo of “Nearer, my God, to Thee,” and is more explicitly Christian, for the latter omits the name of Christ completely.
Elizabeth Payson Prentiss was born in Portland, Maine, the daughter of the famous minister, Rev. Edward Payson. After teaching school for some years, she married Dr. George L. Prentiss, eminent Presbyterian clergyman, and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, who published her Life and Letters soon after her death. Mrs. Prentiss wrote poetry and prose for the Youths’ Companion and published several volumes of poems.
MUSIC. MORE LOVE TO THEE was written for this hymn and published in Dr. Doane’s Songs of Devotion, 1870.
For comments on Wm. Howard Doane see [Hymn 313].
473. What a wonderful Savior
Elisha A. Hoffman
A hymn on the atonement.
Words and music are by the Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman.
For comments on Hoffman, see [Hymn 464].