The translation is by Jane Borthwick, born in Edinburgh, who, with her sister, Sarah B. Findlater, did outstanding work as a translator of German hymns. Only Catherine Winkworth surpassed her. Miss Borthwick, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, was a devout Christian character, especially interested in the mission work of the church, both home and foreign. Another of her well-known translations is “My Jesus, as Thou wilt” ([250]) from the original by Benjamin Schmolke.
MUSIC. FINLANDIA is from the pen of Jean Sibelius, born December 8, 1865, in Finland, and undoubtedly the greatest living composer. At this writing, 1948, he is still living, but, through the misfortunes of war, reduced to penury and poverty. Besides seven symphonies, he wrote many smaller orchestral works. This tune is from the tone poem “Finlandia,” the arrangement having been made for the Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church in 1932. It is included in a number of recent hymn books and has become a favorite with worshipping congregations wherever introduced.
55. God is love; His mercy brightens
John Bowring, 1792-1872
A bright, joyful hymn which we owe to a layman, Sir John Bowring, born at Exeter, England, 1792. Though a member of the Unitarian Church, his faith was apparently that of an evangelical. On his tombstone are engraved the words of another great hymn which he himself wrote, “In the Cross of Christ I glory” (See [110]). Bowring was the son of a manufacturer of woolen goods and he spent his early years travelling in all parts of the world in the interest of his father’s business. Though he left school at the age of 14, he became an outstanding linguist and scholar and writer. At the age of 16, he had acquired five languages and late in life he is said to have known 200 languages and spoken 100. One of his primary interests was politics. He was elected to the British Parliament and later became the British consul at Canton and the governor of Hong Kong. He published a book of Hymns with the desire that they might be useful in strengthening the religious faith of others who under suffering and disheartening circumstances might chance to read them.
The hymn is constructed to emphasize in each stanza the idea of God as wisdom (I Cor. 1:30) and love (I John 4:8).
MUSIC. STOCKWELL, a very useful tune, appeared in Lowell Mason’s popular collection of hymns, New Carmina Sacra, in 1850, set to the words, “Silently the shades of evening,” written by Christopher Cox.
The composer, Darius Eliot Jones, 1815-81, was born at Carroll, N. Y. His father, Abner Jones, was a well-known music teacher in New York. Darius spent twenty years of his adult life in business. He served for a time as assistant editor of the Choral Advocate, published by Mason Brothers, New York, and at the same time conducted the music in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, where Henry Ward Beecher was pastor. At Beecher’s suggestion, Jones prepared a new hymn book, Temple Melodies, 1861, for use in Plymouth Church. Feeling a call to the Christian ministry, Jones entered Iowa College, at Davenport, as a student and at the age of 43 was ordained as a Congregational minister. He served churches at Columbia City and Newton Center, Ia., until 1863, when he became treasurer of the Iowa General Association. For a year, he was agent for the American Bible Society; and for four years, 1866-70, he was agent for Iowa College, later located at Grinnell and known as Grinnell College. Here Jones published a second hymn book, Songs for the New Life, in 1869. From that time on, he served various churches in Iowa until his death in 1881.
56. How gentle God’s commands
Philip Doddridge, 1702-51