Horatius Bonar, whose birthday in 1808 we celebrate today, was one of a group of dissenting clergy who broke away from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church in 1843. The worship tradition of both those Scottish churches was only to sing psalm paraphrases, so it seems unusual that Bonar became a prolific hymn writer whose texts were popular in many other denominations but not his own.
This text first appeared in his Hymns of Faith and Hope (1861), one of at least ten collections he pubished. I don't know if it has ever been sung as an Advent hymn but I think it could be, given its invitatory theme.
O Love that casts out fear,
O Love that casts out sin,
Tarry no more without,
But come and dwell within!
True sunlight of the soul,
Surround us as we go;
So shall our way be safe,
Our feet no wand'ring know.
Great Love of God, come in!
Wellspring of heav'nly peace;
O Living Water, come!
Spring up, and never cease.
Horatius Bonar, 1861
Tune: MOSELEY (6.6.6.6.)
Henry T. Smart, 1881
Only last month the Free Church of Scotland voted to allow the singing of hymns and songs in addition to the psalms, and today, St. Peter's Church in Dundee held its first carol service, which is also the first in the denomination. This change is not without controversy, as at least one minister has chosen to leave over this decision, but many people undoubtedly think that it's about time this happened. At any rate, I expect that the hymns of Horatius Bonar will finally become more widely known in his own country.
One (Liturgical) Year Ago: Away with loyal hearts and true
Two (Liturgical) Years Ago: Great Gabriel sped on wings of light
Henry Thomas Smart, born today in 1813, was educated in music by his father, who was a violinist and a music publisher. The younger Smart was intrigued by the pipe organ from a early age, often visiting the nearby Flight & Robson organ factory (founder George Robson had been organ builder to King George IV). After his father's death in 1823, his mother's relatives discouraged his musical interests and pushed him toward a legal career, but after four years in that practice he returned to music, becoming an organist and eventually an organ designer as well as a respected composer.
His first acclaimed anthem was written when he was organist at the parish church in Blackburn; an extended piece in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the Reformation. A local Methodist group asked him for a tune they could sing at one of their missionary meetings to Bishop Reginald Heber's text From Greenland's icy mountains, which resulted in one of Smart's most popular tunes, LANCASHIRE.
We have already seen a number of Smart's other hymn tunes over the last year (click the tag below). This one is no longer very well known, but I like it, especially with this text by Frederick Lucian Hosmer. Note how the third line proceeds directly into the fourth, which helps give the tune a sense of urgency in the hands of a good accompanist.Your presence come, O Lord,
Wide circling as the sun;
Fulfill of old your Word
And make the nations one.
One in the bond of peace,
The service glad and free
Of truth and righteousness,
Of love and equity.
Speed, speed the longed for time
Foretold by raptured seers—
The prophecy sublime,
The hope of all the years.
Till rise at last, to span
Its firm foundations broad,
Fulfillment of your plan,
The city of our God.
Frederick L. Hosmer, 1905; alt.
Tune: MOSELEY (6.6.6.6.)
Henry T. Smart, 1881One Year Ago: Henry Smart
Horatius Bonar, whose birthday in 1808 we celebrate today, was one of a group of dissenting clergy who broke away from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church in 1843. The worship tradition of both those Scottish churches was only to sing psalm paraphrases, so it seems unusual that Bonar became a prolific hymn writer whose texts were popular in many other denominations but not his own. 
