Spirit of God, descend upon my heart

In contrast to the preceding hymn, this one from 100 years later is the only one of its author’s to have endured. It is based broadly on Galatians 5:25; while not so rich as 523 in biblical imagery, its strength lies mainly in its resonance with what Christians often think, feel and want to sing. Though now a century and a half old, it has a more modern ring than a great many texts written much later. It was published with 6 stzs in George Croly’s 71st year, in his Scenes from Scripture with other Poems, 1851, with the heading ‘Holiness Desired’. (The details in Julian are, for once, incorrect.)

For S Wellens’ tune HUNTINGDON, see 389 where it is set in the key of E flat. Information is lacking about its composer and origins. Other tunes in use are SONG 22 by Gibbons, and Cyril Taylor’s SHELDONIAN.

b Dublin 1780, d Holborn, C London 1860. Trinity Coll Dublin (MA, LL.D); he was ordained and served in Ireland until 1810 when he moved to London to concentrate on literary work, and where he edited The Universal Review. In 1835 he became Rector of the poverty-stricken city parish and long-closed church of St Stephen’s Walbrook, where his evangelical preaching attracted large congregations. He wrote serious and comic verse, stage dramas, songs and novels. In 1854 (aged 74) he published Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, which included 20 of his own texts and Psalm paraphrases, and 55 by other writers. But many of the books were destroyed by fire, and the collection was not reprinted. He died suddenly in the street in Holborn, near his London home. No.524.