Sarah Geraldina Stock › Tunes

Stock, Sarah Geraldina, born Dec. 27, 1838, has devoted much time to literature with special reference to Mission work and Sunday Schools. Her prose publications include Lessons on Israel in Egypt, &c, 1874; The Child's Life of our Lord, 1879; Bible Stories from the Old Testament, &c, 1882, and others. Her hymns in common use include:—
1. A debtor! For the love of God unbounded. Missions. Written for the Church Missionary Almanack, 1878, and also issued as a C. M. S. leaflet.
2. Behind and Before. Departure of Missionaries. Written for India's Women, and sung for the first time at the dismissal of Church of England Zenana missionaries, Sep. 30, 1887. Since issued as a C. M. S. leaflet.
3. Called to Thy service, Lord. Holy Matrimony. Written for the marriage of Mr. W. Merry and Miss Grainger, of the "Home of Industry," Bethnal Green Road, London, March 14, 1889.
4. Coldly the wind is sweeping. For Workers. Published in the Church Sunday School Magazine, 1885.
5. Jesus! All-sufficiency. Teachers’ Devotional Meetings. Published in the Church Sunday School Magazine, 1882.
6. Lord of light, and Fount of love. Home Missions. Published in the Church Sunday School Magazine, 1875; in Hymns for Special Services, &c. Bemrose & Sons, &c.
7. Lord, Thy ransomed Church is waking. Home Missions. Written for the London February Mission, 1874, and published in the Church Sunday School Magazine, Feb., 1874, and subsequently in several hymn-books.
8. 0 Master! when Thou callest. Departure of Missionaries. Written for India's Women, and first sung at the Valedictory Meeting of the Church of England Zenana Society, Oct. 2, 1888.
9. Open stood the gates of heaven. Christmas. Published in the Church S. S. Musical Leaflets, No. 6, with music by C. H. Nottingham.
10. Shut out from heaven's glory. Harvest. Published in the same Leaflets, as No. 9.
11. The tender light of home behind. Departure of Missionaries. Written for India's Women, Sep. 1887, and first sung at the Valedictory Meeting of the Church of England Zenana Society, Sep. 30, 1887.
12. There's a fight to be fought, there's a work to be done. Missions. Written for the Church Missionary Gleaners' Annual Meeting, Nov. 1888, and issued as a C. M. S. leaflet.
13. We know not how the rays that stream. Holy Trinity. Written for the Church S. S. Magazine. Published in an abridged form as "We cannot read the mystery," in the Church Sunday School Hymn Book, 1868.
14. With voice of joy and singing. Thanksgiving. Written for the opening of Miss Annie Macpherson's "Home of Industry," Bethnal Green Road, London, 1887, and issued as a leaflet.

Of these hymns, Nos. 1, 7, 8, 11, and 12, were published in Eight Missionary Hymns and Poems, C. M. S., 1889. Miss Stock contributed 3 hymns to the "Golden Songs," which appeared in the Sunday School Union Sunday S. Chronicle, 1875; 7 for children to the Sunday at Home. She has also written several others on various subjects, which have been issued as leaflets. Her hymns are bright and musical, and should be sought out by hymnal compilers. Her poems are published as Joy in Sorrow, 1884. She died Aug. 29, 1898.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)