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Gioacchino A. Rossini

1792 - 1868 Person Name: Gioachhimo Rossini (1792-1868) Scripture: Psalm 130 Composer of "WARNER" in Many Voices; or, Carmina Sanctorum, Evangelistic Edition with Tunes Gioacchino A. Rossini; b. 1792, Pesaro; d. 1868, Ruelle near Parise Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908

Thomas Raffles

1788 - 1863 Scripture: Psalm 130:7 Author of "With Thee is mercy" in Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church Thomas Raffles was born in London in 1788. He studied at Homerton College, and in 1809 became pastor of a Congregational society at Hammersmith. In 1812, he removed to Liverpool, where he was minister in the Great George Street chapel. This position he held for forty-nine years. He died at Liverpool, in 1863. He published several sermons, letters of travel, poems, and hymns for the use of his congregation. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872. ======================= Raffles, Thomas, D.D., LL.D., son of Mr. W. Raffles, solicitor, was born in Princes Street, Spitalfields, London, May 17, 1788. In 1803 he became a clerk in Doctors' Commons, but shortly after retired, and through the influence of Dr. Collyer, of whose church at Peckham he was for some time a member, he entered Homerton College in 1805. His stated ministry began at Hammersmith, where he was ordained as a Congregational minister on June 22, 1809. In 1812 he removed to Liverpool, where he succeeded the Rev. T. Spencer, and remained for 49 years the honoured pastor of the Great George Street Congregational Church. He died at Liverpool, Aug. 18, 1863. For upwards of fifty years Dr. Raffles was one of the most prominent ministers of the Congregational body. His labours outside of his own congregation were very great, his aid as a preacher on behalf of missions and other religious works, being eagerly sought after. The Lancashire Inde-pendent College owes its existence mainly to him; and to many religious works in Liverpool he gave great personal attention. His degree of LL.D. was conferred by the University of Aberdeen in Dec. 1820, and that of D.D. by Union College, Connecticut, in July 1880. His works include Memoirs of the Life and Ministry of the Rev. Thomas Spencer, 1813; A Tour on the Continent, 1817; and several Sermons, &c. He also edited the 1815 edition of Brown's Self-Interpreting Bible; was joint author with J. B. Brown and J. H. Wiffen, of Poems by Three Friends; and joint editor with Dr. Collyer and Dr. J. B. Brown, of the Investigator, a London quarterly. As early as March 8, 1813, he says, in a letter to his friend, Mr. Brown, "I am about to put to press a collection of hymns for the use of my chapel:" but this intention was not carried out until 1853, when he published his Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms & Hymns. His son's history of this Supplement is:— "Early in January, 1853, he published his long-expected Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, which he had in hand for many years. He would never have published it at all, but, in common with other Independent Ministers, would have used the Congregational Hymn-book [J. Conder's 1836 and 1842] had that book contained a fair share of his own hymns. In its original form, however, it did not contain one [yes, one, but given as Anonymous]; and Dr. Raffles might, without vanity—seeing that numerous hymn-books of modern date contained one or more of his hymns—-have expected that they would not have been wholly omitted from the hymn-book emphatically of his own denomination. But so it was, and he never would introduce it, though, with the greatest readiness, when the improved edition was contemplated [theNew Congregational Hymn Book, 1859], under the editorship of the Rev. Dr. Gr. Smith, Dr. Raffles contributed some of his hymns to its pages. His own collection is very good, but limited in extent; the hymns are selected with considerable Judgment; and the true versions, as written by the respective authors, are given, wherever the original source could be reached."— Memoirs, 1864, p. 419. Dr. Raffles contributed, in 1812, eight hymns under the signature "T. B." to the Collection of his old friend and former pastor, Dr. Collyer. Gradually other hymns came into notice. These, with others to the number of 46, were included in his Supplement, 1853. His hymns at present in common use include:— 1. Blest hour, when mortal man retiresPrayer. In the "R. MS." this is headed "The Hour of Prayer," and at the foot is written by Dr. Raffles, “Printed in the Amulet for 1829, and thence copied into the Christian Observer." It is dated " Jany. 26,1823," and is in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. 2. Cause of all causes, and the Source. Hymn to the Deity. Contributed to Dr. Collyer's Collection, 1812, No. 914, in 5 st. of 6 1. 3. Come, heavenly peace of mind. Peace of Mind. Pub..in Collyer's Collection, 1812, No. 915, in 3 st. of 10 1. In the "R. MS." this, in a revised and expanded form of 10 stanzas of 6 lines, is undated; but underneath Dr. Raffles has written "Printed in the American Xtian Keepsake for 1838." 4. Eternal Father, throned above. Doxology. In the "R.MS." this is in 1 st. of 8 1., and headed "Doxology." It is undated, and underneath is written by Dr. Raffles at a later date (the change in the ink proving this) "Published anonymously in the Congregational Hymn Book," i.e., J. Conder's 1836 and 1842. 5. Father of mercies, God of love, 0 hear a humble, &c. Lent. Appeared in Collyer's Collection, 1812, No. 909, in 6 st. of 6 1., and headed "The Penitent's Prayer." 6. Go, preach the Gospel to the poor Home Missions. In the "R.MS." in 7 st. of 4 1., headed "To the Agents of the Liverpool town mission," and dated "May 1849." At the foot is written "Printed at the Printing Office of the Liverpool Town Mission Bazaar, Lycaeum, Bold Street." 7. High in yonder realms of light. Heaven. Contributed to Collyer's Collection, 1812, No. 911, in 6 st. of 8 1. It was sung at Dr. Raffles's funeral, Aug. 24, 1863. It is the most widely known of his hymns, but is usually given in an abbreviated form. 8. Lord, like a publican I stand. Lent. Dated in the "R.MS." "Seacombe, Oct. 4th, 1831," and headed, “The Publican, Luke xviii. 13." It is in 5 st. of 4 1., and is in several collections. 9. No night shall be in heaven! No gathering gloom. Heaven. In 8 st. of 4 double lines, headed “And there shall be no night there," Rev. xxii. 5, and dated " April 4, 1857." ("R.MS.") 10. 0 God of families, we own. Family Worship. In the "R.MS." in 5 st. of 4 1., entitled "The God of the families of Israel," and dated, "Jany. 15th, 1823." It appeared in the New Song, 1859. 11. Rapid flows the stream of tune. New Year. The last but one of his New Year's hymns, in 6 st. of 8 1., entitled "Hymn for New Year's Morning," and dated, "Jany. 1st, 1861." ("R.MS.") 12. Saviour, let Thy sanction rest. Holy Matrimony. In the “R. MS." in 6 st. of 6 1. entitled “The Marriage Feast," and dated "November 3rd, 1852. On occasion of the marriage of the Rev. J. F. and Mrs. Guenett." Included in the New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859, with the omission of st. v., vi. 13. Sovereign Ruler, Lord of all. Lent. No. 813 in Collyer's Collection, 1812, in 6 st. of 4 1. 14. The cup which my Father hath given. In Affliction. In the “R.MS." in 2 st. of 8 1., but without date. In theMemoirs. 1864, p. 272, the history of the hymn from Dr. Raffles's Diary is this :— "Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 16th [Oct., 1828.] I preached to an immense congregation last night at Nottingham, and slept at Mr. Gilbert's. Mr. Rawson [of Nottingham Castle], a fine young man, and but recently married, has broken a blood-vessel, and with his wife and mother, and father and sister, set out yesterday for Devonshire, to pass the winter. Mrs. Rawson sent me her album, and begged me to insert something appropriate. As I dressed in the morning I composed the following lines, which I sent her just before they set out: ‘The cup, &c.'" Mrs. Rawson, soon left a widow, resided at Wincobank Hall, near Sheffield, nearly 60 years, and died there in 1887. 15. Thou art my Hiding-place, 0 Lord. The Hiding-place. In the "R.MS." in 4 st. of 8 1., and dated “Burnley, June 23rd, 1833." 16. What is life? A rapid stream. Life. In the “R.MS." in 6 st. of 4 1., and dated in pencil 1838. At the foot is written by Dr. Raffles "Originally published in the Investigator, and, anonymously, in Affection's Gift, a poetical selection published by Simpkin and Marshall, Hamilton, &c, London." The "Raffles MS.," from which we have annotated these hymns, was kindly lent by Mr. T. S. Raffles, B.A., Stipendiary Magistrate of Liverpool. Mr. Raffles is the author of his father's Memoirs, 1864, and of hymn 25 in his father's Supplement. Dr. Raffles's original Hymns were published in 1868, with a Preface by J. Baldwin Brown. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

J. Armitage Robinson

1858 - 1933 Person Name: Joseph A. Robinson, 1848-1933 Scripture: Psalm 130:7 Author of "'Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here" in Lutheran Service Book Robinson, Joseph Armitage, D.D., Dean of Westminster since 1902, of Christ College, Camb. (B.A. 1881, M.A. 1884, D.D. 1896), sometime Fellow of his College, Norrisian Prof, of Div., Camb., Rector of St. Marg., Westminster, and Canon of Westminster, &c.,is only slightly associated with hymnology. His hymn, "'Tis good, Lord, to be here" (Transfiguration), was written c. 1890. It was included in the 1904 edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, and supplies a long-felt want with respect to hymns on the Trans¬figuration. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Leon Roberts

1950 - 1999 Scripture: Psalm 130 Composer (refrain 1) of "[With the Lord there is mercy]" in Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.) Leon began his piano studies at the age of six with a local teacher he knew as "Mr. Ben." His grandmother, Mrs. Mary Bookman, became a religious mentor in the musical growth of her grandson. Being from a family of devout Baptists, Methodists and Pentecostals, he gained an integrated understanding of faith. He first learned skills of directing congregational worship at his mother's church, the First Apostolic Fire Baptized Holiness Church of Coatesville. It was there that he also had a deep personal encounter with Jesus Christ. His talents and strong faith in God were reflected in the musical groups that he formed and directed such as the "Voices of Love" and the "Jubali Movement of Southern Pennsylvania." Leon was equally talented during his years in the Coatesville Area School District as a member of the various choral groups such as the Meistersingers and the many theatrical and musical productions. In 1968, Leon came to Washington, DC, to attend Howard University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Later, he completed course work for the Liturgical Studies Certificate from Georgetown University. While at Howard University, he was a co-founder, pianist and composer for the 100-member Howard University Gospel Choir. Additionally, during this period, he directed the Mount Zion Baptist Church Young Adult Choir and the Library of Congress Gospel Choir. The defining event of Leon's career and life came in April 1977 when he was invited to direct the struggling Gospel choir of Saints Paul and Augustine Catholic Church in Washington, DC. Embraced and mentored by the church community, he converted to Catholicism and made his life's work the integration of the energy and emotion of African-American Gospel music with the traditions and rituals of the Catholic liturgy. From 1977 until 1994, he was the Director of Liturgical Music at the Saint Augustine Catholic Church and an instructor of choir and music appreciation at the Saint Augustine Elementary School. From 1978 until 1983, he directed the Mackin Catholic High School Choir and the Archdiocesan-wide Gospel Choir at Saint James Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. In 1982, he founded and directed the Archdiocesan Mass Choir for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He also was music director of the Bishop McNamara Senior High School Gospel Choir. Leon was the co-founder and music chairperson of the REJOICE! Conference on Black Catholic Liturgy. In 1989, the REJOICE! Conference was held in Rome, Italy, and the Vatican where he spoke on "The Development of African-American Liturgical Music Since Vatican II." He was an internationally recognized African-American composer, arranger, liturgist and recording artist. The following are among his works: "Mass of Saint Augustine," published by the Gregorian Institute of America and dedicated to his late sister, Claudette Shatteen; "I Call Upon You God!-The Mass of Saint Martin de Porres," published by Leon C. Roberts and Associates of which he was president; "He Has the Power" and "Deliver the Word," recorded by the Saint Augustine Gospel Choir; "God Has Done Marvelous Things," an artistic collaboration with David Haas and Roberts' Revival; "The Coming," recorded by Roberts' Revival and published by Oregon Catholic Press; and his most recent recording, "Come Bless the Lord," a live concert recording to be released in March 1999. He was a major contributor to the first African-American Catholic hymnal, "Lead Me, Guide Me," which included twenty liturgical settings and was distributed nationally in 1987. In 1993, his psalm settings were published in the African-American hymnal of the Episcopal Church entitled "Lift Every Voice and Sing." And, he also worked with the late Sister Thea Bowman to produce her "Songs of My People" and "Round the Glory Manger." Leon's liturgical music and seminars are famous around the world. He toured with various choirs throughout the United States, Italy, Japan and the Caribbean Islands. During his tour of Rome, Italy, he directed the Saint Augustine Choir at a special audience with Pope John Paul II. In 1990, his concert tour of Japan with Roberts' Revival received critical acclaim and resulted in appearances on ABC-TV, FOX-TV and a number of radio stations. On Christmas Eve 1991, he directed the Saint Augustine Gospel Choir in a special program on "The History of Gospel Music" on ABC's Nightline. From 1994 through 1996, he and Roberts' Revival performed annually in Hawaii at the BILAC, Big Island Liturgical and Arts Conference. He was a clinician and lecturer for many organizations including the National Office of Black Catholics, the National Pastoral Musicians Conventions, the East Coast Conference for Religious Education, Notre Dame University, the Catholic University of America's Liturgical Studies program and many dioceses and archdioceses. In 1994, Leon moved to Brooklyn, New York, to become the Florence Van Keuren Artist-in-Residence at the Concord Baptist Church of Christ. He served as the director for Concord's Gospel Chorus and the Male Chorus. He also was music director of the Union Theological Seminary Gospel Choir in Manhattan. In 1998, he was honored by the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York. During that ceremony at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, New York's Archbishop John Cardinal O'Connor presented him with the "Special Achievement Award" for his many contributions to Black Catholic worship and the development of liturgical music. Then on Friday evening, January 22, 1999, at Providence Hospital, Leon left his earthly home to be with his heavenly Father, after being diagnosed with stomach cancer just two weeks earlier. --www.giamusic.com/