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Samuel Wesley
1691 - 1739 Person Name: Samuel Sebastian Wesley Composer of "GROSVENOR (Wesley)" in The Cyber Hymnal Samuel Wesley, M.A., the younger, was the eldest child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born in or near London in 1691. He received his early education from his mother, who always took a special interest in him as her firstborn. In 1704 he went to Westminster School, where he was elected King's Scholar in 1707. Westminster had, under the mastership of Dr. Busby for 55 years, attained the highest reputation for scholarship, and Samuel Wesley, as a classical scholar, was not unworthy of his school. In 1709, Dr. Spratt, Bishop of Rochester, patronised the young scholar, and frequently invited him to Bromley. In 1711 he went with a Westminster studentship to Christ Church, Oxford, and having taken his degree, returned to Westminster as an Usher. He then received Holy Orders and became an intimate friend of Bishop Atterbury, who was then Dean of Westminster. His intimacy with this prelate was a bar to his advancement, and he was bitterly disappointed at not being appointed undermaster at Westminster when that post was vacant. But he was faithful to his friend in his adversity, and the banished prelate warmly appreciated his attachment. In 1732 he was invited, without solicitation, to accept the headmastership of the Free School at Tiverton, and here he spent the remainder of his life. He strongly disapproved of John and Charles Wesley's proceedings; but though the brothers expressed their opinions to one another with characteristic frankness, the disagreement did not cause any interruption in the friendly relations between them.
Samuel Wesley was universally acknowledged to be an honest, conscientious and deeply religious man. He was a most uncompromising High Churchman both in the political and the theological sense of that term; and there is no doubt that he was the mainstay of the Wesley family at Epworth. His kindness to his father and mother was unbounded, and he acted like a father to his younger brothers and sisters. He also took a great interest in works of charity, and was one of the first promoters of the Westminster Infirmary. He died at Tiverton in the 49th year of his age, Nov. 6, 1739. His epitaph in Tiverton Churchyard does not exaggerate his merits, when it describes him as—
"a man for his uncommon wit and learning, For the benevolence of his temper, and simplicity of manner, Deservedly loved and esteemed by all: An excellent Preacher; But whose best sermon Was the constant example of an edifying life: So continually and zealously employed In acts of beneficence and charity, That he truly followed His blessed Master's example In going about doing good; Of such scrupulous integrity, That he declined occasions of advancement in the world, Through fear of being involved in dangerous compliances; And avoided the usual ways to preferment As studiously as many others seek them."
Samuel Wesley published in 1736 A Collection of Poems on several occasions, some of which are full of a rather coarse humour, but all of a good moral and religious tendency. This work was reprinted in 1743, and again by W. Nichols in 1862. Dr. Adam Clarke specifies eight hymns of S. Wesley's composition which were in use among the Methodists of that time (1823). The Wesleyan Hymn Book of the present day contains five, the best-known of which is "The Lord of Sabbath let us praise."
Six of his hymns are in common use, and are annotated as follows:—
1. From whence these dire portents around.
2. Hail, Father, Whose creating call.
3. Hail, God the Son in glory crowned.
4. Hail, Holy Ghost, Jehovah, Third.
5. The Lord of Sabbath, let ns praise.
6. The morning flowers display their sweets.
-- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Samuel Wesley
Sydney H. Nicholson
1875 - 1947 Person Name: Sydney Hugo Nicholson, 1875-1947 Composer of "FENITON" in CPWI Hymnal Sydney H. Nicholson, (b. St. Marylebone, London, England, 1875; d. Ashford, Kent, England, 1947) was an organist and church music educator who greatly influenced English hymnody. Educated at Oxford's New College, the Royal College of Music in London, and in Frankfurt, Germany, he became organist at several famous cathedrals, including Westminster Abbey (1919-1928). Nicholson founded and administered the School of English Church Music at Chislehurst in 1927; this important institution, with branches throughout the English-speaking world, was renamed the Royal School of Church Music in 1945. Located in Canterbury after World War II, its headquarters were moved to Addington Palace, Croydon, in 1954. Nicholson was music adviser for the 1916 Supplement of Hymns Ancient and Modern and prepared the way for its 1950 edition. He wrote Church Music: a Practical Handbook (1920) and Quires and Places Where They Sing (1932) and composed operettas, anthems, and hymn tunes. In 1938 he was knighted for his contributions to church music.
Bert Polman
Sydney H. Nicholson
A. J. Mason
1851 - 1928 Person Name: Arthur James Mason, 1851-1928 Translator of "Not a thought of earthly things!" in CPWI Hymnal Mason, Arthur James, M.A., was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge; B.A., in honours, 1872. He became a Fellow of his college in 1873, and Assistant Tutor in 1874. Ordained in 1874, he has since held some important appointments, and is now (1891), Hon. Canon and Canon Missioner of Truro, and Vicar of All Hallows, Barking, City of London, 1884, &c. To the 1889 Supplemental Hymns to Hymns Ancient & Modern, he contributed a translation of the Danish hymn: "0 Jesu! søde Jesu, dig" ("0 Jesu, Blessed Lord, to Thee"), Holy Communion, and the following original hymns:—
1. Church of the living God. The Holy Catholic Church.
2. Hail, Body true, of Mary born, and in the manger laid. Holy Communion.
3. Look down upon us, God of grace . Holy Communion.
4. 0 God, to know that Thou art just. Home Missions.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
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Mason, A. J., p. 1579, i., son of G. W. Mason, was b. May 4, 1851. Dr. Mason has had a most distinguished career, and has held important appointments in addition to those named on p. 1579, i., including that of Select Preacher at Oxford. In 1895 he became Lady Margaret Professor at Cambridge, and Canon of Canterbury; and in 1903 Master of Pembroke Coll., Cambridge. In addition to other works he published in 1875 The Persecution of Diocletian, and in 1902 Ministry of Conversion. His hymns, noted on p. 1579, i., were retained in the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1904 (Nos. 1, 2, 3, were written about 1886, and 4 in 1874). His hymn on the Seventh Word on the Cross, "The life-long task was done," written in 1902, was also included therein. His translations of the "Salve, festa dies" hymns for Easter, &c, are annotated under their Latin first lines.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
A. J. Mason
